Never Say Never

I always thought that Jeremiah 29:11 was a little overused, but as I look back on my life I really do see how God’s plan was so much bigger than my own.  I am the happiest I have ever been, but my life is the least how I would have expected it to be.  I thank God that he designs our path and guides our steps to make the best life for us if we choose to follow him.  And I think he finds it quite humorous when we use the word “never.”  

I have composed a list of things I said I would never do verses things I ended up doing.  Let's just say, I don't use the word "never" loosely anymore. 

1. I said I would never go to a Christian school (especially one in KY).

I went to Asbury College in Wilmore, KY…and loved it!

2. I always said I would never be one of those girls who got married in college. 

I married Brent on June 20, 2009, the summer before my senior year.   Yes, I graduated with a BA in Elementary Education and an MRS. degree.

3.  I also told Brent I never wanted to date him. 

            Ha, see above.

4. I said that I would never teach at a Christian school.

I taught at Lexington Christian Academy for 3 years…and loved it!

5. I said that I would never come back and live in my hometown of Versailles.

I am a current resident of good ole Wofo Co. 

6. I said I would wait until I was at least 27 years old to have kids—after I completed my Master’s, went on a bunch of trips, etc.

Here I am at 25 about to have 3 kids—no Master’s and no trips in our near future.

7. Relating to #6, I also said that I would NEVER drive a mini-van.  No way was I going to be one of those mini van moms.

            Now I am the proud owner of a goldish tan Town and Country.  I must say, it’s a pretty smooth ride, and I feel like a boss every time I open up those sliding doors with the click of a button.

8. Also relating to #6, I said that I would never be a “stay-at-home mom” or “SAHM” if you’re into the acronym thing.

            This summer, I said goodbye to LCA to take a couple years off to be with my kids.  I also now know what the acronym “SAHM” means that I wondered about for so long when reading those parenting blogs and articles.

9.  I also never expected to be married to a police officer.  Technically, I never put this into a “I’ll never” statement, but it was something I would have never guessed about my life.

            My husband just started his job as a police officer. I am so thankful that he loves his job, and I’m proud of the hard work he is willing to do for our family.

  

So I used to use the word “never” a lot, but I think I have finally learned how dangerous that word can be.  I don’t think I will ever say never again...you never know what God's going to do.

The Reminder I am Writing to Myself

I haven't posted in a while even though many exciting things have happened on our journey from one (kid) to three (kids) the past couple months.  I will write more on that later, but mainly I am writing this post for myself.  Lately I have been feeling a little uneasy about our situation, probably because it is getting closer and closer to July, so this is the reminder I am writing to myself.

I was in my parents basement a couple weeks ago and came across this wonderful clay "masterpiece" I had sculpted as a 7th grade art project.  It was a brown three seater canoe with two paddles.  Of all things, I don't know why I chose to make that, but I was so proud of it at the time. It was one of my favorite art projects, and I say that because it's the only one I actually remember.

When our art teacher first gave out the clay for the project it was in a hard, grey block, stiff and cold.  I remember our teacher telling us to keep working with it until it became easy to shape.  My friends and I did everything possible to make it moldable; we slammed the block against the table, ripped it into pieces, dug our fists into it, squished it together, and even blew hot air on it, trying to make it warm.  It took a while, but finally I was able to work freely with the now malleable clay and sculpt and shape my seemingly perfect canoe design.  

As we prepare for our life changes this summer, I have found that the more I am in God's Word and the more I am in tune to His Spirit leading me, the easier it is for me to accept these changes. I am moldable, flexible, and submissive to the path He has laid out for me.  I am in his hands, and he can easily shape me into his perfectly designed plan. But there are some days when I am worried, anxious, and question the direction He is leading me and the choices we have made as a family.  Those are the days I choose (or use the excuse "I'm too busy") not to listen to His Spirit and read His Word, and those days I am a resistant, rock solid block, unable to be shaped by the Artist.  I do not feel at peace because I am not in his hands.  But in those times, God still picks me up and works with me.  He might have to slam me against the table once in a while to wake me up and help me listen, but He doesn't just give up and leave me a cold, hard block. The Artist never gives up on his perfect design. And I sure hope He is making me into something better than a canoe. 

Pink or Blue? times TWO.

This Valentine's Day was probably close to one of the best days of my life.  It wasn't because my husband did something super romantic (I'm not really that type of girl anyway)-- but because Brent and I had two very important doctors appointments to go to.   We were going to find out both of our babies' genders.  Not only did we learn the genders of our babies yesterday, but we also learned again that God has a sense of humor.

Appointment #1 (my appointment): BABY GIRL

Appointment #2 (my sister's appointment): ANOTHER BABY GIRL

Both babies looked healthy and are growing strong.

Our poor little Eli doesn't quite know how his life is going to change, and I'm not sure we have completely grasped it either.  But we are so excited to make these two girls part of our family! Today, we officially got our first PINK outfit and are looking forward to filling our girls' room with a lot more PINK.

God's Got Us: Our Announcement

On a Sunday in August, the words our pastor spoke went deep into my heart. "You're saved, so don't live a safe life." If we truly believe we are saved, then we are eternally safe, and no matter what God's got us.

Until this point, my life was safe.  I went to college, got married, got a job, bought a house, and had a beautiful baby boy.  Not to mention, I went to a Christian college, have mostly Christian friends, and currently teach at a Christian school.   Pretty safe living.

After the message, I felt like God was calling my husband and I to adopt.  We had always talked about adoption in our future, but at this point we had a 9 month old and couldn't imagine having another baby any time soon. Plus, adoption was so uncertain and so expensive. We just couldn't afford it.  We wanted to keep our perfectly safe lives, but God had other plans.

From August to October, we got some pretty clear signs we should adopt.  So clear, we recorded every one on my iPad.

1. Right after the "safe life" sermon mentioned above, the church showed a video telling the story of a boy who had been adopted.
2. A sad story on the news about a baby dying because of neglect brought me to tears as I wished that mom had given up her child for someone else to care for.
3. A girl in my class brought in a book telling about the story of her younger brother's adoption from Russia.
4. My husband and I daily heard radio commercials about an adoption conference being held in Louisville.
5. While stopped at a red light, we saw a sign on the curb that said, "Looking to adopt?" and gave information about an adoption organization.
6. While walking in the neighborhood one day, we met a family that had adopted their daughter when she was 13 years old.
7. One of my good friends from college got a job at an adoption agency.

But the last and most obvious sign that lead us to adoption came at the end of October when my 16 year old sister found out she was pregnant.  Considering the options she had and trying to follow God's will, we offered to adopt the baby.  After some discussions, she agreed that letting us adopt her baby was best.  

We knew we would become parents again in July (my sister is due on the 8th) and we were so excited! But we didn't expect what happened next.  More than a month after we agreed to adopt my sister's baby and four pregnancy tests later (because I didn't quite believe it was true), I found out we would be expecting a baby on July 13.  Yes, God must have a sense of humor because my sister and I are due 5 days apart! Obviously we have many concerns, worries, fears, and doubts, but we are trusting in the plan God has for us and know that because we are saved, we are safe.  God's got us no matter what.

Please pray for us as we prepare to go from having one sweet baby boy, to having three sweet little ones under 18 months!