More often than not our Sunday dinners are at the Culvers on 86th street in Urbandale. Today was no different. Jon was preaching at the Bridge and I was at Meredith Drive doing my thing. And, of course, the kids were with me. We met Jon at Culvers. One of the perks of having Josie is that we get to park in handicapped parking. However, sometimes I get a few "looks" when I pull up and walk around the van to get the kids out. I am sure people are thinking something like this - "She doesn't look she needs handicapped parking, why is she parking there?" One time in a parking garage in downtown Des Moines somebody even told me to save the handicapped spaces for people who really need them. I was just about to open the van door to get Josie out - as I pulled her out, I told the lady that if she wanted to adopt a child who was unable to walk that she could park here, too. Not one of my finer moments, but it sure felt good. Anyway, I digress. As I was getting Josie out, I noticed an older couple in the parking lot watching me. I thought maybe they were upset with me using the handicapped parking space. I didn't really think much about it. I was hungry, my kids were hungry. It was time to eat.
We got there before Jon so the kids and I found a booth to sit in and we waited for him. I really wasn't paying attention to the people around me. I fed Josie, which is normal to me and my kids, but I forget that this isn't normal to most of the people around us. Jon came so I left the kids with him and ordered our food. I came back and noticed that the couple from the parking lot was now talking to Jon. They were asking about Josie. They then told us that they had a son who had cerebal palsy. He wasn't supposed to live past the age of 18 but he lived well into his 30s. I don't know how long ago their son passed away, but I could tell this woman loved her son very much. She lit up when she talked about him. They thanked us for taking Josie into our family. We continued talking for awhile. They were a blessing to us, I think we were a blessing to them. As they were leaving they said that they will see us again. Our faith was not discussed, but I think she meant that we will get to spend eternity together. Josie, her son, and our family. The Spirit was present at Culvers in Urbandale today.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
I am Giving You a Gift
Wow. September 30. That is the last time I have done a post. I remember why I started a blog last spring. We had just moved and I was lonely. I had things to say and no one to tell them to. I felt like a stranger in a familiar place. I was going through a transition and to cope I wrote. Josie's adoption was going nowhere. To cope, I wrote. We were the first to move to our housing development. We were the only ones living in the neighborhood. No neighbors is not a good thing for this stay at home mom. Quite frankly, blog entries helped to fill my day.
I have to say I am in a much better place now. Some new friends have been made. I have a few people that will listen to what I have to say, most of the time. We have a lot of new neighbors now. Most of them from Bosnia - I have learned a lot from them. And I hope they have learned from me as well. Josie's adoption has been finalized. We are still needing to file for naturalization/citizenship/alien relative, etc. But, the adoption has been finalized. No more dealing with Haiti.
This fall I joined a Newcomers group. A group of ladies of all ages who are new to the Des Moines area meet every Tuesday AM for some social time, learning time, sharing and praying time, and a lesson. It was pretty cool. Kind of like a support group. There were people who moved here from Texas, the Middle East, the Virgin Islands, Delaware, Colorado, Pennsylvania, etc. Some were single, some were grandmas, some had teenagers, some had preschoolers. I absolutely loved the diversity. This group met a need. I had a name. I was heard. I got to share part of my story.
I was a pretty busy lady before we moved. Mom of four, home school group teacher, part time children's ministry assistant, piano teacher, MOPS co-coordinator, worship team member, etc. After moving I dropped everything (except mom of four). I have had the opportunity to reinvent myself. I thought about changing my name and dying my hair purple. That may still happen. Instead I signed up for a 10 week fitness challenge. That 10 weeks has turned into almost 6 months now. I am even working part time as a cardio kickboxing and resistance bands instructor! Who knew? I have made some good friends while kicking and punching things. Doesn't hurt that I have dropped 20 pounds either! I also have been hired as one of the children's ministry assistants at our church (no shocker there). I will be working with the 2.5-3 year olds. So fun! More importantly I am part of a team. I am looking forward to working with these talented ladies.
So, I guess what I am trying to say is that I no longer feel the need to blog like I did before. I will post updates as I feel led. I just gave you all a gift. A gift of time. Because you won't be reading my blog as much, you are free to do other things. Enjoy!
Shelly
I have to say I am in a much better place now. Some new friends have been made. I have a few people that will listen to what I have to say, most of the time. We have a lot of new neighbors now. Most of them from Bosnia - I have learned a lot from them. And I hope they have learned from me as well. Josie's adoption has been finalized. We are still needing to file for naturalization/citizenship/alien relative, etc. But, the adoption has been finalized. No more dealing with Haiti.
This fall I joined a Newcomers group. A group of ladies of all ages who are new to the Des Moines area meet every Tuesday AM for some social time, learning time, sharing and praying time, and a lesson. It was pretty cool. Kind of like a support group. There were people who moved here from Texas, the Middle East, the Virgin Islands, Delaware, Colorado, Pennsylvania, etc. Some were single, some were grandmas, some had teenagers, some had preschoolers. I absolutely loved the diversity. This group met a need. I had a name. I was heard. I got to share part of my story.
I was a pretty busy lady before we moved. Mom of four, home school group teacher, part time children's ministry assistant, piano teacher, MOPS co-coordinator, worship team member, etc. After moving I dropped everything (except mom of four). I have had the opportunity to reinvent myself. I thought about changing my name and dying my hair purple. That may still happen. Instead I signed up for a 10 week fitness challenge. That 10 weeks has turned into almost 6 months now. I am even working part time as a cardio kickboxing and resistance bands instructor! Who knew? I have made some good friends while kicking and punching things. Doesn't hurt that I have dropped 20 pounds either! I also have been hired as one of the children's ministry assistants at our church (no shocker there). I will be working with the 2.5-3 year olds. So fun! More importantly I am part of a team. I am looking forward to working with these talented ladies.
So, I guess what I am trying to say is that I no longer feel the need to blog like I did before. I will post updates as I feel led. I just gave you all a gift. A gift of time. Because you won't be reading my blog as much, you are free to do other things. Enjoy!
Shelly
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