Just recently we've had two very sweet girls give us money for our adoption. One little girl had a lemonade stand and told her mom she wanted to give the money she made to us. The other little girl took the money out of her piggy bank and also told her parents she wanted us to have it. My first instinct was to say no. I wanted to tell the parents how sweet it was for their children to think of us, but please let them keep their money. After that thought I was reminded that these children are giving from their heart. And, if I said no I would have crushed their spirit of giving.
Already at such a young age their heart of giving is enormous. I can be emotional, like, really emotional. I cry very easily and this was no exception. Their gift of giving reminded me so much of the woman Jesus talked about when she gave all that she had for her offering. She was a widow and gave everything she had. Jesus used this parable to show us how the rich gave the surplus of what they had, but the widow gave everything she had in the name of Jesus and that is exactly what these precious children did.
Often times our children teach us so much if we are just willing to learn from them. So many times we hear that we did such an amazing thing for Judah. It's hard for me to believe that for so many reasons. Because of Judah we have learned so much more than I could ever have imagined before we brought him home. God has used his adoption to teach us about His love for us. He has used adoption to teach us about unconditional love. He has used adoption to open our eyes to so much more beyond small town Iowa. I am more globally aware than I ever was before. I heard stories of what third world countries were like, but because of adoption we were able to experience it and because of it my heart will forever be changed.
God has a special place in His heart for children and it's so easy to see why. I think God uses our children to open our eyes, to be more receptive to what He is laying on their hearts because often times they are not over-analyzing things. They just go with what they are feeling.
Another example of a child's heart would be Hope. When Judah came home it was easy to say that our family was complete. We had our fourth child home. And, life was full. It wasn't long after Judah came home that Hope began praying for another sibling. I blew it off at first. After all, we'd only been home with Judah a short time, how could we possibly think about adding a fifth child? I just told her to keep praying for God's guidance on what He wanted for our family. She never let up. And, Jeremy's heart and my heart never closed on the idea of opening our home to another child. I knew it would seem crazy to most people to add a fifth, but really felt like God was using Hope to keep our hearts open to His will. I think Jeremy and I both knew all along that there was room for one more in our home, we just were too afraid to take that next step.
Maybe that's why I love kids so much. I want to be more like them in their faith. :) So, the next time your child says something to you that seems crazy, take a moment to really listen to them. They may be telling you something that God is laying on their heart. And, if you listen to them, you might just be surprised at how blessed you are because of what their heart is telling them.
Monday, August 26, 2013
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Happenings
So it's been awhile since I've been on here and written anything, but I do think Sarah has done a fabulous job, and as you can tell from her posts, we have had some really great discussions around here. I don't have anything profound or great to write about. I just thought I would give everyone an update of what's been happening around here.
All in all we had a really great summer. The first half of the summer was spent at many, many, many ball games. We had a couple of weeks off from anything and then headed up north with Sarah's family the end of July. It was a great week of fishing, biking, and lounging on the beach everyday. The best part about it, my father-in-law broke out his best disco moves and "tripped the light fantastic". In nine years of going there, this was the first time I've seen him break them out. In fact, I have never seen him dance at all! To wrap up the last two weeks of summer, Sarah found great deals on tickets to an I-cubs game and Adventureland. You would have thought we gave the kids a million dollars the way they talked about it the next day. Sarah is not much for roller coaster rides anymore, but Jake talked her into riding the Tornado.....twice! I got the pleasure of riding The Dragon. Hope tried The Outlaw, but decided she's more like her mom in the roller coaster area. This past weekend we took a trip to Galena, IL to go play with some of Judah's friends from the orphanage. You know how that goes, the women talk and the men play with the kids. I'm used to it! We really did have a great time with them and Judah loves seeing his friends.
You may see we have had some more donations come in. We have knocked off a lot of the bigger numbers, thanks to some anonymous donations. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts, whoever you are. If you would like to donate and be anonymous, you can send it to the Bethany office in Pella, and we will never know it was you. :) We are all finished with our home study meetings and waiting for our social worker to put it all together. After that we will be able to start on our dossier, which is a lot of paperwork. I feel somewhat bad. Last time I don't feel like I helped Sarah out with too much of it, but maybe I did. She was just always on top of it. During all of this we also need to take 30 hrs. of training. The first ten hours were finished while we were on vacation. Sarah and I took online classes whenever we could squeeze it in, yeah fun. Especially when it was the exact same thing we did when we adopted Judah.
