Adoption Day

He predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ,

in accordance with his pleasure and will. Ephesians 1:5

This morning when I woke I wondered if today would seem different. Would the birds sing a little louder? Would the sky be more blue? Would the kids all have (supernaturally) good behavior? But as we got dressed and prepared for the hour long trip to the court house it quickly became apparent that today was going to be no different than any other day. The birds were asleep, the sky was dark and cloudy and the kids were behaving as they normally do--wanting to watch television instead of getting ready, claiming found toys ("mine!"), and dragging their feet when told to get dressed, get down or simply come here! The only thing different about today was that we all woke up an hour earlier and that--as you can imagine--did not set the mood for a wondrous, magical day.

With extra diapers, wipes, granola bars, Cheerios and juice boxes packed, we marched down the stairs and loaded the van. As we drove down the uncrowded highway I glanced in the baby-view mirror and caught a glimpse of Easton as he stared out the window watching the rising sun. His eyes were still sleepy and his chubby cheeks dimpled as he smiled at me when he noticed I was looking at him. As far as he knew we were just going for another ride to church, school, the grocery store or to one of the many other places we go on a daily basis. Regardless of where he thought we were going, his eyes were not crying tears of gratitude, he didn't tell me he was happy to be a part of our family, nor did he speak a single word on why he thought it was such a great idea for us to be following through with God's plan. He was just enjoying the ride.

As I focused back on the drive I noticed the song playing on the radio was not one of the typical Christmas carols that our local Christian radio station plays this time of year. The station had "interrupted regular Christmas programming" to play a song that demonstrated the type of music they play throughout the year. The song that was playing was titled Miracle of the Moment and sung by Steven Curtis Chapman. It was at that moment, I realized the miracle was not that we were on our way to adopt Easton, but that he had been my son all along. The miracle was making the connection that before Easton's heart began to beat, while he was still God' s secret, he was intended to be my child. The court papers, case managers and emotional roller coaster rides over the last two years were just the world's way of putting its two cents in on something God had planned from the beginning.

When we arrived at the court house I was amazed at the calmness I felt. Compared to other trips there, this time I wasn't afraid of the outcome of the hearing or worried about running into Easton's biological family. There was no anxiety as we entered the doors and went through the detectors. We were greeted with smiles of understanding and made our way to the third floor to wait for our attorney. --This is where the supernaturally good behavior would have come in handy but as I mentioned above, this day was no different than any other.--The boys got bored and the baby was squirming to get down and crawl on the floor that I'm sure was covered in over a thousand different types of bacteria, not to mention filth. Eventually we made it into the court room and were sworn in. Our attorney asked us the typical adoption questions one being, "Carrie, why do you want to adopt Easton?" To which I answered silently with tears. The judge said with a smile, "I think that says it all." The hearing lasted all of ten minutes and before we knew it we were back in the van headed to a family favorite restaurant.

On the way home I thought of all the "miracles of the moments" we've experienced over the past two years. The first, accepting a scrawny baby boy into our home--they could have called someone else, we could have said no. The next when I told a friend I had a feeling this baby was going to be with us for a while--only to have the baby leave three days later. Another moment came when Eric prayed at our church altar for the baby's protection as well as salvation. The next miracle was five weeks later when Easton came back to us. Other miracles were the amazing support and prayers we received from family and friends, the health of Easton and the unexpected but wonderful blessing of another pregnancy. A big miracle came on September 9, 2006, when parental rights were terminated making Easton free for adoption. And finally today, December 20, 2007, 729 days after Easton came back to us, officially adopting him into our family.

I know that just as we were predestined to be adopted into God's family through Jesus, Easton was predestined to be adopted into our family according to God's pleasure and will!

For information on adoption visit Steven Curtis Chapman's website: http://www.shaohannahshope.org/

What's For Dinner?

Try this delicious recipe I found on the Food Network:

Potato Pancakes (Latkes)
Recipe courtesy Linda Rohatiner
See this recipe on air Friday Dec. 14 at 11:00 AM ET/PT.
Show:
BBQ with Bobby Flay
Episode:
BBQ Holiday

5 large russet potatoes, peeled
1 medium onion
4 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup matzo meal (I used flour)
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup canola oil, for frying

Grate potatoes and onion into a bowl or pulse in food processor. Drain any excess liquid, then add the eggs, matzo meal, salt and pepper.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Spoon the mixture into hot oil forming small pancakes. Cook until underside is golden, about 2 to 3 minutes. Flip pancakes and cook until other side is golden and potatoes are cooked through, about 2 minutes more. Serve hot with sour cream or applesauce.

A viewer, who may not be a professional cook, provided this recipe. The Food Network Kitchens chefs have not tested this recipe and therefore, we cannot make representation as to the results.

*I think traditionally these are served with a beef brisket, but since we aren't Jewish, I served them with an Apple-Bourbon Pork tenderloin (yikes) and dinner was great!

