But my husband happens to be the best ever!
This weekend we went away for a little R & R together.
Just the 2 of us.
cost of B&B room..... worth every dime
money spent shopping....... $1.60 (seriously)
the fact that he planned it all..... PRICELESS!
Check out Jeff's blog here for some pics that he posted of the weekend.
It was cold and rainy, but who cares? We were in a gorgeous place together. No phones. No cell phone reception. No TV! (yes, he gave up the tv on Master's weekend)
Jeff, I love you so much. Thanks for the beautiful weekend. It was one of the best of my life. You are an amazing husband to me. Thanks for loving me like you do. (And thanks for letting me win that game of trivia at BW3's). You have given me everything in this life that I have ever wanted and so much more. I am honored to be your wife. Let's do this more often!
Love, Bird
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
confession
In my quiet time this morning, I said to God "I really want to live like you today". I thought I meant it when I said it. But God wasn't so sure. He wouldn't allow me to say anything else. Literally, He made me shut up (again). As I walked into my office, I felt out of sorts, awkward. I couldn't quite explain it. I sat at my desk, and said to God, "What?". And that's when He hit me. He said to me quite plainly "You don't really know what it means to live like I live. I want you to. I will show you. I will remind you of scripture. But it's gonna hurt to do it".
He was right. He always is.
What He reminded me of was how often I waste. I waste time, energy, efforts, money, resources, etc. You name it, I can waste it. Specifically, I waste a lot of opportunity to get to know people. I hide a lot, keeping just far enough away from people so that I don't have to get personal with them. And that's not how Jesus lived on earth. Not at all! To be like Him, I have to be willing to know people. I have to be intentional in my relationships.
Jesus didn't waste a day. So, I asked myself: What will I do with my days? Will I use them for good, or will I squander them away? Will I really love those I come in contact with, or will I approach them with disinterest. When I meet with a client at work, do I genuinely love them, or am I only interested in getting the job done and moving to the next client. For that matter, are they just a client, or do I see the person with feelings, needs, desires, and purpose? Am I trying to KNOW people, or am I trying to convert people?
Proverbs 3:27 says "Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act". That reminds me of a line from my favorite movie, The Shawshank Redemption. In one scene Andy (Tim Robbins) says "get busy livin', or get busy dying". That's true. To LIVE as Christ, is to never withhold good from others when it is in our power to do so. To LIVE as Christ is to always be intentional in my relationships. To LIVE as Christ is to put others' needs ahead of my own. To LIVE as Christ is to die to myself.
Today has been hard because He is humbling me. I have lost my temper today, literally cussed the lawn mower, assumed the worst about people, and over all acted like a fool. But yet, God has surrounded me, whispering in my ear every minute, "I am here. I will mold you to be like me if you allow it. I told you it was going to be hard. But I will not leave you alone".
My response: "Let's get busy living"
He was right. He always is.
What He reminded me of was how often I waste. I waste time, energy, efforts, money, resources, etc. You name it, I can waste it. Specifically, I waste a lot of opportunity to get to know people. I hide a lot, keeping just far enough away from people so that I don't have to get personal with them. And that's not how Jesus lived on earth. Not at all! To be like Him, I have to be willing to know people. I have to be intentional in my relationships.
Jesus didn't waste a day. So, I asked myself: What will I do with my days? Will I use them for good, or will I squander them away? Will I really love those I come in contact with, or will I approach them with disinterest. When I meet with a client at work, do I genuinely love them, or am I only interested in getting the job done and moving to the next client. For that matter, are they just a client, or do I see the person with feelings, needs, desires, and purpose? Am I trying to KNOW people, or am I trying to convert people?
Proverbs 3:27 says "Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act". That reminds me of a line from my favorite movie, The Shawshank Redemption. In one scene Andy (Tim Robbins) says "get busy livin', or get busy dying". That's true. To LIVE as Christ, is to never withhold good from others when it is in our power to do so. To LIVE as Christ is to always be intentional in my relationships. To LIVE as Christ is to put others' needs ahead of my own. To LIVE as Christ is to die to myself.
Today has been hard because He is humbling me. I have lost my temper today, literally cussed the lawn mower, assumed the worst about people, and over all acted like a fool. But yet, God has surrounded me, whispering in my ear every minute, "I am here. I will mold you to be like me if you allow it. I told you it was going to be hard. But I will not leave you alone".
My response: "Let's get busy living"
Friday, April 4, 2008
The Next Step...
The Honorable Le Quoc Hung, Consul GeneralToday was a big day in the adoption process (aka: Destination Ellie). Our dossier was sent to the Consulate General of Vietnam in San Francisco CA for the final Vietnam Embassy Authentication. Literally, the man pictured above will give his stamp of approval for us to bring our little girl home.
This is the last thing we will do before the dossier goes to Vietnam. We are thrilled to be at this point in the whole process! Here are some things you can be praying for at this point of the journey:
- safe and quick delivery of our dossier to San Francisco (there's a lot of money in that envelope!)
