De-Cluttering Update

On February 17th I posted my intentions to sort through my entire house by June 1st and get rid of at least 21 items every week.  June 1st has come and gone, so I decided that it is time for an update.  As I look through my house I would guess that if I would count everything I got rid of it would add up to well over 21 items each week even though I didn't count every week.  I did not succeed in getting through everything I wanted to, but I would guess I got about 90% of the way there.  I still need to work on pictures and craft supplies, random boxes in the basement storage room, and my office area.  Over the last few weeks I got rid of over 60 magazines, 11 college text books, a ton of paperwork, and over 50 books (I sold these to Half Price Books for a way to little amount, but at least they are out of my house).  I also sorted through 5 drawers and threw away or gave away almost everything in them.  My sister and I went through Zion's toys and I was really impressed by how many things he was willing to give away (I think he is hoping for more Legos for his birthday).  Today I cleaned out my bathroom cupboards and got rid of an entire trash bag of random stuff.  From this process I learned how easy it is to hold on to things when storage and closet space are available.  I also learned that I am not as attached to the things in my house as I thought I might be.  I honestly could have gotten rid of a lot more without any emotional trauma.  Lastly I learned that one of the more challenging things about getting rid of stuff is knowing what to do with it. I felt rather guilty about throwing things away at times (possibly why I haven't went through the last few boxes in the basement.)  

Some of the Books that I got rid of

Before Bedroom

After Bedroom

Moriah wanted to show Zion's room even though she didn't help.

Bathroom Linen Closet

A few weeks ago I was feeling rather burnout with the whole de-cluttering process and took advantage of a buy one get one free paint sale at Ace Hardware.  I painted my upstairs guest room over Memorial Day weekend and the following weekend went shopping with my sisters (Joy & Josie) and cousin (Sarah) for accessories.  I was technically shopping for things for my sister Joy's house, but she didn't seem to mind that I had my own cart.  The four of us ended up filling Josie's minivan so all of our houses got some updates. Now for the fun pictures:

Before Guest Room (tan walls)

Another before picture

Our van full of goodies

My shopping buddies (minus Adelynn) we did have Sarah's baby Elona with us 

Joy's living room (I forgot to take pictures of her bedroom)

After guest room (grey walls and a new layout)

I want to thank each of you for your prayers and support. As I reflect on the fact that Zach died a year ago today, I can look back and see God’s faithfulness in providing for our family and for the Cancer Redemption Project (see www.cancerredemption.com for an update). I will be honest in saying that the path He is taking the kids and I on isn’t easy. I have more questions then answers about our future, but God has taught me more clearly in the past year than any other time in my life that He is with me always and I can trust Him to take care of the unknown.

Recently, I have reflected on the words of Acts 22. Jesus speaks to Saul on the road to Damascus. Saul’s response in verse 10 is, “What shall I do Lord?” Jesus responds, “Rise and go into Damascus and there you will be told all that is appointed for you to do.” In the rest of chapter 22, God gives Saul (Paul) little pieces of the plans He has for him starting with completely surrendering to God’s will. I can relate to Paul’s question and his struggle to understand God’s plan for Him in light of His history and his weaknesses (v. 19-21). I often ask “Lord, what do you want me to do?” Sometimes it feels like He is silent, but I know from my past experiences that He wants me to press forward with the daily tasks of life and wait for Him to give me clear direction for the things that seem bigger than I can understand. I find peace in the fact that God is in control.

Priorities

 

I was in Florida over my birthday this year and had some quiet time to reflect on my life.  I am slowly reading through the book "Say Goodby to Survival Mode" by Crystal Paine and on my birthday I read a chapter about identifying what our personal priorities are so we can build our activities and lives around the things that are most important to us.  I wrote down a lot of things that day and then narrowed my priorities down to a list of 6.  I am finally taking time today to type them out and post them where I can see them often as a way to keep myself accountable. 

1-Cling to Jesus for strength, direction, and peace.
2-Love and nurture Zion and Moriah by spending quality and quantity time with them
3-Get my household in order so I am in a good place to bless others and move forward with opportunities God brings my way.
4-Take care of my body by getting rest, exercising, and eating a healthy diet.
5-Build close relationships for my mental and emotional well-being and to encourage others.
6-Use the talents God has given me to be a voice for vulnerable children, encourage adoptive parents, and bless other women.   

