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

Precious came out of the bedroom today with sticky stuff over her face.  Its from one of those roller things that pick up dog fur and lint....and she wanted to do "blind" cartwheels.  I pointed her in a safe direction in the living room and applauded her efforts.  Then I helped her take the tape off her face.....only to find that she had double band-aided her eyes shut underneath.  Lashes, eyebrows....everything!  Oh gosh.  I was just trying to make dinner!  Roger was asleep because apparently he had been working since 2:45 AM when the Netherlands project had problems and woke him up.....I had about 8-10 kids here all day AND worked, meaning I was all over the county seeing moms and babies. Precious band-aided her eyes shut.  Lets just all let that sink in, shall we? Sometimes people say this, "I cannot imagine Precious being so difficult.  She is so wonderful and happy and pleasant!".....well.  let me tell you this.  There wer...

This weekend I got to go to a wedding in Omaha for my sweet cousin, Amanda.  Roger was generous and said to just go and he would take care of things at home.  It's really hard for me to just leave, even if its just for a night. ( Things go better when mama bird is in the nest, ya know? ) So I took a deep breath and packed my bag and told my mom to come pick me up for the wedding!  Glamorous, eh?  Yes.  I rode with my parents.  I did not, however, share a hotel with them.  I didn't.  I could have.......but instead, because I'm a big girl......I stayed with my aunties and the best family friend we have.  So I went and got dressed up and didn't look too shabby either!  It was so good to spend this time with my family.  They are my people.  They made me who I am and they love me....and they were so happy I was there.  The bride was radiant.  We 3 girl cousins smiled for a few photos....and I got to sit outside on a roo...

I've been hearing this song on the radio lately.  It has power.  Recently when I heard it I had to pull the car over on the road and just worship.  Listen to the words.....the melody.  It is relevant.  Yesterday I was chatting with a grandpa at baseball practice in town.  He was in his 70s.....with a rather thick Dutch brogue...(accent)....and had immigrated to the US at age 9.  His parents had hidden from the Germans during the Holocost......sorry.  I didn't spell that right.  Anyway......this grandpa told me he had recently started studying Eschetology.....and asked if I knew what that was.  I said, "yes.  its the study of End Times....and I believe we are in the beginning birth pangs of that time"  and he said something like this....."well, if you say that then you are more ready and you know Jesus and you are paying attention" and at the time, I didn't weigh that out. I was at the ball park mid-day with a slew of kids who n...

I have a cousin getting married tomorrow.  It's "adult only" so we had decided not to try figure out how to go but now Roger says if I want to go with my mom and aunties, he will hold down the fort.  I think I'll go.   I love my family.  I enjoy them.  I want to celebrate this event in my beautiful cousin , Amanda's,  life..... Tonight I am overwhelmed with insecurity and exhaustion.  Everyone there will be beautiful.  It's an urban event with glam and such......and lets face it.  I don't have any of that.  I could have if I had chosen a different road.  I remind myself of that from time to time......I came to a fork in the road a couple decades ago......and I chose the road less-travelled.  Because I chose THAT road......my fingernails are chipped and broken.  My toe nails should have had a pedi repair a month ago but I didn't find the time or money.  I'm middle-age overweight....and I have no wardrobe.  Oh. ...

Oh Precious Maryn....you are the reason I started to blog.  It started with a prayer and a hope that we could bring a child to our family through adoption.  Because we were open to all races we knew we would be saved for african american babies.  Because Roger and Claire insisted on a girl.....we knew we would eventually be blessed with an African American daughter.  Several times, after we were home-study approved, we were asked if we could have our profile shown for a boy.  Once or twice we said yes, but not more than that....because Roger and Claire were waiting....for you.  Sweet girl....you have such a big personality and you are so intense......and I just love you so, so much.  Tonight I asked you to do a chore and you did not want to....at all....and I gave you time and space....and food.....and respect.  Eventually you tried to do the chore.  Because you are only 5 years old, I decided to reward your best effort.  Please know t...