An Open Letter About Facebook, Instagram, and...SQUIRREL!

Well, the December Photo-A-Day Challenge has come and gone.  All in all, I enjoyed taking the time to capture different images throughout December, "bringing the blur into focus" as I had mentioned in my previous post.  I definitely captured tons of December memories, and was able to share them with all of "Instagram Land" using the app.  Then I got to thinking:  sure, I have friends that I know on Instagram, but for the most part, I'm sharing all of these "memories" with people that I don't know, or don't know very well, other than on an online/screen name basis.  Then THAT got me to thinking about who I really wanted to be sharing these memories with, how I shared them, and why.  Nothing against all of my Instagram friends (nothin' but love for y'all), but I spent so much time thinking about sharing all of my "memories" with a click of a button - what caption to write, getting just the right angle to "capture the moment" perfectly - that I didn't spend a whole lot of time just being in the moment of the memories I was sharing, and just enjoying them - anyone tracking with me?  Then THAT got me thinking about Facebook and my love/hate relationship with this very popular social networking site.  My original intent of staying "connected" with folks using Facebook has actually had quite the opposite result.  I feel LESS connected - less real connections with people, anyway.  Our interactions are based on quick "status updates" and commenting on or "liking" posts.  This all led to one pretty distracted Becky.  So I started questioning why I use these apps, why I felt the need to "check in" with them so often throughout my day, with my eyes glued to my "smart" phone or tablet...dreading that my kids would have that image of me permanently engraved in their minds, and hearing them call me on it with things like, "Mommy, you're always looking at your phone!" or "Mommy, you're always on the computer!"  Busted!  I knew the Lord was using all of these "thoughts" to show me that something had to change, which led me to my Facebook and Instagram sabbatical.  I deleted the apps from my phone, and hid them on my tablet.  It has definitely made for one much less distracted Becky, more focused on my calling in the here and now.  I've gotten a lot more reading done this past month, more than I have in a very long time.  My quiet time with the Lord is a lot less rushed.  I'm hoping this will also mean more time to write!  I'm also less distracted, in general.  I find that I have fewer random thoughts cluttering my mind.  In short - I'm less distracted!  I know that apps and sites like Facebook, Instagram, and the like serve a purpose for lots of people, and I am by no means wanting to bash or knock anyone's choice to do so.  My thoughts are simply that - my thoughts, and how the Lord is leading me in the area of distractions, and how He would have me focus on what is necessary, and what will not be taken from me.  That's not to say I don't visit my old "friends" from time to time.  But I'm realizing that these apps - these old "friends" - have become more like acquaintances.  Maybe even more like distant fourth cousins twice removed... 

 

Luke 10:38-42

Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”  

Bringing the "Blur" Into Focus



 

I'm going to try something new - a photo challenge!  I discovered Instagram a few months back, and I absolutely LOVE this app.  I love how easy it is to capture quick photographic memories with my phone, and then just add a quick caption.  I LOVE to write, and have journaled quite a bit for over a decade.  I've also LOVED the idea of scrapbooking, and have done some from time to time. Somehow, the "idea" of scrapbooking seemed to stay as just that - an idea - without ever really feeling like I make any real progress...probably because I never really actually make any progress with my scrapbooks.  Taking pictures with my phone and writing quick captions seems so much more do-able for me right now.  Along comes Instagram, together with this blog, and I now have an online journal and photo scrapbook!  I've seen a few of my friends participate in November photo challenges, so I'm feeling pretty inspired to take one on in the month of December.  Instagram will store my daily photos with short and quick captions.  For those moments that require a little bit more than a short blurb about a photo, this blog will come in very handy.  The days are going by so quickly lately, with most days blurring into the next.  So thankful for tools that help me capture memories in the moment they happen, in a way that works best for my season of life right now, and to help bring a bit more focus to the blur of each day.  So join me as I "zoom in" each day in December...stay tuned!