So, other than school has started and I am coaching three soccer teams. There isn't much else to say. Though I really wish I had a picture of my father-in-law dancing, we will have to settle for this.
Which is exactly what he was wearing.
Rock on
J
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Race
When we were preparing to adopt, we immediately felt drawn to Africa. I know it was God who put that calling on our hearts. We both felt it. We knew we would be a transracial family. So, like I do with anything, I read up on how to handle being a transracial family. I went to a couple of classes taught by adults who grew up in transracial families. What I have learned is that even though I prepared as much as I could, I still didn't fully grasp it until we started living it.
We live in a fairly small community. We stand out. I will give you an example. One day my dad had Judah for awhile while I was working. He took Judah in with him to get an oil change on his car. While sitting in the lobby a guy approached my dad asking him questions about Judah. The guy then commented, "Oh, he must be the 'Smiths' son. I work with someone who goes to the church they go to and I heard about them adopting a boy from Ethiopia." So, even if we don't know people directly, they may know us.
And, for the most part, I feel like people have embraced us and supported us with his adoption. We have a 16 year old whose friends adore Judah and spoil him. Don't get me wrong, I think he's adorable. He's got a great smile, beautiful eyes that just shine (in fact, our social worker made that comment in one of his updates and I completely agree). But, what happens as he gets older? How do I prepare him for the fact that to some people, he may no longer be a cute little boy, but see him as a black man? People who will judge him based solely on his skin color (and, if you ever ask Judah, he is brown, not black). :)
Last night I watched the movie 42. It was pretty tough to watch. I cried throughout the movie, not a big ugly cry, but tears just streaming because I can't understand how people could be so cruel. There was a moment where Jackie walked off the field and sat in the dugout by himself after being called so many things by the opposing team's coach. Not one of his teammates came over to him to acknowledge that what had just happened was so wrong in so many ways. No one defended him. I just pictured Judah sitting there, all by himself with no one to comfort him and I just cried.
The hardest part for me is I'm going to have to teach him how to behave a certain way in certain situations just because he is a different color. I wish that wasn't the world we live in, but it is reality. People have made comments to me or in front of me about other races (stereotypes) without even thinking about me raising a child of a different race. It's hard and it hurts.
This is an area where I may not be equipped to teach him all that I need to. I pray daily that God gives me the wisdom when the time comes to have these conversations. I know we have come a long way as far as racism goes, but I'd be lying if I said it doesn't exist.
Sometimes I feel like Judah is sheltered living in this small town where people know us. When he grows up and moves on to college he won't be known as the "Smith" boy. He will have a new identity. When I took these classes that subject was addressed. A lot of kids who grow up in transracial families struggle when they go to college. They are trying to figure out who they really are. This is hard stuff. Stuff I thought I was prepared for, but now I know I have a lot of learning left to do.
One thing is for certain, I love this sweet, precious boy with all my heart and I will keep learning as much as I can because he is worth it!
We live in a fairly small community. We stand out. I will give you an example. One day my dad had Judah for awhile while I was working. He took Judah in with him to get an oil change on his car. While sitting in the lobby a guy approached my dad asking him questions about Judah. The guy then commented, "Oh, he must be the 'Smiths' son. I work with someone who goes to the church they go to and I heard about them adopting a boy from Ethiopia." So, even if we don't know people directly, they may know us.
