celebrating Brad's next job!

You likely know by now about Brad's new job at the Cora Reid Green Home for Children.

I can barely figure out how to put into words the magnificent way this came together.  Brad did not submit an application for this job.  Nor did the board of directors post an opening.

Sometime last fall I asked Brad about what his preferred job would be.  Without hesitation, he listed off working for a CAFO organization or working for a non-profit here in town in the field of orphan care/foster care.  So, when he got an email two weeks ago about this job out-of-the-blue; we knew God was revealing His behind-the-scenes work.
 

"The steps of a man are established by the Lord, And He delights in his way." Psalm 37:23 NASB

Brad will have a lot of work to do in order to get the organization up and running.  It has been in a bit of limbo for awhile.  The original intent was to provide a safe place for children that come in to foster care.  As you know, sometimes children sit in government offices all day waiting for a foster home.  In some counties, they may end up waiting at the police station.  The Cora Reid Green Home was started to ensure no more children would have to endure that situation.  Over time, they have expanded to include a variety of services and resources to foster children.  They have decided its time to refocus on the original mission.  Brad will be writing a business plan in the coming weeks to build a solid foundation for what comes next.  {I will be organizing a prayer team for the organization, hopefully by the end of the week.}

We'll be living in the home that the organization owns.  We've been approved for an extension to stay in our home on-post until the other home is renovated.  Which means the boys will finish the school year at their school and we won't have to drive across town for drop-off + pick-up.  Also, the board of directors has said that we can pick paint colors and what not.  Brad and I have never ever painted a single room in any of the homes we've lived in.  This is just one teeny-tiny detail that astounds me.

We found out on February 5, 2014, that Brad's last official day in the Army would be April 29, 2014 - one week from today.  Yesterday, God showed us that He had provided for us beyond what we could've imagined.  I'm giddy and grateful and flat-out amazed.  I'm replaying my prayers over the last six months or so, lingering over sacred moments of assurance that He generously gave me along the way.  I'm delighted that God has chosen this for our family.  I'm so proud of Brad for following hard after God; expecting Him to provide something just-right. 

What do you do when you can't stretch your hands high enough to the heavens to show your praise?

What do you do when you can't bow your face low enough to show your awe?

I just keep praising Him.  Its enough to make me come undone.  I'm humbly grateful for every prayer offered on behalf of our family throughout this process.  I cherish each text, phone call, and FB "like" that has celebrated this good news with us.  I just keep praising Him for the good gifts He has given us.  Ever aware that we deserve none of it.  

Of course, I have a song to go with it.


Multiplied - NEEDTOBREATHE

Your love is like radiant diamonds
Bursting inside us we cannot contain
Your love will surely come find us
Like blazing wild fires singing Your name

God of mercy sweet love of mine
I have surrendered to Your design
May this offering stretch across the skies
And these Hallelujahs be multiplied

Your love is like radiant diamonds
Bursting inside us we cannot contain
Your love will surely come find us
Like blazing wild fires singing Your name

God of mercy sweet love of mine
I have surrendered to Your design
May this offering stretch across the skies
And these Hallelujahs be multiplied

on winning

Wilson's football team remains undefeated.  Wilson keeps a running tally, so I know that they have scored 136 unanswered points.  One team has scored one touchdown against them this season.  There are only 4 teams total in our little on-post-league, though.  So we are on round two against the same teams.

On the pre-game ride over to the field this morning, Wilson told me that his coach had said they couldn't ease up.  He said ALL of the other teams want them to lose so they'll be playing harder against them.  {I agree with the coach, I think all three teams would cheer excitedly if any of them beat us.}

I noticed something during the game today.  It seemed as if all the boys on Wilson's team were playing hard.  Different kiddos were making big plays.  They were trying out new plays too.  They were taking risks.  Their teamwork was clicking really well.  They were relentless.

The opposing team started out tough.  Minutes into the game they forced a turnover after our failed fourth down attempt.  However, they weren't able to score on that drive.  We faced another fourth down attempt and this time broke through the line.  There was a defender in range to tackle our runner.  His feet stuttered and he more-or-less fell right alongside the rusher.  We scored.  When we kicked after that TD, the player that caught the ball took a step or two to the side then fell down as our guys rushed to him.  He didn't want to get tackled, so he wouldn't run forward. 

They were playing scared.  They were playing defeated.

I'm not bad-mouthing 9 + 10-year-old boys here, they actually taught me something.

Sometimes, I play scared.  Sometimes, I play defeated.

I forget that I am on the winning team. 

When I've screamed over spilled milk before 8 am, I think the day is lost.  When the teacher writes another note on the homework sheet {that I had signed} about the wrong work being completed, I assume I'll never get it right.  When dinner is a flop and the kitchen is a mess and the babies need baths and the laundry needs folded and I just want to fall down so I won't get plowed over.  I think I'm losing.

But I'm not.  The victory has already been won.  I want to live like I believe that.

"but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord."  1 Corinthians 15:57-58

Sometimes, I just need a reminder.  Don't we all?  So I'm posting a song {surprise!} for you to play loud and dance along with!  Maybe this reminder is too simple for the hard place that you are in today.  I pray though, that you'll find a moment with enough light in it, to turn up the music, close your eyes and just dance.  We win in the end.