"So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom."  Psalm 90:12

Hurry Up...and Wait

Wait for the Lord;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the Lord!

Psalm 27:14

It's been a while since I've updated the blog.  Time flies when you're having fun...and waiting.  From enjoying a summer of fun (and check-ups), to the 2012-2013 school year being in full swing.  From completing our first Home Study Visit with His House...to still waiting for the whole Foster-to-Adoptive Licensing process to be completed.  Still waiting for the second Home Study Visit.  Still waiting for all of the necessary paperwork to be completed.  Still waiting.  Throw in a very pregnant and very sick licensing coordinator, some unexpected employment "snags", and that can lead to some pretty impatient and anxious waiting going on around here!  I mean, I thought we had heard pretty clearly from the Lord that He was calling us to grow our family this way.  So how am I to "be strong, and let my heart take courage" as I wait for the Lord, as the Scripture quoted at the onset states?  Well, I think one way is to look at the verse right before this one which exclaims, "I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living!"  So I guess one way to be strong and courageous is to look upon the Lord and His goodness.  Look back at His goodness and faithfulness in my life, to then fuel my vision to look forward with courage and confidence, as I wait on the Lord and His plan for my life - wherever His plan leads, however long it takes.  Hebrews 11:1 tells me that "... faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." So I shall continue to be sure of my hope in Christ, of my conviction of things that I can't see, because eternity awaits in the unseen.  Faith is being SURE of that hope.  And when I'm not sure of that hope and am wavering in my faith, Psalm 27:7 reminds me - "Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me!"  And amazingly, yet wonderfully, THAT gives me strength and courage!  

"So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."  2 Corinthians 4:16-18
     

Is There a Doctor in the House?

Along with swimming, sleeping in, and week-long Monopoly games, our summer break also needs quite a few activities that are not quite as fun, but just as important: medical check ups.  These past few weeks have been filled with various doctor and dental appointments.  Some reports were good - no cavities, hooray!  Other check ups led to referrals for additional procedures for some of us - MRI, mammogram, and a labial frenectomy (I had to look that one up!)  Definitely not fun, but very necessary.   We also had our first Home Study visit with our His House Licensing Specialist.  That "check up" was actually pretty fun!  Pictures were taken of every nook and cranny of our home - every room inside and out, along with every view and angle.   We were also interviewed and had to answer tons of questions about what our childhoods were like, how we met, highlights and low points of our lives, why we want to foster/adopt...just to name a few.

All these check ups got me thinking about what a spiritual "check up" would entail.  What would an appointment with "Dr. God" look like?  What should it look like?  How often should I have that check up?  It should happen more often than annually, I would hope!  Should I be the one to "make the call" to set up an appointment, or should I wait for a "reminder" call from His "office"?  May I not be as reluctant with these check ups as I am with my dental appointments!

Commencement

Well, it's official - as of about 3 weeks ago, we have completed the 21 hours necessary for our foster/adoption license through His House.  Hooray!  We completed one phase and now, we're on to the next phase: a phase filled with paperwork and documentation, background checks, and home study visits.  So much uncharted territory and so many unknown variables!  Coincidentally, as we were "graduating" from our coursework, several of our friends had graduates of their own, as their children were graduating from high school and moving on to life as a college student.  It paralleled our graduation in so many ways.  Such an exciting time, filled with so many choices and decisions to make.  New responsibilities and challenges abound, with opportunities for success and failure at every turn.  It can be a little intimidating.  Who am I kidding - it can be overwhelmingly daunting at times!  But it is in the midst of these times - the times when I am brought to the end of "myself" and all that I am comfortable and familiar with, when the path ahead is unknown and clouded with all of the things I "see" before me - that I am brought to a place where I cling to the Lord even more.  Reminds me of the Scripture in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 that says "So we do not lose heart.  Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.  For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen.  For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."  For now, we will choose to "press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:14)  Only in His strength, and all for His glory!

