Friday Favorite: An Adoption Map

adoption mapI think most of you know that we’re in the crazy process of adopting from DR Congo.

It’s hard enough for me to wrap my mind around everything, let alone my four-year old son.

Let’s just say, he’s not getting a brother or sister the “normal” way. He can’t see Mommy’s tummy growing. The whole idea of his sibling being on a continent called Africa far far away is not an easy thing for his young brain to wrap around. And the waiting. Oh, the waiting.

So when I saw this Adoption Map idea posted by Cheryl Troxel, another mama adopting from DR Congo, I fell in love.

Brogan and I made one of our own on Monday.

He already explained to his Grandma Gayle and Papa Kirby that when he puts the heart in the middle, that means Mommy and Daddy are on their way home with his little brother or sister.

We can’t wait to add more pieces to the puzzle!

What’s your Friday favorite of the week?

Friday Faves

Chin-Grabbers for Everyone:

  • Musings on Weariness and Restlby Amy

    Ever feel like there’s too much on your plate? Or like you’re being buried beneath all the demands and expectations life tends to heap on the old shoulders? Then this is where you need to park yourself today! I found it to be a much-needed shot of honesty and encouragement.

  •  Cracked Out: It Can Happen to Anyonelby Jessica R. Path

    “Doing something for God’s glory doesn’t replace spending time in God’s glory.” Can I get a resounding Amen? Jessica discusses how easy it is to become like cracked, bleeding skin–not just in the valleys, but on the mountain tops too. For me, that’s where I’m most prone to drying out.

  •  8 Reasons Why Waiting is Hardlby Wendy Paine Miller

    This post was genius. I think all of us can identify with at least one of these eight ladies.

 Chin-Grabbers for Writers:

  •  Manners Matter: 13 Etiquette Tipslby Rachelle Gardner

    Easy-to-follow tips that will not only make you look good, but following them will make the lives of the people around you easier.

  •  There is No Time for Despairlby Rachelle Gardner

    Some good news/bad news in the world of publishing, plus some valuable parting wisdom from a knowledgeable literary agent.

  • Revisions Day One: The Read Through by best-selling author of the popular dystopian trilogy, Divergent

    I loved reading about this young author’s behind-the-scenes editing process. I especially love the helpful questions she asks!

Wishing you a fabulous Friday!

Friday Faves

This week’s roundup is a short one! Not because the internet was lacking in awesome blog posts, but because my week was so full (celebrating my son’s 4th birthday, visiting a friend in Madison, brainstorming a new story idea), I didn’t have time to read everything in my Google Reader.

Despite the hectic schedule, these four grabbed me….

Chin-Grabbers for Everyone:

  • In Other Words: Hope and Havingmby Beth Vogt

    I found this short and sweet post super applicable, since the balance is one I’m constantly wrestling with.

  • Haiti, Personal Crisis, and a Manifestomby Jen Hatmaker

    I know. Jen Hatmaker has made the Friday Faves THREE weeks in a row. But I really had to. This one is so incredibly powerful! It reminds me of something I read in my Beth Moore study:

    We can underline our Bibles till our pens run dry without a drop of ink splattering our lives. The self-deception slithers in when we mistake appreciation for application or being touched with being changed…..The Word of God is meant to do more than penetrate. It’s meant to activate. Simply put, the Word was meant to work.

 Chin-Grabbers for Writers:

  • Conscious and Subconscious Actionmby Jessica Nelson

    A new, interesting way to approach characterization. I especially love the concrete examples from the movie, Book of Eli (which I haven’t seen, but would like to).

  • Should All Authors Blogmby Rachelle Gardner

    More thought-provoking thoughts about the ongoing debate on whether or not fiction authors should blog.

Happy Friday! I hope you have a fun-filled, blessed weekend!

If you’re looking for a book to read or you like giving books as Christmas gifts, you can read the first three chapters of Wildflowers from Winter for free. I always like to sample a book before I purchase it!