Jesus, Laundry and Blogging

Its bad enough that I'm not doing the things that I should be doing around the house (like folding the clean laundry) right now, but instead I'm blogging. Its worse that I'm not blogging about the things I should be blogging about (like naming my sixth child today), but instead I'm gonna talk about the random things in my head. But I promise to make my next post about AVERY KATE. ;)

I love blogging. Ok, most of you already knew that. I've told you before that its therapeutic to me. But have I told you that I love reading blogs? In fact (this is serious folks, hang on to your seat) I'm strongly considering ditching Facebook. It sucks away time I don't have. And whats sad- in the evenings it sucks away "Amy time" that was previously spent reading blogs. Which I adore. And no longer do. Much.

Blogs are great because you get to hear great in-depth stories and really get to know who people are. Instead of small snippets and random news quotes. I find myself drawn to the "networked blogs" posts more than anything else. Thats where the good stuff is. Unfolding stories of God's redemption... and great crafts. :)

Now, I'm gonna get all "Jake" on ya for a second and also argue that none of this is really relational. I do not know personally some of the fine folks who's blogs I read. Many I do, but not all. I'm not finding out the heart-matters of these people over a cup of coffee, but over the internet. But here's my argument for that: A) So much of it is encouraging, inspiring and uplifting. It makes me want to be a better mom, wife, home-maker, faith-liver-outer. (Ya like that one?) And B) I don't substitute my girls night outs and coffee with friends for blog reading. By any stretch. (Phone calls? Maybe. I'm not very good at being relational on the phone. My very closest friends will tell you that they might talk to me once a week.)

The types of blogs I read are mostly comprised of either real life friends, adoptive buddies, mommies of kids with DS, big families, or some combination of those. Mixed in with a couple of devotional or craft blogs. :) I really encourage you to peruse my blog roll below. There are some amazing people walking out real faith. Not glamorous, just honest. Good stuff. I'm not big on fancy, showy, business looking blogs. One rule of thumb is that its better if it doesn't have its own .com address. But thats just my taste.

I will tell you there is the occasional blog that inspires me to the point of guilt. Which isn't really inspiration at all, come to think of it. Like a Holy Experience. I love this blog but posts like these, the enemy uses to make me feel like I'm not good enough and that I need to pull all of my kids outta school and homeschool them. (Partially because thats what my heart longs to do, but right now its not practical, realistic, or even the best thing for my kids at the moment. Thats for another post.) Some of you might love it and you should definitely check it out. And let me clearly say that I don't believe that guilt is the point of the blog! She's trying to be encouraging. But I have to be careful of overly cool stuff like this (as weird as that is). When someone tries to make them self seem down to earth and relatable by saying she lives on a farm and tries to find "Christ in the clothespin"... I honestly can't relate. I'm over here trying to find Christ in... well, I'm not sure you want to know. But I do think that site is beautiful.

I know that there are people in our church who think we did this huge, heroic thing by adopting a child with special needs. Which is... sweet... but if they only knew! Any time I feel tempted to pat myself on the back for accepting God's call to raise kids with special needs, I think of Meredith. She has 8 kids under the age of 9 and 6 of them have special needs. And she's such an awesome, humble mom that she's probably be upset that I'm even writing this about her. :) But she has got it together and lives to blog about it! Christine and her husband are raising 15 kids, most of them adopted. Talk about sacrifice. I really could go on and on about the incredible families I've come across but I encourage you to go read these blogs for yourself.

Real people. Real faith. Some of them are creative writers, some of them just tell it like it is in their own words.

And thats what I hope to have here on my blog. The point is really a place for family updates, but I'd love for it to be a place where you can read about the real me. Raw. Because when you see how imperfect I am, Christ is glorified. And thats the whole point anyway, lifting Him higher.

2 Cor. 12: 9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Now. If I could just figure out how to glorify Christ through the folding of the laundry next to me....