I'm fully aware of the fact that I stay incredibly busy so I don't have to think very much. The past few weeks seem to be so full that there isn't any time for anything extra. But the difference this fall is that the kids' and their activities and homework are taking one of the priority spots. I've mentioned before that I've pulled back from a lot of the things that were keeping me so busy in life and preventing me from doing things that will matter in the long run.

I'm not active in the foster parent network anymore and we have let our foster care license expire. (*We do still maintain our adoptive license for up to three children and we couldn't foster right now anyway because the state limit is 6 kids in the household, so we're full).

I am still secretary of the board for the Brookings InterAgency Council but we only have to meet 4-5 times a year so it's not a big time commitment. I'm still on the advisory board for Camp Adventure but that only meets a few times a year also, mostly in the spring/summer months.

Steve and I had really pulled back from church activities during the last year also. We used to attend a class Sunday mornings, church Sunday mornings, class Wednesday nights and I also went to a Tuesday morning bible study, all at the Wesleyan Church. About six months ago, we began attending less and less, until I found myself not going all all. About 4 months ago, we started attending Bethel Baptist church on Sunday mornings. We had a few friends who were on staff there and also knew a few people who regularly attended there. The preaching was biblical and sound and the music was heartfelt. We worshiped there and fit in well but it wasn't home for us.

We were really praying about what our future would hold, partly for a church home, but also because we were coming up on Sophia's adoption and we knew we wanted to have her dedicated in our home church. The problem was, we didn't really feel like we had a home church anymore. For us, dedication has two very important parts. The first part is our comittment as parents and a family to raise Sophia to know God. The second part is for our church family to come along side us and commit to helping us. We needed to be in a church we were committed to and who was committed to us.

The week before Sophia's legal adoption, I received a text that some changes were occurring at the Wesleyan Church. Because of the changes, Steve and I felt peace about returning. We had Sophia dedicated the following Sunday. The legal adoption was to fulfill the law; the dedication was our committment to God.

I know there were a lot of questions and assumptions about our church switch. I want to make clear the fact that our decision to leave and return was not based on any one person or our likes, dislikes and preferences. God does not build his kingdom based on what I want. He builds it according to His will and His love of people, regardless of differences. Our decision was based solely on a heart issue. There was a tension and a selfishness need by some to make sure they got their own way without regard for others. I didn't want to be someone who caused dissention by creating conflict or drawing attention to what needed to be worked through by others. As the bible says, before you point out the speck in your brothers eye, get the plank out of your own!" I'm paraphrasing a bit but you get the idea. It's always a good idea to be a part of the solution - not a part of the problem. I just wasn't sure how to do that and still maintain my healthy spiritual walk.

The gist of it is that I didn't feel at peace or at home at the Wesleyan Church anymore. But peace is back and I'm so thankful that God's got it under control.

We've been back for a few weeks now. I've started a new Beth Moore bible study on the book of James. I'm really excited to get back into learning and studying!

***Bad Mom Side Note****
Just got a phone call from the orthodonist. I forgot Taylor's appointment this morning at 8:15am
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