tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91015909584945789922024-02-19T11:04:29.532-06:00By His Sufficient GraceKeeperatHomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02992068393491062735noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9101590958494578992.post-68914036470136903142017-11-12T15:03:00.000-06:002017-11-12T16:29:41.845-06:00Pierced! Part One: How Did I Get Here?<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">It’s been 10 days since I had my
nose pierced. I know some people were
surprised that I would do it… hey, I even surprised myself! I am 44, after all! Am I having a mid-life crisis? Have I left the faith? Am I becoming worldly? I think the answer is No to all of the above. </span></div>
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Sean wanted this here... smh 😉</div>
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All my pictures are flipped, so the piercing is actually on my right, not my left.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">While I am not a stranger to
piercings (I have two in each ear and even once had a navel piercing), a nose
piercing wasn’t something that I had “always wanted to do”. In fact, years ago, I would have cast some
negative judgment when I saw a woman with her nose pierced. The Lord has forgiven me… I thank Him for
growth. Now, here I am with MY nose
pierced. Anyway, fast forward to what
brought me to this place. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I had been seeing more women with
nose piercings and my reasoning for wanting one was simply… drumroll please…
that I thought they were pretty. Probably,
the fact that Sean had agreed to let me do it was what most surprised people. The conversation went something like this:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Me: Hey Hon, I think I want to
get my nose pierced. What do you think?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Sean: I think, No.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Me: I’m not talking about
wearing anything big, just something small and subtle like {had to drop the
names of some respected nose-pierced friends} wear.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Sean: Okay, then go ahead.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">See, that didn’t take long! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Next, came about a week’s worth of prayer and </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">research.</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I read many articles and watched a number of
Youtube videos, even the ones of people getting theirs pierced.</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Yeah, that was enough to make me want to run
the other way, but I soldiered on.</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I know some godly women who look lovely with their nose piercings.</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Before taking the plunge, I consulted with
two such lovely ladies, asking them questions about their experiences – how long
have you had them, why did you get one, how do you care for it, what do you do
when you have to blow your nose…. all the important stuff.</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Thank you, A & D!</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> ~In Christ, Talya</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Next: <a href="https://byhissufficientgrace.blogspot.com/2017/11/pierced-part-two-so-then-what.html" target="_blank">Pierced! Part Two: So, Then What?</a></span></span></div>
KeeperatHomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02992068393491062735noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9101590958494578992.post-79596919680172742552017-11-12T14:53:00.000-06:002017-11-12T22:10:10.242-06:00Pierced! Part Two: So, Then What?<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I read reviews of all the local piercing establishments and settled on
the place that had the highest ratings, Sadu Body Modifications. One neat thing is that they ONLY do piercings,
so they should really know what they’re doing.
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Looks like a place of horrors, really! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Sean took me to get it done. The
building looked a little, uh, <i>unique</i>
on the outside, but it was clean, though dimly lit, on the inside. At that point, Sean was more enthusiastic
than me, wanting me to get a larger, red or green jewel. But, hey, I have to keep it in for at least
the next 6 months without changing it, so I needed a more neutral color! I settled on a small (still a little larger
than I originally wanted) champagne-colored jewel. The metal is titanium. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I was the only customer there, so once the “master piercer” arrived and
sterilized my jewelry, I was led into what looked like a small, very bright, doctor’s
exam room. My piercer, Dianna, was friendly
and professional. She put a dot on my
nose to see if the placement was how I wanted it, then she had me lie on the
exam table. You know that paper stuff
dentists clip around you as a sort of “bib” when you get a cleaning? Dianna poked a hole in a piece of that “paper”
and fit it over my nose so that my nose was exposed for her to see, but the
rest of my face was covered. I felt her
manipulating my nose, then she told me I would feel a small pinch, then a
harder one. I don’t think she counted
down or anything, but she did tell me to take a deep breath and let it out.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Next thing I knew, it felt like my right nostril was being squeezed with
pliers by a very, very strong man for three seconds. In reality, Dianna placed a clip on my
nostril then stuck a needle though the holes in the clip and through my
nostril. She removed the clip, leaving
the needle stuck there while she gathered the jewelry. Surprisingly, the pain only lasted the three
seconds it took her to get the needle through.
After she placed the jewelry, my nose was sore, but just barely.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Since then, I’ve been cleaning the piercing with saline twice per day and
trying not to touch it or get it bumped or snagged by anything or anyone. Apparently, it is easy for these piercings to
become inflamed, often creating a little bump near the piercing site. At this moment, my piercing is not sore at
all, but I am to keep up the cleaning and hands-off regimen for the next 6
months. I wish I knew all this stuff
when I had my navel piercing. Maybe I would
have cared for it better and kept it longer.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm4JUlH4HBqT-nb9RkMNVyfGPHYnm8RVE0ytlIlRvhugiFmbLztoUgFB4NqBbKG5KPTDXOhaNVdG7JkyIUREyzOXvv98tD__-4mB-D6KdeyqF8SsYSpBFlmXlcaR6BxE2D0swO7Ub-WCLT/s1600/20171111_151237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm4JUlH4HBqT-nb9RkMNVyfGPHYnm8RVE0ytlIlRvhugiFmbLztoUgFB4NqBbKG5KPTDXOhaNVdG7JkyIUREyzOXvv98tD__-4mB-D6KdeyqF8SsYSpBFlmXlcaR6BxE2D0swO7Ub-WCLT/s320/20171111_151237.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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All my pictures are flipped, so the piercing is actually on my right, not my left.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I like my piercing. At ten days
in, I don’t regret getting it done. I
have received a positive response to the piercing from family and friends. Perhaps, those who disapprove have chosen to
remain silent or haven’t said anything yet – I respect that. ~In Christ, Talya</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Next: <a href="https://byhissufficientgrace.blogspot.com/2017/11/pierced-part-three-youre-christian-right.html" target="_blank">Pierced! Part Three: You're a Christian, Right?</a></span></div>
KeeperatHomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02992068393491062735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9101590958494578992.post-87771835102035209392017-11-12T14:52:00.000-06:002017-11-12T15:11:15.192-06:00Pierced! Part Three: You're a Christian, Right?<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What about God’s Word? While I do not believe there to be an express
prohibition on all tattoos or body piercings, I consider it a matter of
conscience to be taken prayerfully before the Lord. One’s heart’s motive for doing anything is
critically important. We should do all
things for the glory of the Lord (1 Corinthians 10:31). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Further, I had to consider
whether I was seeking to exalt my outer adornment as cautioned against in 1
Peter 3:3-4. To that end, I purposely
chose a small nose stud. From a short
distance, you can’t see it, and apparently, some people don’t even notice it
when I am standing two feet away from them!
