Being a Forever Family

Day 15 – A picture of something you want to do before you die.

Few things I watch on TV make me tear up. In fact, I don't usually cry unless I'm crying selfishly when I'm upset or exhausted. But whenever I see a waiting kid on the Wendy's Wonderful Kids segment of the news, I get goosebumps and teary-eyed.

One thing that fascinates me most about God is how he designed the things we experience in "normal life" to reflect him, something he's done for us, how he sees us, how he desires that we journey here on earth. Adoption is a picture of his great love for us. We were strangers and he brought us into his home, we were helpless babies and he said he'd take care of us. He didn't invite us in to be slaves or work horses, but to be princes and princesses, receiving the full inheritance as adopted kids.

 Throughout the last decade of my life, this dream has grown in my heart. From seeing families I'm close with welcoming in kids, in searching Orphan Sunday resources, in recognizing the need for healthy foster and adoptive families, I know that I could be a part and make a difference. And this is something I want to do before I die.

Me Without You

Day 14 – A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without.

Ugh...I've been putting off this post since, well, the last time I posted. How do I choose one between all my family and friends? And if I really couldn't imagine my life without Jesus, how do I share that passionately and truthfully in words and a picture without it sounding completely trite?

What I do know is that without Jesus, I would be a hard, bitter cynic. I would be a hot mess, a quitter, and lost in life. Closed and insecure, judgmental. I'm so glad he is part of my life.

Wide Open Like A Lake

Day 13 – A picture of your favorite band or artist.

Bring the wind and bring the thunder. Bring the rain till I am tried. When it's over bring me stillness. Let my face reflect the sky. And all the grace and all the wonder of a peace that I can't fake wide open like a lake. 

My mom first brought me her CD some 9 years ago and we popped it in on a roadtrip. The tunes were all so new that it started to grate on me as we tried to visit. Mom was like, "Okay, okay, we don't have to listen to it." Such an interesting start for Sara and I because since then I have bought every album, listened to every interview, read each article, and can often be found shushing my friends or family when a favorite line comes on the tune box, adding "you have to listen to this...she's a genuis!" and offering all the inside, background scoop on the story behind the song. She has a telepathic way of reading the stirrings and longings of my heart and translating them into eloquent and intriguing story-song. She is amazing! I could rave about her and share my borderline obsession for hours. Have I convinced you to give her a listen yet?

For starters, go for these titles (some of my very favorites):
When It Was Over
You Are The Sun
Kingdom Comes
From This One Place
Different Kinds of Happy
Like A Lake
What I Thought I Wanted
Undone
I Saw What I Saw

Yes, listen. Please listen. She will change your life. ;)

Coming through the clouds

After bronchitis and spring break trip hiatus, I am back to the picture challenge!! (Blogging every day is much harder than one would think...I'm super impressed with people like the Pioneer Woman who often post several times a day.)

Day 12 – A picture of something you love

Today is a grey day. My roommate just informed me that rain is on the way. We spent the last week in Oak Harbor, WA where there were daily "sun breaks," meaning the sun would poke it's head out as a tease, then go right back to cloudy. I love sunshine.

I am thankful to live in Montana where the sun shines even through winter (allllll 9 months of it), and am even more thankful that winter is coming to an end, and warmer weather is on it's way, with spring, the promise of new life. To steal a line from the Beatles, "here comes the sun, do do do do!" I am a happy girl!

What's your deal?

Day 11 – A picture of something you hate

It started out as one of those days. I have been sick for a week with flu and bronchitis, so I've been trying to keep my chin up this week. But after waking up coughing, not being able to smell or taste anything, being irritated with the people around me for no reason and just feeling agitated in my own skin, I knew that I was CRABBY. 

I hate being crabby, I hate feeling "off," I hate feeling like I'm absolutely no fun. I know I could have gone into all the big things in the world I hate: poverty, injustice, exploitation of the weak, but since I woke up on the wrong side of the bed today, I thought this was fitting.

As I woke up from my nap, I had this thought: "naps prove that Jesus loves me." But then I realized it was a bit off and really, naps prove that Jesus loves my roommates. I was much happier waking up the second time today.

Jay Never

Day 10 – A picture of the person you do the craziest things with.

I've never been a crazy partier, or rule-breaking rebel, so this day doesn't apply in the full sense of what it is asking for. But I do have a friend I can completely let loose with...we are huge nerds.

There will always be photographs--sometimes fancy photo shoots, many times unflattering photos (perhaps 5am shots) which we wince at later wondering what we were thinking:

There will be parties, for any occasion. This one was a harvest party, mostly just so we could sing "Shine On, Harvest Moon!"

There will be acting: sometimes legitimate, sometimes the movie game, sometimes ridiculous voices or characters...lots of laughing.

There will be singing. Much singing, always singing, too much singing, sing, sing, song. It's what we do.

There will most likely be some sort of freakish gesture: a freak toe or expression, for Jenn, often a freak hand.

Jenn, you are TOO much fun! I love you!