The Dawn of my 34th year!

Whoo...hooo... Today marks the start of yet another year. You know, I am a lover of starts. New Years... any Anniversary...Birthdays... there is something so refreshing in beginnings. It is a time to reflect on the previous year as well as a chance to dream about what may lurk just beyond the horizon. I have been amazed by the paths that my life has taken over the past few years. Last year was certainly not an exception to that. The most defining moment of the year was most certainly the finalization of Paige's adoption (and of her adoption of me!). We were so blessed to be surrounded by family and friends as we honored that precious beginning. Adoption is such a beautiful picture of beauty coming from ashes. A truth that is echoed in the timeless writings of Isaiah:

to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.

There is a brokenness that takes place when a child cannot live in the safety of their mother's embrace, and yet I am daily reminded that Love rebuilds and heals in ways that I cannot even begin to fathom. The process is not speedy it is not built to our cookie cutter standards, but it is rich and deep. I am honored and extremely humbled to have been invited into this adoption story.

I also had the privilege of getting to begin my journey into Graduate school this year. I started the Counseling Psychology program at Lewis and Clark college in the fall. It certainly has not been easy to juggle the demands of life alongside school work, but the process has been incredibly rewarding. Every class helps me to further define my vision of working within schools for children who have experienced the trauma of foster care. It is an exciting area that is full of need, and equally full of untold beauty.

Perhaps the most surprising part of the year had to do with Paige's schooling. I found myself homeschooling for the last few months of the school year. If you had told me that would be the case at the beginning of the year, I probably would have laughed. It became pretty apparent that Paige was not having her needs met in the school that she was in, however. So, I simply did what mothers do and worked out an alternative for her. It was not easy, but it was amazing to see her tap into the world of learning with excitement. We were able to connect into a wonderful homeschooling community. It looks like Paige will be attending a private school this fall, but I am so excited that God reminded me that my daughter will be taken care of in ways that I cannot anticipate.

Over the past few months I have also been pursuing a closer relationship with a friend of mine. And while it has been far from simple, I have been reminded over and over of the power of love to pursue even in the midst of uncertainty.

So.. the upcoming year? Hmm... Who knows. I am really excited about a project that I am developing with the schools. Through mentoring, training of school staff, working with foster parents, and DHS I am hoping to develop a program that will help children in care gain more support and success in the school systems that they often find so difficult.

I have no doubt that Paige will continue to grow in front of my eyes. I know that there will be difficulties that she will face, but I also know that she will remind me of the power and necessity of relationship.

I am richly blessed and so thankful today.

Here's to a New Year!

Love,

Krys

Ephesians 3:18-20

My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth. I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit—not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength—that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you'll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ's love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.
God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.

Glory to God in the church!
Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus!
Glory down all the generations!
Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes!

Mom's Day weekend

After a particularly crazy week.. I decided that a weekend at the beach would be just what the doctor ordered. The fact that it was Mother's day as well just made the notion all the more appealing. So, Paige and I packed up a few things along with our crazy dog and made our way to Astoria. We had a wonderful time! Full of wonderful memories.

Vision

I have been thinking a lot about vision lately.  As I sit here in my living room looking at the garden just freshly planted full of wee plants, I wonder will it really grow?  Will I really get to eat fresh veggies in a few months?  Then just a door away from me my almost 10 year old little girl, or should I say young lady.. is settling in for the evening, and yes, I wonder much the same.  Where will the years take her... or if I am more honest, where will this day take her. :)  You know it is funny, I consider myself a visionary in many ways.  It is often much easier for me to see far ahead than it is for me to focus in on all that is required in the day to day to get there.  Since I have entered into this journey of momhood, I am realizing just how much day to day work it takes.  I am not sure that I understood anxiety until I became a mom, but in much the same token I am understanding faith in a much deeper way!  Daily I am reminding myself that it is not my roll to bring healing to Paige.  Honestly, I must remind myself of this every day, as it is my tendency to try to control things far beyond my control.

The last few months have stretched my abilities in ways that I simply did not think possible.  In February it became obvious that Paige could not continue attending the school that I had her enrolled in.  So, after much talking I decided that I needed to bring her home.  Who would have thought!  And how?  Fortunately, I work out of my home so it is possible to have Paige work alongside me.  We have also plugged into a homeschooling community here in Portland where she can take classes.  And she is taking piano lessons.. and Girl Scouts.. .and starting tomorrow 4-H.  Most importantly she is feeling good about who she is rather than feeling like she is bad every day.

Me?  Well.. it is hard.  I often wonder if it is the right thing to do. I worry that things are going to be "alright".  I long for "normal".  And yet.. there are daily reminders that God is at work.  Daily evidences of confidence in areas (for both of us) that were not there just a few months ago.  

Back to that idea of vision.  I must remind myself that it is not about simply getting through today, but rather moving into all of the tomorrows that He has in store for us.  I have been playing around on Facebook lately, and am amazed to see children I used to take care now grown into young adults wrestling with all that life has in store for them.  No, life does not stop or even slow down but as we treasure each moment it is amazing to see what our Father has in store.

I know this is a journey worth taking, even if I have to remind myself of that some days. 

Blessings to you today!

It is never too late to follow a dream!

Hey.. Check out this video from Britains Got Talent program on April 11th.  47 year old Susan Boyle is a great reminder that you never know what opportunities life may throw your way.  I like how she had the audacity to stand out on a stage in front of thousands (!) of people skeptically looking on. She knew that she could sing, and within moments so did the rest of the crowd!

Enjoy,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Il5TBgD9kHI&feature=related

AND...

I also wanted to let you know of an exciting opportunity that I get to be a part of. As you know, I have a passion for working with and for children who are in foster care.  I am focusing my studies at Lewis and Clark on this area, especially looking at ways in which school systems can support children in care better.  

SO... a few weeks ago I connected with a School Counselor at the elementary school by our house, and discussed some of my ideas with her.  Of course, she was just excited to have someone interested in helping with any aspect of the school.  Starting next Monday she and I will be doing a Foster Care support group for children who are currently in care at the school.  I am excited to make connections with the children and hopefully advocate for what their needs are.  I am also making connections with a group here in town (Juvenile Rights Project http://www.jrplaw.org) to see if I can partner with them on their school work.

I am excited to see my passions move beyond vision to action.  I will keep you posted as it all progresses, and I totally appreciate your prayers!

Garden Dreams

It may not look like much now, but in a few months this bit of land will be crazy with vegetation!  (AND as a total bonus, I will not have to keep up with mowing the lawn!)

With the help of Chief Gardener Louis (a friend from a house church that meets in our neighborhood), we are excited to see the garden develop.  We currently have onions, carrots, radishes, and cabbages going, but much more is on the way.  I will keep you posted!