The song is "In the End" by Natalie Grant.  It is from her new album Hurricane.  Purchase here.

*the football picture is not from today's game, so the other team will not be incriminated.

responsible

Is it getting too cliche for me to embed a song in every post?  Gah.  This morning when we were reading our Proverb for the day (you do that, right?  one proverb for each day of the month?), verses 11-12 jumped right off the page to me.  At the same time, they jogged my memory of a song I had heard, that I thought was called, "I am responsible."  {Its actually called, Albertine.}

I'm not sure if I was aware of verses that so blatantly tell us that pretending to not know does not get us off the hook for inaction.

Rescue those being led away to death;
hold back those staggering toward slaughter.
If you say, "But we knew nothing about this,"
does not He who weighs the heart perceive it?
Does not He who guards your life know it?
Will He not repay everyone according to what they have done?

Proverbs 24:10-11

 If that isn't compelling enough, you can always look it up in The Message.

Rescue the perishing; don't hesitate to step in and help.
If you say, "Hey, that's none of my business,"
will that get you off the hook?
Someone is watching you closely, you know-
Someone not impressed with weak excuses.

Ouch! I don't know why I don't have these verses posted all over my house.  They are such pointed reminders. I'm guessing that there are a few of you that would like to help in some way or another, but you wonder if what you have to offer is enough.

Am I right?

Let me remind you of some Truth.  Whatever you offer, if it is all you can offer, it is enough. {See: The widow and her mites. Luke 21:1-4}

I wish I could tell you how many times I fuss over not being able to do more.  In fact, sometimes I spend so much time fussing over not being able to do more, that I do nothing.

I have 3 hours of free childcare a week through our church's Mom's Morning Out program.   I am doing my best to offer that time to volunteer at the Department of Children + Family Services office.  If I'm honest, its closer to 2 hours and 15 minutes by the time you factor in my drive time and the predictable late-out-the-door-start.  (I've yet to leave the house without breaking into a sweat, we can leave on time with gnashing of teeth, or late with joy; most days I try to choose the joy.  Either way I am still a sweaty mess.)

I can easily see how 2 hours and 15 minutes is barely anything when the need is 40 hours.  That is not how God sees it though.  Somehow in His infinite power He is able to take my offering and multiply it.  Today I carried a loaded-down-bag full of donations in with me.  The money that purchased those items did not come from my pocket.  God provides through His people over and over again.

So, friends, I am telling you today -- your offering is not too small.  Your donations are nothing to be ashamed of; God will multiply what you give away.  He sees your heart.

I'm guessing you already have some ideas of where you would like to give.  Start there! 

And if you aren't quite sure where you want to give, good news, I've got some ideas for you.  {And I hope to post them soon, but probably not until after bedtime. When I'm done with that post, I'll link it here too.}

And now, Albertine.  The video is sort of weird, but I really like to see lyrics when I listen to a new song, so that's why I embedded this one.

high-fiving trees

I posted this little tidbit on Facebook last night:

Went out for a couch-to-5K run with Walker tonight. It was a big milestone - 5 min warm-up, RUN 20 MIN. Up until now he has had walk breaks, so this was tough. He was fading around the 13 minute mark so I was trying my best to encourage him. He started reaching up & touching tree branches as we ran by... He says, "you know why I like to touch the trees?" Me: (no idea) "it cools you off?" guessing. He replies, "No, I imagine they're my fans giving me high fives along the way."

Man, I love that kid. And yes, he did run his 20 minutes. Like a boss - with lots of fans.

My friend, Lisa, responded first, and her words made me get tears in my eyes and a catch in my throat almost immediately.  And I wasn't quite sure why.  She said, "Keep making sure you have trees in his path and he will run long distances."

I'm thinking she said it tongue in cheek, my heart immediately thought about the importance of marking his path with encouragement.  Last night, he imagined the encouragement himself, and I pray that deep down he will always be able to find that encouragement within, from the Spirit that lives in him.  I want him to run long distances, and I want him to know he is being cheered along the way.  Always.  Whether he's actually running or just living all out for Jesus.  My heart wants him to run far.

It got me thinking about the 3rd assignment for Compassion International's blog month.  (Remember the goal is to sponsor 3160 kiddos this month!) I picked this photo of this little boy because I think his timid expression speaks volumes.

This boy with the dirty, sideways shirt and the penetrating eyes.  In so many ways, he is not unlike my boys.  Or your children either.  He just happens to have been born in a country that is stricken with poverty.  The thing about poverty, this kind of poverty, is that it is hard to imagine for us North American folks.  We prefer to kind of pretend like it doesn't exist, or worse, like its no big deal to "those people."  Or you know, like its not our responsibility.  Gross.

Here's the thing, though.  That little guy, he is in need.  Just look up at his face for a moment.  Really look at him. He represents so many other little ones just like him.  His parents love him desperately.  They do what they can to provide for their family.  He knows his parents love him, but the challenges he faces on a daily basis are difficult for him to bear.

