Full Circle...Adoption Update

My thoughts are drawn to one year ago from today. A year ago I posted THIS about what we learned at our first adoption meeting.

If you read the link to last year's post, here's what has changed after attending the same meeting one year later:

We don't have to wait until Joshua's first birthday to begin our home study and dossier. And our child could be very close to Joshua's age. And my heart is about to leap out of my chest that we are seeing progress. But the only thing that we KNOW is that nothing are no gaurantees. And this journey is going to stretch my little type A (...like coloring in the lines...like-my-little-vacuum lines in the carpet...like-my-budget-to balance just so...like-my-to-do list...put my life on. a. schedule.) soul more than pregnancy stretched my belly... But this too is welcomed growth.

So one trip around the sun later I get to announce that we have begun the adoption process with Bethany Christian Services. I mean really started...first application complete.

I'm not going to lie. I don't wait well. I am praying for patience. I do believe He is sovereign. I do want His will to be done in our lives. But at the same time I'm praying He'll move heaven and earth to make happen what needs to happen.

Daniel 9:17-19
So now, our God, listen to the prayer of Your servant and to his supplications, and for Your sake, O Lord, let Your face shine on Your desolate sanctuary.  O my God, incline Your ear and hear! Open Your eyes and see our desolations and the city which is called by Your name; for we are not presenting our supplications before You on account of any merits of our own, but on account of Your great compassion.  O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and take action! For Your own sake, O my God, do not delay, because Your city and Your people are called by Your name.”

So Now We Give Him to the LORD...

 

 

 

 

Dear Joshua,

 

A little over a year ago, your daddy and I found out that you were growing in my womb. We were overjoyed. We celebrated with your entire family both at home and abroad.

 

 

This past Sunday we brought you before our church family at New Hope. Pastor Rhys appropriately called it a family dedication. Your daddy and I made a vow to disciple you...meaning we will do everything in our power to teach/show/model the Gospel of Jesus to you as commanded in Deuteronomy 6. And we will need a lot of His grace, mercy, and power to do such a thing. You are loved and prayed for by your parents, your extended family, and your church family.

 

New Hope gave us two letters on this day. One was addressed to your daddy and me and exhorted us to disciple you. The other letter was addressed to you and prays for the day that you receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior.

 

This is our hope and prayer for your life: that you will know Jesus Christ and love Him. All other dreams are between the Lord and you. Be strong and couragious...the LORD is your salvation.

 

 



Why and How We're Passing Down the Santa Tradition

There are lots of ideas swimming in my mind as to how I want to disciple our children. Several of these ideas pertain to Christmas as it presents so many Gospel "moments." So in a way, I feel superficial writing a Santa Claus post as way of welcoming the advent season...but on the other hand I don't think it's superficial at all. And here's why...

Last week, during our visit with my parents (Poppa and Gammy), we dressed Joshua in his Christmas clothes and introduced him once more to the world of childhood imagination, fantasy, and wonder. We took him to see Santa Claus.

And he was a lovely Santa. Cheerful and clothed in a beautiful red suit, I thought. He was located at the Bass Pro Shop in Prattville, AL which was a big plus for J-man's Outdoorsy Daddy ;) These guys no how to do good business...we didn't pay a dime and they have crafts and games as well! The line moves swiftly and you can shop all you want afterwards. Oh we had such a lovely time!!!

For years Nathan and I dreamed and discussed how we would "do" Christmas with our family. After serious consideration, we decided that we will continue the "Santa" tradition as we experienced as a child except that we will teach him from the beginning the true story of Nicholas (Saint Nicholas) and we'll teach him that the Santa tradition continues but is pretend. "Santa" will come to our house; we might even bake him cookies and put our reindeer food; but he will know that we're just pretending and that Mommy and Daddy bought the presents. Why? It's NOT because we were scarred as children. I thought Santa was a real person until third grade. After I found out the truth, Christmas continued as always and in my heart it was just as meaningful.

Here is an article that perfectly articulates what we plan to tell our children about Santa and why. Instead of re-writing about the topic, here is the link: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/on-faith/post/what-we-tell-our-kids-about-santa/2011/12/21/gIQAozUY9O_blog.html

So ditto to the what he said... ;)

I did believe that Santa was a real person and again was not "scarred." In fact, thank you Mama and Daddy for making Christmas so special. I cherish every precious memory...and they are precious to me. I worshiped with my family on Christmas Eve at our candle light service and praised Jesus for coming to earth. Truthfully, my favorite part of Christmas was being with family as well as church family.

(Just as a side note...Perhaps part of my understanding was due to the fact that I became a Christian when I was five years old. I guess I've always been a school teacher at heart because I decorated my bedroom like a classroom (as in, I decorated my door and put up a bulletin board. I created a nativity scene using a shoe box for a stable, and toilet paper rolls as people and animals. I taped a big star above the box. I always knew the "Reason for the Season." Santa never threatened to steal my devotion. When I made Christmas ornaments I wanted to make angels and advent wreaths. I've always loved Christmas!)