LOL! This article, <a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-nose-rings.html" target="_blank">"What does the Bible say about nose rings/getting a nose ring?"</a>, </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">was helpful. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Do I see my piercing as a gateway
into a mission field? No more than
anything else. If the Lord chooses to
use it, perhaps to strike up a conversation to share what He has done in my
life, then I hope to be submitted and respond obediently. In the same way, I don’t see long hair, short
hair, or my two sets of ear piercings as serving a distinct purpose of
evangelism. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I hope this three-part
series gave insight into my new nose piercing.</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I am a newbie, but if you have any questions about the early days of a
nose piercing, comment below or message me and I can share what I’ve experienced.</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: large;">~In Christ, Talya</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">All my pictures are flipped, so the piercing is actually on my right, not my left.</span></span></div>
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KeeperatHomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02992068393491062735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9101590958494578992.post-74783676975822580252017-10-07T19:49:00.005-05:002017-10-07T19:50:40.601-05:00On the Road Again: Aren't Five Children Enough?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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If we are blessed to adopt again, this child or children will bring the number of children in our home to six or more. Frankly, we do not have have a set number of children we feel we should have in our family. We are allowing the Lord to determine that. There is no guarantee that we will adopt successfully again, so the Lord could certainly close the door, telling us that our five earthly blessings (in addition to our four babies in heaven) are enough. We are prayerful either way.<br />
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Psalm 127:3-5 says that "children are a heritage from the Lord" -- "a reward", "like arrows". A man is blessed whose quiver is full of these "arrows". I don't know about you, but we are grateful for any gift the Lord deems a reward, including children.<br />
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If we were still able to have children biologically, we would have desired and been open to any number of blessings directly from my womb as much as we are open to children through adoption. We had decided that early on in our marriage. So our desire to adopt another child is not a far stretch for us. Honestly, it's a supernatural work of the Lord because I have never had dreams of a house full of children. I didn't like babysitting. I do not scramble to hold other people's babies. I am by no means a "kid magnet".<br />
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So, the short answer to the question, "Aren't five children enough?", is that we have no idea -- it's whatever the Lord decides. If we believe the Lord is prompting us to direct our support to other families' adoptions rather than our own, then that's what we'll do. If we feel the Lord is telling us to direct our energies elsewhere we will do so. If a birth mother does not choose us, then we cannot adopt through that means. The Lord may have us wait a few more years, and welcome another older child into our home. He may bless us with twins -- who knows? We are trying to be open, ready, and willing for whatever He has in store for us. ~In Christ, Talya<br />
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<br />KeeperatHomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02992068393491062735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9101590958494578992.post-45946900733765481972017-09-14T09:01:00.001-05:002017-09-14T09:01:08.779-05:00On the Road Again: WHY? Just WHY?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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No, I don't mean some fantastic road trip across country, seeing the sights... though that would be really fun. As I posted on Facebook last week, we're on the road to adoption once again. Yes, we are hoping to welcome a third...or fourth..or... child into our family via adoption. <br />
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You may have a few questions: Aren't five children enough? Aren't you and Sean, uh, getting up there in age? Will it be another baby or an older child? Don't you ever look forward to having an empty nest? WHY? Just WHY?<br />
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I'll start with the last question first then answer the others in upcoming posts. <br />
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We do this because we believe we are called to walk out God's command to care for the fatherless in this way (James 1:27). So many scripture passages give testimony to God's love for the orphan (Psalm 68:5; Job 29:12; Psalm 10:14). However, while not everyone is called to adopt, we are all called to care for the fatherless, and this is our way of doing that. We desire to open our hearts and our home to a child who needs the love and security of a forever family. We want to share the Gospel with a child, so that he or she will one day come to faith in Christ and share that faith with others, including his/her birth family. <br />
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SO MANY children are in need of Christian families to love and care for them. SO MANY. Seriously. In this country alone, over 100,000 children in foster care are freed for adoption, awaiting their forever family (https://www.adoptuskids.org/meet-the-children/children-in-foster-care/about-the-children). These children are free, meaning the birth parents' parental rights have already been terminated. Some wait and wait and wait and eventually age out of foster care, left without the intimate support system of a family that many of us take for granted. <br />
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On the other hand, each year over 18,000 infants are found adoptive homes through private domestic infant adoption programs (https://www.adoptivefamilies.com/how-to-adopt/domestic-adoption-myths-and-truths/). Even so, there is still a need for adoptive parents, specifically Black couples, who are willing to throw their hats in the ring. Too often, Black birthmothers who seek Black parents for their child are unable to choose a Black family because the agency does not have any on their list of waiting families. We hope to fill some of that void even if it's just in one agency. <br />
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Maybe the Lord is calling you to do the same. Please prayerfully consider it. The Lord uses us as His hands and feet in this broken world. The children need you! ~In Christ, Talya<br />
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COMING SOON: Aren't Five Children Enough?<br />
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<br />KeeperatHomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02992068393491062735noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9101590958494578992.post-76069507458996144302016-12-17T21:51:00.000-06:002016-12-17T22:44:44.761-06:0010 Years Ago... Our Italian Adventure Began<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">View of Vicenza, Italy from Monte Berico</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Today marks exactly 10 years since Arielle, Rachel, and I boarded the first airplane on our journey to join Sean in Vicenza, Italy. It was the girls' first flight. All of us were giddy with excitement. I mean seriously... Italy? Italian food... beautiful scenery... fertile soil to grow something, anything... learning Italian... jet-setting through Europe. At least, those were the things I was thinking about. The girls were most excited about the plane ride. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">At our gate at BWI, waiting to board our plane</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Arielle, age 5, was my little trooper, pulling luggage while carrying her own backpack. Rachel, though only 2, did me the greatest service she could have ever done -- she did not pee in her seats when she fell asleep during the flights. I can't tell you how anxious I was about this. I watched that child like a hawk when she went to sleep, like I would see some sign before the deed was done. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">On the plane and Rachel is asleep. Yes, I watched her to make sure there were no accidents in the seat! </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Until I fell asleep, of course. :-)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We flew from Baltimore-Washington International Airport to O'Hare (Chicago) to Heathrow (London). After a 6 hour layover, we flew our last leg to Vicenza. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I must note that the only thing I remember from that last flight was the flight attendant <i>beginning</i> the seat belt demonstration. The next thing I remember was the announcement to tell us we were approaching Vicenza. The same flight attendant kindly watched me as I awoke in a sleepy haze, smiled, and remarked in her British accent, "You must be at the end of a long journey." Little did she know that the journey was just beginning...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Sean and the girls on the playground behind our house the day after we arrived </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Overall, our stay in Italy was bittersweet for me. It was mostly sweet in that we met some wonderful people, grew in the Lord, saw so many beautiful places, ate delicious food, and added our precious Josiah to our family. The bitter part was not really Italy's fault... Italy just happened to be the backdrop of a life-altering health crisis. We ended up leaving six months early, after two-and-a-half years.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I could post so many pictures of people and places and write chapters and chapters about our experiences, but I won't do that this time. However, I will share photos of but a few of the wonderful people we met during our first six months in Italy: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Erika (right) and her family had us over for Christmas dinner. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">They had arrived in Italy only a few weeks earlier.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Ja'Net, me, April at Palladio Mall</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Laura and Liam</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Davis Family when there were only three of them!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Sean and Terry in Genoa</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Karol and I on our way to Venice</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Pastor Drylie from Vicenza Baptist, the first church we attended</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Here we are on our way to Venice and the Peggy Guggenheim Museum.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Heck Family</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It's hard to believe ten years have gone by already. Sometimes it seems like yesterday that we were exploring downtown Vicenza. Then at other times, it seems like it was a lifetime ago, a dream. I am grateful to the Lord for sending us to Italy. He taught us MANY, MANY (did I say, MANY?) lessons. Our time there was truly once-in-a-lifetime. In Christ, Talya</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>KeeperatHomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02992068393491062735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9101590958494578992.post-87550787532513667062016-03-07T20:18:00.001-06:002016-03-08T08:20:36.586-06:00Why I Vote... or Don't Vote... the Way I Do<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 115%;">I did not vote in the last two presidential
elections. There, I said it. I am not ashamed. No need to blame me for the state of the
country. No need to attempt to convince
me that I am obligated to vote because our ancestors fought for the right or I
have a biblical responsibility. I
appreciate the right, am very conscious of it, and do not take voting lightly –
that’s why I did not vote.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 115%;">I want to make it clear that I am not “anti-voting”
on its face. I do not believe that
anyone should haphazardly withdraw from the political process without any
thought. However, I am
anti-irresponsible voting. I am
anti-uninformed voting. I am anti-race-based
voting. I am anti-party-based
voting. As a Christian, I am
anti-throw-Biblical-principles-to-the-wind voting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 115%;">I did not vote in the last two elections because I
could not in good conscience vote for either candidate. My criteria for choosing a candidate is very
simple. During any election season, I look to
scripture, particularly Exodus 18, to guide my decision-making. In chapter 18, Moses had been acting judge
over all the people of Israel and was becoming overwhelmed by the magnitude of
the job. His father-in-law Jethro
counseled his weary son-in-law to appoint other men to judge the smaller matters,
thus lightening Moses’ workload. Jethro
advised Moses of the kind of men he should seek out for the job: “<i>Moreover, look for<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>able</b>
men from all the people, men who <b>fear
God</b>, who are <b>trustworthy</b> and <b>hate a bribe</b>, and place such men over
the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.” (Exodus 18:21)<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span 115="" 14pt="" font-family:="" font-size:="" imes="" line-height:="" new="" roman="" serif="" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I look for a candidate
who professes faith in Christ and whose life, voting record, and platform
support that profession. I look at his
stances on issues that I believe reflect an understanding of the character of
God. I am less concerned with who will
put the most money in my pocket than who will uphold biblical principles
concerning such issues as the sanctity of life.
I also expect the candidate’s faith to be important to him and that it should
be apparent -- not a hidden aspect of his life.
If his positions are not based on faith in Christ, no matter how closely
they mirror what I may believe to be biblical, I cannot trust that he will not
change his mind on an issue with the blowing of the wind. There is no sure foundation for what he
believes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span 115="" 14pt="" font-family:="" font-size:="" imes="" line-height:="" new="" roman="" serif="" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I look for a
trustworthy candidate. I can only see so
much of a candidate’s private life, but
what I am able to see should be marked by integrity. Perfection?
