Ugg...

Started something new......& it's backfiring.  :(

I don 't know if I have ever been this honest on my blog before, but Ruthie is really struggling right now. 

Adoption may sound all romantic & sweet.  But it's not all the time.

She has SUCH anxiety right now-over everything.  It all started when I took her to see a picture of her birthmother that we have stored in our safety deposit box. 

Tonight, (& last night) anxiety reared it's ugly head again, when after reading a story w/ Ana at bedtime, she no longer wanted to go to her room & climb into bed.

Buckets of tears over wanting to sleep w/ Ana.  And being afraid to sleep in her own room.

We got through it tonight.....after a long walk through the house, shutting windows & doors, locking the house & setting the house alarm-together.  But, I still had to sit outside her room for her to fall asleep.

I used to resent this.  But, in the last few months, the Lord has granted me TRUE compassion toward her in this area, & I long to give her the re-assuance she so desperately needs. 

I used to "poo-poo" the idea that she might need more vocal assurance that we LOVE HER-every day.  But, I have seen the power of telling her (several times a day) that we love her, & that she is & will always be-OURS!

And for now, these are small things I can do for her, that prove to her I love her. 

Skiing.......A Picture of Life

One perk to being a Colorado resident......the 5th Grade Ski Free Pass.  Ana is in 5th Grade this year, so we signed her up. 

Monday, I took the girls up to Monarch Mountain, with both my sisters & all their local cousins.

Poling my way through the chute-for the first "load" on a chair lift.  In this case, for the first time in FIVE years.  (the last time was a week or so before I left on Ruthie's Pick-Up trip).

Yep, I was scared.  The thing I hate most about skiing is the "unload" at the top of the mountain. (the only injuries I ever remember getting have to do w/ the stupid chair lift!  Including the one where the snowboarder I was riding up w/ TOOK ME OUT dis-embarking.  Knocked the wind out of me, & bruised my ribs for a month!  But, I digress....)

I knew it was coming.....I could see the top of the lift.  I rode up w/ my oldest nephew-just recently turned 13-& not afraid of anything.

"I can do this.  I can do this. I can do this. I have done it before.  It's like riding a bike-you never forget, right?" (the conversation I had w/ myself went something along these lines.)

Tips up.

Move to the edge of your chair.

Take a deep breath.

Skis sliding across the ground directly under my chair. 

& just at the right moment.....

Stand up....& just glide.

(I screamed like a girl-but, that's ok, because I am one, ha!  ha!)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I am naturally afraid to try new things.  Ana is petrified of them.  Ruth?  Not one IOTA of fear. 

There has to be a BIG payoff for me to risk:

1.  Injury

2.  Pain

3.  Exhaustion

But, I have risked theses things in my life, as well as on the skislope, & I'm glad I did.  There's nothing quite as exhilerating as standing at the top of the mountain, knowing I'm getting ready for the ride of my life!

Loving others is a risk.

Starting college was a risk. 

Having biological children is a risk.

Adopting is a risk.

I guess that's part of why I thrill to ski.  It scares me to death, but very little is so rewarding-at least not in the physical world.









Our favorite run of the day-& yes, as you have probably guessed, I am soley a "Green Run" kind of girl.



Our fearless wonder!

(in case you are wondering, Ana had so much fun-after conquering her fear,

 I could never catch her for a picture by herself! 

All of us at the top of our favorite run-"Rookie," highlighted in the top picture.

Spent some time w/ a friend that lost her baby......

& it was ok. 
You know, sometimes it's nice the Lord allows glimpses of "why."

Why did He allow such suffering in our lives? 

At my friend's house on Sunday afternoon, I finally got a glimpse of what it means to "weep with those who weep."  My friend & her husband lost their baby girl last month.  She had horrible birth defects, & was stillborn after 3 days of labor at 7 months gestational age.

I was invited to a jewelry party at her house, & realized about 1/2 way through the party that she had pics of the baby-w/ their family & their older two girls waiting to be put up on the wall.

& I wanted to see them.  "How strange", you might think.  (I know I did).

But, in that moment, I knew that I could see the pics, & that she would have few people that would *want* to see them.

