I am a Peanut.

The world does not revolve around me.

I know that. But sometimes, my world does.

Every word spoken I take personally. A weird look and I wonder what I did wrong. Everything comes down to how it will affect my life.

When my world shrinks down to me alone, it is time for a healthy dose of perspective.

It's time to step back and remind myself that I am just one peanut in a jar taking up a bit of space in the snack isle of a mega grocery store.

It's time to remember that the story is not about me. I get to participate in the story, but it is not about me.

It is about my all-powerful God who spoke the world into being. A world so big that if our galaxy the Milky Way (a relatively small galaxy) was the size of North America, our solar system would be the size of a coffee cup.*

My God who, despite my peanut status, knows me, has a purpose for me (a part to play in His story) AND gives me access to His power so that His purpose can be fulfilled.

It is utterly unbelievable.

The only response I can think of is to take my eyes off of me and worship my Creator. As Bill Bright says in his book, God Discover His Character, "All you can do is bow down before Him in humble adoration, servitude and worship."

"The Lord merely spoke and the heavens were created. He breathed the word, and all the stars were born. He gave the sea its boundaries and locked the oceans in vast reservoirs. Let everyone in the world fear the Lord, and let everyone stand in awe of Him. For when He spoke, the world began. It appeared at His command. The Lord shatters the plans of nations and thwarts all their schemes. But the Lord's plans stand firm forever; his intentions can never be shaken."

Psalm 33:6-11

*This stat was taken from Bill Bright's God, Discover His Character.

Jane Austen - A Book Review

“Janeia”, Peter Leithart’s term for the mania of all things Austen, may apply to me.

I must admit I am a fan, and as I am not the only one, ample material has been supplied to feed my love of all things Jane. Movies like Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, and Emma rank among my favorites (BBC versions included). I couldn’t wait to see the movie Becoming Jane when it released. And, let’s not forget the media that gave rise to Janeia in the first place… the books. I’ve read all, but Northanger Abby and that is on my list.

All this to say, when I saw that Thomas Nelson was publishing a series of short biographies and Jane Austen was on the list, I grabbed it immediately.

The small 150 page book was a quick read. I must admit, the first chapter or two left my eyes glazed over as my mind wandered elsewhere, but that changed as I got to know Jane, or Jenny as she was known to her family.

I was glad to get to know the real Jenny (who’s life does not, by the way match very closely to the Jane we discovered in the movie, Becoming Jane, especially in the romance department).

Nevertheless, the real Jane was as likable as her heroines with a smart sense of humor. If you have read her books you could hardly imagine anything less. Her biography is filled with letters written by Jane, to Jane and about Jane, chronicling her life and giving readers insight into the woman credited with birthing the modern novel.

If you have participated in Janeia on any level and want to know more about the lady who inspired it almost 200 years ago, I would recommend the biography Jane Austen by Peter Leithart. I’m guessing it will give you a greater appreciation for the work of Jane Austen, as well as the woman herself.


***DISCLOSURE NOTICE: A free copy of this book was supplied to me for the purpose of review by Thomas Nelson Publishing. No monetary exchange was given. All comments and wording in this review are purely my own.

Attempts at Craftiness with Decoupage

Over the last several weeks, my crafty side has decided to peek out. On a small, decoupaging level at least.

Suhn's adoption has been the inspiration for this new venture. The two projects I've completed center around her and her names, both her English one and her Chinese one.

It all started when I discovered that her Chinese name came from a Chinese saying. Translated into English the saying goes, "A fall of seasonal snow gives a promise of a fruitful year." Our agency was able to send me the Chinese version and I turned it into my own little art project. I want to introduce elements of China into our home. I figured this was a good place to start.


The main cost came in the form of the picture frame. Most of the paper came from old Real Simple magazines, with a few sheets of scrapbook paper thrown in. Add in a bottle of decoupage glue for $6 and this is what I came up with:



My next project involved Suhn's English name. All of our kids have their names on the walls of their bedrooms. The boys have wooden letters painted in yellow. Mya, the firstborn, has small canvas letters from Pottery Barn.

I wanted to do something fun without spending a lot of money so I decided to put my trusty bottle of decoupage glue to work. I purchased four 8 X 10 canvas squares from Hobby Lobby along with sheets of scrapbook paper. I blew up and printed off Suhn's name in a font I liked in MS word and went to work.

I am excited about the final project (look too close or you will see numerous mistakes from an amateur crafter).

I'm even more excited about the price. I spent less than $12.


How about you? If you've experienced the fun of decoupage what have you created? I still have some left and would love more ideas!

Wordless Wednesday - We went to the museum over Spring Break. It was so much... fun?

Moving Along!

The adoption paperwork process presents an interesting dichotomy between waiting and action.

You start with a flurry of action, as you prepare your dossier. Time is of the essence. You dot your i's and cross your t's. Everything must be perfect. Once it is, you mail that baby off, immersed in relief, happy to be one step closer to your child.

Then comes the waiting. Months of it in most cases, sometimes years, with nothing productive to do but pray (which in reality is probably the most productive thing you can do at any stage of the process).

A referral finds its way to you. You know who your child is. She becomes more than a theory and an idea. She is real and suddenly the wait becomes ten times harder, along with more things to do!

Another flurry of activity, followed by... more waiting.

All this to say, we've made it through another period of waiting. We received our Letter of Acceptance from China this week!

It has once more moved us from waiting to action. This time I believe the waiting periods will become much shorter. Our end is in sight. Lord willing, we will be traveling to China in June, hopefully early June.

We have entered an exciting stage as we apply for visas and get ready to TRAVEL! It feels overwhelming as I look over all the things we need to do in two short months. Stress comes when I forget to trust, wondering if our paperwork was completed correctly. Will it cause delays or hurry us to Suhn?

I can hardly believe we are at this stage in the process. I've got China on the brain and butterflies have taken up permanent residence in my stomach. If I don't seem completely "there" when we talk, this is why: I've got a little girl in China and we are going to get her soon!

WHOO HOO!!! I CAN'T WAIT!!!

Wordless Wednesday - Moving to a Big Boy Bed (I'm not sure who is more excited)!

Change is Coming

I've been feeling a little melancholy today.

We are in the process of moving Sean out of Suhn's room. Sunday night was his first night in a "big boy bed" which he shares with his sister. Today I will be moving his clothes and toys into the boys room. The kid will have one room by day and another by night.

It is exciting. It signifies the coming of change. I have never been great with change.

I think every pregnancy this melancholy feeling visits me as I realize our family dynamic will transition to somethingn else. No matter how much I look forward to the change itself a part of me mourns the idea that things will never be the same. This "pregnancy" is no different.

I know the feelings will pass. I know we will adjust to our new family dynamic. I can't wait for Suhn to come home. But for me, transitions are hard. They mark the end of something.

When I remember they also mark a new beginning, the melancholy feeling dissipates some.

Never completely, but I am okay with that.

Its just one more part of the journey.