June 1, 2008 · 11:00 am

When life stops

The last two weeks my typically “full speed ahead” life virtually came to a stop (or at least a slow crawl).  After first dealing with a bad case of strep throat that knocked me out for several days, I then did something to my lower back (I say “something” because I can’t pin point the exact cause of the pain although I did spend a couple days movingcamping equipment & heavy boxes of books because with my “get it done NOW”  personality I simply couldn’t wait for dear darling hubby to do it!).  I woke up ten days ago to excruciating back pain.  I could not get much relief – sitting down (as in in front of the computer, to eat meals or just chat with the girls) was impossible and brought much pain, laying down was also painful which meant that I was up every couple of hours each night trying to deal with the pain, standing was also painful although slightly less and when I walked briskly I could get some relief.  I tried ibuprofen, ice, heat,  back exercises, rest – with little results.  After a week of this I was very grumpy and sleep deprived. I decided to go to the doctor and a chiropractor to seek help.  The doctor prescribed pain medication and a muscle relaxer.  The chiropractor gave me an adjustment which provided immediate relief for about an hour after the first treatment and several hours pain free after the second.  Yesterday was Jim Elliot Christian High School’s 10th graduation (more on that later!) and I put on one of those girdles (affectionately called “suck ’em ups” at my house) – I was amazed!  I made it throughout much of the day with little pain. Today I am actually sitting here in front of the computer with just minor discomfort…hoping that I am on my way to a complete recovery.

And of course life went on….without me! As a wife, mother and self employed business woman, it is always a humbling experience to realize that life will continue on even without me at the helm.  Of course I have had this experience throughout all of my seven pregnancies as I am typically “worthless” for at least four to five months with hyperemesis gravidarum (in laymens terms – extreme nausea & vomiting all day long).  It is always good for me to see that life will carry on and I think it has been fabulous for my children to become independent and learn great leadership and serving skills.  And once again when I was “down for the count” these past couple of weeks – they all stepped up to the plate and life went on pretty smoothly.

I know so many Moms who do everything for their children.  While I know that their motivation is out of love and nurturing, I believe that we actually do a disservice to our children when we do not allow them to take care of things, independantly of mom.  When I taught high school I was always amazed at the number of students who could not accomplish some basic life skills – cooking, cleaning, laundry, making appointments, planning an event, taking care of a younger sibling, basic banking transactions and more!  Often times too they lacked crucial problem solving skills because their parents (usually mothers) always rushed to their sides and solved every problem for them. 

If you are that “do it all” type Mommy – let me encourage you today to begin to give your children some areas of responsibility.  It may be hard at first but down the road it will pay off for both you and them!

 

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May 19, 2008 · 9:10 am

The thrill of victory!

High school sports – there’s nothing quite like ’em.

I have spent much of my life playing, coaching and now regularly attending high school athletic events.  I was on the swim team and played field hockey in high school (and college too).  As a youth pastor I attended high school sporting events all over the city to cheer on the kids who attended our church. I faithfully sat in the stands almost every Friday night for three years as my fiance and later husband, Dan coached a local high school football team.  When I began to work as a teacher at a Christian High School I got talked into coaching the Varsity Girls Volleyball team (which thankfully my dear darling hubby took over later – and did a far superior job!) and for the past 21 years of working at Christian high schools we have been in the bleachers cheering wildly for countless sporting events.

While I have enjoyed watching my girls (and I am sure all to soon, the boys too) playing youth soccer, swimming on the neighborhood swim team and playing city league softball, I loved going to college football, volleyball and basketball games and I thoroughly enjoy attending a professional baseball game (when we can afford it)….there is still nothing quite like high school sports. 

The emotions run higher – the victories more thrilling and the losses more devastating. The friendships formed often create a bond for life. The fans are more connected to not only the team and the school but to one another as well. The coaches (who get paid very little) are there because they love the kids and they love the game. The entire atmosphere is electrifying.

This past weekend we got to experience yet another exciting high school athletic competition as we attended the softball section finals for our area.  Our beloved Lady Eagles from Jim Elliot were in the championship game for the fifth consecutive year.  Our team was down by one run in the bottom of the seventh with the tying run on second and two outs when the player at bat hit a triple and then ran home to win the game on an overthrow error.  The screams, whistles, wild cheering, hugs, tears of joy, jumping up and down went on for what seemed to be eternity.  Just several feet away, the other bench felt the agony of defeat after being so close to beating this powerhouse team.  The sobbing, down on bended knees, hitting the dirt, consoling in one anothers arms, looks of shock and dismay equaled the emotion of the championship team. For those talented teams, dedicated coaches and devoted fans, it will be a day not too quickly forgotten.

