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In a recent post about bonding, I referred to an article at adoptivefamilies.com, which includes the following statement … Attachment and adoption seem inseparable to many parents. In fact, attachment is an ongoing process for all parents and children, one that generally takes from 10 and 14 months and continues to evolve over a child’s … Read more
In my last post, I blogged reflections from Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations by Bishop Robert Schnase. In this post, I’ll share some practical ideas that are coming out of Centre Grove church council’s discussion of the reading. Earlier this week, we talked about what we’re currently doing in the area of faith development (including … Read more
Centre Grove’s council has been reading, discussing, and acting on Bishop Robert Schnase‘s Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations. So far, we have completed discussion of one of the practices (Radical Hospitality) and we recently started on a second (Intentional Faith Development). In this chapter, Bishop Schnase stresses the importance of learning together in community. He … Read more
As we prepare for our second adoption, we’re again thinking about the importance of bonding, particularly in those first days, weeks, and months with the new baby. Adoptive Families magazine has articles devoted to bonding. I think the article, Your Baby, Yourself, is especially helpful in talking about the importance (and challenges) of bonding for … Read more
While our conversation on Radical Hospitality is mostly behind us (Centre Grove church council), we’re still working on some of the practical steps (primarily adding directional signs, which have been completed, and revamping our welcoming ministry of ushers and greeters). We’ve named our ministry of ushers and greeters “First Impressions Ministry” (not original with us). … Read more
A few months ago I wrote that I would read Eugene Peterson during Lent. Unfortunately, my reading got pushed out for a while out due to the work we had to do for commissioning (as Provisional Elders) and I’ve just recently gotten back to reading Peterson’s Eat This Book. Usually, I read a book as … Read more
For Ethan’s birthday, we set up a place for him to play in the backyard — Ethan’s Fort. Ethan enjoyed helping Daddy build the fort. Now that it’s up, he enjoys climbing and sliding, as well as looking out over the fence into the outside world. It looks to be a favorite summer activity!
Months ago, Ethan learned the fruit and the word, “apple.” One day, even though apples are usually red, he pointed at the lighted white Apple logo on my Mac notebook and said, “apple.” (And, in case you’re wondering, he did it without any prompting from me! 😀 ) Speaking of computers, someone bought a toy … Read more
Monday was Ethan’s second birthday. We took him to JCP Portraits to get his photos taken. We were a little concerned about how cooperative Ethan would be, having been peopled-out last week. Ethan wasn’t overly in-the-mood for getting his photos taken, but the photographer was still able to get a number of good shots. Below … Read more
Today, Ethan turned two. We celebrated his second birthday yesterday with family at a small park in Williamsburg, PA. After an intense week at Annual Conference, it was a nice way to end the week. What a journey we are on. We thank God for the gift of Ethan!