Delectable Thought

Waiting for a referral is a lot like visiting an amusement park. Some days, you're on the Lazy River and you don't really stress over it much. That's when you're trust in God's timing is at an all-time high. Other days, you're on Diamondback, except you never get off and you just keep going over that huge hill and then back up again. I'd say you're trust in God's timing is at an all-time low on those days. A few weeks ago we received an email from our case manager telling us of a little seven month old boy in Ethiopia who was very underweight due to severe malnourishment. He had been declined by two families already due to concerns over development. Our case manager was emailing all of her waiting families to see who would be willing to even consider him. We said we would... Then she said that other families ahead of us had said they would too, so we'd see what happened. Either we'd hear another family had accepted him or...

Last Friday, J.O. and I had a playdate in Louisville with my friend's kids. She and her husband recently brought home their little boy from Ethiopia. He's now five and a LOT of fun. I think I had as much fun as John Owen. Here they are playing in the sandbox. I don't have a picture of John Owen throwing sand in my friend's little girl's eyes.  (He really knows how to pick up the ladies!) My friend's son, Hooper was "helping" me take pictures of all the fun they were having. Betcha didn't remember how much fun playing in sand could be?! They all had a great time! Hosanna's caught on that I'm taking pictures and she isn't too sure if she wants to be photographed. This is before J.O. threw sand in her eyes. We are still waiting for our sweet boy from Ethiopia to be home with us. This morning as Zack prayed for us, he asked the Lord for our boy to be in our home.  Things are not great in Ethiopia right n...

It's been a while, but here goes an update. We enjoyed Halloween with our little football player. John Owen especially enjoyed getting so much candy. He didn't enjoy all the walking through our neighborhood, though. By the end of our trek through our neighborhood he had a bucket full of candy. We missed Thanksgiving due to the stomach virus that hit all three of us. I did set a nice table before I got sick though. It was pretty to look at. We also visited Santa. John Owen hates Santa and always cries, but this really does bring a lot of joy to Zack and me. We are those weird parents who enjoy the crazy reactions of our kids. This is probably my favorite picture of J.O.  No need to worry though. As soon as the picture was snapped, he dried his tears and was his jolly (pun intended) self. I also did a few photo shoots for some friends. I really do enjoy taking pictures of people. It's just plain fun for me. The photos below are of some of the cutest...

"...The Waiting Place...for people just waiting.        Waiting for a train to go        Or a bus to come, or a plane to go        Or the mail to come, or the rain to go        Or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow        Or waiting around for a Yes or No        Or waiting for their hair to grow.        Everyone is just waiting.   Waiting for the fish to bite   or waiting for wind to fly a kite   or waiting around for Friday night   or waiting, perhaps, for their Uncle Jake   or a pot to boil, or a Better Break   or a string of pearls, or a pair of pants   or a wig with curls, or Another Chance.   Everyone is just waiting." Dr. Seuss We are somewhat in the waiting place. Our documents are in Ethiopia. I'm not sure what's happening to them now. I don't know if they are being processed or ...

In Philippians, Paul speaks of contentment and even states that whatever his circumstances, he has learned to be content. Chapter 4, verses 11-13 are quoted often when referring to difficult circumstances. I think if you look back closer to the beginning of chapter four, you'll find a nugget of wisdom and perhaps the answer to truly being content whatever your circumstances. In verse 8 he says, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." Now, some might say that there are circumstances in which there is nothing worthy of praise, there is nothing honorable, there is nothing good to think on. But I think if we take this verse and another verse in Colossians then we get an answer to our contentment issue. In the third chapter, second verse, Paul writes, "Set your minds on things that are ab...

Contentment is something most people strive for. Usually we think about contentment when we aren't content. It usually goes something like, "If I only had this... or if I were in this place...or if I wasn't here..." Sound familiar? We may think of contentment as a lofty aspiration and something that only really wealthy or incredibly aged people have. I've met quite a few people who are in their eighth decade and are quite discontent with their lives. They long for the times when their bodies were healthier or their minds were sharper or their families lived nearer. Perhaps it's the longing for things not obtained that produces this lack of contentment. But what if the exact spot we're in in our lives this day is exactly what God intends for us? What if we chose to live in this day instead of looking at this day and deciding that it's not right because we don't have everything we want or desire or wish for. It'll require a chang...

Life's a busy roller-coaster. Not many people say, "Man, I just don't have enough to do today." Our life plates are usually overflowing making us look like that person at a buffet who seems to think he won't eat again this decade. So how do families find time for each other in the midst of life's chaos? Family Dates! Many couples designate a certain night of the week as the infamous DATE NIGHT. I'm fan and think this is a Good thing. But often we forget how fleeting the time we have with our children is and we never set aside a night, or part of a day or even an hour as a Family Date. Maybe we just don't think about it, but I think it's as important as the sacred DATE NIGHT. We take Family Dates. Not every week, but usually a few times a month. This doesn't mean this date is the only time we spend together, but it's special. We do something special or silly, like go get an ice cream or go the park or go to our favorite pi...