For the vast majority of athletes…that final high school game will be their last time in competitive sports. A few will go on and play in college and then four years later, they too will close that chapter of their lives.  But the lessons learned through athletics will be with them for life! These lessons are some that could benefit our families, our marriages our businesses and our lives.

  • You learn the power in having a positive attitude

Every good coach or trainer will tell you that the athlete who wins is the one who believes he is going to win.  The single best predictor of success when two athletic teams have equal ability and talent is what is in their minds before they compete.  We hear it over and over again…but when will we start being diligent at putting positive things into our heart, mind and spirit.  It is the difference maker!

  • You learn that any team can win on any given day

What a great way to live – knowing that no matter what hand you have been dealt, no matter what the odds, no matter what the gloomy prediction – you can win, you can overcome and you can beat the odds!Unfortunatly this lesson can also work against you – that same softball team that won the championship on Saturday learned this lesson the hard way last year when they lost in an agonizing defeat to their biggest rivals who they had beat decisively several times earlier that same season.  They came in with the a relaxed attitude and a bit lazy, knowing that even if they had a bad game they could easily win the section championship.  They did not play their hardest, they made stupid mistakes, they were a bit arrogant and they were not on the offensive costing them their fourth consecutive section championship and the number one ranking in the state.  You have to live life on purpose, on the offensive and always ready to give it your all.

  • You learn that you must stay focused even under incredible pressure

This perhaps is one of the greatest lessons competitive sports can offer us.  When the pressures of life come, you must not fall apart but remain calm and focused.  With two outs and the team behind by one, the batter up was under an incredible amount of pressure.  If she had concentrated on that pressure instead of being focused on hitting the ball, she most likely would have failed.  In the same way when the third baseman, on the opposing team, was under extreme pressure trying to prevent the winning run from scoring, she lost her focus and overthrew the ball resulting in the game winning run.  How often do we do the same thing when under pressure with often disastrous results. Extreme pressure has destroyed many a marriage, caused businesses to close and contributed to many health ailments and damaged relationships all because we crumbled under the pressure instead of focusing on the fundamentals and keeping a cool head. 

  • You learn that the long hard practices pay off when you win the game

Face it – no one likes to practice.  It is hard work, causes pain, takes lots of time and energy and equires discipline.  It is for the love of the game that people spend hours daily practicing and training.  Yet 90% of an athletes time is spent in practicing and training.  But the 10% is worth it all.  This is not much different than our businesses.  No one loves the hard work, the phone calls, the rejection, the paperwork, the hours spent with seemingly no results….but we all love the pay days, the incentive trips and the rewards of being a business owner.  Our relationships often take lots of hard work, practice and self discipline too.  But what a great reward in the love of a child, a strong solid marriage and life long deep friendships. Almost every area of life takes a large measure of hard work, personal discipline and practice but the rewards are worth it all!

  • You learn that it takes more than individual talent – it takes teamwork

No matter how talented you are – you can’t win on your own.  In order to win a championship, you need a team who will work together towards a goal. A team that is committed to the same end. A team who will support, encourage, challenge and hold each other accountable.  In life, in business, in marriage and family – you need to be a team!  You cannot win on your own.

  • And on a Christian school team you learn that the most important thing is to glorify God!

Last year when the team lost the section championship and this year when they won – the game ending cheer was the same – “Good game (the opponents), thank you officials,  Glory to God!”  The most important thing we can do in our businesses, in our marriage and family life, in our jobs or careers, in our friendships and in our lives is to bring glory to God.  Whether we win or lose, whether we are number one in our field or just barely hanging in there, whether or marriages are strong and healthy or we are struggling to stay together…the most important thing is that we look to glorify the Lord in everything.  We don’t have control over all the circumstances in our lives (and those that we do have control over we need to do something about) but we do have control over our response to the circumstances.  Are you praising or cursing God? Are you calmly trusting His will or panicking and stressing about life? Will you give God glory no matter what the outcome of your current crisis? Is what you are doing glorifying God?

Congratulations Lady Eagles on your fourth Section Championship. May the lessons you have learned during your years as a high school athlete be a foundation for a life of excellence.

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Filed under Home Business, Inspiration, Jim Elliot Christian High School, Monday Motivations, Uncategorized

May 18, 2008 · 6:38 pm

After the wedding….

…..all that remains is the marriage (ok the pictures too!).

