While He was still speaking to the crowds, behold, His mother and brothers were standing outside, seeking to speak to Him. Someone said to Him, "Behold, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside seeking to speak to You." But Jesus answered the one who was telling Him and said, "Who is My mother and who are My brothers?" And stretching out His hand toward His disciples, He said, "Behold My mother and My brothers! "For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother." (Matthew 12:46-50)

Tonight,... more

For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, (1 Peter 2:21)

People love “feel-good” buzz-words, and the phrase, “What Would Jesus Do?” is no exception. But, for my family, this expression has taken root in the hearts of my children.

Sibling squabbles are common-place and normal ... just a part of life in a big family. However, even though none of us is perfect, as Romans 3:23 reminds us, I think all parents expect their children to try to generally... more

But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. (James 1:5)

Part of it is this crazy revved up time of year for children. Part of it is just sibling life. Part of it is acquiring two siblings overnight after nine years alone. Whatever it is, today it hit a fever pitch. The children have been squabbling about toys, turf, and tiddly stuff.

Since waking up on Monday morning, it’s been one roller coaster ride after another. A looooong drive, not sleeping in our own beds, lots of food, toys and presents, another looooong drive home, and more, more, more!!

Each meal... more

My dear friends Ron and Lisa both broke their backs two weeks ago in a vehicular accident with eight of their children. We have so much in common that we naturally became friends after meeting ten years ago. They have adopted 10 children, they homeschool, they regularly attend church, and their older children attended AWANA. I asked you to pray for them two weeks ago when I didn’t have much information about their injuries. They are both currently wearing their molded plastic torso casts, which are not very comfortable. (I speak from experience because I wore one for... more

Last Saturday I sent out an urgent plea for prayer partners for a special adoptive family. The entire family, other than adult children, was involved in an accident resulting in both parents having broken backs. The nine children, riding in the 15-passenger van, only suffered minor cuts and bruises. Many of you joined me in special prayer for them and some of you even took the request to your fellow prayer warriors so I wanted to give you an update.

The parents, Lisa and Ron, were released from the hospital in Pennsylvania on Monday. Their relatives brought them back... more

Friends in adoption, I am writing urgently to you, coveting your prayers for a fellow adoptive family. Previously, I have written blogs about a special adoptive family whom I love. They adopted two boys as newborns with Down syndrome through private paid adoptions. The boys are now five and six years old. Prior to those adoptions, they had adopted a sibling group of five children through the foster care system in our county. Last year they adopted four-year-old autistic twins from Oregon, whom I begged them to adopt. The twins have been in their home for just over a year.... more

Every first Wednesday of the month, instead of the usual mid-week Bible classes, the elders of the congregation we attend have set aside a special time to devote to congregational singing and practicing new songs, or songs we don’t know very well.

One of the elders is a retired music teacher, and he starts out with a brief session where he takes a few songs, breaks down the parts for everyone, or goes over some music theory to add meaning to the worship. For example last night we went over the song, Exalted, and he explained the mp, mf,... more

Yesterday you heard about the newly formed “Worthy Women Club”. Today, I’ll tell you about it’s male counterpart, “The Righteous Dude Organization.”

After forming the Worthy Women Club yesterday, “sissy” tried to form a club for her “bubbies” and called it the “Worthy Men Club.” It didn’t have quite the right ring for them, so I suggested the “Righteous Dude Organization” and it was met with enthusiasm, so it stayed!

As I predicted,... more

My daughter is captivated by the stories I tell of myself as a child. I was truly a Rude Girl - I was bossy, mouthy, bratty, spoiled and completely insensitive to the feelings of others.

My ADD was undiagnosed until I was an adult, so my childhood was spent in misery as a social outcast. So, on days like today, when nothing else is working with my daughter and I’m utterly defeated and thinking that nothing can be done about her many issues, I sit down with her, and in a very quiet voice, begin reminding her that I know how she feels because I was once A Very Angry... more

The last few days have seen a remarkable change for the better in all of my children:

We’ve embarked on a series of tweaks and adjustments with my daughter. Her insomnia, enuresis, encopresis and other issues due to her Post Traumatic Stress Disorder diagnosis led us to try various techniques with her to alleviate her stress and ours. We may have stumbled upon the “right” combination of ideas, or, as her symptoms are sometimes cyclical in nature, we’re just experiencing a “lull.”

As mentioned in a previous post,... more