Something old- An engagement ring
10 YEARS AGO TODAY- Daniel Doss asked me to marry him. It was such a fun day. I think it was a Saturday- I went to a Ground Hawks Game (The infamous Flag Football team at UT-Martin). Then Daniel took me to our favorite hang out spot. He showed me his newly recorded CD that had just been duplicated and in the credits it said- "In the year that I've known you I've learned one thing- I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?" At just the perfect time he got down on one knee and gave me the ring. After that I was so excited we hugged and then he took me to Burger King. We went to Mel's recital or play practice and showed her the ring then went back to my dorm room and called my parents. It was a very good day.
Something new- A new hope
Today we heard about some new adoption situations that could be possibilities and I heard about a job possibility at the place I've been volunteering. It is Kids Alive International. Either of these are great opportunities. I love the environment at Kids Alive. I of course love the idea of an adoption happening - even possibly quickly. So there is a new hope arising with both of these possibilities.
Something borrowed- A blog background from www.leeloublogs.blogspot.com
I actually visited Britin's blog today because it is soooo cool that she is going to be featured on Tuesday's with Dorie. I always keep up with their adventures via Google Reader, but today I clicked on her actual blog and it was sooo cute. It inspired me to give my own blog a little make-over.
Something blue- me until last night...
I really am feeling your prayers! Thank you. Not sure why, but for some reason last night was a breakthrough in my feeling completely blue. I could actually concentrate at work today. Part of my healing process has come from friends willing to just listen when I'm not even making sense to myself. Also we have plans to head out of town in the next couple of days. The mere thought of getting out of town has helped me greatly. And of course: glory to God for His love and His strength that He is providing so very evidently these past few days.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Unbelievable
Unbelievable- The birthmom changed her mind and is going to let the birthfather's parents raise the baby.
Unbelievable- How connected we felt to this birthmom and baby. Truly we are crushed.
Unbelievable- The tears that have been shed over this unborn baby and the loss we feel.
Unbelievable- The Father's love that is being lavished upon us during our time of pain.
Unbelievable- The support of prayer and encouragement from friends and family.
Unbelievable- That we are making it through.
Unbelievable- The plans that God has for us- for a hope and a future.
Unbelievable- The rest and peace that He gives to the heartbroken and weary.
Unbelievable- How connected we felt to this birthmom and baby. Truly we are crushed.
Unbelievable- The tears that have been shed over this unborn baby and the loss we feel.
Unbelievable- The Father's love that is being lavished upon us during our time of pain.
Unbelievable- The support of prayer and encouragement from friends and family.
Unbelievable- That we are making it through.
Unbelievable- The plans that God has for us- for a hope and a future.
Unbelievable- The rest and peace that He gives to the heartbroken and weary.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Big Twist
Please pray for our adoption. I am in faith painting the nursery today and planning on everything going on as planned....but....
This past week Jeremiah's birthfather came back into the picture. He isn't necessarily interested in raising Jeremiah from what I understand, but his family is. His mom and sister (Jeremiah's grandmother and aunt) have shown interest in keeping Jeremiah in the "family." They let the birthmom have it and reamed her for even thinking about an adoption plan. The birthmom is in a hard spot. She has to decide what is best. She has to either give custody to their family and stop the adoption or allow us to continue and adopt Jeremiah.
The laws in Indiana are clear. There are two possibilities.
1. Serve the birthfather with paperwork- this would tell him that the birthmom is planning on adoption. He would have 30 days from when the paperwork is served to take action to stop the adoption.
2. Do nothing- then if the birthmom still signed her consent when Jeremiah is born we would have 30 days until the birthfather's rights are automatically relinquished. If he does take action, by signing up on a registry list, the adoption would be over. (We would be able to bring Jeremiah home from the hospital as long as the birthmom signs her consent, just with the risk of the 30 day period.)
I am unusually calm. I feel peace. If this doesn't work out I know God has a plan, but I am moving forward. I am making plans that God is going to do a miracle. This connection with the birthmom and how it has all come about has been a God thing. I can't tell you how much I want this to happen, but we've all had things that we've wanted to happen that didn't turn out the way we wanted. Se we will wait- we only have 8 more weeks to wait for Jeremiah's birth. We will definitely know if the birthmom is going to sign away her rights by then. :)
I am not mad at the birthmom at all- this is a really hard decision she has to make. I really am hoping that more than anything God shows her the best choice to make would be for Jeremiah to join the Doss Family, but if she doesn't then she will have true peace that she is making the very best decision.