Yesterday we attended the wedding of a young lady very dear to our hearts.  Vicki Botello came into our lives as a seventh grade student where Dan was the Principal.  She was a bright, vivacious junior higher who was filled with the love and joy of the Lord.  Her family life was a bit challenging and we quickly became a second family to her.  She was a well loved babysitter for the girls (when we met Vicki we only had three daughters and they were 5, 2 and 6 months) and a great competent helper for me.  She even followed us to Jim Elliot after we began the school and was in the second graduating class.  She is now a college graduate and is teaching junior high herself at a Christian school where she met a young man, Sean Watt, who also has a heart for the Lord and ministry.  They were married yesterday in a beautiful backyard ceremony (despite the record breaking heat wave). I dabbed my eyes several times throughout the ceremony as I remembered this sweet little 12 year old girl who was now a radiant and glowing bride, marrying the man of her dreams.

Vicki contacted us last fall asking Dan if he would officiate the ceremony.  Our enthusiastic response was “Of course!”. However, there is one thing that we require.  When Dan received is ministers licence 11 years ago he knew that since we worked primarily with teenagers and developed close relationships with many of them, that he would most likely often be asked to officiate at weddings.  At that time we decided that in order to properly prepare couples to have a life long marriage, they needed to spend some significant time in counseling.  After all the massive amount of time, energy and resources spent on the wedding (which is over in several hours), one should at least spend as much time in preparing for the actual marriage (which is suppose to last a lifetime).  Over the years we have developed a six month pre marital counseling program that consists of six meetings with us as a couple, reading several books, personality testing, homework assignments after each session to be completed individually and shared as a couple.  We also commit to praying for the couple and sharing with them our thoughts and ideas on how to have a successful marriage as well as any stumbling blocks or red flags that we see in their relationship. 

We talk about the basic Biblical foundation of marriage, personalities, love languages, communication skills, time management, finances, priorities, family relationships, paradigms about children, parenting, in-laws, roles of each spouse, expectations, sex and intimacy.  We also explore and look at questions that we think every couple should talk about before marriage:

  • What will you do if something goes terribly wrong? (things like – a tragic life altering accident that leaves one alive but in a vegetative state, a chronic disease that severely impairs ones function, disfigurement due to an accident, disease or other tragedy)
  •  What will you do if one of you succumbs to moral failure in areas like pornography, affairs, child molestation, going to adult bookstores or clubs?  
  • How will you handle infertility, an unexpected pregnancy or having a child with a disorder, disease or disability?
  • What is your paradigm on how to deal with aging parents who need care?
  • How will you handle life if you experience financial devastation or lose everything?
  • What will you do if your spouse walks away from their faith?
  • What is your plan to “affair proof” your marriage? (we suggest things like never being alone with a member of the opposite sex, openly communicating temptations, having a accountability partner, being available for intimacy with your spouse – even if you don’t “feel” like it, keeping the romance alive in your marriage with date nights and romantic get-aways)

Of the dozens of couples we have done pre marital counseling with, there is only one couple who are no longer together.  In our society and culture that sees affairs and infidelity as “normal”, marriage as optional and divorce as acceptable, we truly believe that if more couples took the time to seriously prepare for a lifetime commitment and more ministers required it, we would see many more successful and happy life long marriages. Wouldn’t that be great for all of our lives, our families and our country?

Congratulations Vicki and Sean….may the Lord richly bless your marriage!

 

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May 15, 2008 · 6:42 am

Got stuff?

We got an email from a friend at JECHS saying that their family would like to host a garage sale to help us with our adoption fund!  Wow!  What a blessing.

They  will be holding a yard sale on Sunday, May 25, 2008, with all proceeds going to our adoption fund. It will be at their house, 8957 Nassano Drive, Morada, CA. If you live locally and have any items to donate for the sale, you can drop them off at their house or call Tracy at (209) 931-3445.  I know some of you commented that you had wanted to get some things dropped off for our yard sale last weekend – but were not able to  – here is another opportunity to spring clean!

Thanks Rodriguez family!

Thanks also to those who have emailed friends and family members to help with this adoption.  Every little bit makes a BIG difference!

Adoption fund update:  We are in need of raising only $2,137 more to be able to pay the placement fee at the time of the adoption (which if we are chosen by the current birth mom could be in approximately three weeks). After the adoption we will have to pay $1,200 in post placement fees.

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May 14, 2008 · 11:25 am

Trusting the Lord

We just got the long awaited call from the adoption agency….

