Responding In Faith

A few weeks ago the kids and I ran to the county extension’s office to pick up our small fruit plant order. I really didn’t feel up to going out as I was still recovering from my migraine. But they called and said I needed to come pick up my plants as this was the last day. I never did receive my letter in the mail and they didn’t bother calling me until 3:45 pm. It wouldn’t had been so bad if it was just around the corner, but it was at least 40 minutes to get there. I really didn’t feel like speaking to anyone. I just wanted to get my stuff and go back home. My head was still aching. UHG!

When we drove up, I went up to pay for my grape vines, blue berries and strawberry plants. While I was writing my check I heard one of the ladies making comments about our bus and wondering if we home schooled. She wasn’t speaking to me, so I didn’t pipe in like I normally would do. Next thing I know, Joel jumps out of the bus, “Mom. I got to pee.” The lady looks at me and says, “Do you run a group home?” Hmm. I haven’t heard that one yet. Then she proceeded to ask me, “Is this your personal bus or a state bus?” Ok. I guess I am going to have to be sociable. With a forced smile, I pleasantly say, “This is our personal bus. No, I don’t run a group home. These are all of my children. Yes, some of my children are adopted. Where is the restroom?”

I know I wasn’t the most polite. Most of the time I am quite happy to talk about our family and how the Lord has taken us on an amazing journey. But there are other times, when I would just like to go out with my beautiful family and not have to deal with the stares and the comments.

The other day we went to see a play. Before the play, we thought we would give the kids a special treat. Russell met us at Burger King. We found an area that we could take over. I got everyone settled. Anthony took the drink orders. I took the food orders. I went up to the register and placed the order.
man at cash register: “Are you a preschool?”
me: “No. This is my family. My children.”
man at cash register: “Oh. I’m sorry. I just thought….”
me: “Its ok.”

I get the food to the table and Russell, Anthony and I start to work on the drinks. A man approaches.
man: “This must be a birthday party.”
me (with a forced smile on my face): “No. This is my family.”

Don’t get me wrong. I understand that large families are not the norm. I understand that we will always get looks, questions, and comments. One common comment that I typically get from Christian families is, “Oh. I’m glad it is you and not me.” or “God Bless you. I can barely handle my two. God must have given you a lot of patience.” or “I wanted a bigger family, so we put it in God’s hands. We said if God wants us to have a bigger family He will give us more money. He didn’t give us more money so we didn’t have a bigger family.”

Then in between the comments, there are the forced smiles that seem to say, “You are an idiot.”

I do run into people that are sincere, though. Its not all bad. I love being a big family. I love entrusting the size of our family to the Lord and knowing that through it all, if we are obedient to Him, He will provide for all of our needs. And sometimes He throws in some of our wants, too!

Sometimes we run into people who are truly supportive of us and will sincerely have a conversation with us. I love those people! We are not anything special, and I in no way want our family put on a pedestal for what we have entrusted to God. But there are times when we run into these truly amazing people (as I like to think of them) and they truly show their support for what our family is…a family woven together by God’s grace.

We feel truly blessed by all the prayers and financial help we had during our adoptions and our adoptions that are currently in process. We have been blessed by families stepping up and baby sitting so Russ and I can go out on an occasional date. Or the help we have received with having a mother’s helper to help keep up with some of the house hold duties so I can focus more on the kids. There is also the family that is allowing us to have a free vacation in one of their house rentals! (We are really looking forward to that!). Then their is our church family who has been extremely supportive on so many different levels. Mom Kathleen who manages to surprise me with a dinner when I always seem to need it the most! And I can’t forget the great buys she finds on cereal!!

We are truly blessed by all the amazing people who do help our family out. And we really do appreciate each and every one of you. And then there are my girlfriends. I love you guys. You are the ladies who know my heart and truly listen to my ups and my downs. Melissa…I absolutely love our Thursday night girl friend time! Thanks to Chris and Russell for allowing the two of us to have some girl friend time to discuss and solve the problems of the world….or at least the challenges we face as moms!!

We are a big, happy, beautiful family! We are blessed to have so many friends and family supporting us in many different ways! I know that we are not the norm, and I am ok with that. Actually, I love that we are not the norm! I would be rather bored if I was considered part of the norm. :)) We are allowed to share how God has worked in our lives on an everyday basis. God has taken us on an amazing journey and I guess if it involves some stares and comments that are off the wall, I can deal with that!