I have learned a few things from my pain:
1.  Each life (no matter how short) is precious in the eyes of God.
2.  Other peoples' pain is not something to shy away from.  They need the comfort of friends who have BEEN THERE.
3.  God really is able to take my pain & use it for good-in so many ways, but in this case....I saw the practical workings out of this verse: 

^"He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others.

When they are troubled,

we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us."

2 Corinthians 1:4 NLT



Lord, may You continue to use my/our pain to be an encouragement/comfort to others.

Something to ponder...

O Christ, in Thee my soul hath found,
And found in Thee alone,
The peace, the joy I sought so long,
The bliss till now unknown.

Refrain

Now none but Christ can satisfy,
None other Name for me!
There’s love, and life, and lasting joy,
Lord Jesus, found in Thee.

I sighed for rest and happiness,
I yearned for them, not Thee;
But, while I passed my Savior by,
His love laid hold on me.

Refrain

I tried the broken cisterns, Lord,
But, ah, the waters failed;
Even as I stooped to drink they fled,
And mocked me as I wailed.

Refrain

The pleasures lost I sadly mourned,
But never wept for Thee,
Till grace the sightless eyes received,
Thy loveliness to see.

Refrain

Singing I Go, Along Life's Road......

I love to sing.  I don't think I've ever talked about it here on my blog, but I come from a family of musicians-one of my great grandparents graduated from Juilliard.  I have a cousin getting her doctorate in violin performance.  Two of my siblings are outstanding on the piano......& the rest of us, while we do not excel to that extent, all love music.


My sister (the pianist) & my friend I occasionally sing a special at church.  Next Sunday, we are singing a favorite of ours:

DAY BY DAY

Day by day, and with each passing moment,
Strength I find, to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment,
I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.
He Whose heart is kind beyond all measure
Gives unto each day what He deems best—
Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure,
Mingling toil with peace and rest.

Every day, the Lord Himself is near me
With a special mercy for each hour;
All my cares He fain would bear, and cheer me,
He Whose Name is Counselor and Pow’r.
The protection of His child and treasure
Is a charge that on Himself He laid;
“As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure,”
This the pledge to me He made.

Help me then in every tribulation
So to trust Thy promises, O Lord,
That I lose not faith’s sweet consolation
Offered me within Thy holy Word.
Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting,
E’er to take, as from a father’s hand,
One by one, the days, the moments fleeting,
Till I reach the promised land.

The "Just Being Glad" Game

The kids & I devour CD books. We almost always have one or another playing in the van. We have listened to all the “Anne,” spelled w/ an “E” books, several Nancy Drew mysteries & ever so many more. (Yes, even Ruth & Nat listen w/ rapt attention to any story Ana or I pick!)

The other day, I picked up “Pollyanna” from the library. Growing up, we had a tattered, old copy in our home & I remembered reading it several times.

Little did I realize it might stop me short in my tracks……& help me re-evaluate life.

We listened to this section today (I know this is long, but, trust me, it is well worth the read!)

~Pollyanna explaining the Glad Game to Rev. Paul Ford. (Chapter 22)
"Yes, and I used to ask him just as I did you if he was glad he
was a minister."

The man under the tree smiled a little sadly.

"Well--what did he say?"

"Oh, he always said he was, of course, but 'most always he said,
too, that he wouldn't STAY a minister a minute if 'twasn't for
the rejoicing texts."

"The--WHAT?" The Rev. Paul Ford's eyes left the leaf and gazed
wonderingly into Pollyanna's merry little face.

"Well, that's what father used to call 'em," she laughed. "Of
course the Bible didn't name 'em that. But it's all those that
begin 'Be glad in the Lord,' or 'Rejoice greatly,' or 'Shout for
joy,' and all that, you know--such a lot of 'em. Once, when
father felt specially bad, he counted 'em. There were eight
hundred of 'em."

"Eight hundred!"

"Yes--that told you to rejoice and be glad, you know; that's why
father named 'em the 'rejoicing texts.' "

"Oh!" There was an odd look on the minister's face. His eyes had
fallen to the words on the top paper in his hands--"But woe unto
you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!" "And so your
father--liked those 'rejoicing texts,' " he murmured.

