Thankful Thursday!

Two years ago today, we adopted our third child and second beautiful daughter from Nanning, China.  It was such a bittersweet moment for us; knowing that we were adding to our family and taking this child from the only world she has ever known.  I was so happy to finally have her in my arms after waiting for a little over 2 years to bring her home.

We were first in line to take our child home that day.  The most remarkable part for me was that she didn’t cry when they  “handed her over.”  Most kids cry when a complete stranger holds them..DD#2 did not.  In fact, she gave me a small smile!  It was wonderful!  However, she did cry once all the other children started to cry.  It’s hard to stay composed when 11 other children are screaming bloody murder…I understand!

She is such a wonderful child…so full of energy, happiness and joy.  She is a wonderful addition to our family and I am so thankful for her and her birth parents.  Without her birth parents making that incredibly difficult decision to leave her at the orphanage doorstep 3 years ago I wouldn’t have this wonderful child as my own.  God took a difficult and horrible situation and turned it to good by placing her in our arms two years ago.  God is good!

The President’s Address to Congress

Frankly, I am outraged by the President’s speech last night.  He is clearly not listening to the people and is entirely bent on pushing through his own agenda at the expense of the country.  This was blatant politics people.  He was using the same fear tactics and presidential bullying that he was preaching against.  Of course, he was preaching to “his people” who will make a big show for him to boost his ever inflating ego.  The President’s town halls this past month were even filled with a “stacked deck” of audience members.  Seriously?  He must think we are all blind sheep who willingly follow without questioning what is actually going on.  The smoke screens and distractions (i.e. Van Jones and speaking to the nation’s children) were lame attempts at changing the subject and won’t change the fact that this bill, HR3200, is nothing but control!

I have read the bill.  This bill creates a committee that reports directly to the President…not Congress….meaning…not the people.  Up to 17 people on this potential 27 member committee are appointed by the President without Congressional approval.  These “experts” will be handpicked by the President alone and will report to him alone.  Now, take Obama out of the picture.  Do you want ANY President to wield that much authority over your health care options?  Not to mention there is a requirement of only one person to be a licensed doctor….the Surgeon General.  The others are simply outlined as “experts in healthcare”.  So this brings special interests to a new level…without accountability to Congress and the people, these health insurance fat cats could possibly have more power…and greater influence over our president.  How is this a good thing?

Rasmussen polls are currently showing that 53% of the people are against this health care bill…and 58% of those not registered with either major party are opposed.  Interestingly, 78% of people are polled at wanting the same health care coverage that Congress has.  So here is a big question:  Do you think that Congress will ditch their insurance plan to be on the “public option” plan with the rest of us or will they let “us” join their plan?  I think the answer is a big NO!  Congress has it good and they know it…why would they give that up?

Scott Rasmussen, president of Rasmussen Reports, said, “In the Federalist Papers, written to promote passage of the U.S. Constitution, it was noted that the only way to effectively control a legislator was to insure that they come home and live under the rules they write for the rest of us. In the 21st century, that doesn’t happen anymore. So voters seem to be applying the same logic in reverse by saying that they would like a chance to play by the same rules that Congress has written for themselves.”

Do I need to mention that Rasmussen also shows that 51% of the population do not approve of the President at the moment? Congress disapproval ratings are ranging between 43% and 56% AND 63% of Americans feel that our government is on the WRONG track.  How is that “a strong majority” of the people in favor with what the President and Congress are doing?  HUH?  Is he crazy, brainwashed or just stupid?  Seriously…what is he thinking?  I don’t understand!

Oh and check the photo I included in the post…what do those faces say to you?  To me, I read smug, ego-maniac, in-your-face, MISPLACED arrogance.  Humble, sincere, seeking the good of the people…not so much.  Nice. Real nice.

I firmly believe that MANY of our legislators (Republican and Democrat) are living in Ivory Towers and have completely lost touch with the people.  They have completely forgotten who elected them and why they are in Washington, D.C.  I don’t know about you, but the next chance I get to vote OUT someone I’m doing it!  Change We Can Believe In?  Yeah…let ME make a change!

Living in My Box

Life in this home is crazy at best sometimes; I know I’ve talked about it on this blog.  I’ve had a bit of time to reflect on things and have come to the realization that a lot of the issues here have nothing to do with me.  Wow!  It’s crazy!  For the longest time I’ve been focused on me as the cause of a lot of the drama!  When I take step back and look at it rationally I can see that it’s not me.  Not me at all.  Now I’m not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, and I don’t always react the way I should when the proverbial #@%$&^ hits the fan, but I’m pretty sane in the midst of it all.  My family life is nuts and it’s not because of me!  Seriously…it’ s not me!  I think it finally sunk in!

