DO be glad of 62 in Attendance

Our 2nd church service saw 62! We knew the numbers would be lower, but it's not too bad considering it was only core team and guests! A lot of people came back. At our local ice cream restaurant, we had 10 come out. And, our Thursday life group had 18 show up. So, we're very pleased with the numbers, with the responses of the people, and the way things are moving along.

My Adoption Story

Today, I videotaped myself telling my adoption story. My dh is teaching about John 1:12 - "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." He figured my adoption story is an excellent example of that verse. Here it is:

What was your life like before you were adopted?
I was adopted when I was 4 yrs old, and I do remember the day I came over to America. However, I don’t remember anything before then. My papers state that I was abandoned as an infant. I was found and put into an orphanage, and they guessed my age to be about 6 mths. So, I don’t even know my real birthday or would never be able to find out who my biological parents are. I was severely malnutritioned when they found me, and the orphanage did bring me back to health. Most of what I ate there was rice, though. It was a very typical orphanage in a poor section of South Korea. The social worker told my adoptive parents a story about me. She said when she visited the orphanage, one day. Everyone was sitting in a circle during singing time. At one point, I just got up from my seat, walked over to her and put my head on her lap. That was when she knew I needed a family, right away.

What would your life have been like if you’d never been adopted?
I wouldn’t be here! America is the land of opportunity. If you have a dream, you can make it come true. No other country is like that! South Korea is a free country, but the poverty there is widespread! Seoul is the only city that prevents S. Korea from being considered a 3rd world country. I am amazed at the opportunities and blessings God has given me! He pulled me out of the worst possible conditions and gave me an incredible life! I don’t know why He did that but I am eternally grateful!

How did adoption change your life?
In the orphanage papers I received, they stated that each day, I was getting more and more introverted. If you know me, you would find that hard to believe, today! I had caretakers, but not parents. Without having that love pouring into me, I know I wouldn’t be the person I am, today. My parents taught me to work hard. They taught me that I had value as a person. I had something to contribute to the world and to others. My parents provided opportunities for education I never would’ve had. I got to go to Liberty University, where I met my future spouse! And I have three wonderful, adorable boys!

How did being adopted help you really understand the uniqueness of being a child of God?
When I was very young, when I told my friends that I was adopted, they’d say, “that is so sad!” And that perplexed me a great deal! I thought it was fantastic that I was adopted! Even more so, today, because I think adoption is a clear picture of God giving us the privilege to be His child. When I came over to America, to my parents, I realized what an incredible thing they did for me. But, it would’ve been ridiculous for a 4 yr old to try to show her appreciation by maybe, cleaning their house – I couldn’t have done a good job even if I tried. They didn’t want a servant, they wanted a daughter! That meant, they wanted me to love them right back. They wanted me to get to know them, and they DID want me to obey them, because they knew what was best for me. God has done something incredible – He's allowed us the privilege to be called His child. Once we accept that privilege, He doesn’t expect us to become His slave. He wants us to have a relationship with Him – get to know Him, begin to understand how much He loves us and what opportunities He has in store for us. He simply wants us to obey Him because He knows what’s best for us!

What difference do you see in your life because you've trusted Jesus as your Savior?
Just like I can't really imagine what my life would've been like if I hadn't been adopted,
I was really young when I trusted Jesus as my Savior, so I don't truly know what my life would've been like without knowing Him. However, I don't think I would've had this joy that permeates my entire life! God is truly wonderful, loving, and gracious!

DON'T Procrastinate even if it gives you a high

I always tell myself that I will NOT procrastinate, but I do. I am so exhausted at this point. I did about 5 loads of laundry, cleaned the entire kitchen, sanitized 3 bathrooms, dusted and vacuumed 2 rooms, printed out half of the church bulletins and bulletin inserts, printed out welcome letters for new members, and received guests tonight for our Life discussion group. Four people I never met before, came tonight, so that was wonderful! I ate 3 full meals today, and I am still hungry. That just shows how much running around I was doing. Tomorrow, I get to meet a lady from teachingmom.com, nickname AEinMD. We're going shopping. I need to pick up something for my middle ds since he will turn 7 this Sunday. I also have to print out the rest of the bulletins, and videotape me doing my testimony so my dh can show it for church on Sunday. I also have to create tickets for our free screening of "The Passion" we're offering in a couple of weeks. And work on my children's church lesson. I'm going to bed, I'm exhausted!

DON'T ask your kids to remind you of things unless you want to be bugged all the time

I forgot to mention, yesterday, that each morning I try to spend quality time with God. I read several chapters out of the Bible - I'm not really strict about it. I've used all sorts of ways to figure out what I read for the day. This year, I happen to read about 3 chapters out of the Old Testament and 1 chapter out of the New Testament.

Then, I journal. I tell God what's on my mind, what I'm struggling with, and then I ask God for forgiveness for stuff I know I've done wrong. I then pray for my dh and each of my boys. I have a list of character traits that I want to see developed in my boys. It's about a list of 30, total. So, for today, I prayed that my boys would learn kindness.

