The Intentional Life

Are you having trouble communicating why you have chosen to walk the adoption journey? Or maybe you have tried time and time again to get your church to start an adoption or orphan care ministry, and it just hasn't clicked yet. How do you start and kindly facilitate a conversation that shows God's heart for the orphan and our response as the church? Host a Coffee Conversation. Coffee shops tend to create an environment where people connect through conversations over a warm cup of joe or a refreshing iced latte. Recreate this atmosphere by hosting an intentional Coffee Conversation  with your church, Sunday school class or small group. Maybe it's a one-on-one meeting with your pastor at a local coffee shop or maybe it's an event with small group.  Use this kit to help you share about the needs and opportunities to care for orphans with provided discussion questions and scripture references. How it works: Visit www.lifesongfororphans.org/host-a-coffee-c...

Share with the Lord’s people  who are in need.  Practice hospitality.   Romans 12:13 I sit in wonder again at how God works in even the little details of our lives. Back in January I set up the "schedule" as far as what verse of Romans 12 I was going to focus on for each month.  I had no idea what was planned all the way out in September.  The calendar was clear. But here I am, with the verse staring me in the face:  Share with your Brothers and Sisters.  Give to them that are in need.  Practice hospitality. I've already posted once this month in a way that we all can show support and give to another one of our brothers and sisters.   And even though we would love your monetary donation to help out hurting children, even more we would love your prayers.  Prayers for Justin and Carey, for their marriage, for their two surviving children, for their ministry as they share their story with others.  We...

Last year, you may recall Paul and I running the Columbus Marathon. You may remember it be a bit different for us than in times past. Well, this year we are doing it again. Running in memory of Bryer. Running in support of his parents who have continued on without their sweet baby in their arms. Running for all those other little kids fighting for their lives right now in Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. And you can be a part of it. Paul and I are looking for friends and family to donate just $10. When you donate, all the money goes to the hospital and helps pay for the little things that can help brighten a little one's day.  Or their tired, bedraggle mother.  Or their exhausted father. Our entire team is hoping to raise $7,928. That is a dollar for every hour that Bryer  ran his own personal marathon. This Friday marks one year since Bryer finished his earthly race.  Can you help us reach our goal by then? ...

August was FULL. Full of New. New job for Paul. New job for me. New teachers for Owen and Hannah. New schedule for Maddie as she got to visit various friends houses while I worked and she waited for her day to start Preschool (not until after Labor Day!) New baby niece which also brought new parent titles to my brother and his wife. As we attempt to settle into all this sort of new going on, I pray that God's Spirit can be felt.  Moving among us as we see how our family now operates outside the parameters of houseparenting.  I pray our hearts are receptive to His Spirit and its leading, in whatever direction He takes us next. For now we are caught up in the new and struggling against the constraints of time and schedules, priorities and commitments. And seeking and striving to keep God in the center of it all. Otherwise, this crazy ship's gonna fall apart.  Helping dig trenches to help with drainage (this house likes water...sigh) Produce!...

Rejoice in our confident hope.  Be patient in trouble and keep on praying. Romans 12:12 Reading this verse for the month of August transported me back to February .   I was struggling with the definition of hope, and how exactly its defined in a Christian's life. As I was learning through the darkness of that winter, it all matters what you place your hope in. Where is your confident hope ? Your home?  Your job?  Your family?  Your bank account? If you are answering even just a little 'yes' to one of those, your hope should not be all that confident. Sorry. There is only one place where we can place true confident hope. Confidence: the feeling or belief that one can rely on someone or something; firm trust   Hope: to desire with expectation of obtainment Only One place where we can place our belief that we can rely on them with firm trust and the expectation that they WILL deliver what they promise. You know where I am going ...

Twelve years ago we were two 20 year olds, unsure of a lot of things.  Moving out of my parents house, our bank account just about as low as our age, but we were confident (in God!) that we were  taking the right step, joining in this union they call marriage. 11 jobs (oy), 9 cars (eesh), 6 houses (sigh), and 3 children (yea!) later.... we are still unsure of some things, our bank account continues to be smaller rather than bigger (meh), and we continue to place our confident hope in Christ. It's been sort of a roller coaster of a ride, but I'm so glad that he chose me to spend the rest of his life with!

This post is part of the Adoption Journey Series. See previous posts, “Adoption: 3 Ways to Prepare for the Journey” & "Adoption: 5 Funding Ideas that Work!" .   You made it. After all the paperwork, emails, phone calls, times of waiting and waiting and waiting, your child is finally forever home.  Now what?? Being home together as a family may be all that you envisioned and expected, but most likely, there may be some challenges and adjustments to work through. Whether that be with your child you just brought into your home or your bio kids. Change can be tough, especially when your new forever child has come from a hard place and may have many emotional walls and culture barriers to break down. The good news? You're not in this alone. Here are a few resources and ideas for families post-adoption... 4 Ways to Thrive Once They're Home Find a Support Group. During the transition, you will need godly friends and family surrounding and encouraging y...