"Oh, yes," nodded Pollyanna, emphatically. "He said he felt
better right away, that first day he thought to count 'em. He
said if God took the trouble to tell us eight hundred times to be
glad and rejoice, He must want us to do it--SOME. And father felt
ashamed that he hadn't done it more. After that, they got to be
such a comfort to him, you know, when things went wrong; when the
Ladies' Aiders got to fight--I mean, when they DIDN'T AGREE about
something," corrected Pollyanna, hastily. "Why, it was those
texts, too, father said, that made HIM think of the game--he
began with ME on the crutches--but he said 'twas the rejoicing
texts that started him on it."

"And what game might that be?" asked the minister.

"About finding something in everything to be glad about, you
know. As I said, he began with me on the crutches."

I have always struggled w/ “seeing the good,” in spite of all my efforts. Ana is much like me.

Can we play the “just being glad game?” We decided to try…..
There is only one rule to this simple game:
“ The game was to just find something about everything to be glad about--no matter what 'twas,’ rejoined Pollyanna,
earnestly. ”

Can I find something to be glad about w/ fighting children?
~They sure have spirit. They know what they want.

How about a husband that travels for work waaaay more than I like?
~At least he has a job. He likes his job. We get a lot of benefits when he travels so much! (free hotel points!!! Yippee!)

From today: What can I possibly find to be glad about when the “FOR SALE” sign was STOLEN from our front yard today?
~Well, we might not have as many showings until we replace it, but they are stressful to get ready for. (Possibly less stress for the next few days!)
~Gave me a chance to spend 5 minutes OUTSIDE in the SUNSHINE-looking for our sign! Yeah, sun!
~Ok….that’s about all I can think of. Can you think of any more?


The book Pollyanna reminded me that God’s Word says we are told to rejoice-no matter our circumstances.

A timely “read.”

(Looks like N might need to work on the "Glad Game," doesn't it?)

Teaching them Work Ethic...

How many different approaches to children’s chores do you think are out there?

Probably as many as there are families that care about it! Ha!

WE have decided to try the following approach for a while:

The MARBLE JAR:
~For every chore completed (to Mom’s satisfaction) on each child’s list, they may take one marble from MY jar & place it in their jars.
~Ana can have marbles removed for:
*Failing to do her jobs
*Leaving dirty clothes/shoes laying around
~When their respective jars are full, Nat gets to go out for dessert w/ Mom, Ruthie-dinner w/ Mom, & Ana-an overnight get-away w/ Mom.

So far (we have been at it now for about 48 hours), there are no dirty clothes laying around & jobs have all gotten done!

We shall see how well it continues!

Wish us luck!

Good-bye.....but not forever!!! .

This is perhaps the hardest blog entry I have ever written.
I (we) lost a treasure last week.

My mother-in-law left her earthy body behind & gained a new, perfectly healthy body-a body that can spend eternity w/ her heavenly Father.

Wednesday, after attending her Bible Study, she came home & ate a bit. Shortly after lunch, while relaxing in her recliner-she passed into eternity.

I wasn’t sure how to start this….really, how are you supposed to say all you need to about someone as special as she was!?

When I ponder a Proverbs 31 woman, though, she is sure one that comes to mind!
So, with that in mind, here is my tribute to one of the most special women I have ever had the privilege of knowing!

(I have to say, too, that I am sure she qualifies in every area mentioned-but these are the ones that stuck out to me! )

Proverbs 31:
13 She seeks wool and flax,
And willingly works with her hands.
~I remember many times seeing her pulling food out of the freezer that had been cooked ahead of time for us, when we came to visit-food she had willingly worked on-for us!
~The time she came &, among other things willingly cleaned out my fridge-we had just lost our baby. (Cleaning out someone ELSE'S fridge-that's love-for sure!!)


15 She also rises while it is yet night,
And provides food for her household,
And a portion for her maidservants.
~Loved waking up at her home & hearing her tinkering around in the kitchen. We always sleep a lot later than East coast folks- being from Mountain Standard time! Maybe it just seemed like it was still night!


20 She extends her hand to the poor,
Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.
Who is more needy than a child? & my children were so blessed to have such a wonderful Grandmother! Nat loved blowing her kisses on the computer when we would Skype. Ruthie loved to just cuddle up to her to hear a story when we were together. Ana loved talking her ear off-but Grandmother always had just the right questions to gain insight into her eldest granddaughter. She met each of their needs-& loved them all immensely. I am sure she also prayed for them-& for us as we muddle through parenting them! They now have a huge “love hole” in their lives!