When I began this, I had hoped I would mention it to the kids, every day, so that it would be fresh on their minds. But, life happens, and I found myself forgetting more than remembering. So, I began making sheets of the character trait, and put them on the refrigerator. My boys just happen to be at the age where, once I tell them one thing, THEY never forget, lol! I forgot to renew the sheets every morning, so every day since then, they have been asking ME what I prayed for them about, that day!

A typical day for me

This morning, I put make-up on. Okay, that is NOT typical, lol. I only put it on Wednesdays, Sundays, and whatever day that I have to look good (like going out on a date with my dh). So, it IS a typical Wednesday. I go to our local elementary school and tutor a 1st grader, there. She is absolutely adorable!! But, today, she's gotten so used to me (she was so shy at the beginning), that she told me she was not going to read, anymore! I told her, if she never read anymore, I would not be able to visit her. Fortunately, she wanted me to come back!

When I got home, around 10am, my two youngest got homeschooled. I largely use workbooks. If I were homeschooling long-term, I'd probably use something different, but right now, I use what gets the job done! I am usually finished going over my boys' work by 11:30am, if we're having a good morning.

I love visiting teachingmom.com's discussion board. I check that regularly throughout the day. Whenever I need a break from working on a website design, I go over there and rest my brain. Sometimes not. Sometimes, the posts are very thought-provoking! I particularly enjoy the lighthearted ones, though - because usually I need a rest!

I am editing the design of an already MADE website. THAT is such a pain! That means just because I'm adding 3 little elements into the page, I have to edit 30 pages! I'm dreading this work, but it's got to get done.

In about an hour, my oldest will come home from school. I will have to bug him about finishing his schoolwork. I will also have to think about what we'll eat - I hate cooking! This evening, I will watch tv from 8pm until 10pm. I love Smallville and I've been watching American Idol. I have no idea who will get booted off of American Idol, but I hope Anwar and Anthony stay on - they are the best singers. I don't have a favorite with the female singers. I think mainly because the strong ones are country-sounding, and I don't like country.

DO have a Launch Day!

I call this day Launch 365. My dh didn't think it made sense. Our church is launching on 03/06/05 - 365. Also, it makes me think of 365 - we should be a church 365 days of the year, not only on Sundays! Anyway, it must be the quirky way I think.

Before I got sent to my class to teach (k5 through 2nd graders) I saw many, many friends and family of ours! How wonderful it was to see them support us, this way. I was a little nervous because that's all I saw. However, after I saw the pictures, I actually see more local-area people in the crowd! We had 120, not sure if that is including the custodian - who's thrilled about being with us during church.

In the afternoon, I was looking through our connection cards. And, there were THREE people that indicated that they made a decision to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior! Wow - that is so exciting! God was truly gracious to us, to allow us the privilege of reaping what we had not sown! A couple of them want to get baptized and a few others decided to recommit their lives to Christ.

Sunday evening, my dh started our first life group, which is to meet at our local ice cream restaurant. He had 7 people show up!

I can't believe the relief I feel now that this day is over!

DO Set Up a Day early when the school messes you up

We went to the school (where we'll be holding church on Sundays) about 8am. We didn't get home until 2pm, but we weren't running around like crazy, at least. The room is actually quite nice. There are 3 sections to it. One level is higher than the other - that's the stage area. In back is a smaller area (usually used for the teachers to eat) and it's even higher than the other 2. Overall, it should work fine. I saw on the internet that it was supposed to snow in the afternoon. It flurried, and then I saw sun for the rest of the afternoon!

DO expect more bad news mere days before your launch

The school called us this morning to tell us that the auditorium can't be used because there's a burning smell in there. They even canceled a school drama that was scheduled this weekend. But, we'll be able to use the cafeteria. So, now we have to go Saturday, to recalibrate the sound system, and also take down tables and set up chairs. I'm still praying it doesn't snow! The storm system is supposed to arrive in the afternoon instead of evening, now.

DO pray away snowstorms before your big launch

The weather has not changed. I've been praying that the storm would come sooner, but mainly that it wouldn't even snow. It takes a lot for me to pray for NO snow, lol! I love snow!

This morning, the school called us to tell us that we can't use the auditorium. Ugh. We have to go in early, tomorrow morning, recalibrate the sound system for the cafeteria, and setup the chairs. I'm also extremely tired since I've been printing programs, program inserts, registration cards galore.

It's a good thing I'm already prepared for my children's class. I will be teaching the Kindergarteners through 2nd graders. I've never taught a bunch of little kids before. I have only taught middle and high school classes. But, I also can't say I have no experience with that age group. I've taught my oldest son, K5 and 1st grade (homeschool). I am teaching my middle son 1st and 2nd grade, this year. And I"m teaching my youngest K4. I am also tutoring a 1st grader at our local elementary school.

DON'T worry, be happy (sing that loudly the week of your launch)

This upcoming Sunday will be the first Sunday that our church has its services. My stomach is in such a tight knot - it's been that way ALL week. I'm not sure why I'm so nervous. My biggest worry is that only our friends and core team will be there. Also, I've been watching the weather and it's supposed to snow Saturday night! All we need is for the local school to call us and cancel our first day! We sent out 10,000 mailers inviting people to come to our Launch day - that'd be awful!