And, for the most part, I feel like people have embraced us and supported us with his adoption. We have a 16 year old whose friends adore Judah and spoil him. Don't get me wrong, I think he's adorable. He's got a great smile, beautiful eyes that just shine (in fact, our social worker made that comment in one of his updates and I completely agree). But, what happens as he gets older? How do I prepare him for the fact that to some people, he may no longer be a cute little boy, but see him as a black man? People who will judge him based solely on his skin color (and, if you ever ask Judah, he is brown, not black). :)
Last night I watched the movie 42. It was pretty tough to watch. I cried throughout the movie, not a big ugly cry, but tears just streaming because I can't understand how people could be so cruel. There was a moment where Jackie walked off the field and sat in the dugout by himself after being called so many things by the opposing team's coach. Not one of his teammates came over to him to acknowledge that what had just happened was so wrong in so many ways. No one defended him. I just pictured Judah sitting there, all by himself with no one to comfort him and I just cried.
The hardest part for me is I'm going to have to teach him how to behave a certain way in certain situations just because he is a different color. I wish that wasn't the world we live in, but it is reality. People have made comments to me or in front of me about other races (stereotypes) without even thinking about me raising a child of a different race. It's hard and it hurts.
This is an area where I may not be equipped to teach him all that I need to. I pray daily that God gives me the wisdom when the time comes to have these conversations. I know we have come a long way as far as racism goes, but I'd be lying if I said it doesn't exist.
Sometimes I feel like Judah is sheltered living in this small town where people know us. When he grows up and moves on to college he won't be known as the "Smith" boy. He will have a new identity. When I took these classes that subject was addressed. A lot of kids who grow up in transracial families struggle when they go to college. They are trying to figure out who they really are. This is hard stuff. Stuff I thought I was prepared for, but now I know I have a lot of learning left to do.
One thing is for certain, I love this sweet, precious boy with all my heart and I will keep learning as much as I can because he is worth it!
Monday, August 5, 2013
Radical
I picked up Radical by David Platt at the local library to take on vacation. I know I've read the book before. I think it was around the time we sent our dossier off to Ethiopia for the first time. It is hard for me to believe that 3 years later as I re-read it I feel like I'm reading it for the first time. I read another book at the beginning of vacation that was a lot of food for thought, so I ended up putting off reading this one until we got home yesterday.
Just a few pages in and I started to feel something inside that isn't pretty. This book is making me examine who I am as a Christian. Am I really doing what Jesus asks of me? One passage from the book talks about how we as American Christians have begun to take the Jesus of the Bible and make him into someone that we are comfortable with. A Jesus who "doesn't mind our materialism". A Jesus who is "fine with nominal devotion that does not infringe on our comforts." A Jesus who "wants us to avoid danger altogether." Instead of molding us into Jesus' image we are molding Jesus into our image. Wow! The author then takes it a step further and says that we "may not actually be worshiping the Jesus of the Bible. Instead we may be worshiping ourselves." I don't know that I've ever looked at things that way before, but reading it and re-reading it makes me uncomfortable. It makes me examine my heart and I'm not sure I like what I see.
Another part early on in the book talks about how so many Christians think they will be getting into heaven just because they've accepted Jesus as their Savior, but in reality living as a Christian is so much more than that. And, he points out that you don't have to earn your way into heaven, but if you have Jesus in your heart you want to live differently for him. I think about the verse in Revelation that talks about being "lukewarm" and how Jesus would spit you out. How often am I "lukewarm"?
Another point Platt makes is that God purposely puts people in situations where they have to be completely dependent on Him so He can show His ability to provide for a person's needs in a way that no one else could. I often think of Judah's adoption and how God continually provided for us through the help of others and Jeremy and I both know it was only because of God that we were able to adopt Judah without taking on debt (that was what we prayed for because we were doing The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey at the same time). This time around we went and got a loan for "just in case". I now question if that was the right decision. By doing that was I saying that I didn't think God could provide the second time around? Am I not giving God enough credit to walk us through the process a second time? I will admit, I do worry whether we'll have to dip into that money. Jeremy reminds me all the time that if we do, we will walk away from it with a beautiful child. A child God created and one that needs the love of a family and that makes it worth it all.
Platt talks about how he decided to hold a Secret Church after he had attended underground hidden churches in India. He wondered if people would actually show up just to study the Word of God, there would be no "entertainment" value. Over 1,000 people showed up the first night, so they now regularly hold studies like this. I have wondered what it would be like to go back to the early church days and hold "house churches". Jeremy would certainly miss playing his guitar and I know I would miss singing the worship songs, but I can understand how sometimes those things can distract from what going to church is really about; learning more through God's word.
