Sacrifices and Blessings...

What I have asked of my kids in order to raise a large family through birth and adoption:

1. I have asked them to give up material things that their friends readily have. The lastest MP3 players, the latest computer or video games, a nicer car, bigger and nicer family vacations, more presents at Christmas or birthdays, more toys, nicer clothes, brand name food, more extra curricular activities, new shoes at the beginning of the school year, school pictures, going to the movies, going out to eat, and so on.

2. I have asked them to share my attention getting less one on one time. I have asked them to be more patient and for the older children to step up and help when my hands are full with one of the other kids. I have asked them to help each other learn to read, cook, throw a ball, ride a bike, or build a fort. I have asked them to baby sit their younger siblings time and again. I have asked them to clean, cook, pick up, wash, feed the pets, and be responsible for their own messes. I have asked my older kids to hold down a part time job so that they can help buy things they need or want.

3. I have asked them to reach outside of the boundaries that the world would set for them in order to have a greater love of Gods creation. I have asked them to have a compassionate and understanding love for people of different races, cultures, nations, shapes and sizes, makes and models, and different beginnings.

4. I have asked them to see that though college may not be paid for specifically by us, that they will always have our support and love. That we will do absolutely everything we can to help them be successful in life, but that true success is based on Gods criteria, not the worlds.

5. I have asked them to see that life is worth fighting for. I have asked that they see that just because things are difficult, financially tight, at odds with the world, go against common sense, and scary do not mean that one should quit. Instead it is an even greater reason to cling tight to God and put our trust in Him.

6. I have asked them to never be afraid to be BOLD for God! I have asked them to understand that when God calls you to it, He WILL see you through it!

7. I have asked them to be there for each other, that family matters! I have asked them to care for, encourage, fight for, love and depend on each other.

I have asked so much of them. And I pray that God blesses each one of them, as He has blessed me, with seeing His hands in the creation of our family! I want them to see that love has no boundaries, no borders, no blood ties but instead GOD ties. I have asked them to see that God intricately designs a family, knitting us together so that we may glorify Him.

It is my feverent prayer that each of my children go through life with God at the wheel. That they may be bold for Him. Answering His call for their life with a resounding YES LORD, YES LORD, YES, YES LORD!!!!!!!!!

Deuteronomy 30:6 The Lord your God will prepare you and your descendants to love him with your whole being so that you will live.

I found this on a fellow bloggers page and thought the translation to perfect to pass up:

"If it seems that we are crazy, it is to bring glory to God. And if we are in our right minds, it is for your benefit. Whatever we do, it is because Christ's love controls us."
II Corinthians 5:13-14a