Reluctant Husband Syndrome Part 2

In Reluctant Husband Syndrome Part 1 we ladies took a good honest look at ourselves and the part we play in our Husbands reluctance to adopt.

I have prayed about Part 2 for a long time now, seeking God over how to word this. What I have found however, is that there is no easy way to say it. So, I'm going to make this straight forward and simple- and hope that our guys are "man enough" to take it.

Yet not only man enough to take it- but man enough to be willing to take a good long look at yourself- and the condition of your heart.

Over and over I have heard woman say "My husband is just not sure he could love someone elses child or a child who does not share his blood".

That actually cracks me up- because he loves you doesn't he? And I'm certainly hoping YOU are not his blood relation. ;0)

So I am pretty sure it has nothing to do with loving someone elses child who is not 'blood related' and all about simply LOVE...

Of self.

Often times, without even recognizing it, we become protective over our lives. Protective over the things we place the most value on. Our time, our finances, our stuff, our desires, our wants, our needs.

We fear these things will somehow be taken from us- so we cling to them in desperation and become reluctant to let go and trust God to give us something even better.

And before we even realize it...

LOVE of this...

or this..

or this...

or this....




or this...

or this...

.

or this..

means more to us

than this....

Now I want you to understand I am not saying there is anything wrong with watching football, hunting, golfing, money, relationships or going fishing- but when any of these things stand in the way of us following Jesus-there is a problem.

I also want you to know I am not saying everyone is called to adopt. But I do believe that often we cannot even get to a place where we will earnestly seek God's will on adoption for our lives because we cannot get past the fear that it is going to cost us something...

Something that we are not willing to give up for Him.

But I want you to remember is that God doesn't only care about the orphans- He cares about you too. He cares about the condition of your heart. As the head of your family you have a big responsibility to live your life as an example and lead your family in faith.

True faith will result in a changed life style.

Can I ask you something? When you take a good long look at your life - can you see evidence God is there?

One day you will stand before the God... whether you believe in Him or not- and He will ask you what you did with the things He blessed you with - your time, your talents, your finances- your life.

The bible is very clear when it say: "No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." Luke 16:13

It's black and white.

Either or.

No in between.

You are either going to live your life like it's all about you- or all about God.

Which one have you chosen?

Celebrating her

Yesterday we celebrated Mya's 8th Birthday.

When I think back to 4 years ago when Mya joined our family I cannot believe how far this little girl has come... She came to us a scared, confused and unsure little girl who was obviously dying to feel safe and accepted. Over the past 4 years we have watched her has grow into an outgoing, beautiful, secure, amazing little person who loves the Lord with her entire heart.

This precious child has taught me more about adoption and attachment than I ever thought possible. She has taught me how to love in ways I never thought I was capable of loving and she has brought us more joy than we have ever known.

I love and adore you Mya Sofia. Thank you for being so strong, so brave and most of all, for never giving up on love.

Thank you for being my Mya Papaya- and for being exactly the way you are. I couldn't imagine my life without you in it.

Just cause it's THE TRUTH

So in case you didn't know it- it really is THE TRUTH.

Because He said so...

8 years ago the Lord opened our eyes to the orphans in this world- and our journey began.

What we didn’t know at that time was how that would change our world -and bring us to the place we are now.

What we didn’t know was 5 adoptions later – the faces of those left behind would forever be etched in our hearts and minds.

And what we didn’t know was how God would change the direction of our path and instead of bringing them home to us- He would bring us to them.

Through ways that only God could have orchestrated, our family is thrilled to announce we will be moving to Guatemala. We will be working with an amazing organization called Orphan Outreach.

While some people may think we are crazy to pack up seven children (Keegan and Travis will remain in the United States to attend college) we believe with all of our hearts that this is exactly what God has been preparing us for. We have been raising ‘little missionaries’ who know firsthand the importance of orphan care. We have been raising little missionaries who know that Jesus is the only hope.