We set a date---a family date. There are no highheels and fancy clothes on family dates. There's just ordinary clothes and everyday shoes. We may visit the park or just get an ice cream or two! We don't set high expectations We only desire that we are all together. For now there are only three But all around us are the whispers of the unseen faces that all belong in this family. Three are those that have gone ahead Already living in the life that's to come. One (the loudest whisper) has yet to join this family. Yet, he's there and we wonder What he looks like What he smells like What his laugh sounds like. If he'll like us and maybe one day love  us. For now, we have our family dates with only the hope of him. But soon, we have the reality of him. Until then... we wait.

Colors are everywhere. We usually have a favorite or favorites And think it sad when someone can't see colors Because they miss out the beauty of things. We teach our small children or are taught as small children to differentiate among colors. It's an important skill that we must  master. We also are taught to notice sameness  and differentness . Another skill considered of great importance. At some point in our education though, we acquire the habit of  Prejudice. We begin to think that Round  is significantly less than Square And Tall  is better than short . Or that white  is greater than black , though white is really the absence of color and not like black at all. It is our pride that causes us to do this. You see God doesn't make such distinctions or make such declarations. And He's the creator. He's the one who first called round, round and square, square and tall, tall and short, short and white, white and black, black. So, yes, there is diffe...

John Owen Thurman will turn a grand two years old in exactly 14 days! He's lived A LOT of life in those almost two years. He knows how to say the letter "A" and how to count to 3 and if you ask him what his name is, he'll say, "Me!" He's had almost ten haircuts, visited nine states, fallen an innumerable amount of times, swam in the ocean and pools. His best friend is his dog, June. She's a black lab. He loves fruit and juice and especially Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. (They are his favorite!) He's learning to use the big boy potty. He still sleeps in his crib. He makes me smile, laugh, cry, and want to scream all in the same day. He is my third child of four and the only one I have been given the privilege to walk this life on earth with. (The others I'll see in eternity.) I treasure my time with him and know that he is on loan to me. I try everyday to drink in everything about him, even the temper tantrums and hard-headed...

This past Saturday we completed the WO Project. We will confess--the concept is not ours originally. In all truth it's God's, but a friend told us about an organization that does something similar to what we did and we thought it was a great idea for a fundraiser. So... hence the WO Project. If you're thoroughly confused about the WO it simply means for the Widow and the Orphan and is  based off of a little (big) scripture in James 1:27--when James points out that we (Christians) should be looking out for, taking care of widows and orphans in their distress. In case you're reading this and didn't know---We're adopting a little boy from Ethiopia! We are very close to sending our dossier (all the documents you must gather when you adopt) to Ethiopia and then we'll just wait for a referral (a name and picture of a child that you could adopt if you so choose). We are waiting on one little piece of paper from the United States Immigration Department. (They do no...

It's still here... But much, much smaller. We are very close to being finished with our document collection. Actually we're waiting on ONE little document called a passport. (Not really a little document at all, right?) Life has been steadily moving along. And we're always thinking of our boy across the world knowing that one day (hopefully soon) he'll be with us. In the meantime, we'll keep waiting to eat those last few bites of Elephant and trust that God's timing is indeed the best timing.

That's life, isn't it? Timing. Pork has to be cooked a certain amount of time or it's dry and tough. Children have to wait a certain amount of time to do "big people" things. Big people have to wait a certain amount of time to have a day off, or get a promotion. You have to wait in the drive-thru line or at a buffet or at the bank or in the grocery line. As many babies and children have come home from Ethiopia to their forever families, it's made me anxious for our own homecoming. But--this is most likely still a ways away. We're still on the paper chase--documents and money. But all in due time. When I'm anxious for something to occur or for God to do something, I'm reminded of Abraham and Sarah. They waited  A LONG time for the fulfillment of God's covenant to Abraham. God has called us to seek out a little child far away and to make him (or her) a part of our family here. He is faithful and I can rest in His timing...

That's what adopting is... A BIG FAT PAPER CHASE. But a worthwhile one. It actually helps with the waiting--chasing papers. If you keep up with us on Facebook then you probably heard about our first home visit with our homestudy provider. Let me just say...Toddlers are unpredictable. John Owen definitely stole the show and probably gave the kind woman a reason to scratch her head wondering about those crazy Thurmans! He walked into the kitchen with batteries in his mouth, something that he's never done. Then he decided to show off how he could stand up on the ottoman. Of course then he had to prove to us all that he really could scream loud enough for our friends in Europe to hear him. But then he redeemed himself when he proceeded to show her every room in our house as if he were a real estate agent. (It's amazing how observant he is.) All in all our home visit went well. It made me more excited to be on this journey And...gave me even more paperwor...

There's an elephant in the room---our whole house actually. It's so large that it's saturated every part of our life. We wake up thinking about it. Go about our daily routines---thinking about it. We go to sleep thinking and sometimes even dreaming about it. Our elephant---what is it? Somewhere there's a boy, maybe he's entered this world already, maybe he hasn't. I do know that He is a thought in our Lord's mind because HE has placed this little boy in our hearts. This boy is living or will be living in Ethiopia. A place so far away from here it takes 24 hours to get there. It's a different place than here. Life is...different. Regardless, there's a little boy there And he's ours. We just have to go get him. But that's easier said than done. There's a little paperwork(or elephant)---well, A LOT (and I mean A LOT) of paperwork to complete and check and double check and triple check. Because everything has to b...

