Hallway Praises

I'm still here. I still don't have a job. I've applied. I've been ignored. I've been denied. And I'm still here. I keep wondering what God has in store.

A very dear friend of mine shared this with me:

I'm doing my best to Praise God in the hallway while I'm waiting for that door. I told my friend that the hallway was starting to get stale and boring. But I'm still praising!

I'm praising for the roof over my head, gas in the car, food on the table, opportunities that knock on occasion, and the plans He's laid out for me. I'm praising for the three children who exasperate me, the husband who also exasperates me, and the smiles they bring to me daily. I'm praising for friends, family, and the kind word from the guy who bags my groceries.

The hallway is not always fun. Sometimes it's dark and smells a little. But I know that means when God opens that door - OH, when God opens that door - the light will come in and it will smell fresh and clean and welcoming. And I will rush through it with arms wide open praising all the way! Thank you, Lord!

Sharing the Love

Right now I'm studying Francis Chan's Forgotten God. It's a great book about following the leadings of the Holy Spirit. This week we were to go out and share the Love of Jesus with others.

This is not something I am comfortable with. At all. At all at all. And, of course, Marshall had to work. So I was alone. I know it sounds contrary to my outgoing character, but blindly witnessing to someone is not how I feel called. If I build a rapport with someone - sure. Or if the moment comes naturally... But just walking aimlessly around? Not so much.

I had planned to just donate some food to a local mission. Easy peasy. No interaction. But then we watched the little video about how someone had blindly gone to talk to someone and that person had planned on committing suicide at that very moment and - well - I didn't want to miss that kind of opportunity.

So we set out. My first thought was to "pay it forward" at a drive-through. But then I wouldn't be sharing any message. So I went where any good Southern woman would go - WalMart. I wandered around. I nervously said hi to a few people who pretty much ignored me. Now - the South is the friendliest place on earth, but you really don't mess with people while they're shopping at WalMart.

Then I got an idea. I went to the McDonald's inside WalMart (I know, I know). I got a few of those new snack-sized McFlurries and set out on my mission. Well, first, I asked the cashier if she had a home church. She said she did when she wasn't working. I handed her a card for my church and told her she was welcome to come any time.

So I set off with my ice creams and looked for a few people to share with. I happened upon a pair of teenagers sitting on a bench. They looked like they were waiting for Mom or something. I asked if they were interested in the ice cream, hoping I could invite them to the youth group. The younger one perked up, but the older one stopped and said no and put a hand out over the other teen to stop her.

Okay, so no teens. I then spotted two guys who looked like they had just gotten off a hard day's work. They were grubby to be honest. I approached and asked if they wanted the ice cream. They eyed me suspiciously. I told them they were free. One asked what the catch was. I told them no catch, just know someone was thinking about them, and I handed them the ice cream and added in the cards for our church. I told them to come any time.

Then I walked away. I'll be honest, I didn't even wait for a thank you. I just wanted to get out of dodge. But I did it.

I'm not sure if I shared the Love like I was supposed to. But it was certainly out of my comfort zone. And maybe one of those guys was having a really hard time and just needed a treat. I'll never know. But I shared!

Greek Easter

If you didn't know, I'm Greek on my dad's side. Something I am very proud of! And one of the best things about being Greek is celebrating Easter Greek-style.

If you're not familiar with Easter in the Greek tradition, let me tell you a little about it.

In Greek, we say, "Christos Anesti!" "Alithos Anesti!" It means, "Christ is Risen!" "He is Risen Indeed!" It's something we say to each other all the time in Easter Season. Of course, Christ is Risen, and saying it in Greek is fun for the kids. 

Of course, in Greek, Easter is Pascha pronounced PAHS-khah. It could also be referred to as Anastasi (ah-NAH-stah-see) meaning resurrection.

One of the best traditions of Greek Easter that really shows the true meaning of Easter - the death and Resurrection of Christ - is a game called Tsougrisma. (The word tsougrisma means "clinking together" or "clashing." In Greek: τσούγκρισμα, pronounced TSOO-grees-mah)

Each player holds a red egg (and I do mean RED), and one taps the end of her/his egg lightly against the end of the other player's egg. The goal is to crack the opponent's egg. When one end is cracked, the winner uses the same end of her/his egg to try to crack the other end of the opponent's egg.
The player who successfully cracks the eggs of the other players is declared the winner and, it is said, will have good luck during the year. 

Why do we play this game with red eggs? Well, eggs symbolize rebirth, and our rebirth as joint heirs with Jesus. Usually the eggs we eat are white symbolizing the purity of Christ, dyed red to show the blood of Christ that was shed for us. 