So, where does this book leave me now? I have not finished reading it. I'm still trying to digest the first 80 pages I've read. I think right now I have more questions running through my head than I do answers.
Have any of you read Radical? Any thoughts you care to share?
Sarah
Just a few pages in and I started to feel something inside that isn't pretty. This book is making me examine who I am as a Christian. Am I really doing what Jesus asks of me? One passage from the book talks about how we as American Christians have begun to take the Jesus of the Bible and make him into someone that we are comfortable with. A Jesus who "doesn't mind our materialism". A Jesus who is "fine with nominal devotion that does not infringe on our comforts." A Jesus who "wants us to avoid danger altogether." Instead of molding us into Jesus' image we are molding Jesus into our image. Wow! The author then takes it a step further and says that we "may not actually be worshiping the Jesus of the Bible. Instead we may be worshiping ourselves." I don't know that I've ever looked at things that way before, but reading it and re-reading it makes me uncomfortable. It makes me examine my heart and I'm not sure I like what I see.
Another part early on in the book talks about how so many Christians think they will be getting into heaven just because they've accepted Jesus as their Savior, but in reality living as a Christian is so much more than that. And, he points out that you don't have to earn your way into heaven, but if you have Jesus in your heart you want to live differently for him. I think about the verse in Revelation that talks about being "lukewarm" and how Jesus would spit you out. How often am I "lukewarm"?
Another point Platt makes is that God purposely puts people in situations where they have to be completely dependent on Him so He can show His ability to provide for a person's needs in a way that no one else could. I often think of Judah's adoption and how God continually provided for us through the help of others and Jeremy and I both know it was only because of God that we were able to adopt Judah without taking on debt (that was what we prayed for because we were doing The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey at the same time). This time around we went and got a loan for "just in case". I now question if that was the right decision. By doing that was I saying that I didn't think God could provide the second time around? Am I not giving God enough credit to walk us through the process a second time? I will admit, I do worry whether we'll have to dip into that money. Jeremy reminds me all the time that if we do, we will walk away from it with a beautiful child. A child God created and one that needs the love of a family and that makes it worth it all.
Platt talks about how he decided to hold a Secret Church after he had attended underground hidden churches in India. He wondered if people would actually show up just to study the Word of God, there would be no "entertainment" value. Over 1,000 people showed up the first night, so they now regularly hold studies like this. I have wondered what it would be like to go back to the early church days and hold "house churches". Jeremy would certainly miss playing his guitar and I know I would miss singing the worship songs, but I can understand how sometimes those things can distract from what going to church is really about; learning more through God's word.
So, where does this book leave me now? I have not finished reading it. I'm still trying to digest the first 80 pages I've read. I think right now I have more questions running through my head than I do answers.
Have any of you read Radical? Any thoughts you care to share?
Sarah
Saturday, August 3, 2013
Noonday Sample Sale
After viewing the fall line of Noonday, I need to sell some of my samples in order to purchase some new, lovely pieces. This is a great way to get in on the Noonday story without paying full price for an item. :) If you would like to purchase an item, please comment with what item you want and your email address. There will be a charge if I need to ship an item to you, but it will be minimal. If you have any questions, feel free to email me. Happy Shopping!!
Asymmetrical Earrings
Strike a powerful fashion statement with these stylized gold loops wrapped in red leather and graced with an asymmetrical trio of golden chains.
Regular Price: $34
Sale Price: $17 (plus shipping)
Ash and Cloud Scarf
Regular Price: $36
Sale Price: $18 (plus shipping)
SOLD
Dainty Everyday
Regular Price: $30
Sale Price: $15 (plus shipping)
SOLD
Dipped Scarf
Regular Price: $38
Sale Price: $19 (plus shipping)
Mukisa Necklace
Regular Price: $46
Sale Price: $23 (plus shipping)
SOLD
Nomadic Cuff
Want to add some originality to your look? This thin cuff is handmade by expert beaders in the Lago de Atilan region. The colors add punch, the design nods to the Native traditions of the Americas. The women work at home and go to a central house to get the beads that they need for the job. They are paid a fair wage for their work.