No. General integrity? Yes. In
his public life, I look for consistency in standing for Biblical
principles. I would also expect him to
deal honestly in his personal and professional business. If he cannot be trusted in his daily affairs,
how can he be trusted to run our country?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span 115="" 14pt="" font-family:="" font-size:="" imes="" line-height:="" new="" roman="" serif="" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Finally, is he capable
of the job? Has he shown leadership
abilities or does he seem to buckle under pressure? Does he have knowledge of the issues he will
be required to confront, or has he surrounded himself with trusted advisors to
help with the learning curve? Is he a
biological male and identifies as such… yes, that’s where I must go in my
specificity. I would not support a
woman, especially one who is charged with caring for a husband and children, in
a presidential election. I will leave it
at that or this post will be much, much longer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span 115="" 14pt="" font-family:="" font-size:="" imes="" line-height:="" new="" roman="" serif="" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">If I look at the field
of candidates and find these qualities missing, I do not vote.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span 115="" 14pt="" font-family:="" font-size:="" imes="" line-height:="" new="" roman="" serif="" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I do not vote for the
“lesser of two evils”, as I hope to never knowingly vote for an “evil” be they
lesser or not.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span 115="" 14pt="" font-family:="" font-size:="" imes="" line-height:="" new="" roman="" serif="" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I do not see my vote as
a vote against another candidate. By
that I mean, I do not think, “Well, I don’t really support either candidate A
or candidate B, but I will go ahead and vote for B because I am really voting
against A.” Umm, no, you are casting
your vote in SUPPORT of candidate B.
Votes are not counted as votes AGAINST a candidate but as votes FOR a
candidate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span 115="" 14pt="" font-family:="" font-size:="" imes="" line-height:="" new="" roman="" serif="" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I am a conscience
voter, not a strategic voter. If I vote
for a candidate, it is because I can do so with a clear conscience, whether
they have a snowball’s chance to win or not.
If I vote, I try to vote in way that I believe would please the Lord according
to the knowledge that I have at the time.
I do not look at the statistics and try to figure out how my vote for a
candidate who has little chance of winning the nomination will affect the
chances that an opposing candidate will achieve the nomination. I no longer have the brain power for such
mental gymnastics, nor do I have a desire for such. If the Lord were to ask me about my voting
record, I don’t think he’ll ask me why I didn’t vote for the winning
candidate. I think He would ask me if I
voted for a candidate who upheld His principles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span 115="" 14pt="" font-family:="" font-size:="" imes="" line-height:="" new="" roman="" serif="" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Will I vote this
election cycle? Possibly. Because we are now settled in our new state,
with no moves on the horizon, I am more inclined to consider voting in the
primary, as well as the local elections.
Honestly, I never paid the primaries much attention, and by the time the
general election would roll around, the two candidates were not suitable, so I
would decline to vote. This time I may
indeed vote in the primary. I have until
March 15<sup>th</sup> to figure it out.
However, as I look at the present delegate count, I have a feeling I
won’t be voting in the general election.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 115%;">I think this election season has brought many people
to the point where they are truly considering not voting. I say pray for those who do vote, pray for
the candidates, pray for our country,
and press on. Let no one shame
you or guilt you into going against your conscience. Let no one imply that you are not fulfilling
your civic or biblical duty. I say, “Poppycock!” Romans 13:1 tells us that God appoints who He
wants in authority and isn’t thwarted by anyone’s vote or lack thereof – “<i>Let
every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority
except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 115%;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As believers, we
must rest in the comfort that God is sovereign over all, including who will be
our next president. We must take comfort
that whatever He accomplishes through this election will be for His
purpose. Let us be obedient in walking
righteously before God and before all men, choosing that which is pleasing to
God. In Christ, Talya</span>KeeperatHomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02992068393491062735noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9101590958494578992.post-45657592655180102912015-11-12T21:39:00.001-06:002015-11-12T21:46:28.953-06:00Finalization, Here We Come!The Lord has honored our prayer that Beautiful Girl's adoption finalization process would proceed smoothly and quickly -- specifically before we move out of the state! We are on track to finalize her adoption next Saturday, November 21!!!! It will take place at a hands-on science center as part of a National Adoption Day event. When I found out, I enthusiastically told BG that she would officially be part of the family. She looked at me and matter-of-factly stated, "I'm already officially part of the family." I chuckled inside because yes, she IS so much part of our family.<br />
<br />
I know so many of you have been praying for us. THANK YOU!!!!!!! I am so grateful for your prayers and ask that you please continue to pray as we finalize the adoption, continue to adjust as a family, prepare to move 1000 miles away, and transition to a new state. Whew! That's a lot for us to handle, but God can handle all of it as we surrender our fears, anxieties and doubts to Him. ~In Christ, Talya<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"><i><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">I can do all things </span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-29439A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29439A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">through him who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13</span></i></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"><i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><i><span class="versenum" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; text-align: start; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"> "</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-29432A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29432A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; text-align: start; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;">do not be anxious about anything, </span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-29432B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29432B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; text-align: start; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;">but in everything by prayer and supplication </span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-29432C" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29432C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; text-align: start; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;">with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. </span></span></i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"><i><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">And </span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-29433L" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29433L" title="See cross-reference L">L</a>)" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">the peace of God, </span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-29433M" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29433M" title="See cross-reference M">M</a>)" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;">Philippians 4:6</span></i></span></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"><i><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"><i><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"><i><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"><i><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
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<br />KeeperatHomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02992068393491062735noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9101590958494578992.post-59018499612922534982015-10-15T13:00:00.002-05:002015-10-15T15:07:54.284-05:00Months of Transition<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4A2OCXmGbuzfxo_wMK-HbLvHirpaHCrpg28xu9mb8nhL8jA-4hMVFOenCF-obNn7niVqu63_qHMw0EMGAL0lfwHG7TQzMl2copZRgBB7mKqz0k0P4VBqPHLKl5LTiohyphenhyphenHwOQl_YVyRVzI/s1600/DSC00518revised.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4A2OCXmGbuzfxo_wMK-HbLvHirpaHCrpg28xu9mb8nhL8jA-4hMVFOenCF-obNn7niVqu63_qHMw0EMGAL0lfwHG7TQzMl2copZRgBB7mKqz0k0P4VBqPHLKl5LTiohyphenhyphenHwOQl_YVyRVzI/s320/DSC00518revised.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BG and Arielle standing for life</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
This update is mainly for people to whom I have not spoken in the past several months. <br />
<br />
BG did indeed move in on June 5. While we were blessed to have the summer to work on the adjustment and build relationships, the journey continues and will continue for a while. I'm thinking it takes a year or more to really hit the stride of being a cohesive family, depending on the people and the circumstances. Nonetheless, the Lord has shown us so much grace so far.<br />
<br />
BG fits so well into our family. For the most part, the children are getting along the way most siblings do. They like spending time together. Every night the girls' room (all three sleep in the same room) is still like a slumber party. Many nights involve stern reminders to "GO TO SLEEP!!!!!" <br />
<br />
Are there tough times? Yes, there are. I can only imagine what it's like for BG to have to find her place in an already-established family, with its own rules, values, dynamics, expectations. She's once again had to leave behind the people, places, and things she had come to know. She's had to change her way of doing some things. By far, she has had to make the most adjustment. The other children experience their own growing pains as well. They sometimes don't understand why BG is given latitude in some areas. They have struggled with how to deal with conflict with BG.<br />