Give it a try with your family! I promise it will become an annual tradition!




 

Being Spontaneous in the Spirit

Right now in my church small group we're studying Francis Chan's Forgotten God. It's about how we tend to focus so much of our spiritual energy on two facets of the Trinity - God and Jesus Christ - and pretty much ignore the Holy Spirit.

This week one topic that came up was being led by the Spirit, how to know when it was the Spirit, and how we don't like to stray from the familiar and live in the spontaneity of the moment.

We are all planners by nature. Even if you don't consider yourself one, we're creatures of habit - we follow the same patterns, which is essentially a plan.

So let's say every morning you take your kids to school, swing by Starbucks for a mocha latte, drive the same route to work, park in the same spot, etc. Except this morning, after dropping the kids, you see a homeless person outside Starbucks.

And you feel that pull. Believers will understand this sensation. The pull of the Spirit to do something.

But you have to get to work. You just want to get your mocha and go about your business. But the Spirit it calling you to buy the guy a cup of Joe. Or maybe take him to the grocery store and get him a few staples.

I'm not getting into the whole argument of maybe he's not really homeless, or maybe he's not really needy. I'm simply talking about following the Spirit's leading.

Do you stop and help? Get him some coffee and a muffin along with your order? Stop and take the time to feed and pray for him?
Or do you ignore the prodding feeling because it doesn't fit into your schedule? Because it's not comfortable or convenient? You have you leave your comfort zone.

It would be so easy to just walk away. To argue that you don't know what to say if you were to extend a hand. But let me share this with you:
"...don’t worry in advance about what to say. Just say what God tells you at that time, for it is not you who will be speaking, but the Holy Spirit." -Mark 13:11 NLT

God will give you the words. If the Spirit gives you that urge, He will also give you the words to say. It could be as simple as a, "God Bless," when you drive away, or delving a little deeper with that person. 

What is the Holy Spirit urging you to do today?

Thanksgiving

I realize this year just how blessed I am. God has blessed me in ways I could never have imagined 10 or even 5 years ago.

He has given me an amazing husband who adores me (he even texted me so!). He gave me the gorgeous red-head to make me a mom for the first time. He allowed us to adopt Mac and share our love and receive his. And just 10 weeks ago, God granted us a second son in Jay who is a joy and whose toothless grins melt my heart.

But I am also blessed with amazing parents who would move the world for us. Fabulous in-laws who support us and love keeping the kids. Terrific friends who will drop what they're doing to be with you and help you.

Not to mention our new house. The washer and dryer that are STILL going after 13 years. Food in the pantry. Shoes on our feet, clothes to go in that washer and dryer.

I am so thankful for all of this! It's so easy to look and God and say all the things you want, ignoring the things you have. If you live in America, Canada, the UK, Australia and other advanced countries - you have way more than most of the rest of the world. Be thankful! Thank the good Lord for the things you have already been given!

Ice Cream, I Scream

Hello bloggers! How are you? Good, good. Hot, isn't it? At least here in the South East it's hot. More like a low and slow boil.

But - I have the magic answer that has solved everything since we were kids... Ice cream.

And if that's not enough. Here's a stack of Oreo's, just in case...

I love to blog about my family. I'm called Momma by two - my redheaded SB whom I birthed in a not too traumatic experience, and my funny Mac whom my husband and I adopted in a very traumatic way. I'm currently pregnant with our third child, a still-unnamed boy, whom we will meet come September.

Mi familia: SB, Me, Marshall & Mac

Baby Boy at 27 weeks

I am so glad you stopped by! Please take a look at my favorite posts linked here.

And please, please read my God-given testimony here.

Otherwise look around, grab a scoop of your favorite flavor, and sit back! Thanks for visiting!

Surgery & Faith

A week ago my niece had her second brain surgery in less than 2 years.

Madison has an optic glioma tumor and while it was not cancerous, it was dangerous.

In October 2010, Madison had about 75% of the tumor removed. While scared, she said she knew God would bring her through the surgery - and He did! We were all so relieved.

Then came the word that a second surgery would be needed. There were many tears and prayers over this second surgery. Why did she have to go through this again? She is only 15 years old - wasn't one brain surgery enough?
But again, Madison knew her God would pull her through. She told me on the phone a little before her surgery that she knew God had a purpose for her going through this. She knew God would pull her through so she could give him the glory. And while she did break down in tears sometimes, she has held up and been one of the strongest individuals I know - teen or adult.

