RADICAL?

I just finished reading the book, "Radical" by David Platt last night. This book came highly recommended by Katie who is living a radical life in Uganda right now. I read the reviews and I thought I was ready for this book. You see, I was trucking right along. I've been married for 13 years, have one boy, one girl, got a brick house, white fence, dog....you name it....the American Dream, I suppose. Only after reading Radical, my dreams are looking different these days. My husband has a great job (which we are very grateful for) with fantastic hours and my kids go to great public schools. I stayed home with them until Natalie entered kindergarten. Then, I worked in early intervention for about a year and a half and then a God-opportunity arose in my life.....3 years ago both of my kids started the school year with substitute teachers. My son's teacher was on maternity leave and my daughter's teacher was on leave with M.S. I was saddened that they were both starting the year with a sub. However, both of their subs were warm and welcoming and my kids adjusted. That summer I had told my husband I felt like I was going to teach. About 3 weeks into the school year, I emailed my daughter's principal and asked who the licensed sub was going to be. He told me he was still looking for someone...the person he had in mind accepted a full time position. I felt God nudging me forward to persue that. I interviewed with him and at the temp. agency in town and I started working as a licensed sub 2 weeks later. At the end of that semester, I was interim. At the end of the year...full time for the next year. The best part was that I was going to be Natalie's teacher. I had a wonderful year that year and taught first grade for two more years after that. I LOVED teaching!! Teaching a child to love to read is priceless. I am truely thankful that I had this opportunity.

Througout this past year, I knew that I knew that I knew God was calling us to adopt. You see, the irony in this is that we were content with just one boy and one girl and had made arrangements to keep things this way. Our oldest presented various challenges and we did not feel equipped to add to our family. My husband initially would not pray about it, but later opened his heart. He said he knew we were supposed to adopt, but we were scared.....Then, there was the MONEY factor. That seems to be where the guys "hone in" on. I hadn't even heard of "radical" at this point.....but I knew something was going on. After much prayer and discussion, we began persuing adoption. Prior to this, we knew we had to get out of debt...So, last January we began paying off my van. Then, Natalie got spacers, braces, and expanders. We had JUST paid that off when we started our adoption. My husband told me that we had to wait until after Thanksgiving. So, I began calling the Monday after Thanksgiving. Everything was rolling along except there was still that "money" issue. I'll never forget emailing Amy @ Filled With Praise She emailed me and told me not to worry about the finances. God will provide. Well...you see...that has always been easy for me to believe that for other people...much more difficult to believe for my family...a true test of faith for us...A few weeks later, a couple of guys my husband has done some side work for in the past called and wanted to meet with him about some work. It was going to take place over the next 6 months and they would pay him monthly as it went. FABULOUS!! We were in awe and thankful. I continued putting everything I could from teaching toward the adoption as well. It's been amazing....for us..DEFINATELY radical.

So...that takes me to the end of the school year. I was assigned 3rd grade for next year. It was my heart's desire. I've always wanted to teach 3rd grade. I love everything about it...multiplication, cursive, older kids, independence, book clubs, you name it. I was stoked, but I had this anxiety and tug in my heart. For reasons only God knows, He was calling me to stay home this school year. Honestly, I was hoping we'd get a referral as soon as we submitted our paperwork so I could bow out gracefully. That was not God's plan. He wanted me to OBEY...no explanation. I cried over this decision. However, the peace I felt after I talked with my principal (who is fabulous) and my coworkers passed all understanding.

I feel like this summer has been a season of growth for me. God has been teaching me through books like "Forgotten God", "One Million Arrows", and now "Radical".

"Radical" is the hardest one yet. There are days I wanted to just put the book down and walk away. It's hard. It's not comfortable. It lines up with the Bible. However, the people in the Bible didn't live the "American Dream". This book is about dieing to self, taking up your cross, and living out the gospel. Deep in my heart, I know this is what I want to do. I'm not so much afraid of "giving up things" as I am the unknown. What is our life going to look like in one year? Only God knows. Trevis has agreed to read this book after his side work is complete. I am excited b/c then I'll have someone to talk to about. The ideas presented will come across as ludicrous to many, but so does adopting overseas when you've got everything going. There's something to be said about the joy you find when you know what you're doing what God wants you to do. I'm not sure how this will all play out. I'm still trying to process it all. I've learned one thing though....Now that I've read several books, it's time for me to get out "The Book".The only one that I will be able to know what His will is....His good, pleasing, and perfect will. I'll be honest....I'm scared...but I can already tell it'll be worth the risk....

With much love,