<br />
As parents, Sean and I have had to choose our battles, acknowledging that some things aren't all that important. On the other hand, we've had to learn what our non-negotiables are and stick with them. Only over time have I gotten to know that BG actually likes rules and boundaries. She likes to know explicitly what is expected of her. She sometimes struggles with expressing herself, but she understands the need to do so and is working hard to communicate even when she doesn't really want to. <br />
<br />
One of the most wonderful things about BG is that she loves the Lord and wants to please Him. She was saved while with her foster mother. It's a joy to see her reading her Bible. She soaks it all in when Sean talks about Scripture during our Bible time. In August, she decided she wanted to be baptized out of obedience to the Lord. It was a precious moment to share with her.<br />
<br />
BG's caseworker comes out every month for a home visit. I <i>think </i>we are still on track to finalize in late November/early December. They were supposed to file the Consent to Adopt at the end of September, but they realized they did not have BG's birth records, which are necessary for the filing. They now need to request them. This will delay things. How much? I have no idea. We are planning to move back East late December or very early January, so I hope finalization comes before then. Please join us in prayer that it will be so. Trying to move before finalization has its own complexities that we would like to avoid, if possible. ~In Christ, Talya <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." ~John 14:18</i></div>
KeeperatHomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02992068393491062735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9101590958494578992.post-85327499386159939552015-06-03T17:23:00.002-05:002015-06-04T10:19:41.613-05:00Move-In Day is Coming!We just learned that Beautiful Girl (BG) will be moving in this Friday, June 5. I am thrilled and slightly overwhelmed. Yes, we'd been looking forward to move-in and had a ballpark time frame, but we thought we would have more than two days' notice of the exact date. In fact, BG just left our house this afternoon after an extended weekend visit. She won't learn of the move date until she gets back home in an hour or so. <br />
<br />
We just completed our eighth weekend visit. All the visits have gone better than I anticipated. The Lord is definitely orchestrating this transition and our adjustment. I still have some parenting issues to work out. I've let some small things slide with BG. This past weekend, I had to apologize for presenting a false, more laid back view of myself. I had been treating her more like a weekend visitor than the daughter that she is.<br />
<br />
BG and the other children have been getting along well. She, Arielle, and Rachel have a lot in common and could stay up late every night talking and laughing. BG loves taking care of Isaiah. She and Josiah sometimes butt heads, but in the end, I think there's affection there. It's a work in progress.<br />
<br />
This is just the beginning of our family's journey together. The journey is a complex one. Please continue to pray for us. We anticipate to finalize BG's adoption at the end of the year. ~In Christ, Talya<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>"<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">We love because he first loved us." ~1 John 4:19</span></i></span></div>
KeeperatHomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02992068393491062735noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9101590958494578992.post-44695603059445323142015-04-03T11:05:00.004-05:002015-06-03T17:24:15.211-05:00Overdue Update<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thank you for your prayers, friends! The Lord certainly honored them and worked in ways only He could. </span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Our meeting with Beautiful Girl (BG) on Saturday went very well -- way beyond our expectations. When we were getting out of the van, she and her foster mother burst out the front door, yelling "HI!!!!!!!" I was pleasantly surprised to say the least. By all accounts, BG is extremely reserved - polite, but reserved and quiet. She is just so, but she smiled, responded to questions, and even asked a few of her own.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Her foster mother (FM), a godly woman, was such a blessing in that she bridged the gap between BG and us. Her FM reminds me of Sean in that she's friendly, vocal, and outspoken for the Lord. She instantly put us at ease and undoubtedly helped give BG greater comfort. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We were blessed to meet BG's brother near the end of our visit. It was a joy to see BG light up when he arrived. Their bond was undeniable as she jumped on his back, laughed, and passed notes back and forth. :-) Her brother is a very nice young man that we look forward to getting to know better.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">More praises: On Friday, when we read BG's file for 5 hours (with a lunch break in between), the Lord was at work in keeping Isaiah contented and occupied. This had been a big concern of mine. First, we were in a conference room with a big table and audio-visual equipment. Although Isaiah could walk around, there wasn't much more for him to do, so it was looking like Sean would probably have to take him outside. About 35 minutes into the file read, someone advised the caseworker that there had been an error in the conference room reservation and we would have to move to another room -- a visitation room! The unanticipated room change was an answer to prayer because the visitation room contained lots of toys. It was the perfect place to keep Isaiah busy while we read.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Finally, an ultimate praise goes to the Lord for the beautiful baptisms of Arielle, Rachel & Josiah on Sunday. It's always a blessing to witness this act of obedience to the Lord.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Please continue to pray, as we will have day visits with BG in her hometown, tomorrow and Sunday. This will be her first time meeting the three older children and her first time alone with our family. Thank you!</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb-6PGzPSucSi3e0nb0Iq5-0ULUrYis19llbSHzHTE-cjuOMlhT1gmZi-vcOoCzBFqYe-p7409Ckp3Wu9_vY6w6MhOL0uCixycaf8dqAHB81Zfvx6y0rxOmAU6AMQ35Zfus2bDTl4znq5I/s1600/DSC09642.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb-6PGzPSucSi3e0nb0Iq5-0ULUrYis19llbSHzHTE-cjuOMlhT1gmZi-vcOoCzBFqYe-p7409Ckp3Wu9_vY6w6MhOL0uCixycaf8dqAHB81Zfvx6y0rxOmAU6AMQ35Zfus2bDTl4znq5I/s1600/DSC09642.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arielle, Josiah, & Rachel with their certificates of baptism</td></tr>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i> "Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." ~Romans 6:4</i></span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In Christ, Talya </span></div>
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KeeperatHomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02992068393491062735noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9101590958494578992.post-89366573033537378102015-03-26T22:30:00.000-05:002015-03-28T09:02:38.868-05:00Readings, Meetings, & Baptisms, Oh My!So many exciting things are going on for us this weekend! <br />
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First, we will read Beautiful Girl's (BG) file at the agency tomorrow. We'll be able to see everything the agency has about her since she entered care -- i.e. reasons for entering care, biological family history, medical history, placement history, etc. Sean and I will be note-taking crazy-people, since we can't make copies of anything, and this is several hour event. <br />
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Second, on Saturday morning, we will finally get to meet BG face-to-face!!!! I am so excited and really nervous. I want to say the right thing and do the right thing. BG is already anxious and afraid, and we don't want to make it worse. We'll get to spend a couple hours with her at her foster home, and we'll meet one of her brothers. I want BG to love us, but love takes time, and it may never manifest in the way I would like it to. What matters most is that we love her with no expectation of reciprocity. We must love her with a supernatural love that comes only through Christ.<br />
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Third, Arielle, Rachel, and Josiah are being baptized on Sunday! I praise the Lord that they have all made professions of faith over the past few years. In the past, Sean and I have been cautious about moving forward with baptism. We somehow felt it was our place to ferret out false conversion by seeking some unknown number of fruits of repentance in our children. We've learned that our approach was promoting a works-based righteousness -- the opposite of what we find in scripture (see Ephesians 2:8-9). God knows the heart and who truly belongs to Him and who doesn't; He doesn't need my help to figure it all out.<br />
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If you think of us in the next few days, please pray for us:<br />
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<ul>
<li>safety as we travel out-of-town </li>
<li>peace in the home of the sweet family that is caring for Arielle, Rachel, & Josiah</li>
<li>that we will be able to take notes on the critical information in BG's file</li>
<li>that Isaiah will be in good spirits and that we're able to find ways to keep him occupied while we are at the agency</li>
<li>that the Lord would give BG and her brother peace and that BG would cast her anxieties on the Lord</li>
<li>that Arielle, Rachel, & Josiah's act of obedience in being baptized would bring glory to the Lord and that they would be more conformed to Christ each day</li>
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Thank you! ~In Christ, Talya</div>
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<i>"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not of your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." Ephesians 2:8-9</i></div>
KeeperatHomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02992068393491062735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9101590958494578992.post-85195671555601098802015-03-16T22:54:00.002-05:002015-03-16T23:01:05.060-05:00Approved!This afternoon we got THE CALL -- the call that told us we have been officially approved to move forward in pursuing the adoption of Beautiful Girl (BG)!!!!!! We are so excited!!! <br />