My son has been a large part of the stress because of his anxiety issues , as well as my husband.  I’m not talking badly about DH, mind you, but he has anxiety issues of his own that need to get worked out.  I’ve been modifying my behaviors to fit in a tiny little “box” , if you will, to reduce the amount of their stress at home.  Problem is…I’m left in the box…and it’s pretty tiny in here!  I’ve pushed a few walls of my box out a bit in the past few weeks and the stress levels have risen…not my stress…theirs…I’m happier in my bigger box.  Son and hubby aren’t so happy with my bigger box.  You see it means change…the dreaded ‘C’ word.  They hate any type of change.  Any type!

I am glad to be a stay-at-home-mom for my kids; but I’m bored.  SO BORED!  I need to do something other than “stay-at-home” but my box won’t let me.  This box wants me to be at home, all the time, tidying the home, cooking the meals, doing the laundry, minding the kids…and nothing else.  Oh, I could probably fit in women’s bible study and any type of church activity…because those are “box approved” activities.  Don’t get me wrong, church is important, bible study is important…but I need something a little deeper…and there is another entire box full of stuff labeled “CHURCH”  IN my box with me that is filled without substance.  It’s taking up a lot of space in here! It’s full of time wasters…total distractions from the real reasons we go to church.  I’ve moved on from “busy work” in my spiritual life…I need change!  There it is again…the ‘C’ word.

I’m praying about this earnestly because I’m just not happy about my tiny little box.  Yes, God doesn’t promise that we will be happy, but I’m sure He didn’t intend for us to live in a tiny box completely unhappy 95% of our time.  I’m not buying that.  He loves us too much to never give us any enjoyment or happiness in our daily lives.  The problem isn’t me.  The problem isn’t God.  The problem is this box that I live in…now where’s my box cutter….time for some more expansion!  Change is coming….

Fearless: Imagine Your Life Without Fear

I have reviewed the new book by Max Lucado, Fearless: Imagine Your Life Without Fear,  for the Thomas Nelson Review group this month.  It was an easy read and readily enjoyable.  I must say that much of the book was a review course for me.  Since my son has anxiety issues, I have been introduced to many of the ways to conquer fear before reading this book.  However, I can say that “Fearless” is a good book for anyone struggling with worry or anxiety as it will help you identify what you are possibly worried about and how to overcome it.  The book is geared for the Christian reader but I think that the tools Lucado introduces can be used by non-Christians as well.

Lucado also addresses how “fear tactics” have infiltrated our daily lives and the effects it has had on our society.  Our fears are real and scary things, but as Christians, we have the hope of Christ to pull us through them.  Lucado reminds us that Christ is light and no darkness resides in Him; that even the demons tremble before him.  There is nothing to fear except fear itself.

As a mom of three children, and a son with anxiety issues, I found the chapter entitled “The Fear of Not Protecting Our Kids” the most helpful and comforting.  Lucado helped me remember that “my” children are also Christ’s children.  He loves them like He loves me.  This chapter encouraged me to “stubbornly pray” and petition the Lord on behalf of my children.  To literally flood the throne room of heaven with prayers for my children and let God command my “doubt to depart and permit only faith and hope to stay.”  Trusting the Lord with my children and my fears will calm my spirit and allow me to move past the fear.

If you or someone you love struggles with fear, small or large, you will find this book helpful in dispelling those fears and strengthening your faith in Christ in the process.

Legacy of an Adopted Child

A dear friend of mine recently emailed me this poem.  Initially I just wanted to delete it (“SORRY!”) since I don’t really read a lot of  so called spam/junk mail that is forwarded to me…I just don’t have the time with 3 kiddos.  But the title caught my attention so I took the extra 20-30 seconds to read it.  There is a line in the poem that relates to the artwork I have posted on the blog to the right.  I hope you enjoy it.

Legacy of an Adopted Child

Once there were two women, neither knew the other
One you do not remember, the other you call mother.
One gave you a nationality, the other gave you a name
One gave you the seed of talent, the other gave you an aim.
Two very different lives shaped yours into one
One became your guiding star, the other was your sun.
One gave you emotions, and one calmed your fears
One saw your first sweet smile, the other dried your tears.
The first gave you life, the second taught you to live it.
The first gave you a need for love, the second was there to give it.
One gave you up—it was all that she could do,
The other prayed for a child—God led her straight to you.
And now you ask me through your tears,
The age-old question of all the years,
Heredity or Environment, which are you a product of?
Neither darling, neither … just two different kinds of Love.