My First "Link-Up"

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As I mentioned in my previous post, I get to be involved with an incredible NEW orphan ministry.  Which, not much makes me happier!!  I'm thrilled to be part of a link-up today with them (through their blog) where many bloggers and adoptive families can share a high, a low, and a lesson learned from the week.

So, here's my high, low, and lesson learned (although not in that order)...once you've read mine, check out the link above to read more stories from adoptive families!

LOW::  Let's just get this out of the way now!
Our community has suffered a few losses this week, and it's been difficult for many.  The one that hits our family the closest is the death of a police officer who is well known in our town.  The circumstances surrounding his death make it even more difficult for many to handle.  Barry (my husband) has been asked to do the funeral tomorrow, and he feels very honored to be able to be part of a celebration of life.  But, it's my low because it's a hard situation to know how to help him, the family, and others who are affected.  It's also kind of played into my lesson learned...

LESSON LEARNED::  John 3:36
As I have been praying for how to support Barry effectively, I've also been reading through the book of John. 

Let me give some background...as a pastor, Barry, has many suprise responsibilities I will call them.  Late night visits to the hospital, evening meetings with different people about various things, etc.  This week has been full of unexpected and challenging meetings for him.  As his helper, I want to help, but so often I feel so inadequate.  I make sure his clothes are clean to wear, that he has dinners to eat (except when I get strep in the middle of this week and we eat the same thing 3 meals in a row)...but somehow it doesn't seem like I'm ministering to him, or to any one else enough.

And then...we sat up talking one night about what God was teaching us.  I shared with him about John 3:36 which says, "He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” I found it interesting that the opposite of belief was disobedience, not unbelief.  I looked up the greek words and found that they are different.  Meaning, basically, that the belief creates an action in the person who believes, which is why it isn't simply unbelief...it's the lack of a belief that creates action. 

So, the next night Barry came home and shared about a meeting he had with a student that evening...and he used that verse to explain something to the student about Jesus.  He was so excited, and I was blessed.  My first ministry is to my family...and sometimes I forget that my ministry might be used by Barry to minister to others as well.

HIGH::  Sveta's lived with us for 1 year!
Today marks our first full day as a family together.  A year ago, yesterday, we picked Sveta up from her orphanage forever.  What an incredible feeling.

We didn't do much to mark the occasion (see above with crazy week and a mama who has strep) but we talked about it a few times throughout the day.  Then Barry and I reflected on that day, and our year.  Sveta was so trusting and yet so scared.  She didn't sleep much that first night as she lay in a big bed between us.  I don't think it helped that Barry was sicker than he's ever been...but she would reach over and rub his head (even though she wasn't sure about him yet). She's overcome so much loss, and is a complete joy.  She's a brave, intelligent, beautiful, caring, sweet little girl.  She's blessed us beyond belief in just a short year...and we can't wait to celebrate more years with our Sveta.