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Kids with Promise- Enjoy Real Food
- It's A Boy!I've been very absent from writing blogs this month because we have a new baby! Asa Peter Dusan was born April 27th and he's been in NICU ever since. He's doing well, but, needless to say, I've been a little busy. For more about Asa's story, click here. Have a great week! […]
- It's A Boy!
- A Parent in Silver Spring
- Walk for Flynn on Sunday in Rockville to Benefit Research Down SyndromeThis Sunday, take a stroll with your family for an important cause, Research Down Syndrome (RDS), and in memory of a beloved local son, brother and small but mighty RDS champion who passed away this year. A Walk for Flynn Sunday, May 20, 2012 at 9:00 AM North Lake Center at 15101 Bauer Drive in […]
- Walk for Flynn on Sunday in Rockville to Benefit Research Down Syndrome
- Author, Jody Hedlund
- Everyone Gets Jealous, Even Published AuthorsYes, I’m ashamed to admit. I get jealous of other authors. It’s ridiculous really. I couldn’t ask for a better start to my writing career. I’ve accomplished what every author hopes. I’ve earned back my advance and then some. I’ve had plenty of positive reviews on Amazon. I’ve won awards and made the CBA bestseller list. I’ve pleased my publisher enough for t […]
- Everyone Gets Jealous, Even Published Authors
- Rachelle Gardner, Literary Agent
- Great Reviews or Great Money?We all know that the books receiving critical acclaim aren’t always the same books that are selling millions of copies. The books that win literary prizes aren’t always logging big numbers at the cash register. So tell me: If you had a choice, which of the following would you rather be? (1) An author publishing […]
- Great Reviews or Great Money?
- Blessed…
- Schuconnected
- Christian Mama's Guide...Hi everyone! This week, Troy's sister's book, The Christian Mama's Guide to Having a Baby, is free on Kindle at amazon.com!Here's a link: Christian Mama's GuideGo download it and share it with any friends who are expecting! It's a fun read.Hope everyone had a blessed Easter! […]
- Christian Mama's Guide...
- Kathi Lipp – Christian Speaker and Author of The Husband Project
- My 5 Favorite Ways to Use Post-itsMenu Planning – Before I write anything in ink on the actual menu, I put the meals I want on small Post-its so that I can move them around to accomodate my family’s schedule. No sense putting stir-fry on Wednesday night when everyone is going to be in and out of the house. Better to [...]My 5 Favorite Ways to Use Post-its […]
- My 5 Favorite Ways to Use Post-its
We want to cover sweet baby Asa in prayer as he faces surgery tomorrow! So we’ve set up a prayer chain where people can sign up to pray tomorrow morning in ten minute slots. We covet your prayers as our sweet little boy has major repair surgery and starts the healing and recovery process. Please sign up for as many slots as you’d like… and please spread the word! The more people praying, the better!
SIGN UP FOR A SLOT NOW
And if you’d like to see which slots are still open, click here to see the running spreadsheet.
Please spread the word! Let’s rally EVERYONE to pray for this sweet little boy!
Want to know more about baby Asa? Here’s a snippet of his story.
Let me know… erin@christianmamasguide.com… if you have any trouble!
Dear Birth Mom,
I am in awe. I have been sitting here staring at this picture of my precious new nephew Asa for an hour now and I am overcome with emotion. He is so beautiful– those big dark eyes and those tiny lips that seem to be continuously turned up into a smile. Tears stream down my face as I write this– tears of joy because we have been waiting for this day, for this child, for him, for so, so long.
But I know that our joy comes at the price of your pain. I know that while our hearts are full, your arms are empty. And while I don’t know who you are or where you’re from, I do know that our family is eternally grateful to you for making such a courageous choice. Your choice– the decision to give Asa up for adoption even at the cost of your own heartbreak– is the bravest and most selfless choice that I can imagine a mother making. And we give you our heartfelt thanks.
I’m sure my words will do little to soothe your wounds, but I want to assure you that Asa is already adored by our entire extended family. We have been praying for him– for you– for months now and we joyfully welcome him into our lives with humility and a deep sense of gratitude. He has an entire network of prayer warriors praying for him as he faces surgery– and he has an entire network of friends and family who are ready to shower him with love, compassion and mercy as he heals.
Right now, Asa’s big sister Haddie and his cousins Joey and Kate are in the room drawing pictures to decorate his bedside in the NICU. Kate drew tiny Asa in a crib while surrounded by all 11 of his cousins being showered in kisses. Haddie drew her brother smiling. Joey drew him holding hands with his parents, skipping through a field.
