Recorded Messages from the Past!

We have a few messages on our answering machine that mean the world to me. They are the voice of my mother. They are very difficult to listen to and they pop up for review every 100 days. I can not erase them because well I GUESS I DO NOT NEED TO EXPLAIN WHY... they are from Mom who passed away on April 26th, 2008. Todays message was so sweet- Hello, Jeanie, well I guess I called too late and your kids are in bed. I just wanted to tell you that I miss my little girl (Anna), oh and I miss you too- my other little girl. Come by and visit as soon as you can. I love you! Well. okay, goodnight...

I love you too, Mom and I miss you, too...

Girls only- the big girls that is!

Last night my sister, sister-in-law and I met for an evening out. We met at a local dinner theatre, had a glass of wine (well maybe two?), dinner and enjoyed a one act play called "The Wonderman". The play was enjoyable, it was about growing up in the 60's and 70's. It brought back many fun and funny memories of childhood. Along with the laughter was a pang for the good old days. The days of being a kid free from worry and focusing on fun! I wonder if the children nowadays can look back at their childhood - as free from worry and focusing on fun. I will have to ask our older children. I hope our daughters will be able to look back on the life with their family in Minnesota like that and with a respect for their past in China. I think that is the direction Jim and I are trying to go in with our daughters.

Back to the evening! We had a blast.We celebrated sister-in-law Tracy's birthday. The three of us have just started getting together over the last 8 months (since Grandma passed away) and we are finding that we really have fun together! Without grandparents in charge (command central) I wasn't sure what exactly would happen to the extended family. As it turns out we are having more fun than ever! It is nice because it is the one place you can share family/friend updates and thoughts and the other people actually care! We spend most of our time laughing an enjoying each others stories! We have shopped in a little town near my house and went out to lunch (they were getting me out of the house after gallbladder surgery). We all got together for Anna's forever family day at our house. We celebrated the 3 graduations and Anna's baptism. We went boating and out to dinner for my sister and my big birthday. Next on our agenda- probably after christmas is a girly movie and dinner. Some events are for the family and some are girls only!

Thank you God!

Today I met with my good friend. She is going through an unwanted divorce. God Bless her. It has been a difficult road for her and her family. I have wanted to fix the situation but it is not one I can fix. I have prayed to our dear God about it and then felt so useless. Sometimes I want it all better for selfish reasons- so our families could continue our traditions of New Years resolutions and 4th of July fireworks (done by the kids of course!). They were the only family that was brave enough to invite the growing "Mulvahill family" over!  

When we set our coffee date, I prayed that God would give me the right words, that our conversation would stay positive and that the Lord would wrap his arms around my friend and guide her down the dark road. God is so good. No, I didn't say or do anything fantastic, nothing quotable for someone's new book but God did his part!  Today I saw a glimpse of who my friend really is, I saw hope in her eyes and I saw her leaning on the Lord! We had a nice visit- it was only 2 1/2 hours! :-)

Thank you God, thank you so much. 

Jean

Ask and you shall receive!

While on our adoption journeys we have met so many wonderful families that are also passionate about adoption. They are loving families that have room in their heart for more children. What I find even more amazing is their courage to step out of their comfort zone. Specifically, fund raising so they can bring their child home. The adoption process is very expensive and it is hard to make all the payments. Even after the adoption expenses there are the travel expenses. I think it takes courage and humility to ask others for help. I know some families have had to endure criticism from friends and family members. God wants us to take care of the orphans, he wants us to open our home to children in need. He wants us to ask for help and to trust him that help will come our way. He doesn't want us to hide in our safe place and never take a chance. He wants us to step out into the world with faith and know that he is with us every step of the way. I deeply admire the families that ask for help to make a dream come true. Give what you can, no matter how big or small it is, give to God's children.

Simplify, Simplify, Simplify...

These are the words of Henry David Thoreau! They are not directly from the bible but in all honesty I feel like they must have been inspired by God. To me they are words of comfort and wisdom. It doesn't mean take the easy way out or do as little as you can. It means to enjoy the simple things in life. If a task can be done in a simple way do it that way instead of complicating things and making it difficult. Be peaceful, be simple, be a good person and be thankful to the Lord!

A while back when we were having more than the average challenges, Jim and I saw this written on a piece of driftwood. It seemed so "simple" and accurate. We felt like God was telling us something, it really spoke to our heart. That is how this blog got named! In order to keep my story "simple" I will stop here! God's Blessings to all!

Yes, it's Friday Night!

Don't feel sorry for me- it is Friday night and I am sitting here posting on my blogs. Let me explain!  Jim is out of town on business- he will be home in a couple hours. Anna is in bed sleeping soundly. Johnny is doing a community service project with school and sleeping at a friends house. Personally, I am quite happy. It is a time to be peaceful and reflective. 

I have been thinking of my faith, my job as spiritual teacher and my walk with Jesus. In many ways I feel very inadequate. I was raised in a family that did not talk about God- at all. My brother cringes when I speak of faith and my sister's faith journey is just beginning. My mother and I developed a spiritual relationship over the years. We had wonderful discussions that were helpful and enlightening to both of us. She passed away in April. I miss her very much but God has been kind and strengthened me to carry on. I was raised Episcopal and I am sorry to say they only go to church when you can't golf, there is not a Viking game on TV and they can't think of a reason why not to go. I still have a bit of that in me and it is a constant battle in which the opposition loves to taunt me. I have since converted to Catholic. I agree with many of the teachings, the service is similar to the Episcopal church and Jim was raised Catholic. I feel at home and it works well with our family.

So I was sitting in confirmation in 7th grade and the priest is talking about the Holy Trinity- I was all ears, it made so much sense to me. I guess that was the moment that the Lord was alive in me. I believe he gave me a heart to hear his word and to believe. If you are born again- that was it for me! When I could drive I attended church on my own. I have had many periods of time when I was closer to our Lord and when I was NOT. I have likened my journey to a dog on an extendable leash- sometimes I am walking right there with the Lord and sometime I am so far away- I am not walking with anyone. I have had a few life changing events. When we had our first child I became pro life. It was very obvious at that moment that my previous thoughts were wrong- as simple as that- they were wrong.  I have had a miracle of healing in my life, for which I am very thankful. 

Jim and I have had a few life changing events also which has brought us to where we are now. We are very thankful to our Lord Jesus and are lives are devoted to him. We look to our Lord for guidance and we are here to serve him. 

Throughout the blogs and journals I have read- I have found such amazing people (mostly women) who love the Lord. Their writings have been so inspiring and they have opened their hearts and shared their deepest thoughts. Many times they will quote scripture and I love it! I would read it and think "wow" where did you find that (of course in the bible but where in the bible) then I would think they probably grew up with a family of believers and maybe their Dad was a minister and they have studied the Bible and memorized scripture. Oh I could never do that... Now, I don't have enough brain cells for the memorizing part BUT I have to tell you- I decided that I cannot be afraid of quoting scripture. It is not a magic touch that you need- it is faith in our Lord, a willingness to trust him and try something new and BINGO!  I got my bible by my computer and I open it now and the verses come popping out at me. Each one I read seems better that the next!  It is a live with God's words and it is so cool!

I do have more to say at a later date but for now this is it!

A final word: Be strong with the Lord's mighty power. Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the opposition.

Ephesians 6:10-11

Who new that Ephesians and Phillipians had such great stuff in it! I am just finding that out!! Thanks God! Oh, and it was my mom that gave me this bible!