So last Thursday she endured another 8 hour surgery that might have taken her eyesight. Friday morning she woke up and could recognize everyone in the room. She could see! And despite a row of staples in her head, she was in great spirits and recovered in amazing time. So amazing, in fact, her surgeon sent her home Sunday.

All I can do is shake my head and say, "Thank you, Lord." I don't know another teenager who would have been so brave. I don't know another adult who would have been so brave. Madison's faith not only kept her positive and led to a quick recovery - but it also showed her non-believing Uncle that God has a hand in every life. He said afterward he could see how God was working in her life.

I have loved Madison from the day she was born. I have prayed for that child for 15 years. And I am so awed and proud of the strong Christian girl she has become. I hope she carries her faith and her testimony everywhere she goes...

Greek Easter & The Red Eggs

Christos Anesti!
Christ is Risen!

My dad's family is Greek Orthodox, and even though I'm not, we still like to celebrate Greek Easter. Teaching my children to say, "Christos Anesti! Alithos Anesti!" has been one of my parenting highlights.


If you're not familiar, it translates to "Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!"
In Greek, Easter is called Pascha, pronounced PAHS-kha. Or it might be referred to as Anastasi (ah-NAH-stah-see), which means resurrection.


This year, Greek Orthodox Easter is April 15th, but occasionally Orthodox and "Western" Easter line up.


So what makes Greek Easter so special? I'm so glad you asked!


One of the big things we do in MY family is to do Red Eggs.

Red eggs (in Greek: kokkina avga, κόκκινα αυγά, pronounced KOH-kee-nah ahv-GHAH) are perhaps the brightest symbol of Greek Easter, representing the blood of Christ and rebirth. We also dye eggs other colors, but rarely will a Greek Easter be celebrated without lots of red eggs. 

We play a game with these eggs called Tsougrisma and it involves two players and red eggs.

Each player holds a red egg, and one taps the end of her/his egg lightly against the end of the other player's egg. The goal is to crack the opponent's egg. When one end is cracked, the winner uses the same end of her/his egg to try to crack the other end of the opponent's egg.
The player who successfully cracks the eggs of the other players is declared the winner and, it is said, will have good luck during the year.
The word tsougrisma means "clinking together" or "clashing." In Greek: τσούγκρισμα, pronounced TSOO-grees-mah. 

We play around the entire table, you try to crack the eggs of the person to your left and right, and whoever ends up with the last un-cracked egg wins. 

Of course, playing egg games is not what Easter is all about - Protestant or Orthodox.
It's about the Resurrection of Christ. The slaying and raising of the Holy Lamb, the Perfect Sacrifice.
Orthodox Christians (like Catholics, Greek and Russian Orthodoxes) observe Lent - a period of fasting of some sort for 40 days. They attend services on Good Friday and again on Resurrection Sunday. 


But the Eggs... the Eggs white and pure, unblemished like Christ. Dyed RED to show that Christ took on our sins, then cracked like the opening of the empty tomb.
They pretty much sun up Greek Easter for me.

 

*Just a note, Greek Easter is next week, but we typically celebrate on regular Protestant Easter.

It's a Miracle to me...

I hope my cousin doesn't mind my blogging about her, because I'm going to do it anyway.

When Marshall and I started dating 13+ years ago, my cousin, Heather, was a single mom with a young toddler running around.
Marshall and I prayed for God to work in Heather's life. That she would find a life mate that would accept her daughter with open arms, that she would find happiness, and that she would accept Christ as her savior.

We prayed this for many years. In all that time, Heather bought a house - on her own, held a wonderful job, raised her daughter, and began to go to church.

And a few years ago, Heather married a wonderful man who loved not only her, but her 12-year-old as well. She and her daughter were baptized into the Holy Family of God.

And just last week, while talking on the phone, I was getting choked up because she was telling me she knew that God was at work, that God could do miracles and that people just needed to have faith. I was trying so hard not to cry and alarm her, but I was so proud of her.

It may not seem like much to you. But for me - someone who has prayed for the salvation of her entire family, but especially her wonderful, dear cousin - this is a miracle. One day, when I get to heaven, I know that Heather will also be going, too.

I can't say it was our prayers that did this - certainly not. But I know that through our prayers, the prayers of others and her willingness to accept God's calling in her life, a miracle of faith did happen.

And it can happen for you and your loved ones, too. Never give up.

Heather - if you read this - I love you. You are truly an inspiration to me and many others. And we know that God will prevail!

500 Miles

I generally wake up each morning with a song in my head. And more often than not, it's a praise and worship song.