Todd and I will be working alongside Orphan Outreach in their 3 orphanages and school in Guatemala. As many of you may or may not know, Guatemala closed their doors to adoptions leaving over 350,000 children in Guatemala abandoned and alone. These children face dark influences of malnutrition, poverty, illiteracy, human trafficking, drugs, gangs, disease, and hopelessness. Orphan Outreach’s goal is to provide holistic care for orphans- giving the children every opportunity for success in life by meeting their physical, spiritual, educational, social and emotional needs so they may be all God intended for them to be.

One morning during my quiet time the Lord began to give me a clearer picture of “outreach."

'Outreach' literally means to ‘reach out- extend’-to open our hands and give our lives, physically and materially, passing our blessings onto others.

Yet even more important is what God’s word says about Orphans: Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. James 1:27

The other thing the Lord reminded me about outreach through James 1:27 -is that it’s a group effort. While God may have called our family to Guatemala to serve- He has called each one of us to care for orphans.

So today we, along with God the Father, are asking you to be a part of our outreach mission. Not because we are passionate about orphan care- but because God is. Not because of what we are going to be doing-but because of what God is doing.

We encourage you to seek the Lord and ask Him what part He wants you to play as a part of our support team. Whether through prayer, monthly support or a one-time gift -we need you to come on board…

Simply because it’s not about us- but all about God.
Simply because God has called you to.
Simply because you are living for things of eternal value.
Simply because of what God has done for you.
Simply because they need you.

Thank you so much for truly living out the word of God in the lives of these children and thank you for your heart.

Orphan Outreach is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization

Orphan Outreach
2001 West Plano Parkway,
Suite 3700
Plano, TX 75075
*please let them know it is for Todd and Amy Block- Guatemala

When our feelings get in the way

Over the years I have come to realize just how often I have let my feelings get in the way of God working in my life.

Because after all, our feelings are a very real, very strong force in our lives.

Feelings can cause us to be greedy, to love, to hate, to be envious, to respect, to disrespect, to worry, to cry, to be lonely, to be happy, to be compassionate, to be excited, to be nervous, to be fearful, and so on.

Basically our feelings play into and effect every circumstance in our lives and in our world.

Now I gotta tell you that there are a lot of days where my feelings have gotten me into trouble.

Because there are days when I don't feel very loving. Days when I don't feel very happy. Days when I feel hurt, troubled, angry, jealous impatient or bitter.

Yet none of this surprises God.

You see God allows us to have those feelings. He understands we are humans- because He created us that way.

So, there is nothing wrong with feelings. They are simply that- your feelings- at that moment..

Where the problem sometimes arises though- is how we choose to act on our feelings.

It's what we choose to do with our feelings that makes all the difference.

What God wants -is for us to simply choose Him. Choose Him when we are angry, choose Him when we are sad, choose Him when we are happy, choose Him when we feel resentful or bitterness.

When we are hurt by a friend- we can choose Jesus and love them -even when we don't feel like it.

When we are frustrated with our spouse- we can choose Jesus and forgive -even though we don't feel like it.

When we are angry at our disobedient child- we can choose Jesus and teach them in love -even when we don't feel like it.

When we are jealous of our neighbor- we can choose Jesus and celebrate their blessings- even when we don't feel like it.

When our mother-in-law makes the same rude comment over and over again- we can choose Jesus and extend grace- even when we don't feel like it.

When we are raising funds for our adoption and we are embarrassed to ask for help- we can choose Jesus and ask boldly- even when we don't feel like it.

When a coworker continues to make the same mistake over and over-we can choose Jesus and love them where they are -even though we don't feel like it.

When the offering plate is passed around at church and we would rather go out to lunch than drop money in- we can choose Jesus and give- even if we don't feel like it.

I cannot tell you how many times people have said to me "God must have given you patience with all those children you have."

No, God didn't CHOOSE ME to give patience's to- I chose Him.

Because the truth is- some days I don't feel like parenting 9 kids and trying to meet all of their needs.

Some days I don't feel like doing laundry for 11 or cooking for 11.

Some days I don't feel like waking up in the middle of the night with a crying baby.

Some days I don't feel like cleaning sticky fingerprints off the walls, windows or table- again.

Some days I don't feel like teaching math, or sitting in the cold at a football game or picking someone up from student council after school.

Some days I don't feel like disciplining the same child for the same thing yet again.

