Adoption: Being A Mom to 13 Children and Counting
Wednesday, September 21, 2016
Adoption. For many it is a last hope, an opportunity in dark times. Charitable, is how some people see it. And then their are the families that go above and beyond, those who adopt multiple children. Today, I want to talk about my journey, some of the comments I have received, and why I do what I do. Feel free to settle in with a cup of tea, and maybe even a few tissues.
Living Loved - A Look At Uninvited by Lysa TerKeurst
Thursday, September 8, 2016
Hey my lovelies. Today, I want to talk about something that I don't often talk about, my faith, and thanks to a book I am sneaking it in. Even though this isn't going up during the month that the blog tour for Lysa TerKeurst's book Uninvited is going on, I wanted to talk a little about how I found the book, reading the book, and how I want to start Living Loved. If you would like to know more, or even join us, click here. If you would like to buy your own copy of the book, study guide, and small group Bible study, click here.
First I want to start with a backstory of how I found the book. I have been a part of the First 5 for quite some time now. It is a community founded by the Proverbs 31 Ministry. The goal is to spend time with God in the first moments of your day instead of reaching for social media. I have been inspired by Lysa for quite some time now. I love watching videos where she speaks, so when First 5 was doing a live broadcast of her talking about Uninvited, I was all in. Fast forward through listening to the broadcast over and over, and even recording the audio to listen to over and over, I found myself struggling with the thought of buying the book. When you are on a budget, you question every purchase you make. I felt God really calling me to read this book. The title alone spoke volumes to me and who I am. After a few days, and a few nudges from my fiance, my best friend, and my mom, I preordered the book.
Getting the book, I put it off. I know what you are thinking, if I was so excited why wait?! Originally I was forcing myself through a series and then I was going to wait and read it with my best friend, but then something changed. Thoughts invaded my mind and I felt the sting of rejection so strongly all I could do was weep and ask God why. All of these things lead me to picking up the book. The next thing I knew I was three chapters in, over 20 page flags, and I realized I didn't have enough, nor would I ever have enough for this book. Lysa's words spoke to a deep part of me that I had been burying for some time now. As a lover of books, I rarely do anything to mark in them or hurt them... I dog eared a page. I think it is the first time in my life.
I went into this book with the thought in my mind to write this post; however, when encouraged by my friend, I thought to myself this isn't what I usually write about. There are so many other women and men that are writing and reviewing this book with a strong faith and a knowledge of the Bible and their faith that I just don't have. And then today I stopped at chapter 10 this morning. I felt like I needed to pause. And as the events of the day carried on I was pulled back into the book. Chapter 10... "Her Success Does Not Threaten Mine" and every word spoke to me about this post, about the rejection I felt about writing about this book, and the fear I had of putting my love for God out into the world.
My rejection lead me to her words of Living Lord. And just like the image says, "God's love isn't based on me. It's simply placed on me."It doesn't matter that I do not know every word of the Bible. It matters that I find myself in His word, learning, and applying it in my life. It is allowing myself to turn towards God and let him lead my path. And most of all, it is learning that rejection is His way of protecting me. "You aren't set aside. You are set apart." So the next time I feel less than, left out, and lonely... I am going to remember to Live Loved. To live knowing that I am a woman of Christ.
I hope that each of you will be inspired to live from a place knowing that you are loved. You are loved by God, you are loved by your family and friends, and you are loved by me. As I pray for each person that reads this post, I also ask that you pray as I continue my journey through Uninvited. I know this is a book that I will continue to read and learn from for years to come. Just remember, even when you are overlooked by others, you are handpicked by God. In her new book, Uninvited, New York Times bestselling author Lysa TerKeurst will help you live like you really believe that truth! You can get your copy by going to www.uninvitedbook.com.
First I want to start with a backstory of how I found the book. I have been a part of the First 5 for quite some time now. It is a community founded by the Proverbs 31 Ministry. The goal is to spend time with God in the first moments of your day instead of reaching for social media. I have been inspired by Lysa for quite some time now. I love watching videos where she speaks, so when First 5 was doing a live broadcast of her talking about Uninvited, I was all in. Fast forward through listening to the broadcast over and over, and even recording the audio to listen to over and over, I found myself struggling with the thought of buying the book. When you are on a budget, you question every purchase you make. I felt God really calling me to read this book. The title alone spoke volumes to me and who I am. After a few days, and a few nudges from my fiance, my best friend, and my mom, I preordered the book.
Getting the book, I put it off. I know what you are thinking, if I was so excited why wait?! Originally I was forcing myself through a series and then I was going to wait and read it with my best friend, but then something changed. Thoughts invaded my mind and I felt the sting of rejection so strongly all I could do was weep and ask God why. All of these things lead me to picking up the book. The next thing I knew I was three chapters in, over 20 page flags, and I realized I didn't have enough, nor would I ever have enough for this book. Lysa's words spoke to a deep part of me that I had been burying for some time now. As a lover of books, I rarely do anything to mark in them or hurt them... I dog eared a page. I think it is the first time in my life.
I went into this book with the thought in my mind to write this post; however, when encouraged by my friend, I thought to myself this isn't what I usually write about. There are so many other women and men that are writing and reviewing this book with a strong faith and a knowledge of the Bible and their faith that I just don't have. And then today I stopped at chapter 10 this morning. I felt like I needed to pause. And as the events of the day carried on I was pulled back into the book. Chapter 10... "Her Success Does Not Threaten Mine" and every word spoke to me about this post, about the rejection I felt about writing about this book, and the fear I had of putting my love for God out into the world.
My rejection lead me to her words of Living Lord. And just like the image says, "God's love isn't based on me. It's simply placed on me."It doesn't matter that I do not know every word of the Bible. It matters that I find myself in His word, learning, and applying it in my life. It is allowing myself to turn towards God and let him lead my path. And most of all, it is learning that rejection is His way of protecting me. "You aren't set aside. You are set apart." So the next time I feel less than, left out, and lonely... I am going to remember to Live Loved. To live knowing that I am a woman of Christ.
I hope that each of you will be inspired to live from a place knowing that you are loved. You are loved by God, you are loved by your family and friends, and you are loved by me. As I pray for each person that reads this post, I also ask that you pray as I continue my journey through Uninvited. I know this is a book that I will continue to read and learn from for years to come. Just remember, even when you are overlooked by others, you are handpicked by God. In her new book, Uninvited, New York Times bestselling author Lysa TerKeurst will help you live like you really believe that truth! You can get your copy by going to www.uninvitedbook.com.
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