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So what happens next? Sean and I will travel to the agency next week and read their file on BG. It contains all the information they have about her since she entered foster care. Sometime thereafter, we will get to meet her for the first time. We are hoping we can stay in the area overnight and meet her the day after the file read. It would be much more convenient to do it that way, since the agency, although located in our state, is a few hours away. If that doesn't work out, then we think we will be able to meet her at the very end of the month. Arielle, Rachel, & Josiah won't be present, but we may have Isaiah with us.<br />
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We will then have a series of visits with BG over a period 30-45 days or so. Much of this will be based on BG's adjustment and her particular needs during the transition period. First, we will meet with her in settings that are familiar to her -- e.g. her foster home, local park, etc., then we will have weekend visits. <br />
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I didn't want this day to pass without posting this brief update. We are so grateful for what the Lord has done and is doing. I am praying that I trust Him with the details. Please pray for us as we work out the logistics and prepare to meet our new daughter! Thank you. ~In Christ, Talya <br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." ~1 Thessalonians 5:16-18</i></span></span><br />
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<br />KeeperatHomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02992068393491062735noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9101590958494578992.post-57790141672642776382015-02-20T20:27:00.001-06:002015-02-20T20:28:08.084-06:00Staffing Update The staffing for Beautiful Girl (BG) was today. You know I was checking email all day, right? Honestly, I didn't expect to learn anything today, but I did. <br />
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I was called this afternoon and told the committee had a few additional questions for us. They asked questions about home schooling, our plan for future adoptions, and our willingness to help BG maintain connections with important people in her life. </div>
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I called Sean to discuss everything and typed up a statement with our honest answers. </div>
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I wasn't told their recommendation, but I think the signs look good. We have a few weeks to wait for an official answer. Please continue to pray for us and BG. ~In Christ, Talya</div>
KeeperatHomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02992068393491062735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9101590958494578992.post-74331425028068972172015-02-14T12:30:00.002-06:002015-02-15T16:41:58.093-06:00Humbled by His GraceOver a week ago, I got a call from the adoption recruiter (she never calls me, only emails) telling us that the staffing to determine BG's forever family has been scheduled for February 20!!! That's a month earlier than we had last been told and two weeks from the day of her call. I was elated. It got even better when I was told we were the only family left for consideration. The other two families had dropped from the process. WHAT!!!!???? With that piece of news, our chances of welcoming BG into our family increased significantly. Now, it's still not a done deal, as formal recommendations and approvals must be made, but we are super-hopeful!<br />
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Once again, the Lord has shown and continues to show us His infinite grace throughout this circumstance, and I have been seriously humbled by it. As I prayed and thanked the Lord for this news, I had to humble myself and ask for forgiveness for my lack of faith throughout this process. I am humbled that He continues to bless us with His grace when we are so undeserving. <br />
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Believe me, I have gone through waves of anxiety, doubt and impatience as dates were pushed further and further back (see <a href="http://byhissufficientgrace.blogspot.com/2014/12/somewhat-of-setback.html" target="_blank">this post</a>). When we were told in January that the staffing would not take place until late March, we even thought of withdrawing our consideration of BG and looking at other children in the hopes the process would move faster. We prayed... we sought counsel... we listened to sermons -- Charles Stanley has a great sermon on waiting on the Lord and trusting in His timing, <a href="http://www.intouch.org/you/adversity/content?topic=god_acts_on_our_behalf_video" target="_blank">found here</a>. Our faithfulness ebbed and flowed, but God's faithfulness never wavered. <br />
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Ultimately, the Lord pressed upon our hearts a commitment to BG until He closes that door, if it is His will. I love her without knowing her. We decided we needed to stay the course. The Lord's plan and His timing are perfect. <br />
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When I trust Him, the Lord gives me a peace that reminds me that He is sovereign. He's always working behind the scenes in ways I may never know. There are even those sweet times when He makes the "big reveal"of something awesome that surpasses what we could have imagined. Is He bringing us to His "big reveal"? Yes, if we remain faithful. His "big reveal" may not be what I hope it to be, i.e. BG joining our family, but it will be something that brings Him glory. In the end, that's what we want.<br />
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Friends, please pray for us as we continue on this path:<br />
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<ul>
<li>The staffing is scheduled to take place at 10:30 AM (central time) on Friday, 2/20. </li>
<li>Pray for wisdom for the professionals who are making the decision.</li>
<li>Pray that we would trust the Lord and walk in obedience no matter the outcome.</li>
<li>Pray for protection for our family's hearts and BG's heart.</li>
</ul>
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<div style="font-size: 13.3333330154419px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #001320;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; line-height: 20px;"><i>"</i></span></span><i><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 20px;">Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!" </span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 20px;">~Psalm 27:14</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="background-color: #fafafa; line-height: 28px;">"</span></span><span style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; line-height: 28px;">May grace and peace be multiplied to you </span><span style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; line-height: 28px;">in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord." ~2 Peter 1:2</span></i></span></div>
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Thank you!<i> ~In Christ, Talya</i></div>
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<br />KeeperatHomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02992068393491062735noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9101590958494578992.post-86184605486892464112015-01-24T13:01:00.001-06:002015-01-24T13:02:14.771-06:00Happy 11th Birthday, Rachel... In PicturesToday, the Hooker family celebrates another wonderful January event -- Rachel's 11th birthday! I am grateful to the Lord for my Pooty Tooty and her sensitive, affectionate ways. I feel truly blessed to be chosen to be her mommy.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_cZL-ZgHKMN8P4BQw_kjM6dKsbuyYJoEhFaTTlMVvrtEx4wxUsOVJOx9wrQ_hQGywp5w3M9mpqoom9BnyDpx9rw-6sHFaybpRySuBRQuClsF9TGtxLuTXvG0GOd5sLwfAYoe0xy_l6wAk/s1600/RachBday110001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_cZL-ZgHKMN8P4BQw_kjM6dKsbuyYJoEhFaTTlMVvrtEx4wxUsOVJOx9wrQ_hQGywp5w3M9mpqoom9BnyDpx9rw-6sHFaybpRySuBRQuClsF9TGtxLuTXvG0GOd5sLwfAYoe0xy_l6wAk/s1600/RachBday110001.jpg" height="320" width="222" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At birth</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg00mPJBS4eOxAjbb8hsP9Qw83yshkV1UwgoaJt-7jXlGqcTqVUazR4DdxgbOKC1IvkrkCj7BK8C1QmtUkCyTqzhpG-gw9duRpSx63KZum6y65tD2bWwY1gJCjaumv2itwtxDgOHpVHUXUn/s1600/RachBday110002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg00mPJBS4eOxAjbb8hsP9Qw83yshkV1UwgoaJt-7jXlGqcTqVUazR4DdxgbOKC1IvkrkCj7BK8C1QmtUkCyTqzhpG-gw9duRpSx63KZum6y65tD2bWwY1gJCjaumv2itwtxDgOHpVHUXUn/s1600/RachBday110002.jpg" height="320" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">10 1/2 months</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRi7-T1Eah4vuyhq-4ZnTGs_C-3zpEAIP7iUYYR0Gsl7d9xe0g3aZHTnsc_amePNi1YM-mCNhN2_USo0nA599BUwRe-lXTvNUTUhuYoBG8qyLaJKmmrikBELk1fh_7mwAFkrDb1qLCfbVE/s1600/RachBday110003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRi7-T1Eah4vuyhq-4ZnTGs_C-3zpEAIP7iUYYR0Gsl7d9xe0g3aZHTnsc_amePNi1YM-mCNhN2_USo0nA599BUwRe-lXTvNUTUhuYoBG8qyLaJKmmrikBELk1fh_7mwAFkrDb1qLCfbVE/s1600/RachBday110003.jpg" height="320" width="216" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">4 years</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinMhiNOSl1WwmouVDoeEdKCSwFqfUVuaGWl16BJ2sM8b3QzZC-a_VjqlKBJSeWEqpCrkug4FoL3meBpTBWv_131B6Zw1FOyqhCAAcx1whFZcezRdGHoBRR3VJC_O3ep05DkPL9enm0AUfR/s1600/RachBday110004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinMhiNOSl1WwmouVDoeEdKCSwFqfUVuaGWl16BJ2sM8b3QzZC-a_VjqlKBJSeWEqpCrkug4FoL3meBpTBWv_131B6Zw1FOyqhCAAcx1whFZcezRdGHoBRR3VJC_O3ep05DkPL9enm0AUfR/s1600/RachBday110004.jpg" height="219" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">6 years</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6eWNVdEO_ao040m29_TdOL51VRsG4jVtLfklliatVJ8V9CEvBs3aKrN1Ir3_Wr90x4V-TBE4R01hKAUqow3T6l6o8PhQlgRA21tNHFwcIkGWv9f0_KpMXud5mwFBj74mhxognqQtJFewQ/s1600/RachBday110005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6eWNVdEO_ao040m29_TdOL51VRsG4jVtLfklliatVJ8V9CEvBs3aKrN1Ir3_Wr90x4V-TBE4R01hKAUqow3T6l6o8PhQlgRA21tNHFwcIkGWv9f0_KpMXud5mwFBj74mhxognqQtJFewQ/s1600/RachBday110005.jpg" height="215" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">8 years</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXU78O2NyNkfiIZDFxoKXugqQ55GiCs3s9So-l0W5w1kEVrgFOfPGj9n314uKQOFdelgaqjcnifxuLaSdcHnlMwKpYF3FPfxGuHWpcQJeN3_jkarf4oUTmwf_CX7wOOuvSp9q9jbx0d7qc/s1600/DSC09390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXU78O2NyNkfiIZDFxoKXugqQ55GiCs3s9So-l0W5w1kEVrgFOfPGj9n314uKQOFdelgaqjcnifxuLaSdcHnlMwKpYF3FPfxGuHWpcQJeN3_jkarf4oUTmwf_CX7wOOuvSp9q9jbx0d7qc/s1600/DSC09390.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">11 years TODAY!!</td></tr>
