Can I get a huge huzzah from the crowd.? Yes indeed folks, Leslie and I are scheduled to meet with our adoption specialist this upcoming Monday. Whew! You can probably feel the satisfied exhale by me from where you are sitting/standing/laying.
I've got to confess, the lack of perceived progress in this journey has been starting to get to me. All we have been doing is filling out mountains and mountains of paperwork. If it isn't a psychological questionnaire, it's a Child Project Services form for all the states we've lived in since we were 18. Oh, and there is the criminal background check from the Westfield PD and that thorough physical workup from our doctors. Good news, we don't have TB! Can I get another huzzah?
I know this will be a long process and I know I have to have patience. I guess I just wanted to feel like things were moving forward. To date, it feels like the wheels have been spinning and gaining no traction. I think I will begin to feel that traction after our first visit on Monday.
When Leslie spoke to the Adoption Specialist yesterday, she got the sense that we'd be done with all our interviews/sessions withing 5-6 weeks. That would be wonderful. Once that is completed, guess what is next? Yep, more paperwork.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Monday, April 25, 2011
If all dogs go to heaven, what about all people
I was part of a very inspiring conversation last Wed with some men from St. Lukes around the topic of "Is there only one way to God"?
With this topic we also got on the subject of how do you get to heaven. I've long been of the belief that everyone gets to heaven. And, yes I mean everyone. Hitler, Pol Pot, the Chinese farmer who lives a good life, but is not exposed to Christianity, you, me, everyone.
I struggle with the concept that someone who doesn't have the opportunity to know Jesus and Christianity, but lives a Christ like life doesn't make it to heaven. So, for me, where do you draw the line? How do you judge who gets in and who doesn't? Now, believe me, I realize that I am probably unable to conceptualize what God has in mind for us, but this is still something I think about and struggle with to some extent.
So, if everyone gets into heaven, why live a good life now? Why not whoop it up and not be burdened by consequences? Now, I am not suggesting something along the lines of Pol Pot, but why not be greedy? Why not do what feels good now and not worry about the consequences to others along the way. Well, I believe one of our purposes in this life is to bring a small slice of heaven to those you come in contact with now.
So circling back the conversation Wed night, someone explained the concept of hell this way. We pass through hell on our way to heaven. During that time, God burns away all the bad parts of us and "cleans" us before our ascension into heaven.
This concept really resonated with me. It provides purpose for our life here and now, and addresses what happens with the "bad" people on their way to heaven. Poor Pol Pot wouldn't have much left when we got together for a game of shuffle board in heaven.
Maybe I am having my cake and eating it too, but I find comfort in the idea that everyone goes to heaven, but you don't get a free pass (making it there in tact) if you are a bad person along the way. An believe, me, I'll be quite a few pounds lighter myself if this ends up being true.
With this topic we also got on the subject of how do you get to heaven. I've long been of the belief that everyone gets to heaven. And, yes I mean everyone. Hitler, Pol Pot, the Chinese farmer who lives a good life, but is not exposed to Christianity, you, me, everyone.
I struggle with the concept that someone who doesn't have the opportunity to know Jesus and Christianity, but lives a Christ like life doesn't make it to heaven. So, for me, where do you draw the line? How do you judge who gets in and who doesn't? Now, believe me, I realize that I am probably unable to conceptualize what God has in mind for us, but this is still something I think about and struggle with to some extent.
So, if everyone gets into heaven, why live a good life now? Why not whoop it up and not be burdened by consequences? Now, I am not suggesting something along the lines of Pol Pot, but why not be greedy? Why not do what feels good now and not worry about the consequences to others along the way. Well, I believe one of our purposes in this life is to bring a small slice of heaven to those you come in contact with now.
So circling back the conversation Wed night, someone explained the concept of hell this way. We pass through hell on our way to heaven. During that time, God burns away all the bad parts of us and "cleans" us before our ascension into heaven.
This concept really resonated with me. It provides purpose for our life here and now, and addresses what happens with the "bad" people on their way to heaven. Poor Pol Pot wouldn't have much left when we got together for a game of shuffle board in heaven.
Maybe I am having my cake and eating it too, but I find comfort in the idea that everyone goes to heaven, but you don't get a free pass (making it there in tact) if you are a bad person along the way. An believe, me, I'll be quite a few pounds lighter myself if this ends up being true.
More pictures of Paulette and Daniel's house
We have an update. The house is not complete, but you can see that the bulk of the structure is done. As I understand it doors, windows, stucco and paint need to be applied. But, even as it looks now, what a difference from the home I saw when I meet them in September of 2010.
The other exciting thing for me, is Dave Williamson said that these kind of home builds might be the bulk of the work the mission groups from Family Health Ministries do in Fondwa. This is such a great way for a group to connect with a family in the community and see their work make a difference.