21 She is not afraid of snow for her household,
For all her household is clothed with scarlet.
~She was classy. Not a hair was ever out of place-even in our CO wind. Sometimes I would look & her & think, “I wish I could keep my hair looking that nice!!”

~She also had such an “eye” for clothes the kids would look perfect in! Makes me sad to think there will never be any more special clothes for Christmas from her!

22 She makes tapestry for herself;
Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
Who among her close family & friends does not have some of her beautiful cross-stitched masterpieces? That is LOVE in every stitch.


25 Strength and honor are her clothing;
She shall rejoice in time to come.
Praise the Lord-we can say she is now rejoicing in heaven-because she knew Jesus Christ had died for HER.


26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,
And on her tongue is the law of kindness.
So much wisdom imparted to me through her e-mails-usually several times a week.


27 She watches over the ways of her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness.
She sure took good care of her husband! Such an example to me!


28 Her children rise up and call her blessed;
Her husband also, and he praises her:
Well, I am not my husband (who was her actual progeny), but I was her daughter in law-& *I* can say-she (& her husband) raised such a wonderful son!! Many of his greatest qualities are straight from her-I sometimes joke w/ him that I married his mother!!! Ha!

29 “ Many daughters have done well,
But you excel them all.”
30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,
But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
This was perhaps the thing I am most thankful for-she had tremendous respect for her Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ. She would want all the glory from her life to go to Him, I am sure.



A few other thoughts:
I would be remiss if I did not share with you this verse I know she knew to be true:
"And anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God’s angry judgment.” John 3:36 NLT



We are so thankful she is in heaven now:
" Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord."
2 Corinthians 5:8 (NLT)

We Believers who are left here on earth know we will see her again:
"And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with Him the believers who have died." 1 Thessalonians 4:13 & 14

I think this verse sums up her life: “For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die.” Phil. 1:20.
She will be missed…..but we are thankful that we will see her again one day!!

Protecting Children......

Now, before I start in on this….let me say, for those of you who don’t know me IRL.

I REALLY AM A HYPER-PROTECTIVE MOM! I promise! However, I pick carefully what to be protective about.....

I am just saying this so that the following things I say aren’t taken out of context.

Natty moved out of his crib this weekend.

We knew the MOVE was coming, but when I found him STANDING on the bar of his crib that was next to the wall (& I presume he was preparing to jump into the crib?!? I HOPE that’s where he was attempting to jump!)…….it was evident the time had arrived.

Now, this crib has served us faithfully for almost 9 years (& it was a second hand crib-bought for $60 & redone to match the room).

A lot of love has surrounded that crib.
A lot “one more kiss, Mommy!” has sounded from inside it.
A lot of kids checked on while sound asleep in it……

(OK……I am sure all of you have felt this in some small way-saying your last goodby to the crib.)

BUT…..then the debate began about what to move him into…..

Didn’t want to spend too much.
Didn’t know if we should move him straight into a regular bed (that we already have). But he just seems so little to be in a BIG bed-know what I mean? This is my baby-still in 12-18 month clothes!

So, after spending all Saturday morning at different thrift stores in town, looking for toddler beds, I finally ended up at the mecca of all things necessary for your home-WAL-MART. (Need I say? I’m not a huge fan of Wal-mart, but it’s an evil that’s hard to avoid!)

NOW…..here’s where your philosophy might differ from mine.

I had my hubby put it up & leave the “Child-safety bars" off the sides of the crib.

You know-the ones designed to keep them from falling the “dangerous” 6 inches to plush carpeted floor of his bedroom.

Why would this hyper-protective mom do that?

Because I believe that teaching them where the edge of the bed is on this little tiny toddler bed-is better than teaching him that on the BIG bed he will eventually move into.

I think here in the US- this tendency to protect our kids goes way far & above what is healthy for them.

When we allow our kids some freedoms (like the freedom to fall out of bed)-we can TEACH them about boundaries in a healthy environment.


Society today is so good at protecting children from things that won't really harm them(think about the child-safety isle at your local child super-store) -while letting things like what they watch/see/are exposed to slide. Many of these things might do more damage to them in the end.


What do you think? Have Dave & I lost our minds? Wait. Don’t answer that. ;)
(by the way, he hasn’t fallen out of his bed yet, although I think he was well on his way here!)