Today I'm choosing to remember all that God has done. But first I will lament. (Humor Me) Today is the official due date for Ella Grace Thurman. But there will be no delivery today. There will be no newborn cries. No pink and white dress. No polka dots or balloons announcing her  arrival. I will get no epidural. I will not push or be prepped for another c-section. There will be no congratulations. John Owen will not wear an "I'm the Big Brother" shirt. There will be no wrinkled pink skin Or eyes to wonder at their color. Today will just  be---silent. BUT (And I wish I could proclaim this "but") I will lament no longer. Someone said (today actually) that when we obey God, we see Him. Today I remember the supernatural, large, incredible, indescribable GRACE OF GOD I experienced during my pregnancy with my daughter. Today I rejoice at the greatness of God At His reality At His realness At His mercy At His truth At His kindness At His glory I received a k...

I follow several pastors on Twitter. Recently I have read many posts and blogs that mention hurting people. People with brain tumors. Children with brain tumors. Others with cancer or hurting. I've wept for them. I've prayed for them. I've wanted to call each one of them and say, "I've been to the valley of the shadow of death and I've found His Grace is More than sufficient." But you know...there are hurting people all around us. One of my greatest sins is being so caught up in myself and my life and my routine that I miss opportunities to share the burdens of others. I hope if you're reading this and you're hurting that you see God's grace in my life--even if it's just through my words. I hope you can also see that NOTHING, and I mean NOTHING else matters except Glorifying Him. I hope you can know Him--really know Him. Because He is indescribable.

Today was a BSF day for me (and John Owen). This is what I came away with (I have to say it was MUCH needed). The speaker asked us a question: Do we see God first or our struggle first? That's quite the nugget! I understood in the moment she asked that questions, that most days I see my struggle, my pain, my sorrow first and then I later look to God. You see, when I choose to see God first--my Afflictions are Eclipsed by His Glory! And that is something to be excited about!

Oh February... the month of hearts, flowers, candy, and love. I have to be honest again and say that I've been struggling with my fleshly desire to wallow in my sadness and the need to walk everyday in God's truth and grace. Because the truth is there is no time to spare on this earth for my self-pity or wallowing. Here I am with a hope and a future and billions of people all over the world live each day without it.  Most days this isn't a struggle for me, but as we draw close to February 23rd, my brain keeps reminding me that it will come and go as just a regular day. There'll be no visit to the hospital, no labor pains, no anticipation or joy of holding her for the first time, no comparing her face to John Owen's. February 23rd will just be February 23rd.  Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, "Most men live lives of quiet desperation."  As I've walked this journey ordained by God, I've often thought of my past and ways in which I may have hurt ot...

I can't believe it's the 27th of January! Twenty-six days in 2011 have passed and the 27th is quickly drawing to a close. I wish I could tell you that a lot of exciting things have happened since the beginning of January. But the only thing that has happened in our daily life. I really like our daily life, so it's been nice to just "do life." John Owen is becoming his own little man. He's much more like a little boy than a baby. He still likes to snuggle every now and then, but he doesn't like me to just sit and hold him. This is sad to me and exciting at the same time. He's such a busy little person, always into this or that. I've learned a few things in the twenty-six days that have passed in 2011. First, that God wants me to always trust in Him, not just when really bad things happen to me. I'm a "fixer" and a "planner". Maybe you are too. But I like to order things in my life and home and I like for them to ...

Today I have to write about the man--not just any man, but MY man! It's our four year anniversary and sometimes it seems like just yesterday we got married and sometimes it seems like we've been together forever. This morning we traveled down memory lane and reviewed our first four years together. Not all of them have been pretty, I'm a little ashamed to say. It was still pretty neat to reflect back and realize just how far we'd come, how much we've grown as people and as Christians. I remember the day we got married and I never would have thought we would be beginning 2011 with the experiences that we have. We have so much to be thankful for. But I'm especially thankful for my husband who is a lot of things I'm not (this can be a source of frustration sometimes), but who is what I need. I'm very glad to have him to walk this journey with. I wouldn't want to walk it with anyone else.

I was glad---no ecstatic to say goodbye to 2010! It brings me one year closer to Jesus' return. It brings me a fresh start. It brings closure to a year of sorrow, joy, and Grace. That's how I'd sum up my 2010--the year of Grace. Now to focus on 2011. I hope I grow more. I hope we add to our family or at least start the process. I hope people in our youth group and church come to know Christ as their savior. I hope... I hope to write a book. I hope to take a lot more pictures and maybe start my own photography business. I hope I read--a lot. And cook a lot. And most of all, I hope I glorify Christ even more this year than I ever have. But I can't do it without His Grace. So maybe 2011 will be another year of Grace. That's not so bad.