As a child, my heart always wandered to the more.
In class, I struggled fixing my gaze on the hired teacher in front of the classroom.
I often peered out the window’s glass, daydreaming about places, people and what tomorrow might bring.
Asking…
What was life like, outside these four walls I was trapped in?
Have you ever felt trapped?
Trapped in a life that felt small and unfulfilling?
It wasn’t until I blew out candles, season after season, that I realized…
Our eyes can be so busy gazing outward, that we miss the beauty hidden so humbly, right underneath our noses.
The Recording
A few weeks ago, I had the absolute privilege and honor of getting to walk into Michelle Tornetta’s studio to record a podcast, Simple Steps: for the Whole You, with my friend, Lisa Ostreim.
I have known Lisa for years! Lisa is gentle and kind. She is a humble learner & always seeks to grow in any and every circumstance possible.
Lisa was my daughter’s Preschool teacher. And anyone who knows me well, knows I was a Preschool Teacher also, and a Director for seven years.
You might just say, our lives have been woven throughout each other’s, not just for years, but for over a decade.
And then, there is Michelle. Michelle is a bright, bubbling light. Her daughter was such a joy to meet and the conversation that day, felt natural and effortless.
As we recorded, “Simple Steps”, I was reminded of the beauty in simple things. Small things, others might say, are unimportant or ordinary.
I was reminded…
The world will always make you dance for the spotlight…
But the true spotlight shines farthest from those who are most humble and surrendered to Him.
In the interview, I share a bit more about my life and how our family makes it through each day with currently, eight children.
Listen to my most recent Podcast Interview with “Simple Steps: for the Whole You”, at the following links:
SPOTIFY: Listen here
APPLE PODCAST: Listen here
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Why I rarely share personal stories about my family
If you are a longtime reader, you may question why I have not been sharing a ton of personal stories over the past few years of blogging.
One, we are an adoptive family.
That means, many of our adopted kids’ stories are theirs and theirs alone to tell. The exception is when my kids ask or give me personal permission to share their stories. (i.e. here and here)
Sometime my children even beg for me to record. So, we have a place just for them. It’s a place they can look back on and remember all God did through our home and family. (You can find that place here)
Secondly, in January, it will be eighteen years that we have been licensed foster parents. As foster parents, we hold great value in keeping the journey of the foster kids in our care, mostly private and personal.
As foster parents, we cannot share names or details about a case that may jeopardize the end goal. (Whatever that may be)
There are times, however, when a case is closed (kids either return home or are adopted by us or someone else) and we can share a bit more of our story, as well as our children’s. (That time may again be coming nearer.)
It is then, we hope to share both the struggles and the joys of foster care and adoption, as well as to point to, most of all, the magnificence of our Great King, who has been our strength and our grace, every single step of the way.
Interested in becoming a foster parent?
If you are interested in foster care and/or adoption or just want to know more, click here.
In the meantime, I sit today, holding both the beauty and the joy of what it means to be unafraid to live small.
I am reminded that…
In a world where everyone is trying to live large and seen, it is o.k. to live a small, humble life, no one else sees or understands.
Afterall, the King came as a small baby, to a small manger. The Kingdom belongs to the weak and helpless. The ones more likely to need a physician are the sick and the hurting.
The greatest things in life often come through the smallest and simplest packages.
If you are new here, I invite you to look around.
There is a new “MEDIA” section where you will find some of the other Podcast interviews I have done. There is also pages on marriage, foster care etc.
Thank you for being a part of this amazing experience called blogging!
As a veteran blogger, I just want to thank most of all, those faithful readers who have stuck around for the nearly dozen years I have been tapping out black letters on a white screen.
And most of all, thank you for the grace you’ve shown me as you have come beside me in support, whether that has been through purchasing my books, taking the time to stop and comment with encouragement, or by showing your willingness to share these posts with someone else.
May you be blessed. May Christ be glorified. And may He alone receive all the praise for the great things He has done!
