Expecting and Expectations

"O how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way, leaning on the everlasting arms. O how bright the path grows from day to day- leaning on the everlasting arms."
I was reminded several times recently that I am expecting! Yes, we are adopting, and no, we do not know for sure when we will be chosen by a birthmom, but, we are still "with child" (in heart) and expecting the arrival of a newborn. It feels good to be reminded of this and let myself celebrate that fact. We registered at Babies R Us the other day (please don't scold us if you think this was not wise or necessary- it was something we needed and wanted to do and was an important milestone in our preparation to welcome #4 into our family). Someone dear started making our baby's blanket the other day, I could have cried- how special and hopeful to us. There has been such an outpouring of support- prayers, fundraising, people asking us how we are doing and how things are going; thank you for walking this journey
with us and supporting us in it; it means so much.
We were thrilled to find out that a waiting family, we have met online, just welcomed their adopted daughter into the world- oh, she is cute! They have been waiting just a bit longer than us and it brought much joy and hope to hear they are now holding their 4th child in their arms.
Daughter and I decided to pack/stock our diaper bag today, just in case we get a call from the hospital anytime soon- wouldn't that be exciting and wild?! But, regardless we will need it anyway once baby arrives.
Along with expecting a baby comes "nesting". Today I organized our bathroom, linen closet, and schoolroom closet and it felt great. During my nesting session today, I came across some articles about Sarah Edwards (Jonathan Edwards' wife). I had been prompted to look her up again and it was quite timely that I found these articles. What a woman it sounds like she was- her greatest success was being a great wife and mom; what a valuable legacy! At the end of the research paper I was reading it said, "Sarah Edwards was not remembered because of her profound writings or her legacy-making preaching. Rather she is remembered as a model theologian who spoke not in words but deeds" (Morrison, 1998).
I want that to be true of me- that my largest "sermons" come from what I do and how I live my life, not just by what I say. It is easy to say the right thing, to challenge others, and to paint this flowery picture of my life...but I want people to be inspired by how I live, really live. I don't want there to be a disconnect between what I say (preach) and how I am living...when I see that in others and myself it is ugly for sure and puts a bad taste in people's mouth. I can say "be present and spend quality time with your kids"...but am I yelling at my kids and too preoccupied with my interests, aspirations, and life on the computer? Yes.
In 2 Corinthians Paul says, "If I wanted to boast, I would be no fool in doing so, because I would be telling the truth. But I won’t do it, because I don’t want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see in my life or hear in my message". Amen, I don't want to be praised for things that aren't really worked into my life. I want to be real, to not have a gap between my message and actually everyday life.
Today's Challenge: How do you spend your time? Do you live like Sarah Edwards, spending the best of yourself on those God has placed in front of you- your family? A wise friend once told me that I can have the greatest impact on society and for God's
Kingdom by raising our children well. And as we know, this is hard work! Sometimes I think moms of young children stay so busy with the "other things" (even good things) that they miss out on a lot with their children. I think some reasons this happens is: identity crisis, not really grieving the changes that motherhood brings (don't get me wrong there are fabulous things about being mom, but you do need to give up a lot to in order to gain), not wanting to face the hard things in motherhood (the whining, yelling, character flaws, sins, and weaknesses of our precious kiddos)-- it takes work to set schedules, and boundaries, and discipline consistently; but it is worth it, and it will be worth it! Let's not beat ourselves up with Mommy Guilt, but resolve to do the hard thing today- to love our families well. To lay aside selfishness and keep our husbands in mind and heart, to cuddle with our kids and pray with them; to talk more calmly and play with them.
Speaking of spending time with your family...here is a quick, easy, and delicious recipe for granola to make together.

4 cups Old-Fashioned Oats (Meijer Naturals Brand is what I use)
2 cups chopped Almonds (I use unsalted, or salted with sea salt)
4 tablespoons butter (melted)
1/2 cup raw honey or maple syrup (with no high fructose corn syrup)
I like to use a mixture of both of these (honey and maple syrup)

Mix the oats and almonds in a big bowl, then pour the melted butter with honey and/or syrup mixed in with it. Stir it all together. Bake in a lightly greased large glass plan in the oven on 300 degrees for 25 minutes, stir and then cook for 5 more minutes. Let granola cool and then place in an air tight container for up to a week. Trust me, you'll go through it quickly! You can add raisins when you serve it...eat as cereal or use as a yogurt topping. Yum!