Mother's Day Musings

Each week, we are given different assignments to complete for our foster parenting licensing class.  Our last few assignments have focused on childhood experiences of being nurtured and protected, both for children in the system, as well as prospective foster & adoptive parents.  Thinking about how you were protected and nurtured, and how different people in your life met your developmental needs, helps sensitize you to the different experiences and feelings of children in family foster care and adoption.  Each step of this process has been so eye-opening (and heart-opening!) for me, and these last few exercises were no exception.  As I was filling out the answers to the different questions - questions like, "As a child and teenager, in what ways were you protected and nurtured, and by whom?" and "Who helped you to be interested in learning and how?" - I was overwhelmed with the one person the Lord used time and time again to protect, nurture, and love me throughout my childhood:  my mommy!  Yes, I am 40 years old and my mother is still my mommy.  How appropriate to be coming up on Mother's Day, so I can give a "shout out" to my Mami!  Mom, thank you for always being such a strong source of encouragement and support.  You have always been there for me...ALWAYS!  Thanks for instilling a love of learning in me at an early age - our weekly library visits are treasured memories I pray I will never forget.  Thank you for always encouraging me to love others, "And as you wish others would do to you, do so to them."  Luke 6:31 - man, did I need to be reminded of 'The Golden Rule'!  And you faithfully and tirelessly did just that.  Thank you for filling my childhood with memories of you joyfully singing in the kitchen, even though there were so many things you could have been crying and complaining about.  You chose to cast your cares at His feet, and facing the trials He placed before you with a quiet and gentle spirit.  Oh how I rejected those traits in you, and viewed them as weakness in the face of what we had to endure with Dad – I was so wrong!  Thank you for instilling a love for my family, and for teaching me to treasure these special relationships God has given me.  Words will never fully express the overwhelming thankfulness that fills my heart.  So for now, I will end with...

"I thank my God in all my remembrance of you."  Philippians 1:3

Happy Mother's Day Mami - I love you, and am so thankful for the gift of You!

A Place to Call Home

Permanent - adjective - existing perpetually, everlasting.

Permanence - noun - the state or quality of lasting or remaining unchanged indefinitely.

I had a "perm" done once when I was in my teens, and it was anything BUT permanent!  I mean, the extra curls were with me for a few months, but they definitely did not "exist perpetually" and were not "everlasting."  This week's foster parenting class session was titled "Teamwork Towards Permanence," and it discussed the many challenges encountered while attempting to establish permanence for children in the Child Welfare System.  We focused especially on the birth parent's perspective and how a compassionate and non-judgemental attitude towards them was a key component to the permanency process.  Throughout the various discussions and activities, I was definitely challenged by a lot of things as I came face-to-face with many preconceived notions I had about the birth parents of children in child protective services.  It was really eye-opening (actually, heart-opening would be a more accurate description!) and gave us much to think and pray about. 

We are hopeful that someday, the Lord will provide the opportunity for us to give a forever, permanent home to a child (or sibling group) from the Child Welfare System.  Permanent - existing perpetually, everlasting.  However, the home and family we will provide to any child/children through this foster-to-adoptive process will not be truly permanent.  The truth is, nothing on Earth will ever be "permanent," regardless of how hard people strive to make it so.  Philippians 3:20 tells us that "our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ."  Not only is our home here not permanent, but what we have here on Earth is flawed, imperfect, and marred by sin and depravity.  I am so thankful for the Lord's kindness to give me tiny glimpses, "sneak peeks" at what my final destination will be like:  a kiss, a warm embrace, the giggles and laughter of my children, the rising and setting of the sun...such bliss!  I want to capture each moment and preserve it forever!  But as the tiny glimpses that they are, the kisses soon fade, the embrace may grow cold and distant, and the laughter often turns to tears.  May all of the glimpses we see make us long for the Heaven that awaits us in Christ!     

2 Corinthians 4:16-18
"So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."