Please pray for us. Please pray for her and the birthfather and espceially for baby Jeremiah- the choice she makes could drastically change the outcome of his little life.
Jeremiah 10:23 (NIV) "I know, O LORD, that a man's life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps."
This past week Jeremiah's birthfather came back into the picture. He isn't necessarily interested in raising Jeremiah from what I understand, but his family is. His mom and sister (Jeremiah's grandmother and aunt) have shown interest in keeping Jeremiah in the "family." They let the birthmom have it and reamed her for even thinking about an adoption plan. The birthmom is in a hard spot. She has to decide what is best. She has to either give custody to their family and stop the adoption or allow us to continue and adopt Jeremiah.
The laws in Indiana are clear. There are two possibilities.
1. Serve the birthfather with paperwork- this would tell him that the birthmom is planning on adoption. He would have 30 days from when the paperwork is served to take action to stop the adoption.
2. Do nothing- then if the birthmom still signed her consent when Jeremiah is born we would have 30 days until the birthfather's rights are automatically relinquished. If he does take action, by signing up on a registry list, the adoption would be over. (We would be able to bring Jeremiah home from the hospital as long as the birthmom signs her consent, just with the risk of the 30 day period.)
I am unusually calm. I feel peace. If this doesn't work out I know God has a plan, but I am moving forward. I am making plans that God is going to do a miracle. This connection with the birthmom and how it has all come about has been a God thing. I can't tell you how much I want this to happen, but we've all had things that we've wanted to happen that didn't turn out the way we wanted. Se we will wait- we only have 8 more weeks to wait for Jeremiah's birth. We will definitely know if the birthmom is going to sign away her rights by then. :)
I am not mad at the birthmom at all- this is a really hard decision she has to make. I really am hoping that more than anything God shows her the best choice to make would be for Jeremiah to join the Doss Family, but if she doesn't then she will have true peace that she is making the very best decision.
Please pray for us. Please pray for her and the birthfather and espceially for baby Jeremiah- the choice she makes could drastically change the outcome of his little life.
Jeremiah 10:23 (NIV) "I know, O LORD, that a man's life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps."
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Starting Small Groups
GracePoint is going really well. I was reading Pete Wilson's Blog the other day about miracles following obedience and I was thinking about us being in the midst of a miracle. We were obedient and left home and family to come help plant a church and now we are witnessing a miracle. How very very exciting. Although today was a stressful day, we are still in the midst of a miracle. Please pray for our birthmom. She has had a very stressful day and called early this morning just needing to talk. I love that she feels free to call me and talk, but it caused both of us to stress. I am believing God that all of this is going to work out, but today was very stressful- without giving too much info away- just please pray for her. (She is in no way wavering in her decision, just stressed.)
Tomorrow we get to be a part of another reason why we came to Valparaiso, IN. We are starting a Small Group in our home. Daniel is a fabulous small group leader. He is able to make a group come alive. He incorporates humor and puts everyone at ease. He can answer hard questions (Christina- are you reading this?) although sometimes he isn't afraid to answer with and "I don't know" reply.
I love small groups- I love that we get to have people over. I love that we have an awesome house to welcome people who don't really know each other yet, but will become friends over the next few weeks/months. I love to watch a group of strangers find common ground and live life together. I am so thankful for Grace Community Church believing in small groups and incorporating them into the life of our church four years ago. That was my first ever experience with community groups. I am so thankful that we get to branch out and share the idea of community groups with GracePoint.
Tomorrow we get to be a part of another reason why we came to Valparaiso, IN. We are starting a Small Group in our home. Daniel is a fabulous small group leader. He is able to make a group come alive. He incorporates humor and puts everyone at ease. He can answer hard questions (Christina- are you reading this?) although sometimes he isn't afraid to answer with and "I don't know" reply.
I love small groups- I love that we get to have people over. I love that we have an awesome house to welcome people who don't really know each other yet, but will become friends over the next few weeks/months. I love to watch a group of strangers find common ground and live life together. I am so thankful for Grace Community Church believing in small groups and incorporating them into the life of our church four years ago. That was my first ever experience with community groups. I am so thankful that we get to branch out and share the idea of community groups with GracePoint.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Parents
My parents came to visit this past weekend for the end of my mom's Fall Break. It was so fun anticipating them coming and then getting to show off the house and spend time with them. We got to do some shopping on Saturday and my mom in her wonderful teacher form bought Jeremiah some children's books. There are some very cute books out there and it was so fun to wonder and think about which ones will become his favorites.
