Several weeks ago, my family took our summer vacation back to the small town in eastern Montana where I grew up. This was the first time I had been back since I moved away which meant that it was the first time my wife and children as well. For those of you whom have never been to eastern Montana, it is a beautiful but harsh land dominated by badlands and wheat fields. Towns are few and far between, and even the houses...
My husband and I just spent the last day and a half attending the local Tulip Festival with our 6-year-old and 3-year-old. I always start out on such excursions with a feeling of excitement and visions of a happy family of four enjoying the activities. There is no fighting or whining or complaining or disobedience. The children are cooperative and grateful for the fun and food that my husband and I provide. Then, the excursion begins. As we all get into...
Today is Mother’s Day. First off, to all of you moms and grandmother’s out there, thank you. Thank you for being the amazing blessing that you are. I pray that God blesses you in a special way today through the actions of your family and friends. Conveying gratitude on this subject is like trying to ask a lowly kazoo to recreate a full orchestra: words just simply do not go deep enough. How do you put into action this rawest of emotions...
This week I had the opportunity to listen to Dr. Kang from the University of Minnesota’s Adoption Clinic. Dr. Kang spoke about her work with children and families in post-adoption visits to the U of M clinic. An adoption clinic, such as the University of Minnesota, does not take the place of primary care for children but rather provides adjunct specialized care to children who have one thing in common: adoption. Domestic and international adoptees and their families receive care...
Chapter 9 – Ongoing Partnerships Summary “ [This is] the condition in which most of us begin: ignorant, isolated, and alienated from people who are unlike us. We are strangers who communicate differently, have difference cultures, eat different foods, enjoy different music, and see the world from different points of view. We are socialized to label these differences as inferior or superior, right or wrong, normal or abnormal, safe or dangerous, good or bad. We alienate ourselves from...
I’ve watched the development of Artyem Saviliev’s story with deep sorrow and concern–both for Artyem and for all the families whose children wait in Russia. Please pray much for all those involved in and affected by this tragedy. In addition to prayer,Joint Council suggests several others ways you can support adoptive families and children waiting in Russia (see below). I encourage you to consider advocating for our fellow adoptive families. We Are The Truth
There are times when my now 6-year old daughter desperately needs assurance. This often manifests itself in a question either about love ("Will you always love me?") or in a question about commitment ("If bad guys stole me, would you come find me?"). While she is very easily passified with my sincere and genuine answers (Nothing you could ever do would make me love you less and nothing you could ever do can make me love you more") and ("No...
Joint Council is pleased to confirm that the Adoption Tax Credit (ATC), which was scheduled to expire in 2010, was extended for one-year (through December 31, 2011). The highlights of the ATC are; The maximum credit was increased from $12,150 to $13,170, The ATC is now retroactive to January 1, 2010. This represents a potential increase of $1,000 for adoptive families. The ATC was made refundable. If a family has no tax liability, the IRS will refund...
It is once again time for my “Exploring Racial Justice” post. I’ve read the chapter, but have run out of energy for writing the post. It’s been a long week of sickness, stress at work, and water in the basement. I’m not asking for pity. Yesterday, I would have. But today, I am thankful for my many blessings. I am thankful for a husband that recognized my emotional outbursts...
In the book, "Disciplines of a Godly Man", the author R. Kent Hughes talks about the change in the personality of suburban architecture. Gone are the days when houses had large front porches where neighbors would gather to spend time together, sharing life’s experiences with each other. Today, the modern house is a castle where we retreat to the values of individualism, isolation, and privatization. In addition to the architecture, this can also describe our social interactions. Where once we...
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