We had a wonderful discussion on the way up about the different things that formed and shaped our faith and who we are today. It could have been where we were going. It could have been my musical choice of a lovely Pandora station. Or, let's get real here for a minute, it was God. We both chatted back and forth about what it was that had the largest impact....was it Life Nights, volunteering at EDGE, being on the IHM Senior Team, being a Core Team member, playing Ultimate Frisbee, JHDC, (see adventures from youth ministry here... https://lessonslearnedonestumbleatatime.blogspot.com/2013/06/finding-joy.html ) , or eating pizza every Tuesday....I mean XLT. We both concluded what while everything had a large impact, and those whom we were around played a large part as well, the thing that radically changed our lives was XLT.
If you ask Jared, he will say that free food always wins...I mean, what better way to lure in high school kids than a promise of pizza? Well done, youth ministry, well done. Food is the way to a teens heart. Then, one you have been lured there (which sounds awful) you realize why you are really there. It may not be in that moment, or even within those days or years. It will most likely be years down the road, when you go man, what I wouldn't give for an awesome Tuesday evening filled with pizza & Jesus.
These Tuesdays were so much more than we realized as participants. Jared loved being able to serve with the Priest, and escort Jesus over the the CLC from the Church....field trip! He found that time, and those conversations so valuable. Did you know that he was discerning becoming a Priest in High School? Crazy, I know. Ask him about his story sometime, and the awesome advice that he was given by a treasured Priest friend. As for me, I loved the praise & worship during Adoration. There was nothing more fulfilling that singing at the top of your lungs, praising a God that loves you unconditionally, and is constantly pouring out His grace to you day after day. It was in those moments that we truly began to value how integral, important, pivotal, inspirational the Eucharist is, and that it is the pinnacle point of our faith.
Now, why am I rambling on about XLT...I know that you are asking yourself that right now. Well, in diving deeper with the Eucharist, it drove us into the ministry that we became part of for so many years. We did everything under the sun....and then some. Then, we reached a point where we were just burnt out, and it was time to step away for awhile, and discern where we were as a newly married couple. For us, that meant moving to a parish closer to home, and focusing on us.
For a few years now, we have struggled with where we are called to give our time with the Church. We were supposed to be back in youth ministry? If we were to be involved in another ministry, which one? Oh the decisions!
Well, this weekend was eye and heart opening in more than one way. We always knew that adoption was more than just getting a baby and adding to your family. There are way more hearts involved than just ours. When picking an agency, it was so important to us that the birth mother would be taken care of after the adoption had happened by the agency. Little did we know, that this would also involve us.
Adoption in and of itself is a ministry, and such a beautiful one. Not only is there an opportunity to minister to the family that is adopting, but a beautiful opportunity to minister to the mom, and her family, who out of love, placed their child for adoption. Birth mothers need just as much support and love. They have literally given a piece of themselves to someone else.
So, how can you get involved in the ministry of adoption, I'm sure you are asking yourself at this moment. Well, here are a few ideas--pray for a family going through adoption. Prayers for them as they are walking their journey will mean more to them than anything else.
There is also another lovely option, and that is finding a maternity home and donating towards their needs. While those mothers may not always be placing a child for adoption, they have made the choice to parent at what is likely a difficult point in their life. I like to think of them as "Pro-Life Houses." Without them, many mothers may be making other decisions. These homes not only care for those moms that may be living there, but care for them after they have moved out as well, helping them to get on their feet.
I have spent the past few weeks in prayer, along with Jared. We feel called to love on those mothers (adoptive or not) in the maternity homes. There is one in Houston, LifeHouse (https://lifehousehouston.org/) , and one in Austin, Sarah's House (http://breathoflifesite.org/sarahs-house-maternity-home/). Each month, we will be reaching out to these ministries, and asking what they need specifically, and then look to collect donations from those who feel called to give.
The pieces of the puzzle have fallen into place so nicely, so I will be starting in May, which just so happens to be appropriately the month of The Blessed Virgin. Be on the lookout for a post on how & when to donate!! Jared & I are truly excited about this opportunity to minister to these moms! We pray that you might join in with us as well.
A few other life updates.....
We are still not in our house. No, they have not begun work....insurance is pushing back hard, but we are pushing back harder, fighting tooth & nail for our little house. We want a home that is done...nothing fancy. Girl just wants some walls back up, a kitchen & a bathtub....too much to ask for? Apparently it is if you ask our insurance company.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-the-brinker-family-rebuild-their-home?qid=f23d393061c4d60c26417ae3930cfb4e&utm_campaign=p_cp_url&utm_medium=os&utm_source=customer
We could not be in a better place with K...she has made staying with her like being with our own parents. Bonus that she loves our furballs too! It doesn't hurt that they are all cute, and know how to give her the puppy eyes to get what they want, either. Sadie Mae especially, gets anything she wants. Can we say spoiled???
We are still prayerfully waiting in the adoption world as well, but know that everything will happen in God's timing....cause He knows that we are not in our house right now & that I just may freak out if we have to get a home study done on another house.
