Saturday, May 7, 2011

What Have I Learned?

One night this week, while suffering from EXTREME insomnia, I made a list of what I have learned since the beginning of when God started working on our hearts towards adoption. I thought I would open up and share.


1. I am not in control.
2. God is in control and His timing will be as He sees fit.
3. There are MILLIONS...nearly 163 million children world wide who need families.
4. I too was once an orphan and God took me in.
5. I have fallen in love with a country i have never seen, smelled, or met anyone from.
6. I have fallen in love with a child i have never met and most likely has not been conceived on the other side of the world.
7. Points 5 and 6 have taught me so much of what point 4 is all about. Again, God took us all in. To compare the love Tim and I have for a child and country not of our own....wow...really sheds a light onto who God is and who we are in Him.
8. Having a family is not all about DNA. Family is about people.
9. There is much to give and sooo much more not necessary to receive.
10. Homeless people are not going to assault you when you give them $. DO NOT laugh!!! For some reason, my "street smart" self has always not made eye contact on streets or talked to people I did not know. I've made this effort to look at those needing help on side of road and give when i have $. I'm certain I can spare a frappucino or that meal deal in effort to maybe give someone else a meal. I am instructed to "love the least of these"....I'm embarrassed that this is even in here, but it's real and I'm trying to be real. Makes me look like a big snot. I promise I am nice, but I would be lying if I was to say I was not afraid of the people standing on the side of road asking for help.
11. There's a whole world outside of fox news, cnn, msnbc....the USA IS NOT the only country in the world and turning the channel is no longer an option when things are hard to see.
12. Blogging is good journaling AND therapy.
13. Sewing is a hidden talent I didn't know I had AND therapy. HA!
14. Children who need homes are not only international but domestic too and not all domestic adoptions are not all of physically, emotionally and sexually abused backgrounds. 
15. Secular music, for the most part, sucks. Hard to find redeeming qualities in today's music.
16 Christian music fills my soul with fruits to nibble on throughout my day.
17. Women of faith....surround yourself with women of faith (and the conference is cool too). Negativity does not have much space in our home.
18. If you can't find sunshine in something, best to not gripe about it...especially in the age of FB. Always seek the gift in whatever it is.
19. Again God is in control. Journal the experience to remember the perfect timing when things don't feel so perfect. At some point...the timing will appear again as "perfect". 
20. Communion...it's a beautiful cleansing experience. I have been going to church year after year, but have not participated in communion for a very long time! For some reason, I felt I was not "good enough" to be there. BUT ISN'T THAT THE POINT??? God fills those gaps for us and wipes us clean! Again, somewhat embarrassed to admit this point.
21. Easter is BY FAR the most important holiday to celebrate. Why do we focus so much on Christmas???
22. Let go of perceived failures and really believe in the meaning and beauty of Easter.
23. Don't be afraid to show who you are and furthermore, Who you serve.
24. Celebrate the little things
25. Give up things which cause others to stumble.

So that's my list....I think I'm going to make it a page and add as we go. I will begin keeping track so I can reference back when I'm feeling weak or less than. 

Happy Sabbath!!!
XOXO
one less

5 comments:

Courtney said...

Love the "new look" Erika! So cute! Great lessons learned too!

Unknown said...

How true about #8

Joe and Deanna said...

I so agree with all you have said! I have learned so much and my faith has grown immensely as the Lord has used this already (and we are still in the paperwork part of it all) to show us himself and ourselves and our lives.

Kuddos to you for being such a good "student!"

Deanna

Home Project Manager said...

This process has changed us...forever. We are forever grateful.

We have so many months ahead of us and I pray we continue to grow.

Have a wonderful day!

erika

kera said...

erika freeland {somehow when i say freeland is seems to add the punch i need added without my voice}!!! i sooooo love this list. there are sooooo many....secular music is just not my thing anymore....i've tried to listen to it here and there lately and christian music is what soothes my soul and makes me happy {and cry sometimes too}. having family is not all about dna but people. blogging is good therapy and journaling. oh there are soooo many more i love!! perfect list and appreciate your honesty! it's good to "come clean" once in a while even if it leaves you feeling vulnerable! love you lady!