I want to teach Joshua the Bible. I want him to know Genesis to Revelation. I want him to understand what happened 434 years after Daniel's vision (Daniel 9). The Messiah was born. God became man and came to earth as a baby! Jesus Christ, fully God and fully man (mystery upon mystery that no one can quite wrap their mind around) was born...and Mary wrapped him swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger. She swaddled the Son of Man because it reminded him of the womb. He left His throne to be thrust into a cold evil world. The world He created and chose to save. I want Joshua and all my children to understand!!!! Oh I pray they embrace the most beautiful and precious gift of all...life in Jesus Christ. Oh I pray...

But how to they know how to celebrate? Through watching Mommy and Daddy celebrate. I want to teach Joshua how to celebrate. This might sound odd, but I believe that emotions are an important part of early childhood. I care deeply that Joshua is "happy" when he is at church today, because that special feeling when he walks in the door will be embedded into his subconscious. In the same way "excitement" is something I want him to feel  at Christmas time. I want him to feel the love we have for him as a tangible way of understand the love God has for him. I want him to experience excitement over receiving a desired gift so that he can understand the concept of receiving. (Which means we're doing away with "Santa's bringing this gift because you were good." We're giving the gift because we love him.) Don't get me wrong, I know I must guard against making Santa, sugar cookies, candles, Christmas lights and trees, music, and toys idols. We certainly can turn these things into idols. But we can also turn them into symbols...tangibles...faith teaching tools. I want to pull out all the stops. I want December to be EXCITING!!!

There are several ways we pray to make Advent exciting and special. I hope to post on the others (one of which is the Advent devotional "A Jesse Tree Journey." But among the traditions...is Santa Clause coming to town... ;-)

So here's to Advent lesson number one:         Receiving A Gift...Grace

Thanksgiving Traditions

My parents hosted our annual family reunion in Tallassee on Thanksgiving Day. We realized Thursday afternoon that 2012 is the 20th year of hosting the Funderburk family at my parents house. That's right, we've been getting together at my parents since 1992! Before that we met at Mamaw and Papaw's. Before that the Funderburk family gathering was at Grandmother Funderburk's. Here's some photos...


Thanksgiving 1993 I believe...I'm totally guessing based on my hair...for whatever that's worth. ;)


I think this is in 2004...


And here's 2012...all of the great-grandchildren.

The four Funderburk siblings.

I guess for the past 13 years or so (definately since I was in high school) I've helped my mom put up their tree the day after Thanksgiving. This year we had a little helper. ;)

And he LOVED the tissue paper.

We had such a sweet time in Tallassee, and now we're kicking off the Christmas season. We have several Christmas traditions that Nathan and I have decided to incorporate into our family. I'd like to post about all of them in more detail sometime this week.

 

A Special Memory

A few weeks ago, Nathan and I had the honor of attending a special concert featuring my dad's music.

 

Piano music filled my home as a child as playing was more than my dad's favorite pasttime...it was his passion. He wrote his first song "Godspeed" for St. Mark United Methodist's youth choir during our Birmingham years in the 80s. Over 25 years later he's had numerous pieces published and his music is sung around the world.

 

The concert was organized by Dale Peterson of First Baptist Church Auburn. Each year FBCA hosts a concert dedicated to the work of one composer. This year the concert featured my dad's music.   

 



I love this picture of my dad and Mamaw!

My Aunt Ruth came to the concert and came by afterwards to meet Joshua.

I Will Lift My Hands in Prayer

Beth Moore Quote regarding Daniel 9:
"Daniel knew his God, yet God never ceased surprising him. Dear One, please don't assume that God will always work in your life the way He always has. A sunset is proof that God colors outside the lines. He has no status quo. Even the laws of nature are His to interrupt. As many times as youv'e prayed before, today may be the day when God sends the answer so swiftly--so divinely--that you're windburned...God doesn't have voice mail. He doesn't check His messages when He gets a minute. We're not put on hold and told all calls will be answered in the order received. We don't have to wait until someone else finishes for ours to be heard. When we bring our earnest confessions and petitions before God, while we are still praying, He hears."

I like to place visuals around my house that draw my attention to pray. They don't hold any special spiritual significance...they just remind me to pray. The full caption regarding the picture below is to be continued. But when you see it, will you join me in lifting your hands in prayer? The picture is also meant to mark the date for me. One day I'll look back on this date and be reminded that our Lord Jesus hears! That moment may be soon or it may be in eternity, but one day I will know the depth of His answer. And so I will lift my hands in prayer.

