The Power of a Thumbs Up (or - I have a new boyfriend)

I was wandering through the clinic today looking for a certain employee when I happened upon a mom with two little boys, ages two and four, hamming it up in the play room. I talked to the mom for a few minutes.

When I looked into the window of the play room, I noticed big brother about to fall on and pound little brother. I gave big brother the most impressive mom eye brow and shake of my head that I could muster and the kid fell for it. He fell down beside his brother and looked up at me to check my reaction. I gave him a thumbs up and a big smile and nod of my head. He lit up like a light bulb and came running to me. He gave me the biggest hug and talked to me about his upcoming swimming lessons. I don't know this kid from Adam. Apparently he missed all of the stranger danger classes.

When they were at check out, he saw me at my desk and yelled as loud as he could that I am his girlfriend. He then ran around the clinic to find how to get to me, gave me a big kiss and hug, and then proceeded to show me his killer swim moves.

You never know who you are going to encounter throughout the day and how your actions and attitudes will affect them. I strive to be like this little kid - happy, warm and inviting to all I see. I can learn some good lessons from this little four year old bundle of enegry.

Thank you, little kid, for brightening my day. You are a little ray of sunshine. Randy Crawford, you need to be on your absolute best behavior. You have stiff competition.
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Matthew 11:25

[ Rest for the Weary ] At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.
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(this one is worth two scriptures today)

Matthew 18:3

And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Who Am I?

Who am I? What makes me what and who I am? What makes me special? Each one of was made uniquely and wonderfully by our Maker, God. Each one of us grapple with this same question.

We all begin with a clean slate. The things that are placed upon it come from both external and internal sources. We do not have control over the outside sources; however, we have control over the things that we choose to say, do or believe.

We need to be careful of what we let control how we feel about ourselves. Many people will try to tear you down. Does it matter what others think about me? Maybe. If I am living a life that will distract others from Christ, I need to heed to the gentle truthfulness from wise counsel. If the person's soul intent is to tear at me, I choose not to listen to that opinion.

I choose to believe what God says about me (and you, too). He has a plan for me. I am made in His image. I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I am his beloved.

It is my sincere hope that if you are reading this and you are struggling with this same issue, you stop listening to what the world would like for you to believe and listen to the One Who made you and hear the blessings that He is pouring over you.

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Psalm 139 13:18

13 Thou created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, 16 your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you.

Waiting

Randy and I are in the S L O W process of being certified to foster and adopt children. The wait time is getting close to the cook time of a biological child. The room is being cleaned out and prepared. The baby locks are on the cabinets and all of the other things that were recommended have been accomplished.

What type of room shall we put together? A crib? A twin bed or two? Blue curatins? Pink curtains? When you are anticipating the birth of a biological child, you pretty much know what to expect and prepare for. This is most interesting because there is not much planning that can be done prior to the arrival of (________). The plan we currently have is go to HEB for the bunk beds (yes, the grocery store in Hicktoria has the best quality bunks - sad but true), or go to Wal-Mart for the crib matress.

A friend of mine said she will throw us a baby shower when we get the call. What do I do, register at Target for boy and girl things in all sizes from preemie to 6? I hesitate to stock-pile too much because what if it is the wrong size, gender and season? Will the child(ren) be returned home or will this be their forever home? So many unanswered questions.

When we began this process, a song began playing on the radio and it has been played every day at least once every hour and a half. John Waller had the song "While I'm Waiting" played during the movie Fire Proof and it is so applicible to this situation. It is such a wonderful reminder to stop looking at the situation and wanting my own way - in my own time.

"I'm waiting I'm waiting on You, Lord And I am hopeful I'm waiting on You, Lord Though it
is painful But patiently, I will wait.

I will move ahead, bold and confident Takeing every step in obedience.

While I'm waiting I will serve You. While I'm waiting I will worship. While I'm waiting, I
will not faint. I'll be running the race, even while I wait.

I'm waiting I'm waiting on You, Lord And I am peaceful I'm waiting on You, Lord, though
it's not easy; but faithfully, I will wait"

I find it funny that this was released to be played over the air waves about the time I needed the reminder. God is good that way.

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Psalm 38:15

I wait for you, O LORD; You will answer, O Lord my God.

My First Blog

I was challenged by a family member with the directive that I need to begin blogging. I told her that nobody would be interested in learning the growth rate of the grass in Victoria, Texas. I later began to think about it and decided to give it a try. My husband, Randy, thought it was just another thing on the net to occupy my time.



To tell you a little about myself, I married my husband almost three years ago. We live in Victoria where he and his parents jointly own a business, Regal Marble, and I work for an opthamologist. I have a child .. child - she will be eighteen in September. Christina Marie lives in Frederickburg, Texas and is contemplating joining the military. I am still not sure how I feel about the thought of her serving.



Randy does not have any children and we are in the process of being certified to adopt and foster children through CPS. We have been working toward this since January 6, 2009 and the certification process should be complete soon. We will discuss this as it progresses.



I would like to leave you with a scripture: Number 6:24-26

The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace." '