I had a few favorites as a child-
Hiram's Red Shirt
The Little Red Car
Emily's Moo
The Pokey Little Puppy
The Purple Crayon
And I'm sure there were others that I am forgetting.
What were some of your favorite books as a child or books that are favorites to read to your children?
I had a few favorites as a child-
Hiram's Red Shirt
The Little Red Car
Emily's Moo
The Pokey Little Puppy
The Purple Crayon
And I'm sure there were others that I am forgetting.
What were some of your favorite books as a child or books that are favorites to read to your children?
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Amazing Day
Daniel and I got to meet Jeremiah's birthmom today.
TRULY AMAZING.
She is an amazingly strong woman and it was so wonderful to get to spend most of the day with her.
She gave me a picture of her ultrasound from the end of September.
Yesterday she had another Dr's appt. and Jeremiah has grown to 4 lbs!!! She is only 30 weeks pregnant- so he may come early?!? She said I could come with her to her next appointment if I wanted to- I said- OF COURSE. (Even though she lives about 3 hours away it will be totally worth it to be able to be there with her!!!)
It's so funny how we all have preconceived ideas of what people are like. Remember we've only gotten to talk on the phone before today. She told me she thought I'd be short, prissy, and older. I told her I thought she would be shorter as well- she's about two inches shorter than me, but still taller than I expected (she's really pretty as well). She said that she thought Daniel would look like Leonardo DiCaprio. :) She really liked Daniel (I mean who doesn't) and I was able to play some of his CD for her. But our preconceived ideas still make me laugh. Prissy and Leonardo. Isn't that funny??? HA! I feel like we really hit it off and had a great day.
I also got to feel Jeremiah kick! He had been kicking away and I totally got to feel a big kick. So crazy! So glad she is going through all this for us. I feel amazingly blessed and I am so grateful to God for working out all these details.
Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
I am blown away that He has chosen this plan for us!
TRULY AMAZING.
She is an amazingly strong woman and it was so wonderful to get to spend most of the day with her.
She gave me a picture of her ultrasound from the end of September.
Yesterday she had another Dr's appt. and Jeremiah has grown to 4 lbs!!! She is only 30 weeks pregnant- so he may come early?!? She said I could come with her to her next appointment if I wanted to- I said- OF COURSE. (Even though she lives about 3 hours away it will be totally worth it to be able to be there with her!!!)
It's so funny how we all have preconceived ideas of what people are like. Remember we've only gotten to talk on the phone before today. She told me she thought I'd be short, prissy, and older. I told her I thought she would be shorter as well- she's about two inches shorter than me, but still taller than I expected (she's really pretty as well). She said that she thought Daniel would look like Leonardo DiCaprio. :) She really liked Daniel (I mean who doesn't) and I was able to play some of his CD for her. But our preconceived ideas still make me laugh. Prissy and Leonardo. Isn't that funny??? HA! I feel like we really hit it off and had a great day.
I also got to feel Jeremiah kick! He had been kicking away and I totally got to feel a big kick. So crazy! So glad she is going through all this for us. I feel amazingly blessed and I am so grateful to God for working out all these details.
Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
I am blown away that He has chosen this plan for us!
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
10 WEEKS!
I read on someone's blog that their wife was within 5 weeks of their due date and I started thinking- that's a little over a month, but 5 weeks sounds like NO TIME. I wonder how long till Jeremiah is expected. I couldn't believe when I counted it up that it was only 10 weeks! ONLY 10 WEEKS!
I got to speak to Jeremiah's birthmom today and she is doing well. We talked about how we took our dog Suzy with us when we went to TN last week. And how some friends of ourS fed our dog every time we stopped. (Cindy and Ben!!!) She couldn't believe that we fed the dog people food...especially cheese- which is Suzy's favorite. :) She was concerned about Suzy since we were gone out of town and was wondering what we did with her while we were gone.
We talked about the dirt in Tennessee being a different color than Indiana dirt. She said when she was little that she would tell her grandmother how pretty the TN dirt was. Her grandmother called it red river clay. I remember climbing up the hill in Dover and sliding down that red clay. One of my favorite things to do on that hill behind my grandmothers house was to look for fossils in the red clay as we called it.