At times I feel like so much of my life is out of my control, but as I read through this list again I realize there is a lot I can control.  Instead of focusing on the things I can't control, I need to make the effort to concentrate my time and energy on the areas of my life that I can control.  I need to give the unknowns in my life to Jesus once again, so I can have greater peace and joy in the here and now. 

Graduation

Both Zion and Moriah had graduation ceremonies this week.  Zion graduated from Kindergarten on Tuesday night and Moriah graduated from pre-school on Thursday night.  I feel really blessed by their four amazing teachers, Miss Towle, Mrs. Gerber, Mrs. Girod, and Miss Tonner. 

Kindergarten:

 

Pre-School: 

 

State of Mind

I as started writing this I wondered if I would share it, but I have made a practice of being “real” on this blog, so here is another glimpse into my inner life:  

Earlier this week during my quiet time with God I was thinking about my life and reflecting on all the good things.  We have had a lot of company at our house over the last month and many other activities to be thankful for.  As I thought about these things I was saddened by the fact that I didn’t look forward to any of these events before they happened.   Many times before people arrived at my house I found myself pleading with God to give me pure motives so I could bless the people who were coming even though I struggled to look forward to their arrival.  Each and every time God answered my prayer and I found myself thankful for the events.   This week I acknowledged before God and shared with a friend that my thoughts and worries about the unknown are my greatest enemy right now.  I made a commitment my friend to stay busy with good things to keep my mind from all the thoughts that overwhelm me.  I had my kids’ friends over on Wednesday, had dinner with adult friends Wednesday evening, hosted Moriah’s birthday party on Thursday, and had another friend and her children over on Friday (just to name a few of our activities).  I went to the YMCA three times this week instead of my normal two.  Friday morning I gave my depressed emotions to God and shared them with another friend in the evening, finding comfort in the fact that she understood what it was like not to look forward to life. 

Maybe it is the extra prayers, maybe it is the excitement of spending time with a friend yesterday talking about some updates to my house (did you catch that I got excited about something), maybe it is the fact that I have stayed so busy that I can’t think…. Whatever it is God is good to me and as I type this I realize that I am looking forward to going to church and I am looking forward to hosting friends for supper this evening.  I know my battle with my thoughts/emotions isn’t over, but for the moment I am going to enjoy the fact that I am looking forward to today. 

Here is verse I wrote down in my journal this week:

“More than that we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”           

Romans 5:3-4

Moriah at 5

What is your favorite color?  Pink

Where is your favorite place to go?  To School

What Makes You Scared?  Bad Dreams

Who are your best friends?  Elly and Ashlyn

What is your favorite toy? Princess Sophia Stuff

Who loves you the most? God and Jesus

What is your favorite song?  Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

What are your favorite foods? Ramen Noodle Soup and Fruit

What food don't you like? Oranges and Sour Things

What is your favorite Movie? Sophia the First

What do you want to be when you grow up?  A Doctor

What else do you like? Butterflies and Planning Outfits (skirt, shirt, leggings, shoes and accessories), and Art Projects

Today we had a birthday party for Moriah and invited a few of Moriah's friends, their moms, and younger siblings. Moriah choose a princess theme and Queen Cassie came to join in the fun. Zion gave her his gift when he got home from school. On the menu for lunch was Ramen Noodle Soup, Veggies, Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, Fruit, Strawberry Lemonade, Pink Lemonade Cake, and Berry Ice Cream.

 

 

Cancer Redemption Project

When I saw this picture of the Cancer Redemption Campus I was amazed by God's goodness.  Four years ago this piece of land was a a rocky mountaintop used for grazing a few animals.  The concept of the Cancer Redemption Project  was not even on our minds.  Zach and I knew that something was wrong with him, but we didn't realize that it was cancer.  Our minds were occupied with finding a new house for our family and dealing with paperwork delays that kept us from moving into our house the day we planned.  At the time those things seemed so big to us, but how quickly our perspective changed when we found out Zach had cancer in June.

It is easy for me to become anxious about the unknowns in life.  Just this morning I read Matthew 6:33-34 "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.  Therefor do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself.  Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." ESV.  When I think about the Cancer Redemption Project I am reminded that God's plans are good.  He has everything about my future in His hands.  He wrote the story of my life over the last four years and brought to life this amazing place for children.  I can stop stressing about what He is going to do next in my life, because I have seen his goodness to me.  Has it been painful? Yes.  Would I change the work He has done?  No.