P.S. This post was completed in about 35 minutes for Steady Mom's 30 Minutes or Less Blogger Challenge.

Bloggy Break.....

Posting may be a bit lax over the next few weeks. Sick kiddos & a few other things going on have left me a bit on the "emotionally/physically exhausted side."

Nothing serious, thankfully, but I need a bit of time to process this, so don't be surprised if you don't "see" me here as frequently over the next few weeks.

(& don't worry-I'll fill you all in! You know I can't help it! I have to "talk," because it helps me process things!)

FFF??? No, not really. I DO like these pics, though!

Guatemalan Textiles are some of the most beautiful in the world......
& I am not baised! (Wink)

But, if you look at the back of one of these works of art,

most likely, you will see something like this:

It reminded me of a short poem that has meant much to me at different points in my life:


The Weaver

My Life is but a weaving
Between my Lord and me;
I cannot choose the colors
He worketh steadily.
Oft times He weaveth sorrow
And I, in foolish pride,
Forget He sees the upper,
And I the underside.

Not 'til the loom is silent
And the shuttles cease to fly,
Shall God unroll the canvas
And explain the reason why.
The dark threads are as needful
In the Weaver's skillful hand,
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern He has planned.

He knows, He loves, He cares,
Nothing this truth can dim.
He gives His very best to those
Who leave the choice with Him.

(Grant Colfax Tullar)

So much sorrow in your life & mine.......will we trust that HE sees, HE loves, He cares?

Thursdays Before the Throne

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run,

but only one gets the prize?

Run in such a way as to get the prize.
Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training.

They do it to get a crown that will not last;

but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.
1 Corinthians 9:24 & 25


Therefore we also,

since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,

let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us,

and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

looking unto Jesus……….

Hebrews 12:1 &2a


We had the privilege of attending a funeral of someone we greatly admired yesterday.

Millie M. passed away Monday morning, with her family beside her at the age of 97!

WOW!!

As I sat in the pews & listened to friends & family talk about her,

I realized, she “finished well.”

This woman has 16 grandchildren & 27 great-grandchildren (at least half of whom live here)…..

& up until the very end…..

she was going to every family’s house & doing laundry, every week.

She was a servant to all & an encourager of everyone she came into contact with.

She ran with endurance…..there were pics displayed of her helping one of her little

great-grandchildren button a sweater-just a few weeks ago….

or sharing a hymnal with another older child.

This is my goal…..

Mostly, she told everyone she could (at every opportunity) that she had a Savior-Jesus Christ,

& she wanted everyone she knew to know Him as their Savior, too.

She never stopped working/praying toward that end.

I want to finish well, too.
I want to keep the important things important…..
& the small things, well.......small.
But, I realized….I must put this into practice now….in order to finish strong later.
Also, I realize that we are not guaranteed tomorrow….
so I should be investing in my family/friends NOW!

Sometimes a little reminder to use my time on earth wisely
(because it WILL end one day) is a good thing!


"So teach us to number our days,
That we may gain a heart of wisdom."

Psalm 90:12

(off to spend time w/ my kiddos!!)

Happiness/Joy……is Not a Choice, Right?

Or is it????

For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.

Proverbs 23:7a

Commit your works to the LORD,

And your thoughts will be established.

Proverbs 16:3


How we think dictates how we are.

Where our work is dedicated dictates our thoughts.

Sounds to me like it might actually be a choice.

Have you found this to be true??

I have.

The power of suggestion.

The mind is a funny thing, I think.

If I pray over my day, & my dealings w/ people & situations……

I am more likely to be content in my mind…….

& I am more likely to be content in my actions.



If I forget to commit my day to the Lord, & I think “I am so grumpy!”

Guess what happens?!?!?

Big surprise-I am grumpy!!!

Self-fulfilling prophesy…..perhaps

But, if I tell myself, "I choose Joy/Happiness," what do you think will happen?

Thursdays Before the Throne........

Behind this cloud, hides Pike's Peak.

Every time I see it is hidden,

I think of the devotional written by Oswald Chambers, "My Utmost For His Highest,"

for July 29th.