- speedy processing by the Consulate General
- safe delivery of the dossier to the Vietnam office of our agency in Hanoi City
- a quick referral for our little girl
- most of all.... for Ellie to be safe, well cared for and loved until we bring her home
- pray also for her birth mother to have peace and comfort in her plan to place Ellie up for adoption. I feel incredibly indebted to this woman whom I will never know.
We'll be sure to keep you posted if we hear anything!
Monday, March 31, 2008
What I learned while keeping my mouth shut
- I spend an awful lot of time talking about nothing.
- The only thing I really missed saying in my 'real' voice was "I love you".
- I rarely say anything that is really important.
- I am a much better listener when I can't speak.
- I really enjoy listening.
- God really wants me to listen more and talk less.
- I need to keep my mouth shut more often.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Going to Extremes
It's been 17 days since I had pneumonia. It's been 17 days since I had my voice. That's way too long. If you know me at all, you know I love to talk. So, being without a voice for 17 days is about to drive me nuts.
Typically, I sound fairly 'normal' in the mornings, but as the day goes on, I start to sound a little freakish. This morning, however, I didn't even have anything to start with. So, I went to extremes. I called in sick to work (again), and I have had a day of vocal rest. I didn't speak a word at all until Bryan came home from school. Even then, I only talked for a minute. This may be one of the longest days of my life. Seriously.
I need my voice. I talk all day long at work, on the phone and in person. Yesterday there were many pharmacists in Lexington that were frustrated with me because they couldn't hear the Rxs I was calling in to them. I had frustrated clients in my office that kept saying "what did you say?" over and over again. It was getting old. Hopefully a day of rest will help, and I will be on the mend tonight.
In the meantime, help me out here, and don't call me! It's too tempting not to answer!! If you do call, leave me a message, and I will email you back. I am trying to be a good patient, but it's not an easy job!
Saturday, March 22, 2008
A letter...
Deal Ellie~
Tomorrow morning we celebrate Easter- the celebration of our Risen Savior, Jesus Christ. He conquered death so that you and I can live with Him forever. Oh how I pray that whoever is caring for you now knows Jesus and is telling you of His goodness and mercy each day! So many times, when there is talk of Easter, you only hear of the easter bunny and easter baskets, easter dresses and even easter eggs. But the real meaning of Easter is a celebration of Jesus who was all man, but all God. He lived a perfect life here on earth, then died a horrible death on a cross as a sacrifice for our sins. There is no greater picture of love than that! I am praying already for the day that you will know Jesus personally and follow after Him.
There are so many things that I look forward to celebrating with you Ellie. There are traditions that we will teach you, and I am sure that we will make new traditions once you are here. But we will never teach you anything as wonderful and as important as the Grace and Mercy of Jesus. He loves you dearly, Ellie. His death was for you too. He knit you together in your birth mother's womb, and He has made you perfectly. His plans for your life are perfect. He is making it possible for you to be with us here someday soon, and we give Him all of the praise for that blessing!
I pray that you are safe. I pray that the celebration of Easter surrounds you even now. I pray that you know you are dearly loved and already missed! We cannot wait to meet you, and we pray it isn't long!
Happy Easter, Ellie!
Love,
Mommy
Tomorrow morning we celebrate Easter- the celebration of our Risen Savior, Jesus Christ. He conquered death so that you and I can live with Him forever. Oh how I pray that whoever is caring for you now knows Jesus and is telling you of His goodness and mercy each day! So many times, when there is talk of Easter, you only hear of the easter bunny and easter baskets, easter dresses and even easter eggs. But the real meaning of Easter is a celebration of Jesus who was all man, but all God. He lived a perfect life here on earth, then died a horrible death on a cross as a sacrifice for our sins. There is no greater picture of love than that! I am praying already for the day that you will know Jesus personally and follow after Him.
There are so many things that I look forward to celebrating with you Ellie. There are traditions that we will teach you, and I am sure that we will make new traditions once you are here. But we will never teach you anything as wonderful and as important as the Grace and Mercy of Jesus. He loves you dearly, Ellie. His death was for you too. He knit you together in your birth mother's womb, and He has made you perfectly. His plans for your life are perfect. He is making it possible for you to be with us here someday soon, and we give Him all of the praise for that blessing!
I pray that you are safe. I pray that the celebration of Easter surrounds you even now. I pray that you know you are dearly loved and already missed! We cannot wait to meet you, and we pray it isn't long!
Happy Easter, Ellie!
Love,
Mommy
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Adoption Update
.jpg)
WE GOT IT!!!
Our I- 171 H arrived in the mail today, just 2 1/2 weeks after they received our completed home study report. We are so excited!
Next week, we will get everything for our dossier authenticated at the county and state level, then send it off to San Francisco for the final authentication. After that, our dossier is Vietnam-bound!
Thanks for the prayers. They are working. We were told to expect a 45-60 day wait for this form. Keep 'em coming! We want our little girl home soon!!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