So the other morning I woke up with "500 miles" in my head. You know the one - The Proclaimers song from Benny & Joon.

I thought it was an odd song to have in my head. Not a song I had thought of in a while. But then I thought about Jesus singing it. Stay with me here, I know that's strange concept.

Jesus says he will always be with us. He will go the distance for us. He would walk 500 miles, then 500 more, just to be the man who'd walk a thousand miles to fall down at our door. He will give us everything we need.

Sometimes it's easy to forget that Jesus goes the distance. He takes the journey with us. He paid the price for us. He would walk to the ends of the earth for us. Each one of us. Isn't that amazing?

http://youtu.be/O3tNylJr7Z4

The Power of Prayer

I am a firm believer in prayer. I hope you are too.

I truly believe that if someone prays with an honest heart, God will answer their prayer. Now, I'll be honest here and mention that God's answer might just be "no." But the Bible says, "Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you." (Matthew 7:7)

We spent many years asking God to allow us to be parents it took two years of prayer before we got SB and then 21 months of prayer before we could adopt Mac. There were times we thought we would be denied. And certainly God did not answer in OUR timing, but in HIS.

We have been praying for nearly 4 years for Marshall's business to take off in incredible ways...and we're still praying that. They're still afloat, but it would be so nice to know that we would be getting a regular paycheck. We continue to pray for that and I know that one day God will answer.

I had a dear friend go through a fight with cancer two years ago. It was scary but she had so many people praying for her. Today she's healthy and thriving. Sadly, I had another friend many years ago also fight cancer and she lost her battle. Were prayers unanswered? No. She received ultimate healing, which sadly took her from this life. But she is whole and healthy and that's what counts.

Prayer is so powerful. If you have a need this week, pray for it. Ask someone else to pray for you. I find that when we humble ourselves and ask for prayer God is more apt to listen. First because more people are praying for a situation and secondly because we were brave enough to share our needs.

God bless you this week and in the weeks to come!

The New Year's Letter

 Two days before Christmas I was washing the dishes and thinking about my loved ones. My family and friends, my husband and my children. I was thinking about Christmas and wondering how I could express my affection to them in a gift that wasn't a gift. Then, an idea came to me.

I would write them a letter. Yes it's cheesy (which I fully am) and sentimental (which I am very much not), but I thought that a personal letter to everyone who means a lot to me would be a great way to tell and show people just how much they mean to me.

I mean, it's one thing for your aunt or best friend or spouse to know what they mean to you. They all know you love them, right? But do they know why? Do they know just how much they mean to you? I think we all along to feel loved and appreciated, and from that this idea was born.

I want to challenge you all to write your own letters to those you love - friends, family, old roommates, professors, mentors - anyone who has made a lasting impact on you whom you have great affections for.

I'm posting this hopefully after everyone has gotten theirs from me. But this is the first portion of my letter, which was the same for all my recipients. Then they got a personalized second portion that delved deeper into each relationship. Don't copy mine word for word if you use this idea, but write your own and let everyone know how you feel now - don't wait. Everyone needs to know they're loved!

Happy New Year 2012!

  You are receiving this letter because you are one of the several people I thought to write to so I could let them know just how much they mean to me. No worries, I’m not ill or dying, nor do I believe you are dying – I simply realized I wanted my loved ones to know just that…that they are loved.

  This letter is for you and only you. And I hope that maybe this will inspire you to write your own letters to those who mean a great deal to you. But please remember that I wrote this with you in mind although you are welcome to share it if you feel the need.

  First I need to tell you that I pray for you. Regularly. If you share a request, need, or bear your soul to me, I pray for you. If not, I pray for you still… for health, for success, for love, for anything that may come to me to pray about. Mostly I pray that you know the love of Jesus Christ as your Savior and that no matter what happens in your life, you can always count on Him.

  I also want you to know that you can count on me. As someone who is special enough in my eyes to receive this letter, I want you to know that I also count you special enough to drop any number of things so I can be there for you however I can. Even if physical distance separates us, I am but an email, phone call, or Skype message away. You matter so much to me that I would do anything in my power to help you and I want you to know that.

  We all go through struggles in life and you have helped me immensely through some of my own, whether you know it or not. And I can only hope that I have in some way provided the same service to you as well.

  You are counted among my greatest treasures – my family and friends. You are part of what is right in this world even when we disagree or haven’t seen each other in what seems to be forever. You have been a blessing to me both in the past and in the present; and I graciously thank God for sending you into my life.

