The Intentional Life

We bought the house in the Spring of 2013, hoping to live in it someday.  While we knew our time at Gateway was continuing, we thought we were closer to the end than the beginning. The house was therapeutic as we painted and made it our own.  Spending time on our off days and the mornings when the kids were at school. The house was a flip, bought off a Sheriff's Sale.  The flipper painted everything creamish brown and stuck about 5 different trims up in the entire house.  The living room has 4 different trims in itself.  There were various 'window' openings of different heights that made the room feel off.  We loved the layout of the house, but it needed some TLC to make it our own.  I felt in some places things were painted over just for presentation while there were things under the surface that needed worked on. Picture taken on the day we closed on the house I was literally in the process of painting the last room, after 9 months of painting, when the Floo

Never be lacking in zeal,  but keep your spiritual fervor,   serving the Lord. Romans 12:11 As so many of these Romans 12 verses have done, this one is so relevant for the month of July. For so long Paul and I have felt used up entirely.  At the end of the day we did not have anything left.  We would literally sit on the couch and stare at the wall.  Party people, that's us. Some people get out of something before they burn out.  And perhaps we should have done that. Maybe we should have moved on when we still had something left in our burners.   Go out on a high note. But if anyone knows my husband well.  You know that Paul does not do things partially or half way. Full tilt all the way .   So, I married into that, and sometimes I have to hold on for the ride.  It comes with the territory. As we were nearing our final days on campus I felt guilty.  Felt bad that I didn't have more to give.  I still felt it in my heart.  But my body couldn't k

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.   Honor one another above yourselves.  Romans 12:10 OK.  First I will start off the disclaimer that yes, this is June's verse.  And yes, I am publishing this in July.  No excuse.  Let's move on. As you know, life for our family has been full of transitions in this past month or so. One such transition is from being a Houseparent (along with the authority it holds) to being a mentor and friend (and the responsibility that holds!) As I focused on this verse for June, I thought about the 50+ relationships that I have started in the past 6 years with teenagers.  Some, unfortunately, have fallen off my radar.  Due to them being juveniles, it's hard to find them once they've changed an address or phone number. I can't remember if it was in my thoughts when I first took on the challenge of houseparenting.  If I knew that these kids wouldn't just be in my life for 9 or so months.  That some of them will most l

This post is part of Lifesong's Adoption Journey Series. See previous post, "Adoption: 3 Ways to Prepare for the Journey" here . While nearly two in five practicing Christians have considered adoption, only 5% have actually done it.* What keeps people from growing their families through adoption? One of the biggest barriers to adoption is the cost. Depending on the circumstances, adoption can cost up to $50,000! It makes sense why many families who have a heart for vulnerable children, look at adoption as something they desire, but is just too hard to grasp because of the high costs. There are families who have seen God perform miracles as they have stepped out in faithfulness to follow His call for their family...if it's His will, it's His bill. He will make a way to show Himself as THE Provider of all things. Don't let money stand in the way, when He has provided many avenues for families to bridge that financial gap. Here are few tips and

 June 2014 was literally unlike any summer we have ever experienced.  The last time we had a June where we did not have to supervise 5+ teenagers and make sure we had work and activities planned daily, our children looked like this:   2008 Hannah (2 months!) was in the midst of battling acid reflux that left her screaming more often than not.  Owen was a curious 2 year old. But now, 5 years later, we had a June filled with Soccer games, graduations from 1st grade and Kindergarten, family vacation, getting back into gardening ( call me crazy, but I love pulling my own weeds!  Someday I'll wish for that help of teenage residents, but for now, I'll enjoy it .), VBS at church, and catching an EVENING ball game. June 13th we said goodbye to the crazy, rewarding, fulfilling, draining life of Houseparenting at Gateway Woods.  We stepped into the world of preparing for teaching High School Math, Chemistry, and Physics (Paul!) and me taking on an office job (