Got Thanks?

It’s that time of year again!!  I don’t know about you, but our week has been filled with finishing up all our school work so that we can move onto all things Thanksgiving.  Pilgrim and Indian costumes are being pulled out, Thanksgiving books are being dusted off and read, names like Squanto and William Bradford are being thrown around at the dinner table.  One new activity we did this year was to make our thankful tree (or our variation of one).  Take a look:



I particularly love it because I used our new laminator to laminate the leaves, so they can be wiped off and re-used next year.  Score!!



But as I reflect on the holiday coming up and all that it stands for, I am humbled by the lack of gratitude in my own heart this week.  Oh, it’s there alright on the outside.  As I’ve said, I’ve done my fair share of TALKING about being thankful this week with my kids, but does my heart reveal something different?  Was that a spirit of thankfulness welling up in my heart when my (almost) 2 year-old took marker to my couch?  Or when the kids were fighting…..AGAIN?  Or when I felt entitled to some “alone time”?? 

Then this…..Enter Matthew 5.  The Sermon on the Mount:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit.”  Nope, not me.

“Blessed are the meek.”  Not me again.

“Blessed are the pure in heart.”  Ouch.  That hurts.

“The peacemakers…..the merciful.......those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.”  You get the idea. 

And there I am  left.  Again.  Realizing that that little ole Pharisee in me is having a field day.  Like so many things in life, it is a choice.  Do I CHOOSE to be thankful?  Even when things don’t go according to plan?  Even when my so-called “rights” are infringed upon? 

And so again I remind myself…..

"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his mercies never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

~Lamentations 3:22-23

~

Or, in some cases, every waking moment of every single day.  And THAT is something to be thankful for. 

So this Thanksgiving, I am thankful that HE sent His Son, His only Son, to die in my place.  Thankful that He came to this earth to wash away all sin, even the sins of the heart.  The ones nobody else sees but me. Why?  Because it was the only way a sinful man, like myself, could one day be in the presence of an Almighty God.  Thankful that it is nothing that we can DO on our own.  We cannot earn our way to Him. It is a free gift called grace.  And it is available each and every moment of the day.  Even when we don’t deserve it.  Even when we are ungrateful for that gift and turn away.  It’s still there.  Beckoning us to come.  To sit.  To bask in the wonder of a King who would step down from His throne in heaven to take my place. Our place.  Totally unwarranted grace.  All we must do is receive it.  And I’m thankful for that.

So today I've resolved to start my week of thankfulness (again), after already having started it again a couple times. J  Based on my leaves on the tree, can you guess how my week began?? J 

Thankful for new beginnings.  Thankful for His grace.  Thankful that He loves us so incredibly much.  Just plain old thankful today.  And that’s a good place to be.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Kirsten

The Rich Man

"It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich

 man to enter the kingdom of heaven."

 Matthew 20:24

I know, thank God that's not YOU, right?  My thoughts exactly.  Because I grew up in church and had learned all the stories as a little girl, I was familiar with this verse.  Familiar enough to be thankful not to be him - or at least to pretend that's how I felt (I mean, cause really, who WOULDN'T want to drive a fancy car, live in a mansion and have gobs of money at their disposal?)  Certianly not me (insert sarcasm).

But upon reading this weekend, a new thought hit me.  That IS me.  I AM that rich man.  Maybe not according to American standards, after all we live on only one income, own only one car and live, with our four kids, in a townhome.  But, none-the-less, we are the 10% of the world's population that even has the opportunity to do THESE things.  Not to mention, drink clean water, run to the grocery store in a pinch, and have access to life-saving medicines.  Yes, contrary to popular belief, I AM that rich man.  And chances are, if you are able to read this post on a computer screen right now, you are too. 

So now what do I do with that piece of information now that I know it? 

"Once our eyes are opened, we cannot pretend we don't know what to do.  God, who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls, knows what we know, and holds us accountable to act." 

 Proverbs 24:12

 So now I am trying to process.  And pray.  And ask God, "What makes it so hard for that rich man?"  "Why is he so materially-rich, yet so spiritually-poor?"  "Does he even have a shot?"  "Do I?"