  One of my biggest goals in life is to be a witness to the love that Christ has for all people. Not just Christians, not just those in the church, but all people; and I sincerely pray that you have at least seen glimmers of a Christ-like love in me. If I can help only one person in my lifetime head toward the salvation of God I consider my life well lived.

  As someone who knows me, you know what a heart I have for children, adoption and orphans. And it has been with your encouragement that I have been able to pursue, voice, and act upon these passions. And I must extend heartfelt thanks for everything you have done for me and my family in terms of prayer, support and being a listening ear.

  When I think of you, please know that a smile comes to my face and wonderful memories fill my head and you will always be a part of my family, regardless of where this crazy and chaotic life takes us.

  Please know, through this all-too-brief letter, that you hold a special place in my heart and I love you dearly.

 So this is my letter. Sent to a few select people who have meant the most to me over the years. Do your loved ones know how much you love them? What can you do in 2012 to show them just how much they mean to you?

Directing a Child

A recently topic of discussion on a parenting board I'm a part of and in our home has been how to avoid following Christ becoming a mundane chore. How to keep from forcing faith onto our children.

Marshall and I went around and around on this earlier and finally concluded there was only one answer. Proverbs 22:6.

"Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it." (NLT)

I think this translation is best because it says "direct." Most other translations say "train." Not force, not drag, but direct or train.

If we can steer, guide, teach and direct our children in the ways of faith, I think they will get it and become Christ-followers (either never stray, or will come back to it like the prodigal).
If we can teach them the truth of the Bible, teach them to love Jesus and others, without forcing it or demanding it, I think parents will be successful in helping to win another soul for the Lord.


How? Well, that's the question there. Going to church is important, but not all of it. We need to live our daily life for Christ. Be as Christ-like as possible to our children and everyone we encounter. And TELL our children that is what we are doing. We need to tell them that we're being merciful like Jesus or encouraging, generous, loving like Jesus.
Our kids copy us, and when they can see Jesus reflected in us, they will in turn be a light to others as well.


There is no guarantee that our children will become Christians. I know that. But as long as we follow God's path and plant the seeds and nurture them, I think it will turn out okay.


Direct your child. Guide him, teach her. Don't force it. That's the big lesson for parents.

Have a Christ-Centered Christmas!

I wanted to wish each of you a Christ-Centered and Filled Christmas this week! 

I hope you are surrounded by family and friends. I hope you are stuffed to the gills with delicious food and hearty laughter. I pray that the love of Christ permeates every inch of your holiday!

I will be taking a blogging break this week and will return to you in January! God bless you!

Luke 2 (New Living Translation)

The Birth of Jesus

 ¹ At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. ² (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ³ All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. ⁴ And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. ⁵ He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was now obviously pregnant. ⁶ And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. ⁷ She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.

The Shepherds and Angels

 ⁸ That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. ⁹ Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, ¹⁰ but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. ¹¹ The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! ¹² And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” ¹³ Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,
 ¹⁴ “Glory to God in highest heaven,
      and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
 ¹⁵ When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
 ¹⁶ They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. ¹⁷ After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. ¹⁸ All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, ¹⁹ but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. ²⁰ The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.

Jesus Is Presented in the Temple

 ²¹ Eight days later, when the baby was circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel even before he was conceived. ²² Then it was time for their purification offering, as required by the law of Moses after the birth of a child; so his parents took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. ²³ The law of the Lord says, “If a woman’s first child is a boy, he must be dedicated to the Lord.”^{[a] 24} So they offered the sacrifice required in the law of the Lord—“either a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”^[b]

The Prophecy of Simeon

 ²⁵ At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him ²⁶ and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. ²⁷ That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, ²⁸ Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying, ²⁹ “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace,
      as you have promised.
 ³⁰ I have seen your salvation,
    ³¹ which you have prepared for all people.
 ³² He is a light to reveal God to the nations,
      and he is the glory of your people Israel!”
 ³³ Jesus’ parents were amazed at what was being said about him. ³⁴ Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, but he will be a joy to many others. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. ³⁵ As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.”

The Prophecy of Anna

 ³⁶ Anna, a prophet, was also there in the Temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher, and she was very old. Her husband died when they had been married only seven years. ³⁷ Then she lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four.^[c] She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer. ³⁸ She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem. ³⁹ When Jesus’ parents had fulfilled all the requirements of the law of the Lord, they returned home to Nazareth in Galilee. ⁴⁰ There the child grew up healthy and strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on him.

Welcome!!! Have Some Ice Cream!!