She told me that her grandmother told her that people used to eat the dirt and we wondered if that is where the term dirt poor came from.
We talked about how it's getting colder in Indiana and she said that Indiana is about to get cold and slick and she emphasized cold and slick. Not sure if I'm ready for that or not, but it's definitely on it's way- today it was ~48 degrees.
I love that at the end of our conversation she said to tell Daniel hello. We couldn't have been matched with a better birthmom.
I got to speak to Jeremiah's birthmom today and she is doing well. We talked about how we took our dog Suzy with us when we went to TN last week. And how some friends of ourS fed our dog every time we stopped. (Cindy and Ben!!!) She couldn't believe that we fed the dog people food...especially cheese- which is Suzy's favorite. :) She was concerned about Suzy since we were gone out of town and was wondering what we did with her while we were gone.
We talked about the dirt in Tennessee being a different color than Indiana dirt. She said when she was little that she would tell her grandmother how pretty the TN dirt was. Her grandmother called it red river clay. I remember climbing up the hill in Dover and sliding down that red clay. One of my favorite things to do on that hill behind my grandmothers house was to look for fossils in the red clay as we called it.
She told me that her grandmother told her that people used to eat the dirt and we wondered if that is where the term dirt poor came from.
We talked about how it's getting colder in Indiana and she said that Indiana is about to get cold and slick and she emphasized cold and slick. Not sure if I'm ready for that or not, but it's definitely on it's way- today it was ~48 degrees.
I love that at the end of our conversation she said to tell Daniel hello. We couldn't have been matched with a better birthmom.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
UTM Homecoming
So pumped to have been able to go to the UTM Homecoming (The BSU/BCM where Daniel and I met was celebrating it's 70th year of ministry). The Daniel Doss Band played in the quad and there were booths/tents all around. One group of girls really thought the guys were Kings of Leon because they did some cover tunes. Too funny, guess that proves how well they pulled off the cover tunes.
I enjoyed the show, but it was really cold out. It was good to get to see the DDB guys, minus Kenny, plus Rob. They are a great bunch of guys and I can't wait for Jeremiah to get to hang around them- they are all great role models and awesome Christian guys.
I got to see Cassie (Bryan's wife) and we received a beautiful card from them. What a blessing. I told her I could have bawled, but tried to only 1/2 way read the card, after getting home I re-read it, so special to have friends who pray for you through the good times and bad. It fit perfectly. :)
Here is a tiny little pic from my phone of the guys playing- VERY COLD- you would have thought we were in Indiana. ;)
I enjoyed the show, but it was really cold out. It was good to get to see the DDB guys, minus Kenny, plus Rob. They are a great bunch of guys and I can't wait for Jeremiah to get to hang around them- they are all great role models and awesome Christian guys.
I got to see Cassie (Bryan's wife) and we received a beautiful card from them. What a blessing. I told her I could have bawled, but tried to only 1/2 way read the card, after getting home I re-read it, so special to have friends who pray for you through the good times and bad. It fit perfectly. :)
Here is a tiny little pic from my phone of the guys playing- VERY COLD- you would have thought we were in Indiana. ;)
Friday, October 09, 2009
Baby Things
My mom received Jeremiah's first baby gift. (I do have one baby gift from Heather- that was so sweet and came before we even knew Jeremiah was coming- I love that she joined me in having faith that God was going to bring a baby our way.) Jeremiah got baby socks from my mom's friend at school. They are SO LITTLE!!! So my mom just HAD to go get two outfits to match the sweet little baby socks. :) Too cute! Daniel and I have resisted buying baby things so that my heart can handle the possibility of it not becoming a reality, but now we only have less than three months so we should probably get moving in that planning direction.
I am going to register today- hopefully at ToysRUs and Target. *That is my plan at least.
Luckily Amanda and I browsed the baby section and she gave me some suggestions. :)
I am going to register today- hopefully at ToysRUs and Target. *That is my plan at least.