My life is full of comforts.  Electricity.  Running water.  Transportation.  Savings accounts.  Entertainment.  All good things.  But what do I do when my pantry runs bare?  Cry out to God?  No, I head to the store.  What about when I am feeling anxious or melancholy, or even bored?  Do I spend that time talking with the God of the universe?  Probably not.  More likely I call a friend, eat, or turn on the TV.  It seems that the more comforts I have, the less I NEED Him, or so I think.  Could it be that these very things, the things we have worked so hard for, are driving us away from Him? 

Now PLEASE don't get me wrong....electricity is NOT a bad thing.  Neither is putting money in a savings account or owning a car.  But, now that I know this obstacle makes "going through the eye of a needle" easy in comparison to entering the kingdom of God, how do I go around it??  After all, we do live in this culture.  Are we able to own these comforts without coming to depend on them?

And the answer I have come up with is this......I don't know.  I don't.  I'm sure it's possible, but everytime I think I have it figured out my pride knocks me down a little bit and I'm left, once again, feeling not-so-sure.  But of course, God's timing is perfect.  Just this week our pastor spoke on some of these very things and I left thinking "Yes!!  That is good!  Great sermon!" 

But then I heard it.  That little voice.  Speaking to my heart.  "Now what?"

"Once our eyes are opened, we cannot pretend we don't know what to do.  God, who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls, knows what we know, and holds us accountable to act."

  Proverbs 24:12

How are you going to take what God has laid on your heart and put action to it?  How am I? 

Well, for me, we are going to start with putting limitations on TV.  Time that was normally spent watching mindless TV just to "relax" can be replaced with more reading of God's Word and more time connecting as a family.  Trying to focus in on the things that are most important instead of hiding behind those comforts we, as the "rich man", have come to depend on.  For you, it may not be television.  Maybe it's food.  Surfing the internet.  Facebook.  Shopping.

Whatever it is, I challenge you to ask yourself....is it replacing time that COULD be spent pressing in to His heart?  Is it contributing to a nation that is materially-rich, yet spiritually-poor?  And, then, instead of thinking, "Great thoughts!"  "Thanks for posting!" - instead ask, what does God want ME to DO with this piece of information?

"Once our eyes are opened, we cannot pretend we don't know what to do.  God, who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls, knows what we know, and holds us accountable to act."

  Proverbs 24:12



Kirsten

Art and Craft Fair - This Weekend!!

Come support adoption this weekend and start your Christmas shopping a little early this year!  This is where I will be...

                   

 

 

  Covenant Church

4000 Route 202

Doylestown

Friday, November 11th

6:00pm - 9:00pm

AND

Saturday, November 12th

10:00am - 4:00pm

We will be there....selling our ornaments. :)  There will also be TONS of other vendors there, as well as a bake sale and an American Girl giveaway.  Yes, that's right!  The author of the American Girl, Lanie books, will be there and they will be raffling off one doll at the end.  I know one particular little eight-year-old girl who is especially excited about this!!

So....if you are around, and looking for something to do this weekend, come out and join us!  Looking forward to seeing you!

Kirsten

A Look at What's on my Nightstand These Days...

Last weekend just begged of me to start a new book.  It snowed.  Yup, snowed!  I know it is only the very beginning of November and the leaves are still on the trees and all, but it snowed just the same.  About 5-6 inches!  Isn't God so amazingly creative AND powerful to make both leaves AND snow fall at the same time???

So, what did I do?  I cuddled up next to the fire with a cup of hot chocolate and I started this book:

Order your FREE copy HERE

 

K.P. Yohannan, the author of No Longer a Slumdog, is the founder and director of Gospel for Asia, a non-profit organization that reaches out to be the hands and feet of Jesus in the slums of India.  It is sure to make you think.  Check out their website if you are looking for any Christmas gift ideas apart from the norm this holiday season.  So many awesome things to choose from!!!

Up next on my nightstand???  This book:

I CAN'T WAIT TO READ THIS ONE!!!  I have been literally waiting since the author, Katie Davis, first announced on her blog that she was writing a book.  Katie's blog was what first inspired us to adopt.  It was her stories and her pictures that caused me to fall on my knees and beg of God to use me in some way.  The book takes place in Uganda and is about Katie's real-life testimony of leaving her middle-class, suburban life to serve orphans halfway across the world.  50% of the proceeds from the sale of this book, go to help fund her ministry, Amazima.

