It's nice to say (and believe) HAPPY Mother's Day. For years I dreaded Mother's Day. I didn't like it when "all the ladies" stood up in church to get a rose, or when the oldest mom or the youngest mom got a special gift - I didn't like any of it.
For years I was thinking of my own pain as I waiting for God to give me children. I am fortunate that my mom is healthy and we enjoy a very close friendship. Although I celebrated Mother's Day with her - I didn't make it "about her" .... I made it "about me." Me and my circumstances.
God is faithful. I am thrilled to be mom to Emma and Noah. But it is important to remember that God was faithful when I was hurting also.
God isn't the maker of Mother's Day. Yes, we should honor our mothers....everyday. God is the maker of hope and joy and peace. He didn't want my heart to hurt one Sunday every year. He loves me, and if you are struggling with this special day - please remember that He loves you too!
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Ouch! That hurts....
What hurts more, the physical or emotional wounds we get? As an adult I think the emotional hurts take a greater toll. But as a mama - watching her children, they both stink!
Today began with Noah having a hurt thumb, swollen and red from a fire ant bite. Ice hurt, bending it hurt, and trying to get the poison out was not something he was happy about at all. Even though I knew I was doing what was best for him, and he trusted me not to harm him, he resisted and cried. It made my heart hurt. Some hydrocortisone cream and a little TLC and he's all better. Hmmm..am I that way with God? Even though He knows what is best for me, even though I trust Him never to harm me - I resist and cry. Ouch...that hurts!
This evening Emma got into the van to come home and as I looked into the rearview mirror I saw tears. What is wrong? A hurt heart. Unkind or inconsiderate actions can hurt those around us so much, and often the careless ones are unaware of the pain. More TLC and her wounds are soothed, but seeing her work through the pain is hard on me too. Lord, help me not to be inconsiderate of those around me - I don't want to cause pain.
When we got home Noah informed me that in the midst of a riveting game of dodgeball his head collided with a teammate (fortunately neither got out) but that now it hurt to open his mouth, and that was said with chicken nuggets in front of him! A little checking and I found a goose-egg on side of his head just in front of his ear. Oh that is a tender spot, I know it hurts. More ice...more tears...and a prayer of thanks that there is a goose-egg, and nothing more serious - prayers for good rest and healing.
They are all quietly sleeping now - and I am awake. Rolling all these events around in my mind. Such a harried sort of day. Thank you Lord for this day...your day. Help me to now quiet my mind and think not on the worries and troubles that you have carried me through but on the peace you give and the joy that is never-ending.
Today began with Noah having a hurt thumb, swollen and red from a fire ant bite. Ice hurt, bending it hurt, and trying to get the poison out was not something he was happy about at all. Even though I knew I was doing what was best for him, and he trusted me not to harm him, he resisted and cried. It made my heart hurt. Some hydrocortisone cream and a little TLC and he's all better. Hmmm..am I that way with God? Even though He knows what is best for me, even though I trust Him never to harm me - I resist and cry. Ouch...that hurts!
This evening Emma got into the van to come home and as I looked into the rearview mirror I saw tears. What is wrong? A hurt heart. Unkind or inconsiderate actions can hurt those around us so much, and often the careless ones are unaware of the pain. More TLC and her wounds are soothed, but seeing her work through the pain is hard on me too. Lord, help me not to be inconsiderate of those around me - I don't want to cause pain.
When we got home Noah informed me that in the midst of a riveting game of dodgeball his head collided with a teammate (fortunately neither got out) but that now it hurt to open his mouth, and that was said with chicken nuggets in front of him! A little checking and I found a goose-egg on side of his head just in front of his ear. Oh that is a tender spot, I know it hurts. More ice...more tears...and a prayer of thanks that there is a goose-egg, and nothing more serious - prayers for good rest and healing.
They are all quietly sleeping now - and I am awake. Rolling all these events around in my mind. Such a harried sort of day. Thank you Lord for this day...your day. Help me to now quiet my mind and think not on the worries and troubles that you have carried me through but on the peace you give and the joy that is never-ending.
Friday, April 15, 2011
It's been almost 10 years....
In 2001 when we brought Emma and Noah home from Kazakhstan they entered the United States as citizens! (picture from our visit with them at the baby house about 1 week before we came home)
Proving it however, has proved to be a different matter entirely!
To obtain a US passport we need a birth certificate - which we have but it is a Kazak document with a certified translation. That's OK, as long as we have a passport....uh anyone see the circular reasoning here?
Last week we thought we had found an "easy" paperchase solution! Because Bill is a USN veteran the instructions for a Certificate of Citizenship that is issued by the CIS/State Department indicate that the $550 fee per application would be waived. WooHoo!!
Not woohoo...today we received a package in the mail from USCIS. Well, I knew that wouldn't be their citizenship certificate - the government just doesn't work that efficiently....what was it? Our returned paperwork with a note indicating that if a military veteran is a US citizen and wants a certificate for his/herself that fee is waived. It is not waived for their dependents. Drat!
Oh well - we gave it a shot! (Pictured Emma and Noah today - 10 years later...happy, healthy AMERICAN CITIZENS)
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