Luckily Amanda and I browsed the baby section and she gave me some suggestions. :)
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
Roller Coaster Day
This morning we woke up at 4:30am. Our plan was to head to the town where our birthmom lives and help her out. We are able to help up to what the law allows and were very specific about not being willing to break the law. She in no way was asking us to break the law, but was down on her luck. Her car has broken down, her rent is due, and she is doing the best she can. The thing I am most impressed about this woman is that she is not looking for charity. She is actually resisting. We are willing to help- we were going to go pick her up and take her to her car and somehow get it fixed today. There is a time difference between us and we called at 5:30 our time before we began the three hour journey, but this morning she had changed her mind. She wasn't ready to meet us. Every time this happens and we don't get to meet her I jump on the emotional roller coaster. I think she is wavering in her decision to give Jeremiah up for adoption. At the end of the day when we get to finally talk through things it's never about her adoption decision, it's about her not being ready to meet us. (I told our adoption consultant- that we aren't that scary and that we love her already- if she'd just meet us we could love on her...but I'm kinda glad she didn't want to meet today because I have a big zit on my lip.) Gotta make something good out of it right.
So she is contemplating moving in with a relative which would mean she moves out of state. We can still go through with our adoption if she decides to move, and we made it clear that we want to adopt Jeremiah, and we want her to be able to do what is best for her and her family. She is making some tough decisions and trying to do it all on her own. She is a Christian. I reminded her as the body of Christ we take care of each other at times. We have all had times when we have to rely on others. I told her that it says a lot about her character that she is so strong and has been able to take care of herself. She is a good mother and is always thinking of her children first. I love her heart and that she didn't want us to go out of our way to help her.
Will you join me in praying specifically that someone will step up in her life and be the hands and feet of Jesus. Someone that will help take care of her basic needs and that she will know what decisions are best for her and her family. She is carrying it all on her shoulders. I have no idea how hard that would be- I am so blessed to have support all around me in good times and in bad.
So she is contemplating moving in with a relative which would mean she moves out of state. We can still go through with our adoption if she decides to move, and we made it clear that we want to adopt Jeremiah, and we want her to be able to do what is best for her and her family. She is making some tough decisions and trying to do it all on her own. She is a Christian. I reminded her as the body of Christ we take care of each other at times. We have all had times when we have to rely on others. I told her that it says a lot about her character that she is so strong and has been able to take care of herself. She is a good mother and is always thinking of her children first. I love her heart and that she didn't want us to go out of our way to help her.
Will you join me in praying specifically that someone will step up in her life and be the hands and feet of Jesus. Someone that will help take care of her basic needs and that she will know what decisions are best for her and her family. She is carrying it all on her shoulders. I have no idea how hard that would be- I am so blessed to have support all around me in good times and in bad.
Sunday, October 04, 2009
Eventful Weekend
Duke Amanda and Jayda came to visit this weekend.
1. We got to see what it's like to have an 18 month old roaming around our house.
2. We picked out paint colors for our new house (including Jeremiah's nursery).
3. We got to eat yummy food.
4. We got to go to GracePoint.
5. We created a list of baby things that might be needed or wanted to start a registry.
6. We got to just chill and hang-out.
7. We watched two movies back to back.
8. We stayed up extra late.
9. I got to talk to our matched birthmom for 20 minutes Sunday night.
10. We had a fabulous weekend.
1. We got to see what it's like to have an 18 month old roaming around our house.
2. We picked out paint colors for our new house (including Jeremiah's nursery).
3. We got to eat yummy food.
4. We got to go to GracePoint.
5. We created a list of baby things that might be needed or wanted to start a registry.
6. We got to just chill and hang-out.
7. We watched two movies back to back.
8. We stayed up extra late.
9. I got to talk to our matched birthmom for 20 minutes Sunday night.
10. We had a fabulous weekend.
Friday, October 02, 2009
Visitors!!!
I am so very excited to have our first overnight guests in our new house. Duke, Amanda, Jayda and Roxy are on their way!!!! I am ever so excited.
There will be so much to do:
1. Hanging out and catching up.
2. Spending time with Jayda.
3. Picking out paint colors for our new house. (Amanda is a pro!)
4. Picking out baby things for Jeremiah Cole!!!
5. Eating lots of yummy food.
So I am very very excited about this weekend and probably won't be blogging one bit. :)
There will be so much to do:
1. Hanging out and catching up.
2. Spending time with Jayda.
3. Picking out paint colors for our new house. (Amanda is a pro!)
4. Picking out baby things for Jeremiah Cole!!!
5. Eating lots of yummy food.
So I am very very excited about this weekend and probably won't be blogging one bit. :)
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