One more to share with you.....



This book, taking place in China, is all about the underground church.  Although names and dates are fictitious, the story itself is compiled of stories that have happened at one time or another.  (And speaking of nightstands, this particular one is still on mine and is a library book that is now way over-due. :)

So, there you have it.  A couple more books to pique your interest.  Hope you are having a wonderful Saturday afternoon!



Kirsten

We're Making Progress!

Super excited to announce today that we are moving down the list towards bringing our baby home!!!  Last month we wrote that we were #97.  Today?  Drumroll please.....

We are officially

#88

Now, I know that doesn't SEEM like a huge difference, however, considering the courts in Ethiopia are closed for the months of August and September, it is.  That means that within just the past couple weeks, since the beginning of October, children have been referred, approved and brought home.  That's exciting news!!!  Things are moving along nicely. 

Now to clarify, that doesn't exactly mean that 87 couples will bring home children from Ethiopia before us.  It just means, that as children become available, our agency will begin the process of looking through the list for a suitable family that meets the necessary criteria for that child.  

Please pray along with us as we wait out the next several months.  Hoping to move into the 70's by November!  Thanks for all your prayers and support!  We are still selling Christmas ornaments to help off-set the cost of our adoption.  Email me if you are interested in purchasing one. 

Thanks so much!!!  Have a great week!

Kirsten

Birthday Week!!!

We were celebrating Joseph this week....Gregoire style!  Yes, in our house, that means birthday WEEK!  A whole, glorious week of all things birthday.  Special plate, favorite foods, movie picks, parties and so much more!!!  Here is a look at how we celebrated our newly six year-old:



Hot Chocolate in bed followed by birthday breakfast at Friendly's



Joseph's birthday dinner request:  hot dogs and french fries :)



Birthday boy




It's movie night.....followed by a sleepover in the basement.





Happy Birthday Joseph!!!





A baseball-themed party




Joseph wanted nothing more than to play baseball with his friends in the backyard.





Love this picture!!!





What a fun birthday present....digging up dinosaur bones.  Thanks Pappas'!

We love you so very much Joseph Charles!!  Thanks for being the sweet, boisterous and incredibly passionate little boy that God created you to be.  So thankful for these past 6 years with you.  





Love, Mommy



5 Reasons You Should NOT Adopt :)

Reason #1:  ADOPTION IS TOO EXPENSIVE -  One of the most common questions we have heard throughout the adoption process has been, "Why is adoption so expensive?"  And quite frankly, we don't know.  A child needs a home......a family is willing to provide one.  So, where does the problem come in???  Here's the thing though that we have learned.....regardless of how much an adoption costs, we have a heavenly daddy who is in the habit of providing for the things He favors, and He favors the adoption of orphans into forever families.  We have seen evidence of this over and over in our own lives.  When we first made the decision to adopt, there was no secret fund.  We did not have money set aside, or a savings account set-up for this.  Charles remodels bathrooms and I am a stay-at-home, homeschooling mama of 4 kids.  Some months, we  JUST.  GET.  BY.  And yet, within just a few short months, God has provided over $18,000!!!  People, get excited with me!!!  That is incredible!!  And we cannot take credit.  Not one iota.  :)

Reason #2:  MY HOUSE IS NOT BIG ENOUGH - Well, mine isn't.  Period.  In case you have never been to our home, we live in a 1,700 square foot, 3 bedroom, 1 1/2 bath townhome, AND WE ALREADY HAVE 4 KIDS!!  There are certainly days when I wonder how we will make it work, but then I am reminded.  And humbled.  And grateful.  Grateful for the roof over our heads, and the clean water that we drink, and the closets full of clothes.  And I am reminded that we have so much.  So very much.  And it is in those moments, that I am able to look at what we have with a new perspective.  So....we may have to wait a little longer in line for the bathroom.  Maybe we have to re-organize closets, even give away some of our "stuff" to make more room.  But you know what?  I'm OK with that.  Because in the end, I know that it won't matter how big the house, or the amount of "things" that adorned it's walls.  It will be the love and the memories that were formed there.   