 

Truthfully all of God's attributes are incomprehensible. But among them, His desire for intimacy is most astounding. I can't wrap my heart around the idea...but I want to! Lord please help my unbelief. Increase my faith.

 

His First Illness

Right now, I'm sitting on my front porch in the quiet sunshine and trying to pause and soak in the story of God's provision for this week. Like so many of you who blog, mine is kind of like a public journal, so some of these details are for me and our family...ways to remember. After two weeks of busyness (what I consider good busyness...working with HeartCry), I was so excited last weekend for our schedule to hit a lull. I savored being home and not having too much (or anything) crammed into the day. I finished house chores in about an hour and enjoyed the rest of the day with Joshua, playing. Then when he napped I walked and read...perfect Monday! Then I started to feel sick Monday...Tuesday a little worse, but no big deal because I have allergies and cold-like symtoms is one way my body welcomes the holiday season (Deck the Halls and Pass the Tissue...;)

But Wednesday night Joshua woke up congested for the first time in his 4 and half month life. I've known the day was coming, and I've kind of dreaded it in the back of my mind.

THis might seem kind of random, but I've been going through the major and minor prophets in the Bible since this time last year. I felt God leading me to really soak in what He has to say in these precious but often neglected books. So for the past two months I've been in Ezekiel and Daniel studying eschatology...the "End Times." I just so happened to be in Daniel in 2008 when we first moved to Peachtree City and during the Obama/McCain campaign. I find it to be no coincidence at all. I know that God is telling me that there is so much more going on in the Heavenlies...and He is Ruler over all. He is. But in these books is certain call for urgent and diligent obedience as well as strong discernment for good/evil...true/false...and and urgency to obey the Lord. Scripture is that double edged sword that pierces the heart and convicts...I'm staring at my weaknesses in the face.

Now keep in mind before I write what I'm about to write...I know what the Scripture says about these topics. I know in my head facts about my faith. I KNOW Jesus and know what He says is true. The reason I record this fact is that deep down for the past, I don't know--month, I haven't felt Him. There have been times in my life where, though I didn't hear Him audibly, I felt His presence in such a powerful way that my obedience was carried out with firm confidence. Lately, I read Scripture, I pray, I act based on what I believe He is telling me to do...but I haven't felt His presence. Basically, deep down, what I've been asking Him...but do you really love...me? Do you really...? Me??? I know...I know...He does...but in my heart...I've been well for lack of a better word (or a word that makes me feel better about myself)...doubting.

So Wednesday comes, Joshua is sick. Oh no...but I start saying all the right things in my head...speaking truth about God. But honestly, I was scared...And I was also telling Jesus that "even though this isn't a big deal for most...I'm scared...plain and simple."

And simply put...God sent a friend in my time of need. Her name is Joy...Joy Baldwin Finch...my sweet friend whom I credit for leading me to a life altering repentence in high school with her fiery conviction and sweet spirit! Joy answered her phone and I got to share my heart. It's amazing the ministry of friendship!

She spoke truth that I needed to hear and reminded me of what I already knew to be true. Amazing how when I hit a spiritual or mental block and I can't find the salve of certain Scripture promises...God often uses others to speak them to me.

So I was reminded (sorry for a lack of reference...pressed for time ;-) :

• God tests faith.
• Blessed are those who believe and have not seen.
• We walk by faith not by sight
• God disciplines His children whom He loves.

And something else to remember...sometimes life circumstances are a test of faith. All the sudden I saw my little challenges to be excercises of faith and remembered that the Holy Spirit is here very present...acutely aware of everything...and in a sense...I was given spiritual eyes and ears once more to very much know that I was right where God wanted me to be. And He strengthened me.

Another thing I'm doing on a daily basis is speaking out the truth (even when my heart doesn't grasp the reality of what I'm saying) that nothing in this world belongs to me. It's all His. I'm going to choose to focus on the New Heaven and Earth that is to come. Obedience is much easier when I remember the futileness of clinging to (and loving) this world.

This week I've tried to focus on nurturing my family...specifically our sweet baby. Joshua has bronciolitis (sp?). I'm trying to focus on these things:

• Feeding him.
• Aspirating his nose.
• Giving him the albuterol (sp?) through the nebulizer (sp?).
• Massaging him with lotion.
• keeping socks on his feet and using baby chest rub.
• Cleaning cleaning cleaning cleaning...like a crazy woman.

But God has been so faithful to speak to me through His word. And yes, I still find myself fearful. And yes, I speak truth out loud...and actually last night I felt my heart strengthened. He is and will be faithful. In my weakness He is strong.


Here's Joshua enjoying a steamy bathroom...trying to loosen up that mucus.

 

Sweet boy having to breath out of his mouth.

 

 

 

Going back to the doctor to check out his cough.

He's being such a little trouper.

Today he's been more energetic. He still congestted, but much less coughing and drooling like crazy. :)

And on a happier note, here is his new Christmas stocking.

