Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Weeds & Flowers

My blog has a great new look thanks to Blogovers with Love. The design is called "Weeds 'N Daisies." After having too much caffeine before bed last night, I was up late thinking about why this design is just perfect for a "waiting" blog. Here's what my sleep deprived self came up with:

Weeds are a nuisance and aren't very pretty. We try to rid our lawns of them as quickly as possible. Funny thing is, my daughter just loves them. She has given me plenty of weed "bouquets" this spring. As she reaches out her little hand and presents them to me with such joy in her eyes, something magical happens to those weeds. Suddenly, they are the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. I "oooh and ahhh" over them just as she hopes I will. My daughter finds joy in those weeds and it's contagious.

Waiting is like a weed. We can try to get rid of it, complain about and hate "looking" at it. Or we can change our perspective and look for the joy in it. Maybe if we try hard enough, this field of waiting weeds will turn into a flower garden of good things.

Making it Personal:
The gals over at Blogovers With Love are a beautiful bouquet! Let's follow their lead and think about how we can turn our hobbies or talents into something good while we wait. I guess I'm taking up writing as a hobby (it remains to be seen if it will be a talent!). Hoping this blog will be a good thing. What are you are doing with your talents while you wait? Are you making a "good wishes" quilt, knitting blankets for the orphanage or taking meals to the elderly? Do you have a hobby, but aren't sure how you can use it for good? Leave me a comment and let's brainstorm and share our ideas.

Check back in again as we look for more ways to turn weeds into flowers!

Friday, April 25, 2008

Next question: What exactly is a "good thing?"

For me, a "good thing" is anything that helps me focus on something positive while waiting, instead of drowning in the negative, "this isn't fair" routine that I sometimes find myself in. It could be anything from volunteering in your community to cleaning out your purse/wallet.

Some days I have vision and energy and do things like start an adoption ministry at my church. Other days I aim to turn off the TV and read more books to my child. Perhaps clean under the couch or clip some coupons.

Those are all good things, really. The focus is off the "waiting" and on the "living". Taking care of my community, my family, my home, and myself are great places to look for ways to make good stuff happen around me.

I'd like to talk about the little stuff and the big stuff. Some days I can only handle the little stuff, but it all adds up in the end. Each day that passes is not only one day closer to my child, but each day is a gift to be enjoyed in itself.

Good Things Done By Those Who Wait

We've all heard that age-old expression, "Good things come to those who wait." It sounds nice, doesn't it? When you are stuck in the waiting phase, though, it doesn't feel "good" at all. I wanted to start a blog and wise people say you should write about what you know. I know a little about a lot of things, but not a lot about any one thing. One lesson I've been learning for awhile is patience while waiting.

So, I've decided it would be nice if I could find a way to do good things WHILE waiting, instead of waiting for good things! I had a pastor who said during a sermon that when we experience a period of waiting (and we all will), we should engage in activities that God can bless. This blog is my way of engaging in something that is positive during the wait and I hope that God can bless it

We are waiting for our second child. We adopted our daughter 3 years ago (she is now 4). The whole process took 12 months. We thought that was a very long time. We are now adopting again. We started the process over 24 months ago. That 12 month process is looking darn speedy to us now!

I've spent enough (ok...way too much) time whining, complaining, worrying and grumping about the wait. Time to find something good to do.

Let's talk about anything and everything good that we can do during the wait. I know there is a whole adoption community out there waiting right along with me. Let's do some good stuff. What are your ideas?