….and we were not chosen to be this baby’s family.  Of course there is disappointment and a twinge of sadness, however we are thrilled that this precious baby has a family to love and care for him.  We also have a complete trust in the Lord and His will for our lives.  While we are confident that adoption is a part of our future, we will trust the Lord for the right child for us, in the right time.  God’s ways are perfect.  We have been praying very specifically for the past two weeks that the Lord would use the birth mom to make the best decision.  So we trust that the Lord is closing this door.

Upon hearing the news my heart sank a bit but within minutes the counselor gave us some exciting and hopeful news as well!  Two weeks ago they received a call from the hospital – a pregnant teenager who was about to give birth to her baby and wanted information about adoption.  This baby boy was born on April 27 and is currently in one of the agency’s “cradle care”homes (temporary care).  The birth mom is officially relinquishing her rights late next week and they will show her profiles including ours at that time.  So we immediately have another sweet baby and his mother to pray for. (and a couple extra weeks to raise the last $2,500 needed)

Please pray along with us as we wait again and hope that this is the child meant just for our family!  We will keep you updated.

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May 13, 2008 · 9:38 am

Mother’s Day Monologue addendum

After writing on Mothers Day, I decided that I should have also shared with you the positive comments that I have heard over the years about my large & growing family.  Although they are few & far between when compared to the negative remarks – they are refreshing!

  • “Don’t you just feel blessed with so many children?”  said a smiling teenage boy working in a Santa Cruz surf shop. After recovering from my shock, I blurted out “Yes I do!” (and then proceeded to quietly tell the girls – that is the type of guy you want to look for in a husband!)
  • “We sure wish we would of had more children” said by many older couples as we are out & about. (ahhh hindsight is 20/20 – are you listening all you young couples out there? I’ve never heard an older couple say “I wish I would not have had that last one.” )
  • “The world will be a better place with another Lambdin in it”  commented my brother-in-law.
  • “I for one, am ENVIOUS of you and wish I had 7 precious children!”  a dear CM friend reminded me to add to my list of comments.
  • “Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh”  the screams of delight with each announcement of a new child from our own dear children. In fact I have never seen them get more excited about anything else.

Thanks for all of you who emailed or left positive comments.  I hope everyone is encouraged to speak enthusiastic positive and uplifting comments to everyone you know who is pregnant (regardless of their circumstances) – especially those who are “above average” in their family size.  You will be a breath of fresh air!

P.S.  I inadvertently left off a couple of dear folks who helped contribute to our yard sale on Saturday – a big THANK YOU to

  • Charlie & Lisa Fairchild
  • Mike & Lynn Krogstad

 

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May 12, 2008 · 9:40 am

Ahaaa chooo!

I love living in the Central Valley of California!

I love the beautiful & moderate weather that we experience throughout the year.  I love the size of my city and that I can get anywhere I need to in 15 minutes or less – with no traffic.  I love the trees, foliage & flowers that grace the residential neighborhood I live in. I love the cool and comfortable evenings taking walks with my husband after enjoying a delicious date night dinner. I love that I can hop in the car with the kids and be at the beach enjoying the sand & surf or in the mountains camping or snow skiing in a short two hour drive. I love my church that I have attended faithfully for almost 25 years.  I love the dear friends that I have made here. I love my home. I love the beautiful downtown waterfront. I love that I can see Starbucks from my front yard! I could go on & on about the things I love about living in Stockton. But even with all the things I love, I have to tell you that for 6 weeks every year – I am miserable!  I sometimes even find myself loathing it!  You see by living in Stockton, California I can’t escape from the allergies that seem to affect many of our residents.  Before coming here as a college freshman I never had ANY allergies.   Then I experienced my first spring in the Central Valley and now I find myself every year sneezing, gagging, itching, and with watery eyes, a runny nose & a scratchy throat.  The only thing that gets me through is a daily dose (or two) of medicine and the knowledge that “this too shall pass.”

Recently as I was going through another box of kleenex I thought – “this is just how it is with our home based businesses”.  We all love them – the products, the mission, the friends we’ve made, the income opportunity, the trips, the prizes, the recognition, the tax write offs, the conventions.  We could all come up with a long list of things that we love about our businesses.  And yet often, just like the winds of spring blow in pollens, peat dust & allergens that make me miserable, we get “stuck” on the things that make us miserable about our businesses. We find ourselves dwelling on the things that are hard or the aspects of our business that we flat out don’t like. We sometimes even think that because these aspects of business that we should just pack up & move on!

How crazy is that?  Yet even as I type this many of you are considering “throwing in the towel” because…..