HeartCry's 5th Annual "Be Love" Weekend

Four years ago, Nathan and I moved from Alabama to Georgia. Dr. Baggett invited us to his church our first weekend in our new home. We were so thrilled that Nathan's new boss was a Christian..."the real deal" as Nathan described him in April before graduation. Our first memory of New Hope was walking into the atrium and seeing a table called "Heart Cry" with people wearing brown "HeartCry" t-shirts promoting their child sponsorships in Haiti. "Heart Cry is one of the neatest ministries in our church," Dr. Baggett told us as he began to introduce us to people. Bridgette Palmer was the first person he introduced us to that morning (I'm sure she doesn't remember this...but I do...vividly). This church has a ministry to orphans...they really have a ministry dedicated to meeting the needs of orphans...that was all I needed to be convinced that New Hope was our new church home. We did visit other churches "to make sure" but New Hope was our church. Months later Dr. Baggett handed Nathan two tickets to the first HeartCry Pasta dinner. We jumped at the opportunity to attend such a great ministry event. That year, Heart Cry raised money to purchase a truck for an orphanage in Thailand. The kid's in Haiti painted a picture for the the kid's in Thailand to help raise money (the very idea that orphans in one country would minister to orphans in another country speaks volumes to me. I don't know all of the details, but the painting was auctioned off that night and the money needed was raised. God provided. Nathan and I were blown away at such an event.

I don't know how to explain this, but I am so drawn to this ministry. I am so blessed to be in a church with an orphan ministry and in a church who cares deeply about missions. Every year, we're drawn to attend the pasta dinner. We know the event will be the first weekend in November and we mark our calendars because we don't want to miss out on witnessing what God will do through His people. Every year God moves through the Be Love Weekend. Every. Year. This year's evening is particularly exciting and personal really...because this year all money raised at the dinner will be used to help build the new orphanage in Ganthier Haiti for the children of Maison d'Enfant par la Foi. Remember...these are the children who ministered four years ago to the Thailand orphans...selflessly. Each one of these children have a special story. God has a plan for each of their lives. We are blessed with the opportunity to be a part of their story and give as they have given....hopefully even more abundantly.

If you're reading this post and you live in the Fayette/Coweta county area, I'm extending an invitation to you. I'm inviting you to be a part of something of eternal significance. We're not just building an orphanage, we're building the Kingdom.

To the members of New Hope: Dr. Baggett is right, HeartCry is one of the neatest ministries in our church. I'm not an eloquent writer, so I'm just going to say this plainly (and let the Holy Spirit speak to your heart as He sees fit)...YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS THIS EVENING.

Here's the information sent out by our missions minister earlier today:


HeartCry's 5th Annual Be Love Weekend is just around the corner.

• The Be Love Dinner will be held Friday, November 2. Tickets are available on line, Sunday at both North and South Campuses at New Hope. Tickets will also be sold at the door. Details are found below.
• When: Friday November 2 at 6:30PM, doors open at 6PM
• Cost: $8 per plate. $100 table sponsorship (you get some VIP treatment and the chance to be sure you sit with all of your friends. Think Sunday School Class!)
• Location: New Hope Baptist Church North Campus Rainbow Room
• Proceeds: All will be used to help build the new orphanage in Ganthier Haiti for the children of Maison d'Enfant par la Foi.
• Tickets: (and they are going fast. We have always sold out these events.) Available THIS SUNDAY at both the north and south campuses of New Hope Baptist church as well as on line at www.newhopebc.org or www.heartcryforchildren.org.
• Auction items include: 5 star Quail Hunt and overnight lodge, NASCAR VIP experience, Helicopter tour and overnight at Chateau Elan, Pandora bracelet, strand of pearls, Georgia Football Tickets, multiple beach vacations, cultural items from around the world, and more.
• Why not make a weekend of it and participate in the Harvest Classic 5K run/walk on Saturday November 3? Registration will be available at the HeartCry table, on line at www.newhopebc.org or www.heartcryforchildren.org and race day.
• The weekend will culminate on Orphan Sunday, November 4. Let's show our resolve for helping orphans by wearing our HearCry t-shirts Orphan Sunday. HeartCry t-shirts are currently on sale for a special price, $8 each or 2 or more $5 each.

Family Pictures

So it's been a long time since I've posted. I have so many things I want to write about, but here's one quick post with lots of pictures. Our good friends, the Smiths, and I have come up with a good way to have family photos. We're going to take them for each other! So here's some of the Smith family photo shoot from Saturday. SO. MUCH. FUN!!!

 

I find out about new "Smith" talents EVERYDAY. I didn't know that Akilah is a dance instructor (Yes, she is amazing! For any mom's out there in the Fayette/Coweta area, I can't think of a better person to have instructing children.)