A Night Out

The lights dimmed, the music began, setting the stage for a fun night.  Our family had been looking forward to this night for months.  Now here we were: my sweetie and I along with our four big kids.  The evening began with the pleasant voice and powerful words of Lindsay McCaul.  We had never heard her music before last night, but we now have her latest CD.  We joked that she must be a Baptist because she never moved her feet as she sang and played her acoustic guitar.

 Next up was Royal Tailor.  Now, put these guys in a room of teens and their ministry would be powerful.  I am not a fan of rap or dance moves, but none of what they did was offensive to me.  In fact, their clear lyrics and spoken message was right on the mark of the truth of God’s Word.  As we anticipate having two bi-racial children in our home, this is a group I would definitely consider.

 Matthew West took the stage next.  We have enjoyed his music for awhile.  I appreciate how he puts the stories of life to music and surrounds it all in the tempo of God’s Words.  Life is hard, but there is no denying God’s work in it.  Matthew West knows how to laugh.  His creativity is spontaneous.  More than that, though, his love for an intimate God permeates his music.

Then the feature presentation – Casting Crowns.  As they began with their song “Courageous”, I knew we were in for a treat.  My son, who sat on the end next to my sweetie, sang with his heart as the song’s message permeated the stadium.  We had already been blessed with the opening singers, but the blessing continued throughout the evening. 

I was reminded that the music may change you for the day, but the Word of God will change you for life.  How refreshing to hear that in a culture of show, ego-centrism, and performance.  We enjoyed the music and were moved by clever lyrics, but it would be God’s Word that would stick. 

At one point in the concert, my little one leaned over and sweetly thanked me for bringing her.  Later in the evening, I offered my shoulder for her weary head to rest.  Despite the intensity of the music, she allowed her eyes to close.  I smiled knowing that my little one, full of praise for Jesus, smiles of a happy heart, and claps of joy, rested on my arm in peace. 

I sat there a blessed mom surrounded by my children and husband, all of us singing praises to our real God.   Many moms do not get that blessing. 

Music provokes emotions and ideas, and it can challenge the heart to move us.  We laughed at corny jokes, lifted hands in praise of a risen Lord, nodded in agreement to the truth of who God is, and quietly sat in contemplation of what was to be next in response to truth. 

We chose this concert as a family night to show our appreciation to our big kids for all they do in partnering with us in foster care.  I was excited to see how God was going to take it past just a night of appreciation, but he would make it an opportunity to adore an amazingly personal God. 

Though I was one of many in a stadium of concertgoers, God spoke to me.

Creative and Loved

She draws with her imagination.

Her creations leave messes.

Her messes are an extension of her.

She is not a mess but a creative wonder.

My bent does not lead toward messes, but my heart bends toward her.

As she reads her stories, her toothless smile lightens my heart.

Her tender heart prays with passion knowing that God listens.

She is turning 8 next Monday.  I know just yesterday she was an infant in my arms.

She loves people.  She loves her family.  She loves having friends.  She loves God.

I love my little one. 

You've Got Mail

I am a mail loving kind of girl.  I guess you could say I am a male loving kind of girl too as I am madly in love with my sweetheart and the three other little men in my home.  But, I digress.   Both e-mail and snail mail grabs my attention.  Whether that is good or bad is up for debate, though not today.  This afternoon I received a piece of mail from the state courts.  I am mandated to appear at a mediation for the babies at the end of April. 

Now, in the last almost twenty months I have never had to appear in court.  The babies’  trial is not until the beginning of May.  However, this is the state’s attempt to come to an agreement with the biological mother before trial.  I read the order, reread the order, and read it again.  Then, I texted my sweetie.  Thankfully, he will able to join me.  As he is an attorney and is in family court quite often, he is a wonderful calm in the midst of a tad bit of chaos.  I really do not know what I am to do at this mediation.  I have no decision making power legally.  Many others will be there representing both sides.  Our heart is that we will be able to adopt these children.  How do I express my heart’s desire without destroying any bridge that I have built with the bio mom?  Oh, Lord, give me wisdom, discernment, clarity of thought and word, in addition to a greater love for this mother and the fathers that will be present. 

This mediation presents the mom with the opportunity to agree to give up her children to me.  Most say that will not happen.  Most anticipate a long, drawn out case which includes an appeal.  I am reminded of the prayer that I prayed when our family entered foster care.  We asked God to wow us.  I know that it is going to take God’s wowing power to change this mom’s heart. 

Lord, wow us again. 

Mickey Mouse

Angel left yesterday morning for Orlando, FL.  She joined her small senior class on their senior trip to visit Disney, Universal, and Busch Gardens.  We are so blessed to have been able to cooperate with Baptist Regional School as we journey down this path of homeschooling.  Angel has been able to deepen friendships, enjoy the sports teams, and expand her knowledge in subjects out of the circle of my expertise.  We anticipate our other children enjoying this opportunity as well.  Angel though has been the pioneer.  A friend asked me if I was working on graduation activities.  Oh my, no!  I probably should.  It will be here before I know it.  Time flies even faster than it did yesterday.  If I am not careful, my heart and mind will be spinning out of control.  For today, I think I will be satisfied with my firstborn enjoying her time with Mickey Mouse and his friends.  Tomorrow will come soon enough.

Dirty Kids

The outdoors brings out the best and the worst in my children.  Their adorable sand sprinkled bodies smile confidently as they run the exact opposite way of me down the sidewalk.  I watch them as they toe the boundary between driveways scootering with all their might.  They plead, whine, and beg for just one more game of basketball with a friend next door because maybe, just maybe they might win.  It appears that every toy has made its way out of the garage and shed, but before the dinner call, every one of them is put back, at least out of sight.  Sweaty, smudged kids sit not so patiently for dinner, yet I smile inside knowing that they exerted energy, practiced creativity, engaged in friendships, and just plain didn’t care about dirt for the afternoon.  They are all clean now.  The babies are in bed, and the middle kids are heading there soon.  I am not an outdoors person by any stretch of the imagination.  However, sitting outside with my kids as I enjoy blue skies, playful giggles, shouts of “Mommy, watch me,” and of course my cup of coffee, parenting is that much easier.