Oh, thank goodness you're here! I was having a hard time keeping the ice cream away from the kids! I saved it just for you.
In case you haven't heard, it's my SITS Feature Day!

It's like a birthday, only better because I get comments. But the double-fun is that my birthday (yep - the 3rd anniversary of my 29th birthday!) is on Christmas Day, so we can celebrate BOTH!
Two scoops for everyone!

If you're new to A Few Sprinkles Short of a Sundae or not, it doesn't matter, I have ICE CREAM! Just don't touch my sprinkles! I'm already short.

For those of you NOT used to my sarcasm and superfluous use of exclamation marks (!!!!), I'm Allison. I'm a Christian woman, wife and mother - both biological and adoptive. I'm an avid adoption blogger and I also strive to let other moms out there know that they are not alone in this vast world of motherhood and all the twists and turns our busy lives provide.

This is me, wild hair and all!!

And yes, that is a halo above my head! Actually, I took this pic of myself at Bloggy Boot Camp Atlanta and I had the hardest time trying to hide that darn halo. Just ask my Tribe Members - I bet they saw it!

This is my family:

 

We are made up of two crazy trombone players who met when we were 13 years old, started dating at 17, and got married at 22! We have a biological daughter, SB, and an adopted son, Mac. We also have two heaven-bound children whom I cannot wait to see one day seated at the feet of Jesus.

Now, to find out more about who *I* am, check my about me page, and please please check out My Testimony about trusting God! These both include abridged versions of our story regarding infertility, miscarriage, giving birth and fighting tooth and nail to adopt.
And if you just want to know what the best posts are, I have a tab for that, too. See The Posts You Don't Want to Miss!

Oh, you want to know why I'm A Few Sprinkles Short of a Sundae? Good question. You see, way back in 2006 I started a blog about my pregnancy. Then it evolved into talking about my baby and our quest to adopt through foster care. And then we went into the fight of our lives to keep our son both with us and safe, so that blog came down and this one - which is slightly more anonymous - came up. I called it "Mommy's Scoop." And from the scoop came being "A Few Sprinkles Short of a Sundae," to indicate that I don't have all the answers.

There is so much more that I want to say, but I'll stop here and let you explore! I hope you enjoy your stay and have another scoop of ice cream!


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Santa Doesn't Come Here

I am recycling a post I did last year about this topic. My view hasn't changed, so neither has my post!

Sorry, Virginia, there isn't a Santa Claus.

I think I'm going to upset someone with this post. Oh well...

Why is it that at Christmas it's okay for your child to sit on the lap of a costumed complete stranger - one whom you have no idea where he was or what he was doing just an hour before? At any other time you would be clutching your child to you, running away from the laps of strange men like people running from a shark at the beach. And why else is it okay for said strange man to break into your house in the middle of the night while you and your children are SLEEPING? At any other time this would be a panicky situation and the police would be called.

And I don't want to hear about the "spirit of Christmas" making it okay. No. It's not fun. Imagine yourself as a 4-year-old. Mommy & Daddy are paranoid about making sure you don't go near strangers then they plop you down into the lap of one. He might be a child molester. You just don't know. And then telling that child he's going to break into your house?

There's a reason why children cry and scream when they see Santa. He's scary!

We don't do Santa at our house...but this is not (the whole reason) why we don't do Santa.
Now, I do appreciate Saint Nicholas and all he stands for. Saint Nicholas - the precursor to Santa Claus - was a Greek man and a Christian man. Nicholas was known for anonymously giving to those who had nothing. One of the most famous legends about him is when he provided a dowry for three young girls so that they could marry. He put the coins into their drying stockings hung over their fire.
In his legend, his name became the Dutch Sinterklaas (Saint Klaas). This gave way to the American Santa Claus, which roughly translates to Saint Claus (Claus being a short form of Nicholas).

So Santa was born out of the spirit of giving, which I think is wonderful. But in today's America, Christmas and Santa have come to represent the GIMME, GIMME, GIMME attitude of the world. We tend to think of Santa as a free pass to ask for and get whatever we want (provided we've been "good," which none of us really are).

We only give our children 3 gifts at Christmas. When the Magi came to see Jesus, he got 3 gifts, so that is our basis for 3. But we also do this to emphasize GIVING rather than RECEIVING. Marshall and I have worked hard to explain to the kids that we give presents to those we love as a way of showing that love. We only receive gifts because others love us.