In the Bible clouds are always associated with God. Clouds are the sorrows, sufferings, or providential circumstances, within or without our personal lives, which actually seem to contradict the sovereignty of God. Yet it is through these very clouds that the Spirit of God is teaching us how to walk by faith. If there were never any clouds in our lives, we would have no faith. "The clouds are the dust of His feet" ( Nahum 1:3 ). They are a sign that God is there. What a revelation it is to know that sorrow, bereavement, and suffering are actually the clouds that come along with God! God cannot come near us without clouds— He does not come in clear-shining brightness.

It is not true to say that God wants to teach us something in our trials. Through every cloud He brings our way, He wants us to unlearn something. His purpose in using the cloud is to simplify our beliefs until our relationship with Him is exactly like that of a child— a relationship simply between God and our own souls, and where other people are but shadows. Until other people become shadows to us, clouds and darkness will be ours every once in a while. Is our relationship with God becoming more simple than it has ever been?

There is a connection between the strange providential circumstances allowed by God and what we know of Him, and we have to learn to interpret the mysteries of life in the light of our knowledge of God. Until we can come face to face with the deepest, darkest fact of life without damaging our view of God’s character, we do not yet know Him.
". . . they were fearful as they entered the cloud" (Luke 9:34). Is there anyone except Jesus in your cloud? If so, it will only get darker until you get to the place where there is "no one anymore, but only Jesus . . ." (Mark 9:8 ; also see Mark 2-7 ).

Do you see Jesus in your clouds, the times of uncertainty in life?

Ok, I know this is really Friday,

& I have been up WAY TOO LATE!!!

(zzzz's are calling)

(By the way, these pics were taken at Garden of the Gods this afternoon on my cell phone camera!)

The Legacy Left.......

Psalm 61:5 (Amplified Bible)
For You, O God, have heard my vows;You have given me the heritage of those who fear, revere & honor Your name.

What is a heritage? The dictionary.com definition is: something that comes or belongs to one by reason of birth; an inherited lot or portion: a heritage of poverty and suffering; a national heritage of honor, pride, and courage.

My paternal grandfather, Frederick Glenn Harvey, whose birthday was Feb. 17.

Grandpa

What does that name mean to you?

What heritage have you been left? More importantly, what heritage are we leaving our children? Or anyone who we influence?

My Grandpa left me this:

~the knowledge that there was always someone loving me & praying for me EVERY DAY. You know how I know that? I heard him pray for me myself. From his words, I could tell it was something he did frequently.

The following video is of Grandpa praying at our wedding, almost 10 years ago:

~Speaking of prayer, his was a life of prayer. Daily, moment by moment communication w/ his Heavenly Father-about everything-but especially interceding for his family.

~He loved my hubby & my child (he went Home to Glory before he met our latest two)……but the way he loved to discuss God’s Word w/ Dave is a priceless memory of mine. He also bequeathed a few of his study books to both Dave & I.

~Writing. He wrote prolifically. About everything. I know my love of communicating through written words came from him.

~One of my favorite memories of him is probably over 20 years ago, when he was turning cartwheels in the back yard w/ us. He PLAYED w/ us. How cool is that?!?!?

~The way he loved my Grandma, who w/ her advancing Alzheimer’s can sometimes be difficult to practically love. I also remember a bit from the relationship he had w/ my biological Grandma before she died in 1982.

~His love of music. This gift has also been passed down to many of his progeny. Three of my cousins have majored in violin performance, some other cousins play in bands, & two of my siblings are outstanding piano players. He loved the old hymns, too-probably partially from their well-written words.

~Our family now fellowships at a church my grandparents went to around 40 years ago. There are still people there who remember them. I value their fond memories of my grandparents, & the way these dear older Christian brothers & sisters are quick to share them w/ me.


Seems like there is so much more to say, but there are not words enough to describe what a privilege it is to be left this legacy.

The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;

yes, I have a good heritage.
Psalm 16:6


I want to leave a heritage that my children, grandchildren & great-grandchildren can look back on & say, “I was left a ‘heritage of those who fear Your name.’ ”


What are you & I doing today that will promote this?

Movie Night & a Bit of Reminiscing

We drug out "The Sound Of Music"

This used to be Ana's favorite movie.

Imagine my surprise when she didn't even REMEMBER IT!!!!

I was shocked!

Reminded me that kids have such a limmited memory about things like that.

Makes me glad that they do start to remember important things, though.