  • you don’t like making phone calls
  • you are uncomfortable with sales or recruiting
  • you can’t stand doing the paperwork
  • you are sick of  cancellations
  • you have a fear of rejection or coming across as being pushy
  • or put your own frustration in here______________________

Wouldn’t it truly be crazy for me to pack up my family & move from the place we call home & the people we have grown to love simply because of six short weeks? Yes…it would!  You know why?  Because no matter where I went in the world there would be things I disliked, things that were uncomfortable, things that were not “just right” and things that made me miserable.

And the same is true with your business. It would be crazy for you to quit something that you love simply because of a few hardships, obstacles or discouragements. No matter what you do in life, there will be things that cause you grief.

The better answer is:

1. List all the things you love about your business or life, review it often and be thankful for the things it has blessed you with. (just writing here all the things that love about the place I live has helped me get through each sneeze)

2. Take your medicine every day – what is the antidote to your personal business allergy?  The best medicine for most business “allergies” is a healthy dose of positive thinking.  Are you filling your heart & mind with positive, uplifting & encouraging things?  Are you surrounding yourselves with positive, uplifting & encouraging people?  I challenge you to spend 30 minutes everyday reading a motivational book or listening to a CD. I can guarantee it will do more to bolster your immune system to business “allergies” than any single other thing you can do.  

3. Remember that “this too shall pass”.  Things never seem as bad once we have gotten through them.  In fact, I know that by mid June I will hardly even remember how miserable I am today. What you are struggling with right now in your business, the things that are making you miserable will eventually pass.  You will survive them if only you don’t quit.  You will come up with great ways to overcome obstacles, or you will learn to deal with the hardships or you will simply hang in there (perhaps even suffering a bit) until you make it through the trials & move on to the triumphs!

And as we say after each sneeze – “God bless you” – every step of the way.

 

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Filed under Attitude, Home Business, Monday Motivations

May 12, 2008 · 12:00 am

My Mother’s Day Monologue

Happy Mother’s Day!

Today as been a wonderfully blessed day.  After an extremely successful yard & bake sale yesterday to help finance our adoption, followed by a refreshing date night with my dear darling Dan…I woke up this morning to a spotless clean house (what a perfect gift for a mother whose primary love language is – “acts of service”).  We attended church service, enjoyed coffee & cinnabons (yes…my monthly “day off” the diet), took a couple hour nap, read the newspaper, talked with my eldest daughter in Hawaii & my mother in Virginia, had a take out dinner of Chinese food and ended the day watching the movie “Bella”  (highly recommend this pro-life, pro adoption movie) while receiving foot massages and eating popcorn.  A perfect Mothers Day!

This Mother’s Day I was reflecting on the great joy that having children has brought to my life.  I also was pondering each of my seven pregnancies and the different reactions and responses that we received with each announcement of a the blessing of another child.

Pregnancy #1 – There was excitement and joy from everyone – our parents, siblings, friends, even people we did not know all enthusiastically shared their sentiments about the joy of children. The congratulations were abundant.

Pregnancy #2 – “Congratulations!  Are you hoping for a boy?”  While there was a general sense of happiness for us – although there was not the screams of delight or the huge grins experienced with baby number one.  There was more a sense of being “status quo”.

Pregnancy #3 – “Trying for a boy, huh?”  With this pregnancy the general consensus was that since we did not get a boy & a girl with our first two children…we must be “trying” again. My answer – “No, actually we are quite happy with having girls.” or “No, just trying for a baby.”

Pregnancy #4 – “Do you know what causes this?”  My answer – “Yes thank you!” (and I rather enjoy it…don’t you? – which I only actually said out loud if I was feeling really ornery.)  Most people who have reached a fourth pregnancy in this “post Christian” society we live in, have experienced this true lack of enthusiasm or acceptance for having more than the “culturally accepted – Planned Parenthood” amount of children.

Pregnancy #5 – “Of course, you are done now, right?”  — My answer – “I don’t know. Ask God.”   By the time we were pregnant with our fifth child people began to look at us with a bit of disdain and bewilderment as to why we would want more children. Why is it that when it comes to financial blessings – you can never have enough money…but when it comes to the blessing of children – many think that you can have too many?

Pregnancy #6 – “How many are you going to have?”   My answer – “We leave the big important decisions to God.” (we keep busy enough trying to make the smaller decisions)  By the time we announced the blessing of our sixth precious baby, people began to just keep their comments to themselves or just give us a look of shocked amazement. 

