Listening & Being Heard

Last night I got to sit with a group of ladies who all have adopted or are foster mommas. I shared a piece of our family’s story and taught a little about Bible Journaling.  I haven’t done a Bible journaling class in a while and no joke, it just get’s me all kinds of fired up in the best kind of way.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE watching women get excited about reading God’s word and adding this creative twist to their time with God.  It’s something I could talk for hours about because it has been such a game changer in my life personally.

After the event ended I sat around a table with other women just talking, sharing and listening.  There was crying and head nodding and words of affirmation and words of encouragement.  Josh and I aren’t really plugged in well to a group with other foster parents or parents who have adopted.  When I got in my car to drive home I felt so so encouraged and thankful and heard.  I felt valued.  I felt lifted up.  I felt a sense of belonging.

Being a parent is hard.  Pretty much the hardest/best task Josh and I have been given the sheer honor of having.  We’ve also got kiddos who have suffered an imaginable loss in their life and it absolutely stops me in my tracks some days.  I feel like I’m failing them most days.  I feel at a loss most days.  I literally beg God to be the answer to all their questions because I still feel so inadequate to be their momma despite it being my greatest, most undeserved gift.  A lot of time I can feel isolated and alone.  Last night those feelings diminished and I hope the other ladies felt the same.

I thought about so many thing on the way home, but mostly how simple the act of listening to others can be.  And in the same breath, how the simple act of being heard carries the same impact.  Listening and being heard.  I’m just still feeling all the feels about such a simple and sweet time with new friends.  I’m going to try and listen a little more carefully today to others because I understand the value in feeling and being heard.

Change of direction…and in other housekeeping/adoption fundraising news:

Our Nothing Bundt Cake week is still in full force.  It has been so fun seeing everyone share about it and posting pictures of their cake.  We are so grateful.  I’ve had so many questions about if you can order cake and yesterday I found out that yes, in fact you can.  So if you need some delicious cake in your life and you are not local, give the Hendersonville Nothing Bundt Cake store a call (615) 447-3285 and they will ship cake to you.  You can also order online.

I headed to their store bright and early Monday morning to pick up cake goodness to share.  Cake pretty much always say “I love you” or “we appreciate you”.  Who could you share some cake with this week…teachers, neighbors, friends, doctors office, post office workers, your favorite cashier or banker.  I bet your post man would die if there was a little cake waiting for them in your mailbox today.  Let’s all buy tons and tons of cake and share away.  Remember, baked goods can change the world.

And the best part, everyone has raved about how freakin delicious these cakes are.  Everyone.  We left one for Josh’s mom the other night while she babysat our kiddos.  As I was walking her out I said “Oh you forgot your cake.”  She then reassured me she had not forgotten her cake, but had actually devoured it and there was no longer any actual physical cake left.  Hahahahaha.  Again, everyone loves cake.  Second best part, 10% of all sales will go towards our adoption fees.  Raise the roof.

And last thing our Noonday Collection online show is closing down this Friday night.  We are so close to hitting a big goal and our family still receives 20% of online purchases as well.  Thought I would share a few of their sale items because they are awesome and encourage you guys to think Christmas.  Remember, Josh Kelley says it’s never too early 🙂

You can view all their sale items HERE.

Thank you guys again so much.  We feel so humbled and honored you would pray prayers or lend any help at all to our family during this process.  Grateful doesn’t even come close to touching it, so please know we are just beyond grateful.

Happy Wednesday!!!