Ana will never forget meeting Ruth & Nathaniel for the first time.

Also makes me glad we made the decision to take her w/ us to Guatemala.

This helps form part of who she is.

We are not the type to have older siblings present in the hospital room if we were ever to birth more children.

But, Ana got to see Nathaniel for the first time-at the SAME time as Dave & I! She got to see his "birth" into our family.

And in a way, she saw Ruth's, too, at the US Embassy, January 3, 2007, when we promised before that lady at the window to be Ruth's family for the rest of her life.

What a privilage adoption has been to everyone in our family, & I'm so glad Ana is old enough to remember most of it!

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And, now, for the pictures!

Can't get over those toes! (Can't keep sox on her either! )
Enthralled Anew!

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When I went to cover the girls up for the last time last night, this is what I saw!

Sent me running to find this:
(shades of her big sister, I'd say!)
How quickly they grow up!

(Yes, I know the picture's blurry, but it's a picture of a picture-which was also blurry. Poor Ana. This is evidence that we had not yet entered the digital age!!! Hee! Hee!!!)

What will they REMEMBER about their childhood?

Ok.....and, in closing, an IRRESISTABLE video of both of the girls.

Ana trying to sing along & eat-Ha! Ha!

Ruth, dancing to the music!

Aren't they just the cutest!

Head Versus Heart

Has the Lord shown You how to make the jump from trusting His word w/ your HEAD to trusting it w/ your HEART?

Psalm 62:8

“Trust in Him at all times, you people;

Pour out your heart before Him;

God is a refuge for us. Selah”

How can you be “trusting” & “pouring out your heart” at the same time?

I am trying to make this leap, so I can REST.

Is it OK to sometimes (while knowing that He is in control) to just LOOSE it w/ Him?

I feel like a little kid, throwing a temper-tantrum.

I say, “I know you are God, & You are working mighty things-way bigger than just Nathaniel’s homecoming. But, I don’t like where you have me right now!!!!!!”

Has the Lord helped you in this area? How has He done it?

Another "Accidental" Occurance

Or not...........

The last verse of this hymn was one thing the Lord brought to mind in my Quiet Time this morning.

Do you think it was an accident that my freind Amy requested this hymn at our Bible Study this morning?

Our hymnal has over 600 hymns in it. The math alone, makes it seem that an accident in this case, is impossible.

Through my choked up throat, I sang of "consolation" that comes only from trusting His word.

Need I remind you, this type of thing has happened to me twice in the last week & a half! God is quietly reminding me that He is at work.

When has the Lord done something like that for you? I would love to hear about it, as these types of stories are so encouraging!

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"Day by Day"

Day by day, and with each passing moment,

Strength I find, to meet my trials here;

Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment,

I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.

He Whose heart is kind beyond all measure

Gives unto each day what He deems best—

Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure,

Mingling toil with peace and rest.

Every day, the Lord Himself is near me

With a special mercy for each hour;

All my cares He fain would bear, and cheer me,

He Whose Name is Counselor and Pow’r.

The protection of His child and treasure

Is a charge that on Himself He laid;

“As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure,”

This the pledge to me He made.

Help me then in every tribulation

So to trust Thy promises, O Lord,

That I lose not faith’s sweet consolation

Offered me within Thy holy Word.

Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting,

E’er to take, as from a father’s hand,

One by one, the days, the moments fleeting,

Till I reach the promised land.

~Karolina W. Sandell-Berg,

1865~

Projects, Pics & Praises!!!!

Ana put Ruth's PJ's on herself this night. They are on backwards!
Working on hot pads. She loves projects!

Got any more ideas, anyone?

I also bought her a latch-hook rug to work on.

Remember either of these projects?

The finished project.

Ana & I re-decorated the mantle over the fire-place.

She must take after me, because we both thoroughly enjoyed this!

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“And it shall be that before they call I will answer;

and while they are yet speaking I will hear.”

Isaiah 65:24

I am claiming this verse for the end of our adoption. We are praising Him, because He IS, right now, answering prayers in the country of Guatemala.

We do not know HOW He is choosing to answer, but we are praying for His perfect timing, & we know that He is answering.

