One of those mornings.....we all have them!

This morning was a rough one! The kids were both dragging their feet getting ready for school---doing just about anything to avoid actually getting dressed. You moms know what I am talking about!!!

My stress levels were rising, and the kids were complaining every step of the way.

Then, I notice that there was homework unfinished! Homework that a certain child ( I will not mention names) said was finished the day before.

I could feel my blood pressure rising!

Then I remembered I had washed their winter coats right before bed. But I forgot to dry them!!!!!  

My head almost popped off---right then and there, in the middle of the kitchen and our morning messes!

 I am certain that I am not going to win any mother of the year awards any time soon!  It seems like on rushed morning like today I hear the voice of doubt loud and clear.

It says:
What are you going to do with two more kids? You think this is hectic? Just wait, you are going to fail---and your family will fall apart.......and everyone is going to be miserable.

Luckily, I know that I am not the glue that holds all this together.

Tom, isn't either. Although, I am so glad we are in this together.

My Heavenly Father is the glue that keeps all this together. We have stressed mornings, bad moods and messes.....but our life is not defined my them, or the lies that Satan tries to tell us about ourselves.

I know that the Lord did not bring us this far to abandon us now! He is the God who meets us in our messes, and loves us anyway.

Friends--if you are hearing that voice of doubt, I just want to encourage you to silence it! Stand firm in the knowledge of who God made you to be. He did not promise us perfection, or that everything in our lives would be easy---but He did promise to walk with us through our messes!

   So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you. 

Romans 12:1-2 The Message

God was with me this morning in my messs, and I am so thankful that his mercies are new every morning!

I am trusting that...

He will be with me as I learn to parent two children who are not my own.
He will sustain our marriage through it all.
He will give us the strength to meet the needs of ALLof our children.
He will not abandon us in our times of trouble.

He did not bring us this far to leave us alone now.

We will stand on His promises. We will trust in HIM and we will not listen to the voice of doubt.

Our God is the glue that holds all this together. Not me.....and I am OK with that. He's a better driver than me anyway!

Have you seen me parallel park? Yikes!

Book worth the read......

I recently read the book: The Ministry Of Motherhood--Following Christ's Example In Reaching the Hearts Of Our Children. By Sally Clarkson

It's a really great read!

Mother's so often get caught up in the hustle and bustle of everyday life that we forget that being a good mother is a ministry that makes an impact for generations to come. This book was such an encouragement to me as a mother of two biological children and soon to be 2 adopted boys.

This book has inspired me to be more intentional in my day to day routines and to appoach each day as if working for the Lord.

I especially loved the section on teaching your children the same way Jesus taught his disciples.

So if you are looking for some encouragment and inspiration, I highly recommend!

BLACK FRIDAY MADNESS!!!

Today is Black Friday....

   It is a day I normally look forward to. I usually go out with two of my besties, and we stand in line all night to score some deals. We drink Peppermint Mocha's from Starbucks and have breakfast together in the wee hours of the morning. I always tell myself I go for the "girl time" more than anything. 

This year I decided to skip it.

       It just is hard to stomach when I start thinking of my friends on the other side of the world who are struggling to just survive. When I think of our daughter in Ethiopia who probably didn't have anything to eat while we were enjoying our Thanksgiving feast.

I just couldn't get into it. Please don't get me wrong----I am not saying that any of you should feel bad for your shopping trips. But I felt personally convicted.

Being home today felt strange. I was reading everyone's FB posts about all of their deals and I started to feel like I should have went shopping.

The truth is--I only by junk on Black Friday. Silly things that I don't need and I am pretty sure everyone could live without.  But for some reason I still wanted to shop---it made me really pause and do a heart check.

Where is my treasure?  I know it's not here. I have so much---and for some reason, I always seem to find a need for more. 

I want my life and my checkbook to reflect my values. I don't need the next best thing. Possessions cannot replace community, friendship and family. I love to give gifts--but I want to be intentional. I want to give gifts with meaning.

  I needed to stay home today. I needed to continue to focus on what I am thankful for. I have alot to be thankful for.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 6:19-21

Keepin' myself on track.....

I have really come to realize how important it is to have goals....