Some days what I feel like doing is laying on the beach, getting my hair and nails done, shopping till I drop, sleeping in, going out to eat and being waited on.

Feelings are strong, feelings are real, feelings can control our every thought and every action if we let them. So much so, that I often I think sometimes we get confused and believe that our feelings give us some sort of permission to act accordingly.

But the truth is-our feelings- whether justified or not- do not give us permission to act unkind or unloving. Our feelings change from time to time. And, sometimes are feelings are wrong- simply because we don't have all the details, don't understand the history, don't necessarily see things clearly, or have believed the lies of the world.

When we claimed the title "Christian"- we claimed Him. Chose Him. Chose His ways. The word 'Christians' means "Christ like". It means ACTING like little Christs. Not only when we feel like it-not only when things go the way we want them to- but every. single. day. of. our. lives.

Lord, even when we don't feel like it- help us to love the way you love, forgive the way you forgive, give the way you give and act the way you act and see things the way you see them.

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God- what is good and acceptable and perfect. -Romans 12:2

Weekend plans?

We are just hanging out,

doing a little grilling...

plus a little work on the house...


Simple, but oh so good.

More awesome gift ideas for Christmas that GIVE life- go check them out!

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Cookbooks

for an Ethiopian Adoption
http://stephanie-fishoutofwater.blogspot.com/2010/11/any-day-now.html

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Bags, scarfs, cup holders and more!
for orphans
http://www.etsy.com/shop/147sparemoments

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T-shirts, coffee, and jewelry

for an adoption
http://journey2ethiopia.blogspot.com/p/shop_28.html

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Jewelry

for an adoption from Taiwan

www.etsy.com/shop/theadoptshoppe

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T-shirts

for an adoption
http://www.reevesfamily-fun.blogspot.com/

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Handmade African Ornaments

for an Ethiopian adoption
http://wagest.blogspot.com/2010/10/lil-olivias-round-two.html

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Pampered Chef items

for adoptive families

http://dearlylovedchildren.blogspot.com/2010/11/true-religion-christmas-shopping.html

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T-shirts
for an Ethiopian adoption
http://thefarmerswifetellsall.blogspot.com/

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Cards and Bookmarks

for adoptive families and rescuing girls in India

http://www.elizabethengelhardtcreations.com/

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Cards and more
for adoptive families
http://www.adoptedbydesign.com/

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Record Clocks

for an Indian adoption

http://www.etsy.com/listing/61980549/record-clocks

Homemade Tortillas

Each week when we go to Classical Conversations the kids are asked to do a 'presentation'. This is to help them learn how to speak in front of others. They give ideas on what the kids can do their presentation on, or else they can come up with an idea of their own. It's kind of like show and tell- only they are asked to speak for at least 3 minutes, make good eye contact, not fidget, etc. I love that my kids are learning how to do this because public speaking is a huge fear for so many.

This week the girls wanted to learn about making tortillas from scratch like they do in Guatemala. We watched a video on how Masa is made. While we didn't grind our own field corn- we did get to pat our own tortillas and cook them on the griddle. Nothing like a warm tortilla with butter. :) Today the girls did a presentation on tortilla making for their Classical Conversations class. They did a little demonstration for the kids and let them try some of the tortilla they made. It was so cool to watch them sharing a part of their culture.

I love this part of homeschooling. :)

Get away

This past weekend we had the HUGE blessing of going to Camp John Marc through our children's hospital. We all had a blast doing arts and crafts, making paper from scratch, face painting, rock climbing, going on the zip line, fishing, making new friends and seeing old ones. It is one of my kids favorite times of the year. Thank you to those of you who work so hard to put this together- you are such a blessing in our lives. :)

**Also many of you have asked me about adding you to the "Christmas shopping list". I am going to be doing another list here as soon as I catch up on the laundry from the weekend. :)

GUESS WHO....

CAN WALK?!?!



Havyn has been standing for about a month now but just wasn't interested in walking yet. Then all of a sudden she decided to take off. I don't think there is anything cuter than watching a baby take their first steps. I am so proud of this sweet baby girl and all she has overcome. Way to go Havyn- we love you so much!!