As they draw, the kids keep asking to look at his pictures. They laugh at his sweet expressions. They dream of what it will be like to hold his hands for the first time. And even at a young age, each of them instinctively know that this baby boy– our baby boy– is theirs to love and cherish. And they, like the rest of us, have all already fallen helplessly in love with him.
So, thank you. Your gift has changed our family forever. You will forever be an unsung hero in my mind–and you will be in my prayers always.
Love, Erin
Note: Baby Asa will be facing surgery to repair his intestines (which developed outside of his body) sometime between May 2nd-May 4th, 2012. After that he will spend several weeks in the NICU in Temple, Texas before being able to come home. His road is long, but his prognosis is really good. Please keep Peter, Alisa, Haddie and Asa in your prayers. I will update my blog with Asa’s progress as he heals.
My prayer for my courageous, funny and exuberant son on his 6th birthday
Lord, I had expected my life to be different when I had kids, but I never imagined how much my son would change me. I didn’t realize how the instant I saw Joey, I’d gain a whole new understanding of your love for me. I didn’t understand the depth of protectiveness, of passion, of hope and of joy that Joey would bring into my life. I didn’t know that his being would affect my being so deeply, so wholly, so intensely.
But Lord, in one moment, six years ago, I was changed. I hadn’t been sure I wanted kids just yet. I didn’t know what to do with a baby. I didn’t have a clue how to be a mom. But when they laid my sweet baby boy in my arms, my heart ached—not with pain, but with awe. He was beautiful—perfect, whole, amazing. And you had chosen him for me. I am so blessed.
Lord, I know you have a plan for Joey this year and I thank you for giving me the chance to watch your amazing work has it unfolds in him. Lord, protect him. Protect him physically, emotionally and spiritually. Help him to grow and thrive in Your love and care and in the warm embrace of our family. Lord, as he grows, help me to know what to say and how to act so that I never cause him to stumble. Give me the grace to be the mom he needs—and the courage to stand for you even when it’s difficult.
Thank you, Lord, for blessing me with my smart, funny, creative, passionate and exuberant son. Help me to never forget that he belongs to You and that you love him with a love that goes beyond even my own. How safe I feel knowing that my children– my precious treasures– are in the arms of their Father. Thank you for that hope– and I pray that Joey (and Kate and Will) — never, ever for one moment doubt that hope.
Amen
I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling the need for some encouragement today—so I turned to the One who can encourage. Here are ten uplifting verses that helped me to look beyond the sticky cheerios on my counter and the whining kids at my feet—and to the One who really matters.
“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asks receives; and he that seeks finds; and to him that knocks it shall be opened.” – Matthew 7:7-8
‘Cast your burden on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be moved.’ Psalm 55:22
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” – Romans 8:28
“The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knows them that trust in him.” – Nahum 1:7
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear … ”
1 John 4:18
“The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.”
Proverbs 18:10
“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goes forth and weeps, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” – Psalms 126:5-6
“Fear not: for I have redeemed you, I have called you by your name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you: when you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon you. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior…” – Isaiah 43:1-3
Casting the whole of your care on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. 1 Peter 5:7
My prayer for my beautiful daughter on her 4th Birthday
Lord, my arms ached for a daughter from the time I was a teenager– and while I love my sons fiercely, there’s something special about this precious gift you’ve given me. Thank you, Lord, for giving me my beautiful, kind and precious Kate. She’s even more wonderful than I dreamed.
When I look at my children, I get a glimpse of you. You’ve created them in your image and at times, when I watch them, I am filled with awe at Your creativity, Your passion, Your love. Kate has this personality that is entirely unique– and I can’t wait to find out your plan and purpose for her life. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to watch your amazing plan as it unfolds.
Lord, I pray for Kate during this, her fourth year. Lord, protect her. Protect her physically. Protect her emotionally. And, Lord, protect her spiritually. She loves you so purely and wholly and optimistically. Protect her from anything that could blemish her innocence– and pull her away from you. Give me the tools to raise her in a way that’s loving yet firm, hopeful yet honest and faithful yet trusting.
Thank you, Lord, for allowing me to steward this beautiful child. Help me to never forget that she belongs to You and that you love her with a love that goes beyond even my own. How safe I feel knowing that my children– my precious treasures– are in the arms of their Father. Thank you for that hope– and I pray that Kate (and Joey and Will) — never, ever for one moment doubt that hope.
Amen.