Living life, loving god, loving people & lessons learned along the way.
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Hey everyone, quick update.    Family!
We’re in South Carolina with my parents for a while. I’m going to take a break from blogging and social media. Do any of you take a weekly sabbath from social media? That is something I’d like to implement. Maybe making Saturdays a no social media day. Facebook has been a lifesaver for our adoption, we have linked with other adopting families helping each other out, keeping each other in prayer and updating each other with pictures and such when people go down. We also use it to promote our photography, it has been the best at connecting with former/current/future clients…and then there is keeping up with long lost buddies like you guys! I would love to get off facebook. I have it for my photography business and keeping in touch with folks. But it is a timesink and snare foremost. Truly, I actually just enjoy facebook. Yes, I get frustrated sometimes because some of my connections don’t abide by the etiquette of social media usage, but overall, I like being so connected with people who I might have otherwise lost contact with as our lives change and grow. But… I’m a true extrovert so I can “fill up” my energy tank interacting that way when I’m not surrounded by groups of people. I can imagine, especially in the lifestyle you guys are living, that an introvert would feel exhausted by one more way to interact with people. that’s awesome, i’m glad that social media has been a good tool for you guys! good thoughts. thanks yeah, thanks for helping me articulate it… glad its a recharging place for you… it’s definitely not for me Over the past several years, I’ve given up Facebook numerous times. I think a year is the longest I went without it at any one time. Facebook is the kind of thing you don’t want unless you have it – that is what I’ve realized. For the most part, I think it is primarily a dampener of spiritual acuity: we get lost in the dispersion of a personalized tabloid (see “Newsfeed”) and become alienated from actual relationships and the world around us. Consequently, we become alienated from our own self-concept and lose any inner peace that we already had. I find that the constant generation of new yet pointless information makes it impossible to pray when I want to, let alone focus on any particular task without interruption. Generally, Facebook is a tumor on my existence which I intend to remove once again come next Sunday in preparation for Lent. i always love your thoughts dan, thanks man!  I found this photo on cnn.com and thought it was funny.
Greetings from Liberty South Carolina. We didn’t end up watching the game last night… We enjoyed some quiet time alone in our friends house, I did a couple loads of laundry, and watched some netflix and Jess got caught up on a few of her tv shows online too. Engage: Did you watch the game last night? Were you happy with the outcome? Do you have any superbowl traditions? Let us know in the comments. I haven’t watched the game in three years. It hasn’t appealed to me for some time. I used to only watch it for the commercials but I realized you gotta sit through a lot of football to see some good commercials. And lately you have to sit through a lot of sleazy commercials to get to the good ones. Nope! Grandpa watched the last two minutes. Guess it was exciting. Heard that the commercials left a lot to be desired! They use to be fun to watch. yeah, i wasn’t super impressed with any of the commercials i saw. luckily you can see all the commercials online now.  Greenville NC, My cousin Kimberlee and her family.
Greetings from Greenville North Carolina. It’s sunny and 73 here today! We’ve been spending some time with Kimberlee, who is my second cousin or first cousin once removed, I can never remember which it is. Her mom and my grandma are sisters. That makes us?.. I don’t know. Anyway we’re headed to Kimberlee’s brothers house this evening… home, Baltimore, 57 now, with rain. It was warmer earlier, but the cold front is moving through. So glad I got to see you both… and already miss you. 😉 Continued safe travels 😉 hugs~ Lying in bed, Greenville, clearing rain, post extremely windy afternoon yesterday. First cousins once removed for the genealogists. Or, your mom is my cousin. But I just say… you are one of my favorite cousins, both you and Jess. it was great to see you too! thanks for everything!!!!
I found this video interesting. Engage: Are you an introvert or an extrovert? Do you think Jess is an introvert or an extrovert? How about me? Let us know in the comments. that is pretty interesting. I’ve never actually taken one of those tests that “tell you” what you are, but by what most people have described extroverts to me, they’ve described them by having their batteries charged by being with people, and introverts needing much alone time. While I don’t think I appear to be an extrovert, I love being with people and am normally good if I just have 10\15 minutes to myself. I have friends that appear to be extroverts though, that would much rather be alone MOST of the day. very interesting. There are so many personality models out there– this is a nice explanation on intro- and extrovert. I like the comparison with shyness. I think I am mostly extrovert, but tinged with some shyness. Hmmmmnnnn. you should totally take the myers briggs test… its really affirming and eye opening, and it’s free online. it’s interesting that you can’t always tell who is an introvert and who is an extrovert.
I think you’re both introverts, though you Jim are probably a 100% introvert. Yep, he is!
 I’m starting something new this year called “Friends Friday” Some Friday’s I will have friends guest post. If you’re interested in guest posting for us let me know!
“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for the least of these, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40)
What did Jesus mean by this verse? And how does it apply to my life and your life? I was 16 years old when I felt the Lord place a desire on my heart to care for the orphans. My family had just adopted a little girl from China and I felt the “burden for China’s orphans” on my heart. But what can you do when you 16 years old, still in high school, living under your parents roof? You put it off. Well…. at least that’s what I did. When I thought about missionaries, I had this false image of them. I felt that they were specifically chosen by God to “go.” I also believed that they were almost “super Christian” in a way. Had strong Biblical knowledge, had it all together, and never once doubted God. Wow, was I wrong! As the years went on and I kept giving God excuse after excuse as to why I couldn’t go, the Lord broke down those false images. I have learned that I had it completely backwards.