Regular Price: $48
Sale Price: $24 (plus shipping)
Cozy Knitted Bangle
A design of knitted alpaca wraps itself around a gourd bangle.
Regular Price: $30
Sale Price: $15 (plus shipping)
Coastal Bracelet
Ocean colored African market fabric wrapped around a wooden bangle.
Sale Price: $10 (plus shipping)
Zeway Earrings
Regular Price: $30
Sale Price: $15 (plus shipping)
SOLD
Mediterranean Sea Necklace
Mediterranean Sea-colored beads nestle inside several gold-threaded loops. Handmade by a fair trade artisan group in India that creates avenues of employment for the economically disadvantaged.
Regular Price: $38
Sale Price: $23 (plus shipping)
Asymmetrical Earrings
Strike a powerful fashion statement with these stylized gold loops wrapped in red leather and graced with an asymmetrical trio of golden chains.
Handmade by a fair trade artisan group in India that creates avenues of employment for the economically disadvantaged.
2.5" long. Composed of brass and suede. Brass will oxidize over time and tarnish with wear. Handle with care.
Regular Price: $34
Sale Price: $17 (plus shipping)
Ash and Cloud Scarf
Regular Price: $36
Sale Price: $18 (plus shipping)
SOLD
Dainty Everyday
Regular Price: $30
Sale Price: $15 (plus shipping)
SOLD
Dipped Scarf
Regular Price: $38
Sale Price: $19 (plus shipping)
SOLD
Mukisa Necklace
Regular Price: $46
Sale Price: $23 (plus shipping)
SOLD
Nomadic Cuff
Want to add some originality to your look? This thin cuff is handmade by expert beaders in the Lago de Atilan region. The colors add punch, the design nods to the Native traditions of the Americas. The women work at home and go to a central house to get the beads that they need for the job. They are paid a fair wage for their work.
Regular Price: $48
Sale Price: $24 (plus shipping)
Cozy Knitted Bangle
A design of knitted alpaca wraps itself around a gourd bangle.
These women who work with us are able to integrate knitting into their daily lives, and thus supplement their incomes. Every product is fully traceable including where we source, what are in the products, and who actually hand knits the items. All our designs are created as a collaborative effort.
3" diameter. Composed of hand knitted alpaca and gourd. Handle with care.
Regular Price: $30
Sale Price: $15 (plus shipping)
Coastal Bracelet
Ocean colored African market fabric wrapped around a wooden bangle.
Handmade by African Style, a group that Noonday Collection helped launch in Uganda.
2.75" Diameter. Composed of: African Market Fabric over Wood.
Regular Price: $20Sale Price: $10 (plus shipping)
Zeway Earrings
Regular Price: $30
Sale Price: $15 (plus shipping)
SOLD
Guapa Wrap Bracelet, Made in Equador
Regular Price: $26
Sale Price: $15 (plus shipping)
Mediterranean Sea Earrings
Mediterranean Sea-colored beads nestle inside a gold-threaded loop. Approximately 1-3/4" in diameter. Handmade by a fair trade artisan group in India that creates avenues of employment for the economically disadvantaged.
Regular Price: $32
Sale Price: $20 (plus shipping)
Sale Price: $20 (plus shipping)
Mediterranean Sea Necklace
Mediterranean Sea-colored beads nestle inside several gold-threaded loops. Handmade by a fair trade artisan group in India that creates avenues of employment for the economically disadvantaged.
Regular Price: $38
Sale Price: $23 (plus shipping)
French Knotted Cuff
Grey, black, and an unexpected pop of pink adorn this elegant leather cuff.
This bracelet was beaded by hand in the Lago Atitlan region of Guatemala. The women go to a central meeting point to receive the beads, then they create the pieces at home, with their children playing nearby. The women are paid by piece for their work and are able to support their families while still working from home.
2"W, Stretch. Composed of: Cotton, Seed Beads, Leather.
Regular Price: $44
Sale Price: $26 (plus shipping)
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