He is Greater.....John 3:30 says He must become greater, I must become less"

Dressember.com explains the "wearing dresses in December movement" to raise awareness for the social disease of human trafficking.  International Justice Mission also has a website that describes it.....and around here, you may find various groups of women who are standing together in dresses for the month of December.  Some are actively raising money to help fight the battle.  Others are wearing dresses to raise awareness.  Still others are just along for the ride, not really sure where they fit in just yet.  And that's ok. I had a visit with a new friend this afternoon and she said that she and some of her friends are doing a fund-raising activity for Dressember.  As I drove home, in the misty rainy snow (or snowy rain.......) I did some contemplating again.  Why am I doing Dressember this year?  I think it is fair to ask myself that every year I decide to participate.  Why?  What does it mean for me?  What do I hope to accomplish? My answer came quietly into my so

Christmas season is so special.  For me......it is blessing upon blessing.  Allow me to share a few of my blessings: Our family thrives in summer...and we also love fall. Winter is hard here. I few of us experience " seasonal affective disorder" known as SAD.We feel down and out until we can be back outside in the sunshine. Winter means that the dogs don't get the exercise they need so they are restless and obnoxious. .....but Christmas......Christmas comes right at the start of winter.  We begin this long dark season with a celebration of the birth of Jesus.....with festive decorations, a fragrant Christmas tree, music and programs and family gatherings.  I used to think that the music was my favorite part. I've changed my mind. Its the "elfng". In my work as a public health nurse, I engage with many families in the community and learn about their hardships, their struggles, their needs.  In my work as a mom and wife and church member and adopti

Salmon Patty Sundaes! for a family of 7......adjust your recipe according to family size! 4 cans salmon, half a sleeve of saltine crackers, 4 eggs, 1/4 cup milk or cream, onion powder, garlic powder, parsley, salt and pepper.  mix ingredients well.  scoop up into balls and drop into hot skillet of melted butter/olive oil blend.  Brown on both sides until crispy.  (our portions made 8 good size patties) meanwhile, boil 2 cups sweet peas in salted water.  mix 2 tbs flour, 1/2 cup milk and  1 tbs sugar to make cream sauce.  add to peas.    reduce to low and cook until thick and creamy. I made instant mashed potatoes because it was Sunday and I didn't want to slave over the stove too long....but do what you gotta do folks. To assemble, I do the potatoes, then the patty, then the peas.....Roger does patty, then potato, then peas.  Josiah keeps them all separate and eats fork-fuls as he runs around the table.  Precious has fish sticks instead.  Jeremiah puts catsup on the patt

"Elephant in the room  or  Elephant in the living room  is an  English   metaphorical   idiom  for an obvious truth that is going unaddressed. The idiomatic expression also applies to an obvious problem or risk no one wants to discuss. [2] It is based on the idea/thought that an  elephant  in a room would be impossible to overlook." In the spirit of holiday sarcasm and my bent on things less cheerful, I am compelled to take note of this.  The elephant in the room......I've know about him for forever.  Because of how God wired me I have always know about him.  It is the unspoken thing....the obvious absence.....the huge presence that no one will address.  Today is Thanksgiving and many of us, if we are lucky, have spent time with family and/or friends to celebrate.  We gathered and gave hugs.  We laughed.  We shared memories.  We avoided talking about certain "hot topics" because we wanted a nice day, not a day full of fighting and tears.  Families do this

Our littlest hunny boy isn't so little any more.  Josiah is 4 today!  Oh my heart this child.  I love him so, so much.  He makes me crazy many days......he is a talker, and a singer.....and a noise-maker.  He is just never, ever quiet.    He loves to tease and bother his brothers.  He and Claire say "kiss kiss hug hug" when the greet each other lately.  He and Precious fight for attention and affection.  He is a sweet boy.  He is such a blessing.  His birth mama loved him very much and tonight I find myself thinking of her.....I think she would be proud of him.  I know we are.  Happy birthday, buddy.  4 is so big.  

National Adoption  Month is here.  Tomorrow we join our Katelyn's Fund family and friends for a worship service, some fellowship and a dinner.  We will catch up with old friends and maybe make some new friends.  We will honor God for His miracles in our family.  We will pray for families waiting for children to come home.  Clearly, every single day of my life is adoption awareness day.  Since I was a little girl, I understood that not all children grow up in homes with parents who love them.  I was one of the lucky ones.  My parents were not perfect.  Still.....I grew up in a home with parents who loved me.  They tucked me into bed at night and read me stories.   I had a mom that checked my homework in the morning and drove me to practice and music lessons.  I had grandpas and grandmas who came for my birthday.  I had aunties and uncles who loved me and hugged me and asked me about my life when we sat at Thanksgiving dinner and Christmas celebrations......and God made sure I

November is National Adoption/Orphan awareness month......more on that later. When we said "yes" to God's call to add a fifth child to our home, we were not in a good place.  We were stretched thin financially, emotionally, relationally.  God asked us anyway.  ok.  ok.  maybe some of the adoption stuff will come out here. We physically could not fit 7 of us in our vehicle comfortably so we did a crazy loan kind of thing that will take some time to recover......and got a vehicle we could all travel comfortably in.  This has been THE thorn in our flesh ever since. It's a lemon.  Constantly needing work,  We have faithfully made the payments and kept the daggum thing going because all of us fit in it.  This week we had to send it in again.  I was.......unhappy. Until. Today I met a client at a local food/clothing pantry.  She needed baby clothes and also knew the food would be helpful.  She is young.  She appreciated my invite to join her.  Before the doors opene

I have shared this song with several people lately when they were struggling.  There are so many situations in this world that have no easy answers.  I ache to solve the problem, to find the healing, to make it better, and I come back to this over and over......Jesus is stronger.....sin is broken....He has saved us from all of it.  Let His name be lifted higher and higher and higher above all of the yuck of this world every.  single.  day.  In this world we will have trouble.  We will.  We do.  He has come to save us......and this song....this song is a vessel to that truth and power.  It is good enough for whatever shows up tomorrow too.  

I am thankful.  I am Thankful for many, many  things.  Phillipians 4:6-7 says to"  Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will gaurd your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Being thankful creates Peace.......did you know that?  It's true.  A thankful heart is listing all that it has, and is grateful.  I am always longing for more Peace and less Stress.....and the answer is right in front of me.  Be thankful.  I want that Peace that surpasses all comprehension always gaurding my heart and my mind, through the power of Christ Jesus my savior and Lord. Today I am thankful that I was able to stand at my kitchen stove, as I do every morning, and make breakfast for my tribe.  We do hot breakfast here almost every morning.  I make the big boys eggs the way they like them.  Precious usually has some unusual breakfast request..