Pregnancy #7 – “Have you heard about the lady in Arkansas with 17 kids?”   This one made me laugh – it was as if we were now going for a Guinness Book of World Records, could have a TV show or were some type of “circus act” since we were headed towards our seventh child! And of course after Daniel was born we heard constantly (and are still hearing) – “You finally got your boy!”  What kind of comment is that?  It’s not like we see our first six girls as just a failed attempt at having a boy.  One thing that I want to make pefectly clear (for the “umpteenth time”) is that we were never trying for a boy!  We simply have always been open to receiving every life given to us as a blessing from the Lord….boys or girls….and whether we had one blessing or 20 blessings! Of course to have 20 biological children,  I would have had to start much younger.  Since I had my first child at age 27 and most people have a serious decline in fertility after 40 (3-5% chance of conceiving) and then another huge drop after 45 (less than a 2% chance of getting pregnant – the same chance as those of you on the pill) and then only a miracle chance of naturally having a baby after 50…I feel extremely blessed to have had seven children during my childbearing years. (which may not be over – only God knows)  

The sentiments surrounding the blessings of being a mother were heard over & over today and throughout this past week.  Yet, it seems that our society in general only has these warm, loving sentiments for two or at the most three children.  After that you constantly hear comments like the ones listed above as well as…

  • “I’m glad it’s you and not me!”  (I’m glad it’s me too)
  • “Oh my! You’ve got your hands full” (And my heart is full too)
  • “Are they ALL yours?” – usually said with a look of chagrin) (yes thay are ALL mine & they all have the same Dad too, thank you!)
  • “I couldn’t handle that many children”   (I will take all the blessings God is willing to give me! And as a recovering “control freak” I stopped trying to “handle” things a long time ago)
  • “You are crazy!” (ahhhh…what a nice thing to say to someone – read the sarcasm here)
  • “Do you realize how OLD you are going to be when that last one graduates from high school?” (Yes, I can do basic math)

OK, I will get down off my “soapbox” now and end by saying – Happy Mother’s Day to all of you – whether you have been blessed with one child, a dozen or more children or any number in between! Children are a blessing and a gift from God.

P.S. – As we have been going through the adoption process for the last seven months we have heard almost no negative comments.  Interesting huh?  Either everyone has just given up on us, they are finally really convinced that we believe children are a blessing, they are “writing us off” as too far gone to bother commenting or perhaps adoption is more acceptable than having another child.  I don’t know the answer but I find it very interesting that as we get ready to “have” (through the miracle of adoption) our eighth child – the comments are overwhelmingly positive!

 

 

 

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May 11, 2008 · 11:59 pm

Our Adoption Yard Sale

Here is the report on our Adoption Yard Sale and Bake Sale we held on Saturday! It was fabulous. 

Our sincere and heartfelt thanks go out to the many who donated items and baked goodies for us to raise money for our upcoming adoption:

  • The Buyco family
  • The Fichtner family
  • Sherwood Manor Swim Team
  • The Meier family
  • The Barth family
  • The Hale family
  • Gloria Grupe
  • Sister Lillian
  • Ceci Sallee
  • The Ward family
  • Michelle Sallee
  • The Rodriguez family
  • The Reichard family
  • The Saucedo family
  • The Krahmer family
  • The Martinez family
  • The Sciarini family
  • Charlie & Lisa Fairchild
  • Mike & Lynn Krogstad

As you will see in the slide show following, we had an amazing amount of items donated.  We also are so grateful to our dear family members – Uncle Doug, Aunt Kass and Chrisann as well as our friends Monica & Ana Martinez who came over at the “crack of dawn” on Saturday to help us set up and then worked tirelessly for hours helping to sell things.  What a blessing! 

Total amount raised at this event:  $1,500

I also had a Creative Memories adoption sale for my clients of some discontinued and overstocked items where I made an additional $300.  Add to that a jar of change our dear life long friend “Grandma Gloria” brought by, a piggy bank full of change from our friends five year old daughter (who wanted to help us get this baby!) and a jar of change the girls have been collecting and the GRAND total for the weekend is almost $1,900.  We will go to the bank Monday and add this to our adoption fund which will bring us to over $4,200 in that account….leaving us just $2,800 needed to pay our adoption placement fees.  If you would like to partner with us and help us with the remaining amount needed  – you can donate Online here!(Paypal or credit card)  Every donation, regardless of size helps us get to the goal. We know that the Lord will provide.

Here is a slideshow of our glorious day!

P.S. – We should be hearing early this week (maybe even tomorrow – be still my heart!) if we have been chosen to be the “forever family” for this precious baby that was born on April 29.  I will post the moment we get word.

