Wow. I made it to summer! After a few days of teacher
inservice wrapping up my end of the year to-do list, I am a (somewhat) free woman! I have been praying and thinking about how to be more
intentional in my summer plans this year so that the time doesn't just fritter away. I realized that starting tomorrow (my first official day off) I have about 80 days of summer break. Now that may sound like a TON of days, but IT'S NOT!! I have learned from experience that the best laid plans for my time often do not actually happen.
This summer is a bit different for me. I have had this sense of restlessness in my life for the last several months--knowing that He is growing and changing me. He is changing huge things in my life perspective. He wants me to see people and the world more like He sees them. The logical questions that follow a view like that is, "What am I going to DO about what I am learning?" I know that there are suffering people who need Jesus, but am I doing all that I can to point them to Him. And how does one really point someone to Jesus? Is it by preaching at them begging them to change their ways? Likely not. I am reminded again that it is by choosing to SERVE them no matter how much it may inconvenience me. It is choosing to be the hands and feet of Christ and giving up what I perceive to be "my rights". Not an easy task! I am so challenged, and certainly have only begun to think and pray through what this looks like in the flesh.
God's leading us to adopt is only the beginning of this challenge. I am praying that I am not so self-focused in pursuing that call that the Spirit of God is squelched in His desire to expand my territory and ministry opportunities while I wait for adoption action steps to happen. I am totally humbled by the fact that He has opened the door for me to lead worship and minister through music at a women's event this next weekend--the same event where I had my MAJOR life changing moment back in October! How marvelous are His ways and how gracious is He that He would choose to use me in this way. (If I knew how to link back to an older post, I would--but I don't, so you can scroll back to read about that towards the very beginning of my blog! Sorry!)
After next weekend, I have some specific goals to work towards this summer:
*
In depth Bible study:The time for getting that "quick Word" is over! I hear God calling me to KNOW Him and know His ways--to truly KNOW His character and live in the peace of His presence. I struggle so much to live in that moment by moment peace when the daily grind is at its worst. Like in the middle of the school year when I'm tired and worn out and wondering how I am going to "do it all" and do it well.
*Growth reading:
I recently finished reading Francis Chan's books:
Crazy Love and
Forgotten God.
Both were amazing and life-changing.
Next up is reading the new and revised
Experiencing God by Henry
Blackaby and then
The Hole in our Gospel by Richard
Stearns. I also have several adoption info books that are stacked up next to my bed. I will be busy!
*Adoption Paperwork:As we get further in the process, there will be MANY forms to fill out. I would love to get our Home Study well under way as well as most of the official documents compiled that we need. We will also be doing our adoption education either online or through the state. Haven't quite nailed that one down yet. I just want to accomplish as much as possible during my less busy summer months! The great news today is that I found a great organization that will do international home studies even if you are not adopting through their agency. Our agency (still
un-named!) is out-of-state, so we need someone in Oregon to do our Home Study. This organization even has a social worker right in our town!! No mileage fees!!
Yay!
*Photos...
I hesitate to even write this...but I am attempting to sort through my boxes of photos with the girls this summer. I figure they are old enough to help me and might actually enjoy picking out special photos for us to put in albums together. Maybe we will even end up with a few finished albums by the end of summer! I don't know why I never thought of them helping me before! I can help with correct dates and events, and they can provide some of the labor involved in sorting and placing into albums. This would be a HUGE load off my mind...
*Vacation
I won't be posting actual dates here, but we have decided to take a road trip down to Disneyland! It is our favorite place to go, and we haven't been in 5 years. We absolutely cannot wait!
*Health
I am going to attempt integrating a few more healthy items into our diet, and I am wanting more exercise in my life. Walking is a start, but I have a desire to make the year that I turn **cough, cough, 40** the best, most healthy year yet. We'll see...this is the goal that I am least confident about. Any suggestions for a girl with a really bad knee and who really hates to sweat?? I know, I know, I'm good at excuses! :-)
Well, there you have it--in black and white. I am suddenly feeling a bit tired--maybe I should head to bed and start on these tomorrow--oh wait, I always say that and that's why I'm here! I guess I will at least start on one tonight--probably the reading one. I can lay down and do that!
Have a great week!