Marriage

In honor of a very special person on her wedding day I offer these words of advice:

1. Passion is good, but compassion is great.
2. Admit it when you are wrong.
3. Bite your tongue.
4. Be the first to say, "I'm sorry."
5. Be quick to forgive--even when you don't want to.
6. Don't put yourself first.
7. Appreciate your spouse.
8. Allow your differences to compliment each other.
9. Don't walk out on an argument--work it out.
10. Bite your tongue.
11. You are not always right--and that's ok.
12. Share control, don't dominate.
13. Don't use the words "you never," or "you always," when arguing.
14. Compromise, compromise, compromise.
15. Did I say, "Bite your tongue?"
16. Treat your spouse as the most important person in the world--even when they don't deserve it.
17. Spend time alone together.
18. Don't forget to date each other.
19. Forget about yesterday's arguement--start today new.
20. Believe your spouse is the one you were meant to be with even if you doubt it sometimes.
21. Respect your spouse's opinion.
22. Be your spouse's #1 fan.
23. Don't make a big deal out of anything.
24. Depend on and trust each other.
25. Remember your spouse isn't perfect and neither are you.

Love you and congratulations.

Rebekah's Story

"Issac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife, because she was barren." Genesis 25:21a NIV

What is so significant about Issac and the fact that his wife was barren? He himself was born to a barren woman! I wonder if he grew up knowing what a miracle he was. Did his mother, Sarah, fuss over him a little more? Was she over-protective? Was he allowed to participate in typical boy activities, or was he sheltered and kept close to home? However Issac's mother treated him I'm sure he had heard the stories of how she was barren and how she had to wait so long for the child that the Lord had promised to her and Abraham.

So after the wedding, then after the honeymoon, then after the first, second, third and even nineteenth anniversaries came and went without Rebekah getting pregnant, I imagine Issac was experiencing a little de ja vu at his wife's barrenness. I can also imagine Issac's attempts to comfort Rebekah, "Honey, don't worry about it...remember how old my mom was when she had me??? You've got plenty of time!"

Regardless of Rebekah's age, her heart's desire was to have a baby. I wonder how many times Issac held her while she cried her tears of frustration, resentment and sadness. And what an awesome husband he modeled by doing exactly what a Christian husband should do: he went to the Lord and prayed. How beautiful that prayer must have been. A husband on his knees, calling out to the Lord, asking him to give the gift of life to his beloved wife. Oh the power of a praying husband!! The Lord heard his prayer and Rebekah became pregnant with twins! Once again the Lord's timing was perfect and His blessings abundant.

Not all men (or women for that matter) understand the emotional devastation a woman feels when she can not get or stay pregnant. Sometimes it is a relief to them--not another person to take care of or worry about. But the men who know God's word, understand that children are a heritage and a blessing from the Lord. They also understand that if they believe, and ask in prayer they will receive whatever it is they ask for as long as it is in the Lord's will. Issac understood. He prayed and he believed. How blessed was Rebekah to have a God-fearing and understanding husband.

"The Lord answered his prayer, and his wife Rebekah became pregnant." Genesis 25:21b NIV

Note: To those who do not have Christian husbands 1 Peter 3:1 says, "Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words [but] by the behavior of their wives." NIV

Easy, Edible Christmas Gifts

Here are a few easy and delicious treats to make and hand out this Christmas:

1. Chocolate Dipped Pretzel Rods

*Melt milk chocolate chips in double boiler.
*Stir pretzel rods in melted chocolate then let excess drip off.
*Decorate with colored frosting and flavored sugars (cinnamon, peppermint)

*Melt white chocolate chips in double boiler.
*Stir pretzel rods in melted chocolate then let excess drip off.
*Decorate by sprinkling crushed peppermints over chocolate covered ends.

*Allow chocolate dipped pretzels to cool then package in airtight container or gift bags.

2. Chocolate Covered Popcorn

*Prepare popcorn according to directions (butter flavored recommended).
*Melt milk chocolate chips in double boiler.
*Place popped corn in a single layer on parchment paper lined cookie sheet then drizzle with melted chocolate.
*Allow chocolate to cool then package in airtight container or gift bags.

3. Sugar and Spiced Pecans

*2 egg whites
*1/4 cup sparkling white grape juice
*1 cup sugar
*1 teaspoon salt
*1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
*1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
*1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
*8 cups pecan halves
*nonstick cooking spray

*Preheat oven to 250 degrees (F).
*Whisk first seven ingredients until well blended and frothy.
*Add pecans and coat evenly.
*Spread pecans on lightly sprayed, foil lined, cookie sheet and bake for one hour (or until pecans look dry), stirring often.
*Separate pecans then cool completely and store in airtight container or gift bags.

4. Eggnog Glaze

*Mix four tablespoons of prepared eggnog with one cup of powdered sugar and a dash of cinnamon until smooth.
*Pour over prepared pound cake, fruit cake or any other dense cake or bread.

Remember presentation is part of the enjoyment! Be creative in the packaging. Mix stripes with polka dots and plaids with gingham.

Use simple gift bags with decorative bows or solid color metal pails with large colorful grosgrain ribbon.

Also remember to use smaller containers; Small containers crammed full with goodies are more appealing than large containers with the same amount of treats.

Enjoy and Merry Christmas!

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It's that time of year again...

Here are some ideas to focus on Christmas being the celebration of Christ's birth:

1. Hang a stocking for baby Jesus and have your children fill it with toys they are willing to share with children, who like baby Jesus, have very little.

2. Have your children make birthday cards for Jesus instead of a writing a letter to Santa.

3. Bake a birthday cake for Jesus.

4. Set up a nativity scene before Christmas and add baby Jesus on Christmas morning.

5. Read the Christmas story on Christmas Eve.

And try to be more like Mary and relax in God's presence instead of like her sister, Martha, who rushed about trying to have the cleanest house, make the perfect meal and be the perfect hostess.