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May 9, 2008 · 12:00 am

Born Again Birthdays

I was blessed to grow up in a Christian home where the Lord Jesus was an important part of our lives (not just something we “did” on Sunday mornings).  I have believed in Jesus, His life, His death and His Resurrection for as long as I can remember.  I also know that at some point that the faith I was raised with, the faith I learned from my parents had to become my own.  When I was nearly seventeen, I experienced a life changing moment in my spiritual journey.  For all the years prior to that I believed in Jesus but at that moment I came to know Him in a very new and personal way.  This took place when I was a delegate from my high school attending California Girls State in Sacramento, California.  It was there that I met and became close friends with Jane Grutzik and Suzanne Sands.  Suzanne was filled with the love of God and desired to serve Him like no other teenager I knew.  I found myself longing to know God the way she knew Him.  Before our week together came to an end, I got down on my knees in that dorm room at Sac State and asked the Lord for a relationship with Him like Suzanne had.  When I go up I knew my life was changed and that my heart was renewed (the desire to read God’s word was the first sign as well as the desire to live a better life).

Have you have ever read the scriptures in the book of John that say – “Truly I say unto you unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God”  or in 2 Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”

This is what I experienced – a rebirth, a complete change inside.

I don’t know the exact date that I experienced that rebirth but I know it was the beginning of July in 1979 – almost 29 years ago. My dear darling hubby had a life changing experience at a retreat and became a Christian on May 9, 1981 – 27 years ago today.

In the early years of our marraige, as youth leaders and Christian school educators we were surrounded by young people who had been raised in church and had a faith in Jesus but often shared that they wished they had a “better” testimony than knowing the Lord since childhood.  It made me sad that they did not realize the incredible inheritance they had been blessed with.  When we began having our own children we desired for them to not only know, love and serve the Lord from their youth but also to rejoice in their godly heritage.  (not wishing for a better testimony but realizing that knowing the Lord for most of your life was the best testimony!)

When our eldest daughter at the age of four decided that she wanted to give her life over to Jesus we marked that date on the calendar (November 1,1993).  We then decided to celebrate her “born again birthday” each year on that special day.  Our tradition is that we take that child out to dinner just with Mom & Dad on their spiritual birthday and celebrate what the Lord is doing in their life.  It is a special time for us together with that child.  We also as a family have a birthday cake (or cheesecake as that is a favorite for some) and sing “Happy born again birthday to you”.

Today is Grace’s born again birthday – on May 9, 2003 – as we were having family devotions (and Dad was sharing about his becoming a Christian on that day in 1981), Grace asked if she too could ask Jesus into her heart.  She prayed at the dinner table with the entire family there to celebrate.  How special that her and her Dad share born again birthdays.

Of course I have also written down the day and the story behind their decision in a photo album.(complete with a picture of them at that age – it took me until my 6th child, Joy who will celebrate her 1st born again birthday on June 7 –  to actually think to take a picture on the exact day!)

As the children grow up and continue to have life changing moments in their Christian walk, we pray that the celebration of their born again birthdays will always be a reminder of what God has done throughout their lives.  I would love to see many more Christian families start this tradition. Even if you don’t know the exact time or day that you or your children first made that commitment to the Lord – pick a date and celebrate you & your children’s rebirth every year!

Happy born again birthday Gracie – goo!

 

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May 8, 2008 · 6:54 pm

A few more days

 

We got this email today from the adoption agency.
 
Dear Dan and Beth,
 
Our birth mother has your profile and will take a few days to pray and ponder her choice. She was very pleased with both profiles presented to her. As you can imagine, it would be a hard decision. I will let you know as soon as I know. Just pray for God’s will.
 
We will be praying and we know that God has a perfect plan & just the right family for this baby.  It looks like we wait a few more days.

 

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May 7, 2008 · 9:16 pm

When Love Takes You In

A dear friend of mine sent me this beautiful music video about the incredible miraculous love in adoption. Needless to say it touched my heart in a deep way – I hope that it touches your heart too!

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May 6, 2008 · 4:36 pm

Waiting….

….yes we are still waiting to hear from the adoption agency.  It reminds me of each of my pregnancies as we waited (not always patiently) for that new baby to arrive.  We wait & watch the phone in hopes that the next call will be from Life Choices sharing that we have been chosen to be the family for this baby boy.

Here’s hoping that tomorrow we get the call! We will keep you posted.

Financial Update:  We have over $1,700 raised to date (25 adoption partners who have joined us – THANK YOU!!) – that leaves $5,300 left for our adoption placement fee. We need help and are believing God to bring in just what we need – if you feel the Lord leading, you can donate Online here.  Items are arriving daily for our yard & bake sale scheduled for this Saturday – if you live locally it’s not too late to pass on to us your “sellable” items or bake something for the bake sale.

