Category: reflections

Dealing with the pain of infertility

pain by trying2

I’ve really been impressed and appreciative of all the things Jason Kovacs does. It’s been great getting to know him and his ministry over the last several months via his blogs and Twitter (@jasonkovacs).

Last week, Jason shared a great post on what he learned from the story of Hannah (1 Samuel 1) and her husband in Scripture…

Hannah taught me that it is natural for a woman to desire to have children. Woman all around the world can relate to her. My wife painfully longed to be a mother. Initially I didn’t know what to do with her emotional response to not being pregnant. To me it seemed so disproportionate to how I felt…. I felt like Hannah’s husband, who said to her: “why is your heart sad? Am I not more to you than ten sons?” That approach didn’t work in Hannah’s day and it still doesn’t work today.

I ditto that statement. I will never fully understand the pain and sadness that Laurie feels as we struggle with our infertility. Yes, my heart hurts because we haven’t been able to get pregnant — but my desire is no where near that of Laurie’s.
Continue reading Dealing with the pain of infertility

The dream of what’s next

I have a pretty good feeling this year (maybe even this month) will bring about some exciting changes around Casa de Blundell.

And with those dreams of what’s to come (foster care, hopefully selling our house) I don’t want to rush into the year without setting some basic goals for 2010.

I want to be sure that 2010 is less about me — and more about others — but at the same time, leaving room for my own development to ensure I don’t burn out by July.
Continue reading The dream of what’s next

A few words about Presley

Presley's new toy

To the tune of “Grandma Got Ran Over by a Reindeer” (chorus)

Presley found some undies in the closet
She found them tasty on ole’ Christmas Eve
You can say that doggies don’t like undies
But as for me and Pres we disagree

Presley likes to sit on couch cushions
She’ll sit there every time you turn your back
You can tell her no 1,000 times
But she’ll plop back down when e’er you leave the room

Happy New Years from the Blundell’s – Presley included.

Resolve to be a better parent in 2010

Matthew and his new train set

Yes, it sounds a little funny for me to resolve to do that – I’m not exactly a parent yet.

But as things keep progressing along in our foster care process (we had our home study yesterday – WOOT WOOT!) I’m definitely paying closer attention to foster/adoption/parenting issues and ideas.

Lifehack.org has offered up a great list of 10 things children want from their parents.

You see, every Mother’s Day I would ask my students to give me advice on being a mother. They were to think about things their mother or guardian did for or with them that made them feel happy or loved… Year after year, in every country I taught, and in every type of demographic, the students were saying the same things and had the same message: It’s the small things that their mothers did that meant the most and that they remembered.

Here’s the list:

  • Come into my bedroom at night, tuck me in and sing me a song. Also tell me stories about when you were little.
  • Give me hugs and kisses and sit and talk with me privately.
  • Spend quality time just with me, not with my brothers and sisters around.
  • Give me nutritious food so I can grow up healthy.
  • At dinner talk about what we could do together on the weekend.
  • At night talk to me about about anything; love, school, family etc.
  • Let me play outside a lot.
  • Cuddle under a blanket and watch our favorite TV show together.
  • Discipline me. It makes me feel like you care.
  • Leave special messages in my desk or lunch bag.

I think my sisters and I would both say that one of the most memorable things our dad did while growing up was rocking us to sleep singing various hymns. And mom was always great at writing us little notes – especially on holidays and birthdays in our lunches or with breakfast. She always had a way of making little holidays special.

So what advice do you have for a “soon to be parent”? What little things do you remember your parents doing that made a big impact on you?

Emmanuel. God with us.

Away in a manger

On this Christmas we remember….

Light came into the world and said,

“I will crush your darkness.”

Justice came into the world and said,

“I will proclaim your freedom.”

Peace came into the world and said,

“I will turn your conflict.”

The Word came into the world and said,

“I will call your name.”

Love came into the world and said,

“I will share your life, always.”

Amen

(ht again to Stewart Culter for “cultivating” this great message)

Goosebumps and Justice (advent reflections)

If you haven’t had a chance to – I’d highly recommend taking 40 min and listening to our advent reflections from the podcast last week.

Perhaps pull it up on your computer/Hi-Fi/iPods and listen as a family around the fire tonight or tomorrow evening.

Enjoy the thoughts, reflections and music and remember what this season of the year is all about.