January 2012

My friends are full of great thoughts today.

Here’s a few I stole:

–Marcella of Rome (325?–?410)

Marcella had an enviable life as the daughter of a prominent Roman family who married a wealthy man. But less than a year after her wedding, her husband died. She was given a chance to continue living in wealth when she was proposed to by the wealthy consul Cerealis. She chose instead to convert her mansion into one of the earliest communities of women, where she and other noblewomen used their riches to help the poor. Marcella said she preferred to “store her money in the stomachs of the needy than hide it in a purse.” In 410, when the Goths invaded Rome, they broke into Marcella’s home. When they demanded money, she calmly responded that she had no riches because she had given all to the poor. Though she was an elderly woman, they beat and tortured her mercilessly. Her attackers were eventually shamed by her piety and she was released, but she died within a short time.

–Love is not passion. It is the pulse of sacrifice. -Ann Voskamp

January 31, 2012 0 Comments

So I don’t know if you’ve heard but we are sponsoring stoves in Haiti.

Ha. I know you know. You’re the best.

Anyway, last day for this!

We are only 83 stoves shy of that goal.

It would be so fantastic to hit this one home. Just saying.

——-

It’s been a weird couple days.

I have some thoughts about things.

Which is so good, Jody. That’s so good.

Cannot articulate them right now for some reason.

I’ve tried. Unsuccessful.

So I’ll wait.

—–

Until then, do you guys want to talk about quinoa or something? You guys are so helpful, by the way.

Or hey, my parents are selling our childhood home in Colorado Springs? It’s so depressing. Let me know if you are looking for a house. We would be so happy if someone nice was in it. It’s such a great house.

January 31, 2012 1 Comments

A nice, full week-end around here.

Was incredibly thankful for my time in Seattle with a whole bunch of amazing people.

I’ve been to a number of adoption/orphan conferences . And the team at Overlake nailed it.

They did an amazing job. The workshops and speakers were all really good. There were cupcakes everywhere.

It was indeed refreshing as they prayed it would be.

Ten things:

1. I always go to adoption conferences and learn about Quincy. Which is always funny to me. But after listening to Deborah Gray (therapist) and Dr. Julia Bledsoe (pediatrician), it’s always so fascinating to learn about the what happens to the brain chemistry of babies when they experience trauma or loss. And the medical trauma Quincy experienced immediately after birth (pain, surgery, body cast for his first 8 weeks) and subsequent lack of touch and attachment (due to a body cast!) with Quincy, it’s pretty clear we see some of the effects of that in him. And it’s so encouraging for Quincy and for adopted kids that it’s being talked about! So helpful.

2. And this is the other reason I still go to these things:

The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense. (Proverbs 27:9)

Such sweet community with old friends and new. My favorite times are always the vulnerable conversations that happen over coffee or lunch. And the council of these friends have truly been life lines so many times for me.

3. ‘When testing trauma rates (PTSD), foster care kids on average had twice the levels of US war veterans.’ That’s series loss. Serious pain. Serious grief. Serious stress.

4. Josh and Neely (who are some of my favorite people) used this quote in their talk.

“A good marriage is the union of two good forgivers.” (Ruth Bell Graham)

5. I left with some questions. Which I think is always good. There are gray areas. There are. There is messiness. And there is redemption. There is pain. And there is healing. And sometimes there’s not.

6. I missed my kids! Which after all the discussion this week-end, I was really thankful for that.

7. I love the NW. Cool people here. Just saying.

8. And as always…so humbled. These Moms, these Dads…heroes.

9. My husband = awesome. For continuing to allow me the freedom to grow and connect.

10. The older I get (I’m 33 now you know), the more I crave and long for the fellowship and love and guidance of older women. I felt so darn blessed to get a little of that this week-end as well. (Thanks, Lisa! Thanks, Kathleen! You guys are my other favorites.)

January 29, 2012 5 Comments

Quick question:

I’m currently obsessed with quinoa. It will pass I know. Kind of like my pomegranate seed or jicama stage did.

BUT until then…do you guys rinse your quinoa? How important is this step?

Need to know.

January 26, 2012 11 Comments

“Well, bummer.”

Today was one of those days when that’s all I can think to say when I collapse into bed.

“Well, bummer.”

Frustrated with myself.

Frustrated with the day.

Glad it’s over.

Bummer.

These days happen.

I know.

