Parenting 2.0 @DaytonMomsBlog

Cheryl is back on the Dayton Moms Blog today and her post looks at parenting in this season of our lives.

Many of you have read about our adoption journey as we have added two little boys to our family over the past 5 years. This Sunday (April 22) we will celebrate our four-year old’s Gotcha Day and we finalized the adoption of our youngest on February 14 of this year.

Cheryl writes about some of the things she has learned through parenting and how her view of being a mom has evolved over the years.  Here’s one example of what has changed:

At 25 and 29, I was obsessed with if my child was turning over when they should, and cooing the right way.  If I had a friend whose child did things sooner or better than mine, I would fret all night and doubt myself as a mother.  I wasted so much energy and lost so much sleep fretting over things that simply don’t matter.  

Parenting 2.0 taught me that every child is different and unique, and comparing them to other children isn’t helpful to them or you.

Go check out the post and marvel at the wisdom of my wife!

My Wife Writes About Her Mom @daytonmomsblog

My wife has had several of her posts published on Dayton Moms Blog. While I think all of her posts are good, I really appreciate this one because I know this subject is especially close to her heart; she writes about her mom.

My mother-in-law has been struggling with the effects of Alzheimer’s for the past several years. Much of what I have learned about her is not from experience, but from stories about her from my wife. This post reflects that.

I have seen the influence of my mother-in-law on my wife, especially in how she interacts with her children. Here’s a portion of what she wrote:

My mom taught me to go above and beyond. My mom is a smart woman and as valedictorian of her High School class she expected us to be just as academic as her and do well in school. My brothers followed in her footsteps, but I struggled in school. She pushed me and pushed me to do my best and then she would say, “Do extra”. I’ve instilled that in my own children and have encouraged them to do extra and go above and beyond what is expected of them.

I’ve seen my wife put that into practice in her life and encourage that in her sons.

Take a few moments to read 5 Things My Mom Taught Me. It’s worth the time. We all have things we can learn.

Support the Walk To End Alzheimer’s 2015

This will be the third year that I have had the opportunity to participate in The Walk to End Alzheimer’s. My mother-in-law has been battling this disease for a few years now and we are all waking (Cheryl, Andrew, Max & I) in her honor and hoping for a cure.

The Walk is a great gathering of people who have lost loved ones, those who are care-givers for those struggling with the disease and even people who have Alzheimer’s. The primary goal is to find a cure.

My wife has set up our Walk to End Alzheimer’s Donation Page and we would appreciate any support that you can offer.  I know there are many great organizations that are raising funds and not everyone can give to everything.  If you can help, click on the link or the picture above.

This is our picture from last year’s Walk.  Thanks for considering supporting us in The Walk 2015.

Out of a Far Country review

Out Of A Far Country is the compelling story of Christopher and Angela Yuan’s journey to healing and restoration, both in their relationship with God and with each other.  The book provided both the son and mother’s perspective as each chapter alternated narrative between Christopher and Angela.  It gave the reader insight into the emotions experienced by the two.

The book gives a transparent look into Christopher’s struggle with homosexuality, drugs, the party scene and ultimate search for love and acceptance.  It reveals the heart of a mother who longs for the perfect family and sees that dream shattered as her two sons move away from the ideals she longs for them to embrace.

One of the most challenging aspects of the books was Angela’s acceptance of Christ and then total dependence on Him to work in the life of her son.  She shares how she had to release Christopher to God and allow her son’s time in prison to be the tool God would use to bring her to son into relationship with Him.  She continually prayed that God would use whatever He needed to bring Chris to Jesus, even as the cost of his degree, career and freedom.  Rather than trying to exert her control as a mother, she trusted God to work.

Christopher’s ultimate surrender to God affected every aspect of his life and shows how the pursuit of God impacts everything about us.  Near the end of the book, Christopher shares his discovery:  “God’s faithfulness is proved not by the elimination of hardships but by carrying us through them.  Change is not the absence of struggles; change is the freedom to choose holiness in the midst of our struggles (pg. 188).”

Out Of A Far Country would be a good read for any Christ follower, but also for anyone who is experiencing the breakdown of relationships or someone desiring into the struggle of same-sex attraction.  The real struggles show how God is able to bring healing and restoration, while working through even the most difficult circumstances.

For more information on this book and read an excerpt, click here.

(I received this book from WaterBrook Multnomah in exchange for my review)