Now, of course, we want the main point of Christmas to be Christ's birth. Not Santa & gifts. We want our children to know that while you can't see Jesus, He is there. His birth is why we have Christmas, not because we want presents. While watching Glee this week, one character said that Christmas trees were the "basis for Christmas." Um... no. I already covered trees before, but really. The world doesn't want us to think about Christmas having anything to do with Christ. I don't want to add to that for my children, Santa is a distraction.

Before we had children, we had friends (a revelation there!). One set of friends had two little girls and they said they did not do Santa. I was so intrigued and we talked at length about it. Marshall and I talked about it. We agreed.

One of the biggest reasons Marshall and I are not doing Santa in our house is that it is blatantly lying to children. Sure, it's pretend and fun, but my kids know when they're playing cowboys they're not really cowboys. With Santa, people want children to think he's actually real. I have a problem with that, purposely lying to my children. I can't do it. And if we lie about Santa, what's to keep them from thinking we're lying about God?

My kids know who Santa is. They've heard of him, but they will tell you that he's just a man in a costume. It's just pretend. They call "Santa hats" "Christmas hats," and most of the time little Santa figurines are called "Christmas men." We tell them about Saint Nicholas and how he was such a wonderful person who loved Jesus and people want to keep his spirit alive by pretending there's a Santa Claus.

Most of my friends do Santa with their children. I have told Sarah Bradley & Mac that people like to pretend he's real and to go along with it. But if she ruins it for your child, I'm sorry. But I won't apologize for for following my heart.

Thanksgiving Top 10

Tomorrow is the day we all have been waiting for - it's a month till Christmas!
No, I'm just kidding. I'm not ready for that yet. Tomorrow is the day we sit down with the families we have - be they the family we were born in to, adopted in to or those we chose for ourselves - and give thanks for all that we have.

It's been a rough few years for us. Everything with Mac's adoption, the expense involved, Marshall being in business for himself (which means not having a regular income). The kids are growing into the sassiest things alive. We had the miscarriage earlier this year. There are so many things we can look at and says, "Geez, it's been so hard (living a middle-class American life where we get to do things like eat every day and we have two cars and a mostly solid roof over our heads). You know, it's been hard."

But why is it so hard for us to realize just how blessed we are (you know, that we do get to eat not once a day, but any time we want! and that we have cars and electricity)? So I wanted to give you what I'm most thankful for this year.
Drumroll please...

1. The ability to stay home with my kids. Even though I would LOVE to have a career (not a job, a career), I realized this year just how blessed we are are I can stat home and raise the kids. Yes, my working would mean a  lot of our financial peace, but it's not worth the cost of our children's formative years. 
2. Smartphones. Yes, they're a hassle. They never work right. But through this awesome technology I can be in touch with anyone at the touch of a button. It's amazing to me that I can chat with my friends in Hong Kong and New Zealand any time I want. It's a blessing when prayers are needed.
3. My parents. They are awesome.
4. My in-laws. Also awesome.
5. New friends I have made this year. At the end of 2010 I felt very alone when the BFF & family moved to Mars (Okay, Texas. Might as well have been Mars). I'm so glad they're back and that I've also made some amazing other friends this year though my No Kids Allowed Mom's Club. Marshall and I have been hanging out with people over 4-foot-tall all year and it's been fantastic! I'm so thankful God brought me friends!
6. I'm thankful for my church. For the leadership we have, for the people who are passionate about spreading the word about Christ's unfailing love even when we fail.
7. My two BFFs. Michelle is an amazing person whom I love dearly. And Sindu has been my rock for the last 25 (gulp!) years and I love her so much. Without them I think this year would have sucked. A lot.
8. The three people I live with. Marshall, Thing 1 & Thing 2. They are the most amazing people I have ever met and I adore them all. God has blessed me more than I could ever know with them.
9. All the things I take for granted - food, hot (running!) water, sweet tea, scotch tape, television, insulation, ink pens, microwaves, cars, public schools, our teachers, freedom of speech and religion, toys, games, cameras, LIFE!
10. The ability to worship the Alpha and Omega, Adonai, El Roi, El Shaddai, Abba. Father. I am so, so blessed to live in a land where we can praise Him freely. I am so thankful to God for adopting me into His Forever Family. I am so unworthy, but He wanted me anyway. Praise Him!

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours this Holy Day. May the Lord bless you and keep you.

I am a Hypocritical Christian

Disclaimer: I am posting this particular post for a future date, as I don't want anyone to think I'm speaking about a situation with them in particular and I don't want anyone looking at the date this is published and think they have any idea what I'm talking about. Also, this is a general topic, but given the nature I wanted to make doubly sure nobody thought I was hypocritical to them.

