Was that you on the Oprah Show??

It's been awhile now, but I wanted to just write down our experience on the Oprah Show. If I can digress, How cool to be so famous that you have your own show. I like the sound of "The Becky Show". I don't think anyone would watch, but it sure is fun considering it.
Okay, our story...
In February of 06, my Liberian Mom Friends won a cruise sponsored by Good Morning America. They called it a Girls Getaway and we were privileged to be one of many groups of 10 women that won the trip. It was fun and wonderful. We laughed and ate and laughed and ate. A great break!! While on the trip, my friend Genia talked with Gail (Oprah's buddy) and she wanted to know about our story. Gail liked it and published it in the "O" magazine (I like it, the "B" magazine). Anyway, the producer of the show decided to include our adoption story in the show about Amazing Families.
So, the producers came here and interviewed the 5 Families that initially adopted choir boys and then did a live feed to Chicago for Oprah to interview us.
The whole process was fascinating to me. I love Drama and have acted in small dramas at church,etc.. But, I realize more and more that what comes across the big screen is more exciting than the actual event of doing it. It's a very time consuming process and a whole lot of work went into our little 20 minute segment. It gave me a new understanding of how television programs work. I'm sure its an exciting field to work in, but it is definitely a lot of work!
Oprah was very gracious and understanding in her interview of us. We felt privileged to be able to share what seemed like a small act of obedience to God with a Big world. All of us Mom's agree that it is such a surreal process. This is our life and we dance this dance everyday. But then all of a sudden someone notices it and thinks it's a big deal. The danger comes when you start thinking YOU are a big deal. When really GOD is the big deal. He is amazing! He looks all over the world and moment by moment chooses men, women, boys, girls, teens, single parents, and singles to use in a big way. The sad thing is, we reason with an All-knowing God that he has got it wrong and our comfort zone is our priority. So,He should probably find someone else that is looking to have their world turned upside down and choose them. I think all of us Moms and Dad's would say, "God, didn't give us enough time to really figure the whole thing out. Because if He did, I might have been asking Him to move on". While we didn't do it with the case of our Liberian children, I must sadly say, I have asked God to, "move on to someone else" in many other areas of my life.

So, for you that may watch this and think, "wow, what amazing women". Please Don't! Please stop and say, "God, I want to be available to be used in whatever way you might see fit". Because the truth is...This has been the most adventurous, exciting, amazing, difficult, sacrificial, bountiful, and wonderful that has ever happened to me. Even with all that, I still feel like a nobody. But, then I remember, I am my Heavenly Father's Pride and Joy. He has a my picture on his desk!! If you know Him personally, your's is there too.
If you don't have a relationship with God, email me, I would love to invite you to join my Daddy's family!!

For you animal lovers..What I learned about God from my Dog!

I was awaken this morning at 3:45 by my little white fuzzy Bichon at the end of my bed, gagging on something and then depositing it on my white goose down comforter. My husband was not happy, but I willfully got up and cleaned it up. Honestly, it took me back to the years of having little ones and never getting the a good full nights sleep. However, this early morning wake up didn't bother me,(and I get very easily upset when I don't get a good night's rest). But, while I was cleaning up her mess, I knew she didn't do it intentionally. She had probably scrounged something up earlier that wasn't dog stomach friendly.

As I lay awake this morning, because of course it was going to be hard to fall back to sleep, I knew God wanted me to know that He loves me soo much. In my heart, He said, "Becky, I love you with a love like you have for your little puppy"! Even when I continue to do things that are messy and irresponsible, he doesn't sigh and yell. He still loves me, even when he has to continually clean up after the mess I make of things. (let's not even begin to talk about house training). He doesn't get angry and punish, he just shows His unconditional love over and over again. And, when I do things that are just ugly results of my nature (my old human instinct) he just accepts me because that is part of loving. Dogs are animals and they will always act like animals. Even though they can seem to be human at times, they are still dogs. I am a human being, even though I show God-like qualities as long as I am in this human earth suit, I will act like a human. That is why we need God's grace.

Cotton, my little fuzz ball, has brought so much joy into the life of our family. She greets us excitedly when we come home. She loves to just be where we are. She makes us laugh at her antics and she justs "does" being a pet so well. So, we love her and enjoy her so much.

I think about my love for her. No matter how dirty or stinky or naughty she is, I am just still going to love her. Isn't God like that? His grace is like that. Cotton doesn't earn my love, I just love her. Even when she disappoints me and creates extra work for me, I can't help myself. I still love her. Now, before you think I'm dog crazy, I am! But, I know God must give me living examples of his never ending love. He will always spend money on me to feed me, clean me, groom me. He will take me for car rides with him just to allow me to be near him and go where He's going. He will nestle me close and love having me in his lap so I can feel His heart beat and feel Him near to me. He will let me know that He will always take care of me, and as long as He is near, I am safe. I hope that you will see yourself as a treasured posession of your Heavenly Father. I could never replace my little fur ball. She was, I believe, created for our family. Another gift from my Heavenly Father that demostrates in a physical way His incredible love for me. I am soo glad Cotton gagged this morning. I got a life lesson from God about His presence that has got my tail wagging. Now, do I long to be with my owner the way Cotton longs to be with me??