We heard from our case worker (Kelly) in Denver that our lawyer in Guatemala (Ruby) thought our case would be signed off on Friday. It was not, but Ruby is sure that it should be signed on sometime next week, She apparently spoke to someone at PGN, who told her where the file was in the “stack” of files he is working on.

So, hopefully, we should have that good news sometime next week.

Remember, we will still have about a month of time AFTER that before we can go get him.

Have you seen God in this verse in your life? Tell me about it!

"Who Died & Made You God?"

Ruth & Ana w/ my sweet cousin Petrina, who spent Friday afternoon w/ us.

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In case you are wondering where I have been the last few days, I have been struggling to put something into words that is almost impossible for me to see in print.

God is allowing an adoption delay. There. I have said it.

There is no easy way to explain this-as everything about international adoption is complicated.

Basically, Guatemala is playing hard ball & we are getting hit in the head w/ it.

Our case worker is about 80% sure that it should only delay us until maybe the end of January to exit PGN.

However, there is that 20% of her that thinks we could be delayed by 3-4 months.

While this is certainly not the end of the world, it is a huge disappointment……..

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But, God gave me a HUGE glimpse of Himself today-just when I needed it most.

At (of all places) my nail appointment.

The next client my nail tech was servicing , was a woman she has wanted me to meet for a long time, due to some other things going on in our life right now. She has insight into a possible upcoming change in our lives.

Sorry to be a bit cryptic here, but she is the wife of someone well-known & I think I need to respect her privacy.

Anyway, she asked me how I felt about this possible change……& I told her I was pretty stressed over it.

She looks me directly in the eye…..& says, “Are you a Christian woman?”

I nodded….cause I was too overwhelmed to speak.

Keep in mind……

1. I have known about Natty’s case for a few days now (which is just slightly stressful to us)

2.. I am talking w/ the wife of a fairly well-known man.

3. This other possible change is what I was talking w/ her about & it has really been a source of stress as well.

She then says, “You need to let it go. I can tell you’re really worked up over this.

WHO DIED & MADE YOU GOD?”

I nearly fell over! It was a funny way of putting it, but exactly what I needed to be asked.

Basically, she was telling me I need to let go & let God be God.

She had NO IDEA about the adoption stress we are going through, but I heard God speak to me heart in BOTH areas!


But, then, (& this is where my story gets almost funny) she quoted:

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.

Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

John 14:1 & 27

Right there in the salon, the fountain was opened & the tears began to fall!!!! (did you hear me???? I said, "IN THE SALON!!"-in front of like 10 other people-who all got strangely quiet at this point! )

But, she proceeded to go even further!!!!

She says…..”Oh, sweetie. God wants you to have peace. Come here. I’m going to pray for you right now!”

This woman…..who if I told you her name, most of you would at least recognize, placed her hand on my heart, & spoke to her Heavenly Father & mine……like this,


“Oh, Father this dear child of Yours needs Your peace RIGHT NOW, & I am asking You to give it to her. She is trying to be all that You want her to be-a wife, a mother, a sister, a friend…..Please giver her Your peace as she tries so hard to do the things you have given her to do. Her heart is racing, Lord (keep in mind her hand was on my heart!!!) We are asking you in Your powerful name to bless her & give her comfort in her soul.

Please keep her husband & their daughter safe as they ski today & drive back. Please bless her husband for wanting to spend time w/ their daughter.”

She prayed a few other things, too…..but I’m just so blown away by the whole experience-I can’t remember them!

She took her hand off my heart & reminded me that I need to let go. And she said she would continue to pray for me. Me.....just Kim Dillon (& she probably doesn't even know my name-but she's still gonna pray).


WOW!!! That's the only word I have-just WOW!!!

The emotions/thoughts running through my head at this point:

~I can’t believe God allowed something so cool!
~I CAN believe God allowed something so cool! (& yes, they were BOTH going through my head at the same time)
~I’m so embarrassed I’m crying in front of all these people!
~It is so COOL that she is praying OUT LOUD for me in front of all these people!

Do you ever feel God is LITERALLY pulling your eyes up to Him & saying, “Look, My child. I do care & know & see!”

He spoke directly to me today! Thank You , Lord.



By the way, at this point, when we hear any new info on the adoption, you all will be the first to know……but you can assume things haven’t changed (it’s gonna be a while) unless you hear other wise!

(Tune back in tomorrow-Ana & Dave went skiing today!)