The End

Just as Lost is beginning (Jason's favorite show), Life Support is coming to an end. After much thought, and weeks of knowing it was time to let it go, I've decided to put an end to our Life Support blog. Being the last post, there is much I'd like to share with all of you.


ON BLOGGING

Before July of 2007, I'd never blogged before. I'd tried a few times, but nothing ever sounded right. I think because it wasn't time, yet.

Life Support was started in July of 2007 to keep friends and family up-to-date on Isaac and our family as we navigated his first few weeks. Weeks turned to months and this really became our lifeline while we were in OH. I also blogged to keep a journal of all that was happening in our lives at that time. I did not keep any handwritten notes so everything I needed to say and think out was written here. Early on, someone who works with Jason (NOT us or our friends/family) contacted Joe Gartrell and the Canton Repository. That's where (most) everyone else joined our family on our journey to bring Isaac home. I had no idea how much our story would touch others. We were simply following a very crazy (but fantastic) plan God had thrown in front of us.

While I originally intended to continue posting, I feel Life Support has fulfilled it's original purpose. I also feel God pulling me in other directions. I'm somewhat of a creative non-fiction writer and want to focus my writing thoughts, there. I also scrapbook, or at least attempt to! Blogging for me takes up a lot of time--time I'd like to spend doing things I used to enjoy--kind of like finding myself all over again.

ON MY PASSIONS

I continue to be VERY PASSIONATE about adoption advocacy and supporting families who are living away from home while their loved ones are hospitalized long-term. Anyone who wants to join forces or support either/both initiatives, I'd love to hear from you. Until Journey's End blog will continue so please follow along, there, to see what God is doing in the lives of others. Three Voices, as well, will continue on.

I am also passionate about YOU. If at ANY TIME, today, or 15 years from now, you want to email me about our journey, our faith, our struggles (we've faced other life-changing struggles never mentioned here), adoption questions or just to catch up, I'd love to hear from you. I'll make sure this blog always has an updated email address on it.

ON MY FAITH

As a Jesus follower, I'm good at (the top 4):

--loving others

--following through on committments

--working hard

--being passionate about what I believe in


As a Jesus follower, I'm NOT good at (the top 5):

--praying (not because of how I do it, but because of how little I do it)

--reading my Bible (see above)

--giving God control of my life (especially in the little things)

--being respectful of my husband

--keeping my cool when I'm frustrated or angry

I struggle. I struggle in a lot of different areas, a lot of the time. Like everyone else, my faith-walk is full of valleys and mountain tops. You've been with us through an experience I never anticipated. I LOVE that God calls us to step out in faith (usually in a very big way so as not to let us think we can do it alone) and then provides the pathway minute-by-minute so we can't even begin to guess what's coming next. What an awesome God we serve.

One of my favorite worship songs is Bless the Lord by Jeff Deyo.

For Your beauty for Your goodness
And Your wisdom awesome God
Praise the Lord, oh my soul praise the Lord
For Your power for Your honor
And Your splendor mighty God
Praise the Lord oh my soul praise the Lord
Praise the Lord oh my soul praise the Lord

And I will worship You
I will bless Your name forever
I will worship You
Bless the Lord oh my soul bless the Lord
Bless the Lord oh my soul bless the Lord

For Your kindness for Your favor
For Your mercy gracious One
Thank the Lord oh my soul thank the Lord
For Your fire for your testing
And Your Spirit Holy One
Thank the Lord oh my soul thank the Lord
Thank the Lord oh my soul thank the Lord

And I will worship You
I will bless Your name forever
I will worship You
Bless the Lord oh my soul bless the Lord
Bless the Lord oh my soul bless the Lord

For Your suffering for Your anguish
And Your sorrow, humble King
Bless the Lord oh my soul bless the Lord
Bless the Lord oh my soul bless the Lord
For Your victory for Your triumph
And You'll soon come and reign over us

Bless the Lord oh my soul bless the Lord
Bless the Lord oh my soul bless the Lord

God is so good. From the moment I was born until the moment I die, God is good. All the time.

*******

I think it's amazing how God (and Satan) stay current. You can find both right here in blogland. While so many of you were encouragers, supporters, fellow brothers and sisters in Christ and prayer partners, there were also many here causing dissention and casting doubt on what was really happening here and in our lives. I did my best to ignore those people because Satan has NO POWER where God is ruling. I didn't want to give him a foothold (though my feelings were genuinely hurt with every horrible comment). I think it's important to remember that Satan will infiltrate wherever we'll let him. In our role as parents and significant others, as friends and neighbors and fellow bloggers. He knows our weaknesses and PREYS on them. That nasty, nasty devil.

ON ALL OF YOU

I cannot express enough how much your support, love, encouragement and prayers have meant to us. I would've been a lot more lonely, all by myself, if not for all of you checking in and leaving me comments everyday. And, I'm very sure God was answering the prayers YOU were sending up on our behalf. I could FEEL it. I wish there was a more tangible way for me to thank you for all you've done for our family.

So many of you have become loved friends. Please, if you want to stay in touch (because I'd like to), send me a personal email. There are still several hundred people checking in everyday...I only "know" a handful of you by name. Please, if you feel comfortable, I'd love to personally here from you--know who you are. I'd love to update those of you who'd like to hear from us in the future. I'd hate to lose touch with those of you who have become such encouragers of what we've been doing and what we want to continue to do.

ON WHAT'S NEXT FOR US

Jason continues to work as an attorney (although as of last Monday, in a different division) for the State of Michigan in Lansing. He's waiting to hear from the Michigan National Guard as to when he'll be going for his JAG training in Virginia. He's always wanted to serve his country and the National Guard is how he's chosen to do that.

I will continue to be a SAHM caring for Hannah and Isaac. We've started getting together with (healthy) friends on a limited basis and love it. In March, we'll be heading back to the Y so I can get in shape! I'll begin volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House in Grand Rapids later this month. Three Voices and Until Journey's End continue to be on my heart and mind. How the two will come together, I'm not sure, yet. I will continue to help those with adoption questions and concerns and will continue to send out weekly packages to families in need of support.

As a family, we'll be headed to Florida in March with Jason's dad. We're excited for our first family vacation (the first vacation for Jason and I since our honeymoon). And then, in April, we'll be headed to Canton and Akron (Ohio) for Isaac's adoption finalization.

Many, many blessings to each of you. I will pray an extra prayer tonight that God's will be done in each of your lives. Thank you for loving us. You've all been a part of God's plan in our lives. Just another step in this journey we didn't anticipate, but now, can't imagine life, without.