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In Christ, Talya</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>Psalm 127:3a "<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">Behold, </span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-16125A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-16125A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">children are a heritage from the </span><span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant: small-caps; line-height: 24px;">Lord..."</span></span></i></div>
KeeperatHomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02992068393491062735noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9101590958494578992.post-53121092209370450912015-01-15T10:25:00.001-06:002015-01-15T10:25:42.437-06:00Isaiah's Family Day!!!! & ThanksI can hardly believe it's been a year since we met our son and held him in our arms for the first time. We tirelessly spent two days driving and hadn't even checked into our hotel when we arrived at <a href="http://www.covenantcareadoptions.com/">Covenant Care</a> for the paperwork and placement ceremony. I can tell you I was so nervous that I had to keep running to the... well, I'll spare you the details. It amazes me how the Lord has joined our hearts together in love for this little boy, who brings such joy to each one of us. Please enjoy our placement video: <div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/PKeANZdDxxo?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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I would like to once again thank our local church family who loved us, cared for us, and prayed for us a year ago and throughout this past year. The love you have shown our family, and especially Isaiah, has far exceeded anything we could have imagined.</div>
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I would like to thank family and friends who prayed for us, sent encouraging messages and gifts, and opened your homes to us in fellowship.</div>
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Thanks to all the staff at <a href="http://cfskc.org/">Christian Family Services</a> and <a href="http://www.covenantcareadoptions.com/">Covenant Care</a>, you too Jill :-) , who had a hand in Isaiah's adoption. I can't forget to thank our attorney and the judge who signed off on the adoption decree.</div>
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A most special and heartfelt gratitude to P, Isaiah's birth mother. She chose life for him in a world that would encourage her to do otherwise. I hope one day to get to meet her and give her a hug for choosing us to receive one of our biggest, most precious blessings.</div>
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We love you!</div>
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To God be the glory!!!! ~In Christ, Talya</div>
KeeperatHomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02992068393491062735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9101590958494578992.post-156648185240080582015-01-15T09:48:00.000-06:002015-01-15T10:48:10.741-06:00It's Her Birthday... In Pictures!Happy 14th birthday to our precious, Arielle, who describes herself as our "great, wonderful, sweet, obedient, best first born". Can you sense the humility? She's been my "little buddy" from day one, even though she's not so little anymore. I am grateful that the Lord blessed me to be her mommy.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbcGusolEg1YXPcsIBRpGwAFhk-7jSyhyphenhyphenJJ08c_LwU6i8zFbeqLn36_4WNVjl_pLhE56-RBhNrV3N2TdYeobhJiBhuQ5KKlQi0-D41eC7ES8_WWfDmMt1uxMWu-m-SDB9PGQOSBkPcvoUR/s1600/A14bday0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbcGusolEg1YXPcsIBRpGwAFhk-7jSyhyphenhyphenJJ08c_LwU6i8zFbeqLn36_4WNVjl_pLhE56-RBhNrV3N2TdYeobhJiBhuQ5KKlQi0-D41eC7ES8_WWfDmMt1uxMWu-m-SDB9PGQOSBkPcvoUR/s1600/A14bday0001.jpg" height="320" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">4 months</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqQJxIsYyQg2LtUYjapi8oPPweFczRMxdQbHqlE3TGxK6WWE8cg20T90tf93z39w3k553uDkkb_TLTPBLk68Pde-RJs5nYX2HK9zNZElpxuS_uertLUp54KmGDPrgrB435HCp9_pL_aIRJ/s1600/A14bday0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqQJxIsYyQg2LtUYjapi8oPPweFczRMxdQbHqlE3TGxK6WWE8cg20T90tf93z39w3k553uDkkb_TLTPBLk68Pde-RJs5nYX2HK9zNZElpxuS_uertLUp54KmGDPrgrB435HCp9_pL_aIRJ/s1600/A14bday0002.jpg" height="320" width="216" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">16 months</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghU3BXonQfi2OHBNrFN1XT32JlmMO0ttcJ08OhKnv8NzTJhjQggtnRJRFJ02dmTl-9Y6fG1wAQgHQ-YWsZMH1kI6v6yGyIza6KVlZLMlKLwHppidtjgvi8NpZ2Ry5AyWKp3-VIFXux8pvd/s1600/A14bday0003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghU3BXonQfi2OHBNrFN1XT32JlmMO0ttcJ08OhKnv8NzTJhjQggtnRJRFJ02dmTl-9Y6fG1wAQgHQ-YWsZMH1kI6v6yGyIza6KVlZLMlKLwHppidtjgvi8NpZ2Ry5AyWKp3-VIFXux8pvd/s1600/A14bday0003.jpg" height="320" width="216" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">4 years</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtQGKhY9HvQiZxZk4g8hLXpi6b4BQbDfGv-n_6Z7J90qjn_VcOpsdrn5sYjYgk5lPpO8F6c-MN-f9fPEvIywy3vJo_GUtE3it1CY6s4oQq0AwAD1vWN1-ba2VBkKsvQrtboQ5wun1aH4j8/s1600/A14bday0004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtQGKhY9HvQiZxZk4g8hLXpi6b4BQbDfGv-n_6Z7J90qjn_VcOpsdrn5sYjYgk5lPpO8F6c-MN-f9fPEvIywy3vJo_GUtE3it1CY6s4oQq0AwAD1vWN1-ba2VBkKsvQrtboQ5wun1aH4j8/s1600/A14bday0004.jpg" height="320" width="209" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">7 years</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_fitAKIDsV3LSs2T9PpB2tDcCWQXzY9xJNLOxKc7m_m7Eb92Y8QzVcQhBphM7lk9WgrV2hnECeJNkjYnEb1SiJV8cVD1CBd4fKC5y2f_3VljyOrBzIet3GLJrSO6naYUJuazHnYHVjLRE/s1600/A14bday0005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_fitAKIDsV3LSs2T9PpB2tDcCWQXzY9xJNLOxKc7m_m7Eb92Y8QzVcQhBphM7lk9WgrV2hnECeJNkjYnEb1SiJV8cVD1CBd4fKC5y2f_3VljyOrBzIet3GLJrSO6naYUJuazHnYHVjLRE/s1600/A14bday0005.jpg" height="320" width="210" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">10 years</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsk5_u1Xj66QCJgAVsZ6oif5FoXfMBonkeaWByQbg7uKir2Lc8HixDnC_f5ymN868kcY2CRyNpihQJRz7cQ2LWHSgQnZlz0EdnkF89hJV3vnNAkTr5s6zvaUjlAcUVQdmzEqRb5jGB97w5/s1600/DSC09205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsk5_u1Xj66QCJgAVsZ6oif5FoXfMBonkeaWByQbg7uKir2Lc8HixDnC_f5ymN868kcY2CRyNpihQJRz7cQ2LWHSgQnZlz0EdnkF89hJV3vnNAkTr5s6zvaUjlAcUVQdmzEqRb5jGB97w5/s1600/DSC09205.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">December 2014</td></tr>
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In Christ, Talya<br />
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<br />KeeperatHomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02992068393491062735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9101590958494578992.post-11967558575372980172015-01-15T01:28:00.002-06:002015-01-15T01:28:38.879-06:0015 Years Ago...<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">I am grateful for 15 years with my love... Yesterday, today, and years to come...</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"><br /></span>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/10407478_10153124806547223_8289636380060069575_n.jpg?oh=e8c1f5c83cd72fede225328b5c5cac5d&oe=55221D7D&__gda__=1428979344_3d6fd078ab87cf601aec08558f832ee1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Wedding Day -- January 14, 2000</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="300" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10906389_10153124807737223_2659615028630692442_n.jpg?oh=0d4dc6c8057501b840ba30d98d5610fa&oe=5531F2F9&__gda__=1428973295_1b041d9ee585e056a69197f81b1508f9" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Today...</td></tr>
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In Christ, Talya (This was posted a day after our actual anniversary)</div>
KeeperatHomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02992068393491062735noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9101590958494578992.post-83651460679761684742014-12-22T14:50:00.002-06:002014-12-22T15:10:06.169-06:00Isaiah's First Birthday in PicturesYesterday, December 21, we were blessed to celebrate Isaiah's first birthday. It's amazing to think that a year ago, we had no idea our son was being born one thousand miles away. God knew His plan for this precious little boy and our family -- what a blessing that we didn't need to know the details. Three-and-a-half weeks later we would be holding Isaiah in our arms! To God be the glory!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHVQhAML-PHwUxuw4mOIJyYsgns7mhJEd77_a3_tYn9WAiv-gNAHnyYXwGBiZSKzxqNkpEKNWRzr3tP9jTU6O2i77mwqof_YfOT7tHzBcS8X5yxCM6CsYsvHcXQMLLkPbSvZJO_9H2P3La/s1600/DSC09111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHVQhAML-PHwUxuw4mOIJyYsgns7mhJEd77_a3_tYn9WAiv-gNAHnyYXwGBiZSKzxqNkpEKNWRzr3tP9jTU6O2i77mwqof_YfOT7tHzBcS8X5yxCM6CsYsvHcXQMLLkPbSvZJO_9H2P3La/s1600/DSC09111.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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He's one and he's on the move. Gotta catch him when you can!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-kXkL5LALQrbTZxbDXg1yBel2vUiLcqnaYiw0NBy_WsZczXIVeJYm4aNvUj_Sd5yyreHQ0xBsD78QmgX09a8k3dQzkXUIesZzFqQcufVyb7ST0KC6BuwD7Jku7iLT3ThSVkzzBrcrrb3p/s1600/DSC09100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-kXkL5LALQrbTZxbDXg1yBel2vUiLcqnaYiw0NBy_WsZczXIVeJYm4aNvUj_Sd5yyreHQ0xBsD78QmgX09a8k3dQzkXUIesZzFqQcufVyb7ST0KC6BuwD7Jku7iLT3ThSVkzzBrcrrb3p/s1600/DSC09100.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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I love my littlest boy!</div>
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So does his daddy!<br />
(Can you find Arielle in this picture?)</div>
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Not quite as planned, but feel the sibling love -- <br />
Isaiah felt it so much he had to close his eyes!<br />
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Opening presents</div>
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"I'm not sure I understand this gift opening thing..."</div>
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Patiently awaiting CAKE!!!</div>
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CAKE!!!!!!</div>
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It's all </div>
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been so worth it!</div>
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~In Christ, Talya</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>"<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above..." ~James 1:17a</span></i></span></div>
KeeperatHomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02992068393491062735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9101590958494578992.post-87271605538870754792014-12-09T23:26:00.000-06:002015-01-05T00:09:47.044-06:00Somewhat of a Setback?Today I was informed that yet another family is interested in BG. To my knowledge, that makes three of us. That's a blessing for BG in that the chances of finding a family to best fit her needs are greater. <br />
