A trip to the mall

I took my kids to the mall yesterday partly to go Christmas shopping and partly just to spend the day with them. I am sad to report what I saw. Although it didn't surprise me it saddened me. All around us were people rushing around, grumbling, being rude. I saw no Christmas cheer. One store display ever said Christmas Greedy. What has our world come to. Christmas has become a time to fight it out for the toys your kids want or the things you think you have to have. we as Americans have gotten so far away from what Christmas really means. Even Christians have fallen into the trap of commercialism. Why has this time of year become a time for us to expect to go into debt. To SPEND SPEND SPEND. Christmas is NOT about Santa... it is about the birth of Jesus!!!!!! We are supposed to give gifts to express the love God showed for us in sending his son to earth. I hope we as Christians will take Christmas back and get out of the commercialism trap. I plan on limiting Santa more this year and focusing more on Christ. I would rather fill the kids with Gods word and love for us then a bunch of toys that will be lost, broken or forgotten with time. Toys and things are temporary... Gods love is forever!

The joy of adoption

I know that God is in control of all things in our lives. About 12 years ago I was facing life as a women who wanted children very badly but could not have them. It was a time of great sorrow in my life because I could not understand why God would give me this great desire in my heart but take away my ability to have children. I never doubted he had a plan. I just didnt understand it. Fast Foward 12 years, I am the mother of not one child but 4.... when God blesses... he blesses big! Not only that but I have fostered an additional 4 children. Thats eight children that have been in my home and I have "mothered" back 12 years ago I could not have imagined I would be so blessed. I believe God calls some of us to the wonderful process of adoption. It is after all what he does for each of us when we accept him as savior.
My family has once again been blessed. My brother and sister in law are in the process of adopting a sweet little 4 year old boy. God has chosen them to be his parents and us to be his family. I am so excited about the common bond of adoption that our children will share. I am so happy to have a new nephew.
I praise God for the blessing and priviledge of Adoption.