Do Not Grow Weary

Been awhile since I have updated anyone (other than close friends and family) but we are still trudging along through this adoption process.  It is difficult to work around my hubby's schedule, that is what causes a lot of hold ups and uncertainties.  We rest in knowing that God has coordinated these events to line us up with the exact child(ren) at the exact time He has planned for us. 

One major frustration is the lack of control we have.  If the entire process was all based on us needing to do certain tasks and fill out paperwork and turn it in, we would be done in no time.  But, we are so dependent on other people, many complete strangers, to fill out piles of paperwork we need done in order to keep moving on.  We send away papers and then they are not done right and we have to redo them.  We are given dates to come in for appointments and then canceled because they are missing a piece of information. Each denied paper is more time and sometimes, money, spent. 

This past week has been so frustrating and it makes you want to just give up and forget about it.  I remind myself that there is a child completely dependent on us to stay the course and be his family.  He has lost control of his life and needs someone to come and give him a home.  I wish we had a picture of him so every time I get frustrated I could just stare at the eyes of this child and remember what this is all for because it is easy to forget in all the piles of paperwork that there is a human being waiting behind it all.  We will continue on and move through these frustrations for our little 'unknown' half way across the world.    

Pray for families around you who are adopting.  It can be a very scary, lonely, frustrating, and confusing process, but will be worth every second, penny, and emotional moment spent through it.

Just a couple of the files we have.

 



 

 

'And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.'

Galatians 6:9

Adoption & Weight?

I recently lost 40 pounds and am finally back to my healthy weight.  It has been 4 years trying to lose the weight I gained while pregnant with Abby (btw, pregnant ladies, you are eating for 2, but not 2 full grown adults. I learned that the hard way)  I wanted to share some of my reasons and motivation that helped me lose the weight and hopefully can encourage those going through the same struggle.

First, for my husband.  He works hard and stays in great shape for me and I felt ashamed that I did not do the same for him.  It had a very negative effect on our relationship.  I was pretty down, didn't have much energy, and certainly did not feel attractive.  My goal was for him to return to a more energetic, positive, and confident woman, which, he did!

Second, for my kids.  There were so many times I would waste the day away just sitting around.  The girls would want to go outside and I would make up a lame excuse why they couldn't.  I knew I wasn't doing my best as a mother and wanted to do better.  Now I have much more patience with them.  I am up and active going out and having fun with my girls.

Third, for our adoption.  Yes, some countries will not let you adopt if you are over a certain BMI.  I would have been mortified if we were unable to adopt the child(ren) we wanted because I was overweight, what a shame.  I also knew I struggled to keep up with the 2 kids I already had and wanted to make sure I was physically ready to take on whatever child(ren) we get. 

Last, for me.  I have always struggled with being content with the body I had, even from a very young age.  I was usually in pretty good shape and still was not satisfied, so imagine how it felt with 40 extra pounds on.  It is so frustrating standing in a closet full of clothes and not being able to fit in half of them, now I get excited about the combination of outfits I get to choose from.  My knees would ache at the end of the day, now they feel great.  I finally appreciate the body God gave me.  I am not a stick figure girl, God gave me a larger build and I am finally okay with that.

There is no 'quick, easy, fix' for weight loss.  It requires some change and action.  I was able to do a couple workout programs at home (P90X & Insanity) when the girls were down for a nap.  I would dread the workout, but afterwards you feel amazing.  I was also drinking Shakeology, which really helped me get all the nutrients I needed in a day.  I had lots of energy and it helped take away my cravings.  I also joined a challenge group, which really helped keep my going.  I knew I would have to share with everyone what I ate, how much water I drank, if I had worked out, and I definitely did not want to be the 'slacker' of the group.  I am thankful for the women who kept me going and encouraged me along this journey.

If you feel the way I did then contact me and we can work together to get you healthy.  Don't go another day feeling that way, life is so much better when your body is the way it should be.  My goal is to help women feel better so they have the energy to be the best wives and mothers they can be.  It is worth all the hard work and dedication.

Before: July 2012, 210lbs

 

 

After: April 2013, 170lbs 

  

Love of Money

I normally make myself wait 24 hours after I am mad about something before I share it with anyone else, but sometimes it is good to have a little fire behind you.  I at least did my Insanity workout before blogging to get some of my frustrations out.  So here is what is bothering me...

Someone kindly asked me how our adoption was coming along.  I excitedly began sharing and in the middle of it someone walked by and sarcastically said under their breath, "It'd be cheaper to just have one of your own."  Yup, not joking.  It literally felt like I had just been punched in the stomach.  So, here is what I think about that comment...

Imagine if the current child you had, in some weird scenario, was removed from your home and shipped to an orphanage.  You would have to go through the typical adoption process/costs in order to get that child back.  Would you throw your hands up and say, "Oh well, better just get pregnant and have another one, don't want to go through the hassle."  Of course not!  You would be up at night praying for that child, you would be cutting costs wherever you could to save money, you would be selling possessions, denying yourself certain luxuries you normally would enjoy, and you would be doing everything in your power to get across the world to your child as fast as you could.  You would not want your sweet child to wake up another morning without a loving hug from you and a warm breakfast on the table. You would not want them to go through their day scared, lonely, and depressed about what their future holds for them. You would not want them going to bed one more night without a tender kiss on the forehead and being tucked in by you.  Well, this is no different.  There is a child across the world that is ours and we will do everything we can to go and get him.

I have a very hard time hearing people say, "Oh, we would love to adopt, but we can't afford it" as they roll away in their brand new SUV.  I understand, there are some families who legitimately cannot afford it, but a lot of us can.  What if that child was standing in front of you, staring you in the eyes, could you tell them, "Sorry, but you are just not worth the money...we really want a new car, a pool, and a few more family vacations, etc., etc.."?  We are holding on so tightly to things that will just burn up.  Are they really worth it?  Over a human life?  On the day I die, I don't want to be surrounded by a ton of meaningless 'stuff'. I would rather be surrounded by loved ones and some of those loved ones would be orphans I gladly gave 'stuff' up for to give them a loving home and a future.

Lord, help me to love people more than I love money. 

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. 1 Tim. 6:10