Not just for big things, but even for simple everyday things.

 I am not even sure if anyone reads this blog or not. But putting some goals on here will make me feel more accountable so here it goes.....

Mom stuff:

• Read for at least 15 minutes each night with both kids.
• Get at least 3 forms completed and notarized for our dossier. ( By far the hardest for me, because paperwork is my nemesis!)
• Bake with the kids once this week.
• Paint with Mia this week.
• Help Aidan cook dinner one night this week

Home Stuff:

• Bake Banana Bread (some to eat and some to freeze)
• Bake something yummy for our new neighbors
• Make a weekly meal plan, cut coupons....and save some darn money!
• Homemade Breadsticks ( some to eat and some to freeze)
• Clean out Mia's closet
• Call Dish--to cancel or lower bill.....
• Dinner Devotions everyday!

Wifey stuff:

• Make Tom an anniversary gift
• Plan a date night
• Read the bible with my hubby each night.
• Find a way to encourage Tom daily.

Me stuff:

• Finish reading: Red Letter Revolution by Shane Claibourne
• Clean out my closet---donate half.
• Paint magnets to sell as an adoption fundraiser
• Spend more time in God's Word
• Find someone to encourage
• Visit homeless shelter in Sandusky
• Get a haircut----because I am starting to look a little crazy!
• Update blog at least 5 times this week... ( this post counts!)

Well---this doesn't include work goals. But I know I need to be more intentional at home---so this is my attempt to stay focused.

Not too exciting I know....

Do you have any goals this week? I would love to hear about them! Feel free to leave a comment ( as long as it is friendly!)

Here is to a more productive week! ( Crossing them out as I go!)

Jen Hatmaker - The Election: Thoughts From a Christian Independent

    

 During this election season, I, like many of you are struggling with the non-stop political banter.

    And this is coming from me---a self declared political junkie.

    I am watching my Christian friends act as if the world depends solely on this current election alone.

 I struggle to find a balance between being an advocate for issues that I think are important, while at the same time remembering not to take all of the politics too seriously.

Afterall, there is only one power that really matters in the end, and it is the power of our Lord Jesus Christ. Whoever wins---God already knew they would. It is not beyond HIS control and all things will work according to HIS purposes.

       I have had many friends question me for not swearing alligence to any particular party. I struggle with a way to answer them without sounding too harsh. The truth is--it doesn't matter. And while I do vote, and also advocate for many issues, I do not believe our government is the answer to every problem we have.

But today, I came across this article and it was so great I had to share. It really articulates alot of my same feelings about politics and Christians.

Check it out! I hope you read it with an open heart.

Jen Hatmaker - The Election: Thoughts From a Christian Independent

Anyone that knows me knows that I love art!

I love thick textured paint on canvas. The way a painting or a sculpture can evoke emotion, or stir us to action.  I love art galleries, and almost anything homemade.

I do not like to shop. Why am I telling you this?

Because

Art Inspired Outfits III by georgina-m on polyvore.com

I found this really cool site that makes clothing inspired by famous art. It is too cool not to share!  So enjoy!!!!!

Meet Ohio’s ServeNext Organizer | ServiceNation

Meet Ohio’s ServeNext Organizer | ServiceNation

Here is the interview I did recently for ServiceNation. Check it out! I am so excited about the work I am doing with ServeNext/ ServiceNation!

Advocacy Is For Everybody! | ServiceNation

Advocacy Is For Everybody! | ServiceNation

Check out the blog post I wrote for the ServiceNation Blog! I am really proud of the great work being done in Ohio by Americorps Members.http://www.servicenation.org/blog/entry/advocacy-is-for-everybody

When I grow up....

When I grow up.....

I want to be more like my kids. 

They see beauty in everything.

They laugh non-stop.

They accept others with open arms, hugs and high fives.

They dance.

They wake up singing.

They make art.

They find treasures.

They love with reckless abandon.

They never stop learning.

They are always exploring.

They make me smile.

They play with cardboard boxes.

They make mud pies.

They skip.

They love the Lord.

They are mine.

I will love them always.

Welcome!

Welcome to our little corner of the web!!!