I am a hypocritical Christian.

Technically, we all are. We're all sinners, preaching the "Do as I say, not as I do" theology. But we, as Christ-followers, should be doing our best to reflect the love of Jesus onto everyone we meet. And recently, I have completely failed at this.

I was, sometime in the past from when you read this, presented with an opportunity to do something that sounded like fun. Sounded like fun, but I knew it was wrong for me to do. But I thought about it anyway. I was completely giving in to the ideas of, "I deserve a little fun," and "Nobody has to know this one time." Listen, folks, I'm not talking hard drugs or anything, don't worry. Just something I knew I should not partake of, regardless of the "fun in the now" factor.

I thought about it. A lot. I asked a few trusted people about it. They all said to R-U-N in the other direction. But it was sooooo...tempting.

But the Bible says, "The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure." (1 Cor. 10:13)

I knew, when faced with this situation, that God could bring me out of it. I knew it. I knew this verse. This is the verse that inspired the addage, "If God brings you to it, He'll bring you through it." And as cliche as that is, it's true. You can, hard as it may be, turn from any temptation and walk away. You can. I promise you, I know.

When faced with my temptation (stop trying to guess. I'm def not talking about food here.) - and I do mean faced - I stood my ground. THIS IS NOT A GOOD IDEA. I even related that yes, I was sorely tempted. I thought partaking of said temptation would be fun, but I knew it was a bad idea. And I walked away.

Go me, right? I was pretty thrilled with my Christian self. Until I realized that I had totally played along until the last minute. I made myself and every other so-called Christian out there look like a complete hypocrite.
I could imagine those I walked away from saying, "You know, Allison said she's a Christian, but she was willing to give in until that last minute. I knew all Christians were hypocrites!"

GASP! I ruined Christianity for someone! NOOO! I want to go back and say, "Listen, I am not perfect. I am a Christ-follower but I am not perfect. Only Christ was perfect, I still sin away. I pray for forgiveness, I ask for salvation and to keep from doing a sin again! You can do that, too! You can turn away from whatever sin is in your life and make it right with God."

I did not say that. I missed a chance for a hypocritical Christian like me to witness to people who needed to hear it and maybe let them see that I am in no way perfect and Jesus loves me anyway and He loves them, too!

Someone who is aware of the situation said I may not have talked about the Love of Christ, but I showed it by standing my ground. The people, she explained to me, know I am a Christian and know that in the end, I chose God over the temptation.

I still feel hypocritical.

So if you're out there, person or people who might think all Christians are just zealous hypocrites, please know that we're all sinners - just like you. None perfect, not by a long shot. And we're tempted, just like you. And yes, sometimes we utterly fail and give in. (And God will forgive us over and over, thankfully.) And hopefully, most of the time, we can stand our ground and say, "My Jesus loves me more than that, and He loves you, too."

Romans 5:8-9 says, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him!"

Have you ever felt like a hypocritical Christian?
Or if you're not a Christian, do you think we're all hypocrites?

How Do I Do That?

I am blown away with each blog post of a 21 year old girl who has given her entire life away. Twenty-One years old and she's not in college, going to the movies, making out with frat boys or planning a wedding. She's not worried about her career or having the hottest trends. She's living in a Third World country, feeding people. Praying with people. She's taken in 14 girls who now call her Mommy. And she's only twenty-one years old.

I've blogged about Katie Davis before. Her amazing testimony. Her utter truth and her want for a better faith. Her desire to show the face of Jesus to people who have never seen it before.

She's recently come out with a book, Kisses from Katie, telling about how Christ is working in the people of Uganda. Just watching the video trailer had me in tears. Watch for yourself:





How can I be more like her? A girl, 10 years younger than me, who admittedly doesn't have it all together yet seems to know right where the Lord wants her.

How do I do that? How do I follow God's leading? It sounds like a simple enough answer, but it's not.

I'm too comfortable in my earthly environment. I like watching tv shows from Netflix. I like having any food I could possibly ever want right in front of me within a moment's notice. I like the creature comforts of heating and air conditioning and choosing which shoes to wear or buying new ones if I want to.

I want to be uncomfortable and live out my faith so that others would have to see God at work in my life. How do I do that?

Post-it Praise Day 19

If we only look, we will find Him. How hard it is to look sometimes! We get so caught up in self that we forget to look for the Lord. We get so wrapped up in our problems and our sins that we forget the Lord will set us free!
I am so thankful to the One who will always be there when I look for Him, the one who will restore my fortune, if only I ask.