God doesn’t use the strong. He uses the weak. He uses those of us who DON’T have it all together. He uses those that are a “work in progress.” But who are willing to be the clay and allow God to mold us and use us.
“My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)
I will be the first to tell you that I am not “qualified” to do what I do. I have spent the last 8 months of my life living and serving in a foster home for special needs orphans in southern China. How did I end up here? I ran out of excuses. I realized that if I was going to be the woman God was calling me to be, then I had to start listening to Him and obeying. And I knew without a doubt that He was calling me to China to be His hands and feet to the least of these.
Is everyone called to sell their car, quite their job, and move to the other side of the world? Probably not. But we are ALL called to do something. Whether it’s move to the other side of the world or love on the least of these in your own hometown. It may be caring for orphans in a third world country or taking someone out for coffee who may be lonely and in need of a friend.
I am not superhuman or superchristian. I’m just a 26 year old girl willing to allow my Heavenly Father use me. It is not easy. Actually this time of the year it is extremely difficult being away from my family and friends for the holidays. I don’t know what my future holds, but I’m willing to allow Him to mold me and use me in how He sees fit.
What is God calling you to do?
We’re in Maryland right now, and we’re sorting and getting rid of, selling, donating, throwing away A LOT of our stuff. It’s been sitting in a friends basement untouched for over 2 years… which leads us to believe, it’s not necessary for life.
It got me thinking about a video I saw of a guy that had limited himself to 100 things, which led me to the creator of the movement, conveniently being interviewed on Christian television. 😉
Engage: Watch the video and share with us; What your relationship with your stuff is like, or share with us as a Christian what you think our relationship with stuff should look like?
Super thought-provoking. When I moved I gave a lot away, thinking it wasn’t worth it to hang on to. But even in the past 5 months, Ive given a couple decent sized boxes full of stuff away. Mainly clothes, but…for what I use on a daily basis, I have far more stuff than that… thanks for sharing your thoughts lisa! I heard Dan Baumann share this quote a while back and it’s really stuck with me. Engage: What are your thoughts on that quote? How does it apply to your own life? Share with us in the comments. By far, one of my fav blogs. thanks! This was one of my cars which I sold in 2008 found out just got totaled a couple years after I sold it.
We’ve driven around 1300 miles so far on our road trip and we’ve still got 2.5 months to go! Since we’re spending so much time on the road, here are some tips I wish I could share with every driver.
1. ALWAYS Drive With Your Lights ON Here’s a tip; don’t wait until the gas light come on to fill up your tank. I do this often and it is usually a BAD idea. yeah that is a good one. i try to never let mine get below a quarter of a tank, and when its winter and I’m traveling, I try to never let it get below half. Speed up to merge onto a freeway, don’t slow down! Nothing is scarier to me than being behind a driver who doesn’t know this rule. If you desire to improve your experience only keep visiting this website and be updated with the most recent yeah… speed up when merging anywhere pretty much. I guess I should say, please read a driver’s manual, is my tip to others. You do realize that all five you listed are actually laws. If people aren’t doing those things, please tell me which states they drive in. Yikes! I love number 5, part B. But they are all good. Also… if your wipers are on, your headlights should be on. Just another way to remember what you described above. Gently slow going into a curve and gently return to speed coming out. For the rest of my tips, folks will just have to take my tutoring course. Oh. Maybe reread number two. The heading is slightly off. fixed, thanks good point! Its such as you read my thoughts! You seem to know so much about this, such as you wrote the e-book in it or something. think that you just can do with some p.c. to force the message home a bit, however instead of that, that is excellent blog. A great read. I will certainly be back. Take a look at my web site; kendrick property management Thanks a bunch for sharing this with all of us you actually Bookmarked. Kindly also visit my site =). We could have a link exchange contract between us! Here is my web page – http://Www.Catralproperty.net Great info and straight to the point. I don’t know if this is in fact the best place to ask but do you people have any ideea where to employ some professional writers? Thanks Also visit my website: sky tv spain forum Costa Tropical Wow! Thank you! I continually wanted to write on my website? my blog post http://www.Thespainforum.com I neеdeԁ to thank you for thіs excellent гead! ! I abѕolutely enjoyеd everу little bіt of it. Also ѵisit my blog poѕt :: DiamondLinks Review |
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by Jim Baker
Anxiously waiting…..Love Grandpa and Grandma
Sad to have you go!!!!!!!! Love Mom and Dad
Hi, I like reading your blog posts, I hope you and Jess are able to actually relax with all of your driving and traveling!
thank you! and thanks for reading!!!
a great visit indeed thanks for everything!
i’m typing this sitting in your living room with you
Glad you guys are having a good trip! My parents are in FL at the moment as well.
thanks Anneli! What part of Florida?