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On the other hand, the extended wait is excruciating for us. Since the new family expressed their interest recently, the staff is determining if this family meets their criteria for consideration and if the family is interested in proceeding once they know more information. If the plan is to move forward, BG's BIS (Best Interest Staffing) will not be for at least another 60 days. If the new family bows out, then the BIS might take place in early January.<br />
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When we first started this process, we were concerned that our need to get so much stuff done and approved might be an unreasonable delay for BG in joining her forever family. After all, another family was already interested and we had not yet started the lengthy process. After prayer and asking some questions, we decided to proceed. Originally, the thought was that the BIS would take place around late November/early December. Now that we are looking at possibly February, I will admit I'm disappointed.<br />
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You know how sometimes you talk a good spiritual game about how you'll trust the Lord and be patient and content and..... yes, all that. Well, sometimes, I fail miserably and this is one of those times. Our adoption journey has been a rocky one for the past 4 1/2 years (with one really awesome high named, Isaiah!). I am grateful to the Lord for what we've gone through and I'm hopeful, but I get discouraged. Setbacks like this have me thinking that maybe they think this other family is a better fit than us and that we are just setting ourselves up for a huge letdown.<br />
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Okay, another secret. When you are hoping to adopt, and especially when you've been chosen by a birth mother or met the child or identified a child that you hope will be your daughter, you begin to love that child. You start making plans. As much as you try to maintain a sort of detachment, you really can't... or at least I can't. It's just like that moment when I would find out I was pregnant. I would start planning our lives with the new addition even though he or she was microscopic in size. I instantly loved that child. Sometimes I would hold a beautiful baby at the end of the pregnancy and at other times I mourned the death of our child. It's a tough road when faced with the reality that our hopes and dreams may not come to fruition.<br />
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I know the Lord has a plan for our family and for BG. And all is not lost for our hope BG will join our family, but this road is not always easy.<br />
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In Christ, TalyaKeeperatHomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02992068393491062735noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9101590958494578992.post-48654718079451605522014-12-04T15:04:00.004-06:002014-12-09T23:26:21.517-06:00We're at It Again! Part 2The Lord has His special, all-knowing, all-powerful way of turning our plans upside down. While I hope we are able to adopt another infant in the next few years, we are content and excited to follow this path of adoption through foster care.<br />
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So, where are we in the process? </div>
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In July, we contacted the placing agency to express our interest in BG. Another family had already expressed an interest, but they think it's best to have a couple families to choose from. We had a phone consultation with the adoption recruiter, BG's caseworker, and a representative from the agency that completed our home study for Isaiah's adoption. They told us more about BG and her background and asked if we still wanted to proceed. Uh, yes! <span style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></div>
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At the end of August, we began our 10 weeks of MAPP training, which ended on October 27. In the middle of all that, we completed physicals, background checks, fingerprints, loads of paperwork, and requested references from some people we love and appreciate very much -- thanks, guys! Even Josiah had to draw a picture of what his family would look like with BG as a part of it.</div>
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At the end of November, we had our home assessment visit. Now, we are waiting for our home assessment update to be written, submitted and approved. After that comes the huge step of the Best Interest Staffing (BIS). It is at the BIS that BG's adoptive family will be chosen by the professionals involved in her case -- as far as I know, it will either be us or the other family. We don't yet know when the staffing will be. Although we think we are perfect for BG, the other family may be a better fit... only the Lord knows.</div>
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Please join us in prayer:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>That we will trust the Lord and continue to seek His guidance throughout this process</li>
<li>That He will protect the hearts of all of us involved -- BG, the other family, and our family</li>
<li>That we will not live in a spirit of fear over what may or may not come to pass</li>
<li>That Sean and I will seek to parent any child in our home in ways that glorify Him</li>
<li>That we will be sensitive to the needs of a child who comes from very hard places</li>
</ul>
<div>
In Christ, Talya<br />
Find Part 1<a href="http://byhissufficientgrace.blogspot.com/2014/12/were-at-it-again-part-1.html"> here</a></div>
</div>
KeeperatHomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02992068393491062735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9101590958494578992.post-31462804592638185072014-12-04T15:04:00.003-06:002014-12-10T12:18:28.543-06:00We're at It Again! Part 1We are in the process of pursuing a second adoption. Yep, you read me right. This time through foster care. We haven't been chosen yet, but we are very hopeful. In July, just 2 1/2 months after we finalized Isaiah's adoption, I was gathering some information for a friend who was interested in finding out more about adoption. As I prepared to send her the link to the photolistings of waiting children, I saw a picture of "Beautiful Girl", BG for short. Of course, that's not her real name, but I'll call her BG for the sake of confidentiality and because she is just that -- a beautiful girl. <br />
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Truth be told, I had seen her photo a few weeks earlier -- yeah, I stalk the photolistings -- but <i>my </i>plan was to try to adopt one more infant before even considering adopting an older child or sibling group from foster care. I had many reasons for this grand plan. <br />
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First, many domestic infant adoption programs have a maximum age limit of somewhere around 45. Some go as far as 48 if you are willing to adopt a Black baby. Part of the rationale is that birth mothers are less likely to choose a couple that is around the ages of their own parents. Since adopting this way ain't cheap (but it is doable <span style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span> ), the wait time to be chosen can vary significantly, and Sean and I are 42 and 41, respectively, we will be quickly approaching some of the age limits, especially if we don't immediately focus our attention on saving and preparing for another adoption. Those age limits aren't present when adopting an older child from foster care, so I figured we'd have time to do that later.<br />
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Second, the idea of adjusting our lives to meet the rules and regulations of the state government and foster care system was a less than desirable task that required much more thought. As Christians who believe what the Bible says AND home school AND physically discipline our children, we weren't sure we could successfully go through the process of MAPP classes (30 hours of group adoption training) and assessments without compromising our integrity. I used to be an adoption social worker for a public agency. When I left in 2001, the winds of change were already blowing in the some areas that I would strongly oppose if I were presently in that field. <br />
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Well, one day I was speaking to a Christian woman who shared that she and her husband were pursuing an adoption from foster care. They had taken the classes and were waiting to get a few more things done before their child would be placed in their home. WHAT?! A real-life Christian standing in front of me that I actually knew and shared similar values with us is actually progressing through the process? Tell me more. After our conversation, Sean and I talked about the possibilities and our hearts began to soften toward the idea.<br />
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The Lord was preparing us for our current path because as soon as I saw BG and read her profile, I believed we would be the perfect family for her. In Christ, Talya <br />
Find Part 2 <a href="http://byhissufficientgrace.blogspot.com/2014/12/were-at-it-again-part-2.html">here</a>KeeperatHomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02992068393491062735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9101590958494578992.post-26643763639729203372014-07-07T13:37:00.000-05:002014-07-09T10:49:21.183-05:00The Magnetism of Racial Comfort<div class="MsoNormal">
Sometimes I want to deny it’s there. And for many, depending on your make up and
your experiences, this may not be something you encounter. Well, yesterday, I experienced a phenomenon I’ll
call “racial comfort” for lack of a better term. Some people may not “get” this post and
that’s okay. Maybe this post is more for
me anyway. Maybe I’m just letting you
into my thoughts.</div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Yesterday, Isaiah was getting a little restless, so I sat
with him in the lobby of our small church, near the front door. We were about 45 minutes into the service, so
I was somewhat surprised when an older Black woman entered the church – surprised because we were already 45 minutes
into service and surprised because she was Black (more about that in a second). She looked through the windows on the doors
to the sanctuary and explained that she had dropped her daughter and grandsons
off and had gone to get money for the offering. They had been trying to locate another church, but ended up at our church instead and decided to stay. She didn’t want to enter the sanctuary while the pastor was speaking, so
she sat in the chair next to mine and began talking to me and Isaiah. She told me a little about herself, sat
forward and said, “Let me hold that baby.”