Reason #3:  WE HAVE A LOT GOING ON ALREADY - Oh, how I can relate!!!  This was the VERY thing I said to God when I felt Him laying the idea of adoption on our hearts.  "But God!!!  We already have so much on our plates!  Why this?  Why NOW?"   To tell you the truth, there are days when I wonder "Can we really do FIVE kids?!!!?"  Heck, some days I wonder if I am even equipped to do one! 

But then, I am reminded.....

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.  Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

~2 Corinthians 12:9

Nothing pleases God more then when one of His children, willingly acknowledge that they NEED Him. That they can't do it on their own.  When we do this, we surrender our lives to Him, and in the end, it brings glory to the Father.  


Reason #4:  WE ALREADY HAVE KIDS....."OF OUR OWN" - Sadly, we have come up against this thinking.  People constantly seem perplexed as to why, a couple, who seemingly has not struggled with infertility, would adopt.  Especially when we already have 4 bio kids.  But the truth of the matter is, there are 147 MILLION children in this world without a mommy and a daddy.  Without a family.  Without a home and without food to eat.  That statistic just doesn't sit right with me.  And it shouldn't with you either.  Especially when I look into the innocent faces of those four littles whom I birthed and wonder, "What if the roles had been reversed??"  What if it weren't "them", but us??  What if my children were just another statistic?  Would their lives matter enough for someone to take a chance on them?

Reason #5:  ADOPTION INVOLVES TOO MUCH "RED TAPE" - Let's be honest.  Sometimes it does.  :)  The journey to adopt can be a difficult one with many ups and downs.  Although we have not experienced any of this yet (and Lord-willing, will not!!), we have known others who have.  The potential "problems" that could come up, many times, are enough to scare people away.  But in reality, getting pregnant and having babies "the old-fashioned way", isn't without risk either. Pregnancy can be physically draining on the body, and unfortunately, we are not always guaranteed a healthy, happy baby in the end. 

Now, please let me clarify.  I do not think that everyone is called to adopt internationally.  I don't even think that everyone is called to adopt.  Period.  But for some of you, the very reason you read this blog may be that God is also laying the idea of adoption on your heart.  And you have so many reasons why it just couldn't work. I have been there!!!

Or....maybe it is not adoption at all.  Maybe God has placed another plan on your heart. He uses us all differently you know?  In order for us to truly BE THE BODY, we all have a different function, and that is OK.  What has He placed on your heart to do?  And what are your excuses?

This week I finished up reading the book of Jonah.  Although I am obviously familiar with the Sunday School version of the story, I had never actually read the book for myself.  Oh, how I could relate!!  More than I cared to admit.  Jonah??  Really??  Oh, why couldn't I be more like Paul!! :)

In the book of Jonah, the prophet is instructed by God to head to Ninevah to tell the people of God's impending judgement.  It was a people who were far from God.  Who were down-right cruel to the Israelites.  And Jonah?  Well, he didn't like them much.  And although you would have thought he would have taken great pleasure in this task, Jonah knew something about God.  He knew God's compassionate and merciful side.

"I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity."

~Jonah 4:2

And because Jonah knew this, because he did not want to see God's forgiveness extended to the city of Ninevah, he had some excuses of his own.  So, what did he do?  He ran.  He ran from God, as far as he could go, in hopes that God would not ask of him to do this very thing.  Oh My.  How I've been there before.  Every one of those reasons you see at the top of this post, are me running from God.  They are MY excuses.  MY insecurities.  MY reasons for not doing the very things that I knew God had placed on our hearts. 

The good news to this story, however, is that God does not give up on us, even in our short-comings.  He pursues us.  Even when we don't want to be pursued.  And once He's gotten our attention, He sets us right back on the path He wants us to go.  Of course there is more to the story of Jonah.  A thrilling storm at sea.  An adventure into the belly of a great fish.  A city on it's knees in worship.  But that's for you to go and read on your own.  To see how the story ends.

For now, I am praying that you would ask Him, "What is it that you would have ME do?"  For His glory.  For His fame. 

AND.  THEN.  DO.  IT.

Without excuses.  Without running the other way. 




Kirsten