He needs to know he can run long distances.  He needs to know that he can set goals.  He needs to imagine those high fives from his fans as he presses on toward his goals.  

By choosing to sponsor a child, a world of hope is opened up to them.  They receive medical care, healthy food + clean water, and an education.  They also get introduced to Jesus.  It is only $38 a month.  Compassion International will provide the child you sponsor with enough to get through each day, and by doing so the whole family will benefit.

One of the absolute coolest things about sponsoring a child through Compassion International is the access you get to your sponsored child.  You get to send him/her letters.  You can send family photos and let your child know you are praying for him.  Your words will be the branches his fingertips brush through as he runs the race marked out for him.  Your letters offer hope in a very tangible way. 

(If you follow along on a Compassion Bloggers trip, you find out how the children treasure these notes from their sponsors.  You can read through past trip posts if you want to do some research.  Click here.  Grab a box of tissues if you do!)

The cool part?  The children write you too.  And you get pictures!  We have seen the boy we sponsor grow up so much over the last-almost-4 years.  His timid stare in the first photo has disappeared into a beaming smile.  He has begun writing his letters himself and we watch his handwriting improve with each new letter.  I still can't say for sure who is getting the most blessing out of this deal, us or him.  We keep our notes and photos in a notebook, because they have become treasure to us as well. 

I promise you, this is the best $38 a month you can spend.  If you take your family out to dinner, you will likely spend close to this amount.  Do your kids light up with hope as you walk out of the restaurant?  Not usually, its just another meal.  What about if you go to some sort of attraction and spend $38 on trinkets and souvenirs (or elephant ears, whatever), do these items become treasures for your children?  Not likely.

I'm not saying going out to eat, or buying our kids trinkets is a bad thing.  I'm just asking you to consider redirecting some of your funds in your budget from the-not-that-big-of-a-deal-column to the-awesomely-amazing-hope-giving-column.  I'm telling you, you will not regret it.




I'm leaving you with a song.  Because this is how I am wired and songs tangle-up in my thoughts ALL THE TIME.  As I considered Walker high-fiving the trees, and my responsibility to make sure there are more trees along his path; as that morphed into thinking about our opportunity to "be the trees" that high-five Compassion kiddos, this song came to mind.

hard things

Sometimes I just want to skip over the hard things.  I want to read something trivial and watch something mindless.  I want to just keep saying "hump daaaaayy!" in that camel voice from the Geico commercial.

My instinct is to close my eyes tight and hope when I open them again the hard will be gone.

I volunteered at the reception desk at the foster care office yesterday. I wept when driving away. 

Months ago, I offered to help with organizing the supply closet.  I kept coming back, so I was asked to help at the desk.  I can offer just-shy of 3 hours a week.  They need someone to sit there 40 hours a week.

I can't sugar coat it.  Its not easy.  I've already experienced crying while driving from those offices.  More than once.  You can't walk in those hallways and avoid all of the messiness.  There's nothing easy about the work those caseworkers are doing on a daily basis.

Sitting at the reception desk, its even more eye-opening. I've prayed repeatedly "Break my heart for what breaks yours."  And He has answered repeatedly.  But where do I go from here? What do I do with this heartbreak?  My measly 3 hours of help seems so small.

There are over 300 children in foster care in our county and there are less than 50 foster families.  If you do that math, you discover there would need to be an average of 6 foster children with each foster family.

I don't know what stories I can tell.  For privacy reasons, I am not sure I should tell any of them.  So I will hold them in my heart; the little boy cries and the momma tears and the grandma anxious to stand in the mess.  I'll keep them wrapped up in my mind and pour over them with my Father in prayer. 

I saw heartache.  But I also saw hope. 

There were three families getting fingerprinted so they could become foster parents.  Their eyes were light and their smiles were big.  They were excited.

They are brave.

In the middle of this, I sense a mounting tension as I wrestle with my own past declaration, "I could never foster parent, it would be too hard."

I'm embarrassed that for so long, "it would be too hard" was enough of a reason for me to not even consider it.

Not once had I acknowledged the "hard" on the other side of that equation. 

I hadn't thought about the children being transported miles and miles away because there aren't enough available foster homes locally.  I didn't consider the sibling sets that are broken apart because there isn't enough room in any one home for all of them. 

These are children in the midst of turmoil taking on a hard that I can't wrap my brain around - that truthfully, I don't want to wrap my brain around.

God forgive me.

I don't know where we go from here.  I do know we do not go alone.  I know God's heart is for these children.  Jesus breaks it down like this in Matthew 25 - its worth a read if you aren't convinced about God's heart for these kiddos in need.

³¹ “But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. ³² All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; ³³ and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left.

³⁴ “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. ³⁵ For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; ³⁶ naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’ ³⁷ 

Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? ³⁸ And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? ³⁹ When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ ⁴⁰ The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’

⁴¹ “Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; ⁴² for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink; ⁴³ I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.’

⁴⁴ Then they themselves also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not ^[e]take care of You?’ ⁴⁵ Then He will answer them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ ⁴⁶ These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

I found this song via one of my favorite blogs this morning.  It resonated deeply and reminded me of why the hard things shouldn't be avoided.