We've now been home 6 months with our little one. I'm happy to report that I've not encountered any negative racial comments thus far. Living in a rural, Southern town, I was preparing myself in case the issue did/does occur. However, ironically, I have heard some comments from a few unsuspecting 3-year-olds who simply observed the difference of Elyza's eyes and theirs...and stated it very literally as most toddlers tend to do.
I think it's important to help our children, no matter what their age or race, to better communicate when identifying racial differences. The truth is, we adults probably take for granted our colorful human race, when our children are, in fact, just beginning to discover it. Multiracial Sky has a great post today on talking to your children about race. And I recommend the book Whoever You Are that I posted about earlier here. It always makes for a good birthday gift ;)
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Non-Toxic Cleaners
I'm in the midst of a battle with my shower. Here's a great site for home-made non-toxic cleaners.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Meditation
I'm thankful that I...
am free to worship, many are not
have clean water to drink, many do not
have food to eat, a bed to lie my head, and an education, many have not
have rights as a woman, many do not
have rights as a mother, many do not
am not persecuted for my differences, many are...
How can we, who live in plenty, make a difference in the lives of those living in want?
am free to worship, many are not
have clean water to drink, many do not
have food to eat, a bed to lie my head, and an education, many have not
have rights as a woman, many do not
have rights as a mother, many do not
am not persecuted for my differences, many are...
How can we, who live in plenty, make a difference in the lives of those living in want?
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Serving the Poor and Orphaned, Sharing God's Love
"my house takes in children and puppies as if they were flowers picked up on the side of the road. i believe that Jesus would have done the same, so i simply keep the doors open. while i have been away we acquired a new little girl named joyce to my house full of orphans. i was on the phone talking to joyce this morning and this is what she said: "thank you for food mommy. today i am still alive." my heart stopped."
"I believe that it is better to give yourself away and in the end feel that your heart is being ripped out of your chest than to guard yourself and forgo the pain. I have given everything I have – my life, my soul, myself. My heart is entangled in the lives of these children, this mess of poverty, this spiritual joy. I can actually physically feel the hurt in my heart, and as I kiss my daughters goodnight or feel a street kid’s tiny fingers wrap around mine it is almost more than I can bear. But I wouldn’t change a minute. If not being quite as involved, not loving with everything I have, not changing lives would eliminate this hurt of leaving, I would choose the pain."
I'm reading about Katie's journey to Africa. She's a young woman, serving God and the poor in Uganda by caring for orphans. She has established a ministry that is paying for the education of 150 children. Visit her blog. You'll be inspired by her heart for orphans. You can sponsor a child for just $300 a year.
Her Ministry:
Amazima Ministries in an organization based in Uganda, East Africa. We are striving keep these children alive, and not only that, but to give them life to the fullest. We want to educate the poorest of the poor here intellectually and spiritually. Today, Amazima Ministries shares Christ's love with 150 children, providing them with school fees, supplies, healthy meals, medical needs, and spiritual encouragement. We provide a home and a family for children who have never had the luxury of either. We provide encouragement physically, emotionally, and spiritually to those who need it most. We provide these children with truth. The truth of a bigger world through education, but more importantly the truth of a God who created them beautifully in His image, a God who loves them and values them and wants the best for them. These children have never known that kind of love. We would like to do more but we need your help. To ensure that these 150 children stay in school, stay cared for, stay alive each needs an individual sponsor . This is made possible for as little as $300.00 per year. If you can't sponsor a child at this time, maybe there is another way you can help. Skip two Starbucks coffees and a coke at lunch and that ten dollars can be used to provide a dying child with needed malaria medicine or provide a pregnant mother in the village with a birthing kit containing gloves, soap, a sterile razor blade and string to minimize the risk of infection and illness for her and her baby. Spread the word. Print a few of these forms and give them to someone who you think can sponsor a child. Pray. Hope. Believe that our world can be better. Together we can change the world and spread God's unending love to those in need.
"I believe that it is better to give yourself away and in the end feel that your heart is being ripped out of your chest than to guard yourself and forgo the pain. I have given everything I have – my life, my soul, myself. My heart is entangled in the lives of these children, this mess of poverty, this spiritual joy. I can actually physically feel the hurt in my heart, and as I kiss my daughters goodnight or feel a street kid’s tiny fingers wrap around mine it is almost more than I can bear. But I wouldn’t change a minute. If not being quite as involved, not loving with everything I have, not changing lives would eliminate this hurt of leaving, I would choose the pain."
I'm reading about Katie's journey to Africa. She's a young woman, serving God and the poor in Uganda by caring for orphans. She has established a ministry that is paying for the education of 150 children. Visit her blog. You'll be inspired by her heart for orphans. You can sponsor a child for just $300 a year.
Her Ministry:
Amazima Ministries in an organization based in Uganda, East Africa. We are striving keep these children alive, and not only that, but to give them life to the fullest. We want to educate the poorest of the poor here intellectually and spiritually. Today, Amazima Ministries shares Christ's love with 150 children, providing them with school fees, supplies, healthy meals, medical needs, and spiritual encouragement. We provide a home and a family for children who have never had the luxury of either. We provide encouragement physically, emotionally, and spiritually to those who need it most. We provide these children with truth. The truth of a bigger world through education, but more importantly the truth of a God who created them beautifully in His image, a God who loves them and values them and wants the best for them. These children have never known that kind of love. We would like to do more but we need your help. To ensure that these 150 children stay in school, stay cared for, stay alive each needs an individual sponsor . This is made possible for as little as $300.00 per year. If you can't sponsor a child at this time, maybe there is another way you can help. Skip two Starbucks coffees and a coke at lunch and that ten dollars can be used to provide a dying child with needed malaria medicine or provide a pregnant mother in the village with a birthing kit containing gloves, soap, a sterile razor blade and string to minimize the risk of infection and illness for her and her baby. Spread the word. Print a few of these forms and give them to someone who you think can sponsor a child. Pray. Hope. Believe that our world can be better. Together we can change the world and spread God's unending love to those in need.
Friday, July 11, 2008
China's Stolen Children: HBO Documentary on Child Trafficking
Click here to watch the Youtube films.
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Finding Birthparents in China
A Dutch family, who adopted a daughter from China a decade ago, were able to find their child's birthparents with the help of a journalist and a woman in China. The birthparents were interviewed so it's interesting to hear their story. The interview is translated here. A follow-up to the story on the birthparent and child reunion aired recently, but I'm still trying to locate it.
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
Music
My husband introduced me to Pandora Radio a free web-based radio in which you can listen to a mix of songs of the same genre, based on your favorite song or artist. I'm diggin' it! Perfect (indoor) summer pastime when it's too insanely hot to be outdoors...like today.
Monday, July 07, 2008
The Five Love Languages of Children
Several years ago, when we first started the adoption process, it was recommended to me by our homestudy social worker to read, The Five Love Languages of Children by Gary Chapman and Ross Campbell. I just got around to reading it a month ago. I must say, the concept of "love languages" offers brilliant insight into the way we as humans both give and receive love. The five love languages include: touch, words of affirmation, quality time, gifts, and acts of service. We each have a primary love language to which we best respond. Discovering your child's primary love language, in addition to using all the love languages, can open up a new door to your relationship. I learned so much from this book, and I highly recommend to anyone who is a parent to add this to your "must-read" list.
Thursday, July 03, 2008
Clever Photo Keepsake
Well, if this isn't the coolest thing ever?! What a clever way to keepsake your photos...turn them into a piece of modern artwork...and for a reasonable price too. Love it! Bravo, FatKat Design. Wish I'd thought of that!
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