Friday, February 29, 2008

Testing, Testing, One, Two, Three . . .


Anyone still out there? Chances are I'm talking to Dad who is my lone audience, but I'll take that chance. Lest you think its all rock concerts, let me get you up to speed. There hasn't been a lot of posting going on lately and that's not because we're following Hannah Montana on tour around America or something. Really, its not all that exciting around here. I'm not complaining though! We've settled into a routine of school, church, friends, and family and that's just how I like it.

Let me give a genuine piece of advice to future AP's and new AP's. This is going to sound obvious, but its not something I did right away. Make time for yourself soon and often once you return home. It was a Friday afternoon and I was exhausted at the end of a long week. I had been teacher, tutor, mom, wife, interpreter, referee, and much more. I was on the way to drop the boys off for a weekend retreat with their youth group when Robert called to say he was taking the other three to the dollar movie. It hit me that I had at least two and a half hours of uninterrupted "me" time on my hands. I can't begin to tell you how rare a commodity that is! I rushed home to a quiet, empty house. The cats, sensing the change in atmosphere, followed me into the darkening living room. I popped in a movie knowing I would be able to watch it the whole way through without having to pause it and tend to any emergencies. Just this little bit of time did so much for me.

Make time for relationships outside the home too. I thought I would come out of my skin the first time I was able to sit down across from my best friends Cindy and Kim away from the hustle and bustle of home. They couldn't talk fast enough to update me on what had been going on in their lives. And I was beyond anxious to share what had been going on with us. Girl time has been a precious thing for me and we're already scouting fares and hotel deals for our annual trip. Stepping outside of the the role of mom (adoptive or otherwise) is just necessary sometimes.

Kristina continues to adjust and adapt to life as a Landrum. I've been trying to put in writing the difficulties adjusting for all of us, but finding the words has been a lot harder than you'd think. I believe God is in the middle of a lesson with me, so when I figure things out I'll let you know. ;)

We've said before that we feel God was beginning something when He added Kristina to our family. The adoption was the start of something rather than the end. Do we hope to add more children to our family through adoption? Absolutely. But God is calling us to serve further in orphan ministry, and we are waiting for direction to that end. Please pray with us that the vision and vehicle for that ministry would be clear.

11 comments:

Tami said...

You are NOT alone. I've missed you!!! I'm glad to hear your getting some time to youself and that Kristina is adjusting. I'd love to hear about the lesson and what He has in mind with the project. ((hugs))

Anonymous said...

Welcome back! Yes, make girl time. We've been home 6 years and I'm in the midst of a lack of girl time crisis. It's not funny, it's serious. Glad to hear you are making it a priority. Keep blogging. There is a group out here checking faithfully, everyday.
Catherine Hendrickson
p.s. Tami-I check your blog every day too!

Leah Spring said...

Today your blog was on my "suggested blogs" list on google reader, (probably because I follow Ukraine/Down Syndrome adoptions) so I bopped on over. That was at 9:30 this morning and I finally left your site around 2:00 this afternoon. I think I read every post! When people tell me this about my own blog, I think "That's almost like stalking, isn't it?" LOL Not only are you a phenomenal writer, but you have an incredible story to tell, one that brought tears to my eyes many times today.

Tony and Dawn said...

I understand your heart and have had the same burden. In short, we are at the end of a Russian adoption - 3 siblings to make us a family of 8. I was approached two weeks ago to head up an orphan ministry for a missions agency located in our city. I have been praying for months for God to show me how I could be used in helping orphans around the world.

Be careful what you open your heart too - it might just happen!

Zack, Jenn and William said...

I'm still here! I keep your blog on my bloglines list, and was so happy to find an update this morning.

I know that tugging. I feel it too. I don't know if it's a ministry opportunity, missions, another adoption... I spent most of yesterday asking God, 'what is it that you're trying to tell me to do?' I know that in His perfect time the plan will be revealed to me. But the waiting is hard!

Steve Eimers said...

Here!!

cara said...

I am still here too!--I check almost everyday! I too have that familiar feeling--I pray that God will reveal what he wants me/us to do. Cara
www.norbycjukraineangel.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

Hi!I have been lurking for a while. I am a single bio mom to 3 kids and am in the process of adopting hopefully older siblings 5 and up from Russia. I have really enjoyed your posts and videos and would appreciate more of your words of wisdom when you are ready to post them. I am glad Kristina made it home and she is lucky to have such a good momma!

U said...

Well, my sister... it's about time. You were missed.

Ashley said...

Yes, we are still here. I was very surprised to see TWO posts! LOL I am so glad to see these and thanks for the advice. I am getting some girl time this Saturday before I leave next week. I know I will need it after I have 3 boys and especially since I am homeschooling all of them. Man, I hope I survive! Glad you got some time alone, too. I cherish those moments as I know you do, too.

Wendy said...

Leslie,

I too agree.... It was a hard adjustment in the beginning because mommy was everything!! I had no time for me which later became very apparent that it was needed and I felt as if I was being sucked dry!! I now make me time or even some girl time. This makes me much more pleasant and enables me to give what I need as well as take what every pops into our lives!

Wendy
www.saundersgang.blogspot.com