Isaiah nestled in that woman’s bosom and drifted off to sleep. As I watched this woman and listened to her, I
was drawn to her. I felt an instant
comfort and connection that I hadn’t felt in while. Why?
Let me explain.</div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
I lived a great deal of my childhood and most of my adult
life traversing a world where I was either the only or one of very few Black
people. We often lived in areas that
were majority White. Third through sixth
grade, I was the only Black child. In
the eighth grade, there were me, another Black girl and a biracial girl who did
not want to identify as any part of Black and teased me for being Black. In college, we prided ourselves at being
“minority students”, making up only around 10% of the student body. I was often only one of a few Black people
at my places of employment. Even in my present
church life with my own family, we have been part of majority White
congregations since 2003. I’m used to
it. We are all part of God’s created
human race and I love my brothers and sisters of other skin colors and cultures.</div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
But yesterday, when that Black woman walked through the door
with her short, heavy-set stature, take-charge demeanor, dressed in her
Sunday-go-to-meeting clothes, pantyhose, heels, smelling of perfume – I was
taken <i>home… a home where comfort was
found among my Black family</i>. Though this
woman was likely only a few years older than my parents and didn’t bear a particular resemblance to my
relatives, she was familiar. I knew
her. She reminded me of the times I
watched my grandmother get ready for church, hearing the <i>swish</i>, <i>swish</i> of
her pantyhose as she walked. She
reminded me of Sunday dinners – fried chicken, greens, macaroni & cheese
and cornbread. She reminded me of a
comforting hug that only “Grandma” can give.
I didn’t realize until today, how much I missed those things.</div>
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You might ask if it was her race that was so important. You might say, maybe an older White woman
with those same qualities would have evoked those same emotions, those same
memories. I will admit there are a few
White brothers and sisters at our church who take me close to home from
time-to-time. It might be a phrase they
use, something they wear, or a story they tell that takes me <i>almost</i> there. But as the saying goes, “<i>almost</i> only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades”. It’s the whole package that takes me home –
Black skin and a certain “way” she has about herself round out the package. </div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Before anyone thinks I’ve gone off the racial deep end, I
truly understand that ultimately my comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3) and my home
(dwelling place, Psalm 90:1) are found in the Lord. However, I believe the Lord gave me a little
gift yesterday in the comfort of the familiar.
</div>
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I don't know if anyone will be able to relate to what I’ve written. Honestly, I probably haven’t conveyed my thoughts in
the most coherent fashion anyway. But like
I said at the beginning, I think maybe this post is more for me and I’m just
letting you in. In Christ, TalyaKeeperatHomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02992068393491062735noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9101590958494578992.post-82949817139568348922014-04-30T17:30:00.000-05:002014-04-30T17:32:01.014-05:00Finalization Day!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here's Isaiah's Finalization Day in pictures!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpb44wTFw8RCeMgg1YWXaxNJ0KudW-LkjlPcE0Zr6TX_i9ekJxmN943pkJjD4QG9v1qPijyfrOTrZG1v9XQk-7P55F6NGcn0gvRM0H1CV5dgX2fYtdxRexpn88U1Yn5EQc2KkcHO-reMGU/s1600/DSC07356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpb44wTFw8RCeMgg1YWXaxNJ0KudW-LkjlPcE0Zr6TX_i9ekJxmN943pkJjD4QG9v1qPijyfrOTrZG1v9XQk-7P55F6NGcn0gvRM0H1CV5dgX2fYtdxRexpn88U1Yn5EQc2KkcHO-reMGU/s1600/DSC07356.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Isaiah looking cute</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2XLCwY4g7VGgTaE-gU5zfdXF3c6eygeN8ZrpBFC5LolT7Fusno5hZE-OeJ0APYKiDYHC762vIXchBY2DIQhEbsuUc1nnIP-Ggkg8ReQX7BQai16pg26YVLnCFZojYUpVl3r8VjTiRxOje/s1600/DSC07324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2XLCwY4g7VGgTaE-gU5zfdXF3c6eygeN8ZrpBFC5LolT7Fusno5hZE-OeJ0APYKiDYHC762vIXchBY2DIQhEbsuUc1nnIP-Ggkg8ReQX7BQai16pg26YVLnCFZojYUpVl3r8VjTiRxOje/s1600/DSC07324.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Isaiah slept through the whole hearing</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTPfblp7IY5ChwxpAjFV6fOEdae2zzOxw7nE4ns6bAyyZ2jT_QVnYDybsgqqcCnVlGmcMnh4fb7gtdOmEFFdoz5-MP0pHLnfT-rW1yYA9geRLE63lG2meyS9VgILqOr_4KznuQW3abhh4A/s1600/DSC07325(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTPfblp7IY5ChwxpAjFV6fOEdae2zzOxw7nE4ns6bAyyZ2jT_QVnYDybsgqqcCnVlGmcMnh4fb7gtdOmEFFdoz5-MP0pHLnfT-rW1yYA9geRLE63lG2meyS9VgILqOr_4KznuQW3abhh4A/s1600/DSC07325(1).JPG" height="250" width="320" /></a></div>
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Right after the hearing with Judge Wiley</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtm9uRAfAkDBxox3KtdrDSjXuBJ8b7J2qBinWNSjGVXLjYbD4aR4uC6wCQgtoeN5yTpWwFH3cYPM1_ex2DwTCaoh09LGtTM8ck7Oo39SngyrbQnUZ35yW1LUaz702IirrKx3tVRQxOa2aK/s1600/DSC07328(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtm9uRAfAkDBxox3KtdrDSjXuBJ8b7J2qBinWNSjGVXLjYbD4aR4uC6wCQgtoeN5yTpWwFH3cYPM1_ex2DwTCaoh09LGtTM8ck7Oo39SngyrbQnUZ35yW1LUaz702IirrKx3tVRQxOa2aK/s1600/DSC07328(1).JPG" height="231" width="320" /></a></div>
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Outside the courtroom after the hearing</div>
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With our awesome adoption attorney, Kevin Kenney</div>
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Time to eat!</div>
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Proud sisters</div>
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Proud grandmother and brother</div>
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Proud parents!</div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="background-color: white;">"</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from </span><span class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-30267B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">the Father of lights </span><span class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-30267C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." ~</span></i></span><i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">James 1:17 </i><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In Christ, Talya</span></div>
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KeeperatHomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02992068393491062735noreply@blogger.com2