We are so thankful to everyone who has been a part of this journey.

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May 5, 2008 · 1:34 pm

Leader Extraordinaire

My upline Cathy recently promoted to Executive Director with Creative Memories.  For a look at what makes an exceptional leader I’d like to share with you the letter I wrote for her in honor of her promotion. We should all aspire to such leadership.

 

Dearest Cathy,

 

 

CONGRATULATIONS on promoting to Executive Director! I could not be more excited for you as you achieve this CM milestone.  I am filled with so much joy and excitement, only wishing that I could be there in person to celebrate with you! Enjoy every moment of being the shining star.

 

As my upline in Creative Memories you have been amazing!  From the very beginning when I was not interested in pursuing CM as a business, you called me regularly just to check in.  You did not push me, but simply offered the opportunity to take my career to a new level through motivation, encouragement, enthusiasm and your personal business success.  When I did decide to jump in with both feet, you provided everything that was needed to soar to the top!  You were there to provide wisdom and advice from your years of experience as well as outstanding training. You role modeled a balanced and successful hard working business. You offered incentives and you showered me with praise, recognition and rewards.  You challenged me and cheered me on every step of the way.  When we hit bumps in the CM road, you offered a listening ear, supporting and being there every step of the way.  Your leadership is one to be commended, rewarded and recognized.

 

You are much, much more than simply my leader and upline in Creative Memories –

 

  • You are my friend.  We have shared so many wonderful times together over our CM journey.  We have laughed, jumped up and down, screamed with delight, danced, embraced and cried together.  We have gone on the most incredible incentive trips, had the time of our life at conventions, relaxed and scrapbooked together at retreats and enjoyed great fellowship in each others homes. The memories are warm and wonderful and will be forever cherished!
  • You are my sister in the Lord.  Our common faith in the Lord Jesus has been such a great blessing to me.  You are a woman of virtue and solid moral values. What a joy to have a leader whose priorities include serving the Lord.
  • You have given generously of your love to both me and my precious family – Cathy your love is truly the best gift that you have given me over these past 12 years. You have been there to welcome three new babies the Lord blessed us with. You were there as we scraped and struggled to start Jim Elliot Christian High School – always believing in the vision.  You have walked with us through some tough times as we have had to deal with the loss of our employment, major health issues and serious financial struggles. You have celebrated with us through many of our milestones – wedding anniversaries, birthdays, the start of JECHS, graduations and much more. You have been so kind and generous to the girls – showering them with little gifts, passing down your daughter’s fun toys and beautiful clothes and always making them feel special and welcomed to CM events.

 

Cathy, I pray that the Lord will continue to bless you in every way as you have blessed so many others.  As you continue to celebrate this promotion over the upcoming months may you be filled with great joy and fulfillment as you are given recognition of the leader you have been for years. Here’s to you!

 

With much love, appreciation and admiration,

 

Beth

 

 

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May 5, 2008 · 10:06 am

Daniel turns one!

Yes, as unbelievable as it seems to me…a year has passed already and our little Daniel Guy turned one year old on April 20. Being that I have done this seven times now, you would think I would be ok with this phenomenon of how fast life passes by when it comes to watching your children grow up. I am not.  I know that with this wonderful life milestone of turning one year old his life will gain an amazing speed and before we know it he will be starting school, playing ball, turning ten (called decade day at our house), going through adolescence, starting high school and from that point on headed with warp speed towards graduation.  As much as I am determined to slow it all down and cherish each moment, it will still all happen much too fast. 

What is a Mom to do? 

  • Rock that sweet smelling baby all night long
  • Get on the floor and play with those wee ones while they are still crawling around
  • Read a book on the couch with your toddler over & over again
  • Enjoy every minute of having them home during summer vacation (don’t wish it away!) & for us homeschoolers cherish the hundreds of extra hours you have year ’round with your children
  • Coach their teams, volunteer at their school and with their events, chaperone their field trips, teach their Sunday School class
  • Turn up the music loud in the car when your pre-teen asks you too (and be thankful they don’t have an ipod stuck in their ear which limits any communication)
  • Talk to your teenagers(even if it means staying up late at night), attend their games, participate in their activities, chaperon their school events, invite their friends to your home
  • Make meaningful memories and create family traditions at every opportunity.
  • Stop waiting until tomorrow to start living!
  • Kiss their sweet cheeks and squeeze them with a warm loving hug every day (or if you have a wee one you can get away with every minute!)

Happy Birthday my to my baby boy!

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