The other exciting thing for me, is Dave Williamson said that these kind of home builds might be the bulk of the work the mission groups from Family Health Ministries do in Fondwa. This is such a great way for a group to connect with a family in the community and see their work make a difference.
 |
| Rear view of the house |
 |
| Top view of the house |
 |
| Side view of the house |
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Starting a Garden
Eli and I built a couple of garden boxes late last year for a vegetable garden. We planted a few things and got some spinach and carrots, at Christmas of all times. With spring on the way we have planted some more things for this year. I bought some starter plants and have the following going.
- Spinach
- Lettuce (Romaine)
- Brocoli
- Cauliflower
- Sweet Onions
- Heirloom Tomato\ (Mr. Stripey)
Soon, we will plant our seeds carrots, lettuce, spinach, peas, beans. I'll also come back soon and plant peppers and more tomatoes. Then we will try and tackle a compost bin.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Extreme make over - Haiti Edition
Time for another update on Paulette and Daniel's house.
As you can see their house is almost complete. Here is a quote from my friend Matt that I think sums this up beautifully. "Great picture showing the contrast between where they have been living, and where they will be living. Great work!"
Just a few more things to finish and Ty Pennington can scream, "MOVE THAT BUS".
This is a very powerful example of the kind of difference we can make in the lives of others. God is GREAT!
 |
| Before and after |
Just a few more things to finish and Ty Pennington can scream, "MOVE THAT BUS".
This is a very powerful example of the kind of difference we can make in the lives of others. God is GREAT!
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
My Dad and Chief Godfroy
This week is Spring Break for the kids. So, with some time off from work, I decided to tackle one of the final steps in gracefully shutting down my Dad’s business Manbeck Nurseries.
When Dad officially closed the business he rented a storage unit for 6 years to store all the paperwork he might need if the auditors came a calling. Leah and I had already been through the unit and purged ¾ of the boxes that we deemed non-sensitive. So that left 30 or so boxes that needed to be destroyed appropriately.
I pulled the seats out of the back of the van and headed off to Celina, OH. Now this is a route that I have driven many times. I travelled part of this route when going to school at Purdue. Along the way you go through Montplier, IN and get to see a giant statue of Chief Godfroy. When in school, it became a superstition that you needed to salute back to the Chief or else risk bad luck (poor exam scores, a flat tire, etc.) So, I felt it appropriate to grab a photo of the Chief along with my normal salute.
Now, this won’t be the last time I take this route and get the opportunity to salute the Chief, but I am running out of reasons to head back to my hometown. My Dad is gone. My Mom and Sister live elsewhere. Even my friends growing up are moving on. Part of that thought makes me sad.
I also got an opportunity to think about “stuff” on the drive. I’ve gotten some absolutely terrible news from friends lately. One friend’s brother passed away at 36 years old. And another friend is dealing with the news about a brain growth and all that comes with that. I also know that a friend from my trip to Haiti is trying to adopt from there, but is challenged with not meeting their marriage requirement. All those things make me sad, but also serve as a reminder to me that you need to capture and enjoy the moment you live in now. All we have is now.
And that brings me back to Dad. What I wouldn’t give for one more round of golf? One more Buffett concert? One more dinner on his flame free grill? Dad, I miss you like crazy. I hope you were looking down today and smiling on how Leah and I have tried to gracefully close the Nursery.
When Dad officially closed the business he rented a storage unit for 6 years to store all the paperwork he might need if the auditors came a calling. Leah and I had already been through the unit and purged ¾ of the boxes that we deemed non-sensitive. So that left 30 or so boxes that needed to be destroyed appropriately.
I pulled the seats out of the back of the van and headed off to Celina, OH. Now this is a route that I have driven many times. I travelled part of this route when going to school at Purdue. Along the way you go through Montplier, IN and get to see a giant statue of Chief Godfroy. When in school, it became a superstition that you needed to salute back to the Chief or else risk bad luck (poor exam scores, a flat tire, etc.) So, I felt it appropriate to grab a photo of the Chief along with my normal salute.
 |
| Chief Godfroy |
Now, this won’t be the last time I take this route and get the opportunity to salute the Chief, but I am running out of reasons to head back to my hometown. My Dad is gone. My Mom and Sister live elsewhere. Even my friends growing up are moving on. Part of that thought makes me sad.
I also got an opportunity to think about “stuff” on the drive. I’ve gotten some absolutely terrible news from friends lately. One friend’s brother passed away at 36 years old. And another friend is dealing with the news about a brain growth and all that comes with that. I also know that a friend from my trip to Haiti is trying to adopt from there, but is challenged with not meeting their marriage requirement. All those things make me sad, but also serve as a reminder to me that you need to capture and enjoy the moment you live in now. All we have is now.
And that brings me back to Dad. What I wouldn’t give for one more round of golf? One more Buffett concert? One more dinner on his flame free grill? Dad, I miss you like crazy. I hope you were looking down today and smiling on how Leah and I have tried to gracefully close the Nursery.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)