Wild Goose Chase

In our Sunday School class, we've been studying a book called Wild Goose Chase. According to the author, Celtic Christians used to refer to the Holy Spirit as the "Wild Goose" because of how mysterious He is, but also because of the adventure that the Christian life can be when we are chasing Him. The book is about how we as Christians get complacent and bored in our walk with Christ and we lose that adventure. We often miss out on all that the Christian life can be because we are not chasing the Wild Goose. It talks about the reasons why we fail to live the adventure including our responsibilities, our assumptions, and our guilt about our past failures. The book challenges the reader to stop putting God in our own little box and start chasing the Wild Goose so that we can see what adventures God has in store and truly glorify Him with our lives. My point in saying all this is that this study really has me thinking about the possibilities. I don't think I even grasp how big God is. I've seen Him work in my life and in the lives of those around me, but I think that too often I do put God in a box that is the same size as my biggest problem. I really do feel like I am currently in the middle of God's will with my family and my career, but I think that too often I make assumptions about what the future might hold. I will say that Jason and I both had always assumed that we would have at least two children three years apart (both boys in our minds) and that we might have a third down the road. Obviously, we are not limiting God based on that assumption. However, I have also always assumed that I would be a school counselor for the rest of my career (33 more years) and that Jason and I would stay here in Alma and raise our family. That may very well be God's will for me, but there may be other things in store. That is the challenge that I am facing right now, determining what assumptions I have made about God's will and about my life and pinpointing areas in which I need to open my mind and my heart and find the courage to chase the Wild Goose. Its a thought-provoking book and a good read I might add.

Switching gears, there is some news on the adoption front. We have now completed the certification process for all of the documents that need to be submitted. They are in the translation process now and as soon as that is completed, they will go to the Haitian consulate and that part of the process will begin. My prayer is that there will be no delays and that these precious kiddos will get to come to their forever homes soon. Also, we are probably going to go visit the orphanage on Spring Break and get to spend some time with little Sammy so I'm super pumped about that! The hard part will be coming back to the United States without him! I already told Jason to prepare himself because I will cry. He told me to remember that we can only take one home. I can pick out kids for the rest of you to adopt if you want! :) Just continue to say prayers for that orphanage, for those precious kiddos, and for this adoption process- no hangups!

Thanks for all the prayers thus far. Blessings to all!

Manesseh

Loving the Snow!

So, we've had a bunch of snow this winter and Cade generally hasn't been a fan. Every time that there is snow on the ground, he makes us carry him to the car and has zero interest in touching it. So, this morning when we woke up to three or so inches of snow, I got the response I expected from him when I asked if he wanted to go play in it, "Nuh-uh. That too cold." However, after some convincing and a promise that we could make Frosty, he got excited and we went outside. At first, he just stood there. He wouldn't walk in it- he'd make us come get him and move him to where we were. He was "frozen" in the snow, no pun intended. As the snowman started coming together, he got a little more into it. By the end of our hour and a half outside, he was running in it, eating it, tackling us in it, making snow angels, and loving it. When he woke up from his nap, he wanted to go back outside. So, hopefully next time he'll be more excited. We'll see- you never know with him.

Cade, Daddy, and Frosty

Eating the snow! 

Now, we've had fun in the snow, but we're educators so snow equals going to school longer in the summer. Truthfully, neither of us are too bitter about it right now. I work later anyway and I'm not sure if I'll have to add those days on the end of my contract- probably, but oh well. I'm really enjoying all of the time home with my hubby and little man- now or later. The snow is so stinking beautiful and so much fun! I think we're going to try some sledding tomorrow. You know, you've got to take the days that God gives you to spend time with your family and make the best of them. So, that's what we're gonna do! Enjoy the snow everyone! :)