I’m going to try to fall asleep soon so I stop stewing over my failures.

That doesn’t help.

Tomorrow’s a new day.

I’m grateful.

January 26, 2012 0 Comments

Hospital day for Quincy.

He really, really wanted his brother to come today.

Mostly because there is a Starbucks IN the doctor’s office.

And well, who wouldn’t want to see that?!?

You wouldn’t believe it…so we took a picture as evidence for the other brothers…

On another note:

You know how you just know.

You just know when you are in the company of a good leader.

A good teacher perhaps.

A good doctor.

Yah. Well, that’s how I feel about Q’s doctor there.

So incredibly thankful we landed in his care.

I tried to put my finger on it all day.

I’ve felt it before.

Like a couple weeks ago with a teacher whose eyes filled up with tears as she talked about learning disabilities and her commitment to help struggling students feel and be successful. She cried…over someone else’s child.

Like I felt once with a man in leadership as he rejoiced and celebrated and embraced and loved my family when we could do nothing for him. Kind of like he would do for his own son or daughter.

Like I feel when people give generously. Sacrificially. For solutions that save someone else’s child but that don’t touch their own kids one single bit.

Like I felt today as this doctor spoke so gently. So kindly. Looking for the best solution. For my kid. Not the quickest fix. Or one that may effect Quincy poorly in 30 years–even though this doctor wouldn’t be around to see it anyway.

When you can tell someone is looking for the best for your child. Like it was their child.

I don’t know.

I think it’s amazing.

I think it’s the gospel played out.

In teachers, in doctors, in pastors, in you, in me.

January 24, 2012 3 Comments

So it’s a true story.

I turn 33 today.

Is that old?

—-

In true jodyrlanders.com fashion…did you know that we ironically have just 330 stoves that need sponsored by the end of the month?

It’s true. 33 years old today.

330 stoves needed.

I’m not sure that was a very successful connection.

And I know that generally 330 people don’t buy me presents.

But let’s just say, you really wanted to this year.

I want a stove.

330 of them.

(oh my word, I would be so happy if we hit that goal today. It’s not really about me…but sometimes Facebook makes you think it is all about you on your birthday. Anyway….)

—–

A bit of a crazy week as we all thaw out here and try and catch up from last week….

Date with Quincy tomorrow to Seattle Children’s Hospital for his appointments.

Adoption conference in Seattle this week-end with some of my favorite people.

—-

My mom did buy me knives for my birthday.

I asked for them.

I realized I don’t have any that worked.

Makes cooking difficult.

So she sent me knives.

I’ve only cut my fingers four times so far….

33 years old, folks.

I’m very proud.

—-

Andy tried to explain the significance of being 33 to me this morning.

I didn’t much like his reformed theology take on being 33.

No thanks.

I instead think it’s significant because 330 stoves need sponsored for families for Haiti.

(Am I so annoying?!)

—

I do, however, think it’s going to be a great year.

Feel older than I ever have in my life.

I’m perhaps almost ready to be an adult.

—

And I know a lot of amazing people.

From all over the country, all over the world…I know the coolest people.

And I’m really thankful.

For you all.

I mean it.

—

Yay for 33.

January 23, 2012 5 Comments

It will certainly go down as the epic storm of 2012.

I certainly feel like we did not experience it to the extreme of so many of our friends.

We kept our power.

And our trees are still standing.

We were warm.

We had plenty of food.

Thankful things are starting to clear up for everyone.

Time to move on.

Summer, anyone?

—–

Here’s what I did do:

Got reacquainted with my love of wearing my husband’s sweatshirts.

Sweatpants, huge sweatshirts, slippers, coffee…that’s been it for the last 6 days….

My nine year old son is still laying out his clothes.

I went in to his room last night and saw this and I couldn’t stand it.

I love him.

—–

And I have executed some of my pinterest boards.

I made fried rice in the crockpot, turkey tetrazzini, garlic chicken, lentil and sweet potato stew, no bake cookies and chocolate/peanut butter mug cake.

It was all sorts of fun.

—-

All 6 of our basketball games cancelled today.

I thought there was going to be a riot last night when our players found out.

The storm has gone too far apparently…

—-

I think today shall be the day that I put on real clothes. And shoes.

Looking forward….

January 21, 2012 0 Comments

1. My children don’t believe in pants.

2. That’s a lot of snow.

January 20, 2012 0 Comments