God-Ordained Conversations

This Road Trip has reminded me of the importance of always being aware and available for "random" conversations with strangers. Our family is "different"; and, as such, we attract attention. While Sarah and Rachel get tired of "being stared at", I have to remind them that our family was regularly stared at for many years before they arrived. The stares started 20 years ago, when we had 5 little ones under 5 years old.

Now ... it is exciting to see who the Lord brings across our paths. It is important to me to take the time to converse with someone who seems interested in what makes our family tick. I will never know exactly how the Lord will use our conversations in these people's lives; but I am able to walk away knowing that I am being used.

Because our family is "different",

the stares bring with them ...

... an opportunity to interact with people

who would just walk on by if our family

was "normal".

... an opportunity to shine Jesus' light

to the world.

... an opportunity to show that "different"

can mean "BLESSED".

... an opportunity to show that a "Mama of Many"

does not haveto be stressed out and haggard looking.

... an opportunity to show the world that children

are a BLESSING.

... an opportunity to show the world that large groups

of children can be trained in good behavior; that "large

family" does not necessarily equal "out of control".

In the past week we have had the opportunity to have 4 meaningful conversations with strangers ... just because we took the time to respond to comments, to answer questions, and to shine the light of Jesus into a dark and troubled world.

Colorado Springs * Wendy's Restaurant

I had a very interesting conversation with a 50-something woman who was eating lunch alone, close to where Shonni and I were eating lunch with our 15 children. When I got up to take pictures of our colorful group of children, the woman commented, "Are you a day care?" I could have easily said, "No." and gone about my business. Yet, I saw this as an opportunity. I probably spent 15 minutes chatting with this woman about our large family, about adoption, about homeschooling. She was intrigued. She asked a lot of questions. She shared about parenting her special needs adopted daughter. She said, "Well, she hates me right now ... as all 15 year olds do." Oh so sad! Here I sat having lunch with my 13 & 16 year old children who I have wonderful relationships with. I finally had to say my "good-byes", as Shonni had all of the children cleaned up and ready to head out on our adventure. I probably could have chatted for another hour with this sweet (but needy) woman. I'm glad that the Lord gave me the opportunity to shine a little of His light into her life.

Caddo Mills, TX * Church

When we went to church with the Block family, Carissa and I had the opportunity to have a nice chat with the Pastor's Wife, before service. Carissa shared all about her missions work in Argentina. I shared about our large family, adoption, and homeschooling. We ended up exchanging information. She left excited to read our family blog and my A Journey of Faith ministry website. Again, I could have shook her hand, introduced myself, and gone right back to my conversation with Amy. Yet, the Lord stopped me and showed me that I needed to take a few minutes with this precious sister in the Lord.

Dallas, TX * Wal-Mart Parking Lot

While walking through the parking lot to go shopping, a 50-ish woman noticed Sarah & Rachel's hair (yarn braids). She came up to tell them how beautiful it was. She said that she is a school teacher and that she always likes to see the different kinds of hairstyles the girls have. (This was in a very racially mixed neighborhood.) She went on to ask where the girls were adopted from, and then told us that when her teenagers are grown and gone that she plans to move to Africa to teach. So, she asked about Ghana. When we told her we were on a Road Trip, she asked about homeschooling. Then, she turned to the girls and told them, "Do you realize what a special Mama you have? Not many Mama's would take there children on a Road Trip across the country." So sweet! After about 10 minutes we finally had to say, "Good-bye". As she left, she told us that she was excited to tell her school children all about our family, and our meeting in Wal-Mart.

San Antonio, TX * Mexican Restaurant

Yesterday, I took the children to a Mexican Restaurant for lunch, after our visit to The Alamo. While I was finishing up with the little ones, and paying the bill, Carissa and Ben headed outside. When I came out, I discovered that Carissa had been having quite the conversation with a young man who works in the restaurant kitchen. When I arrived, he continued the conversation, telling me all about his move to Texas from Hawaii (as a teenager). He was excited about the Road Trip that we were one. As we parted, he said, "God Bless." Then, Carissa told me that this young man's dad is a pastor, and that she and he had been talking about the Lord.

Thank you Lord, for each of these people. I pray that You will guide me and help me to continue to take the opportunities that you lay before me, to respond to the people who You direct to cross my path each day.