A Heart Changed for Life

This week my heart has been greatly encouraged! Two friends passed along this story to me, and I want to be sure others have the opportunity to hear about it.

The story is about an Executive Director of a Planned Parenthood in Bryan, TX, who had a change of heart after watching an abortion on an ultrasound. Please take a moment to read her story and then take a look at another news outlet's video version.

After reading and watching, the Lord reminded me anew that nothing is too difficult for Him. In the well-known war of 'pro-life VS pro-choice' God has His people strategically placed all around the battle field patiently loving people who hold differing opinions and desiring to be used by God to bring about lasting change.

Are you a soldier in this war to protect innocent human life? Are you girded and ready to defend them? We need not plot and implement hateful harmful acts. Rather we need to be on our knees entreating the Spirit to reveal truth to individuals in His time and in His way.

Are you ready to be deployed?

Rejoicing in another life that has been affected for eternity!
Julie

Orphan Sunday Reminder!

For those of you in the Houston area, please be sure to join the festive and informative event Orphan Sunday Nov. 8 from 4-6 pm in the Chapel at Houston's First Baptist Church. Join other Houstonians as we gather to hear how God is stirring His people into action across Texas, the United States and even the world.

As a sneak peek of the afternoon's activities, take 3 minutes to watch this special message from Jedd Medefind, President of The Christian Alliance for Orphans.

Don't miss this opportunity to include your children in a family-friendly event. Besides, who would want to miss Steven Curtis Chapman leading in worship?

See you this Sunday!
Julie

Prosecution and Persecution

Is it true that someone can face criminal charges for having a conversation about their faith in Christ?

According to Tangle.com, there is a couple in Liverpool England who is facing such charges. They are being prosecuted and persecuted because of a conversation they had with a Muslim couple. For more details please be sure to view this TV report.

This should serve as a real wake up call for the rest of us Christians. Does this mean we are to be fearful of sharing our faith in Christ with people? Should we hide our love of God for fear someone might be offended or be surprised by persecution?

"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing; so that also at the revelation of His glory, you may rejoice with exultation. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you." ~ 1 Peter 4:12-14

To this couple I say: Rejoice! You are blessed ~ you are making a difference.

To the rest of us I ask: Are we making a difference??

Obviously I am not advocating that we go out hollering, pointing fingers and laying on judgment thick as mud. But I do encourage us to be alert for opportunities to give an account of the hope that lies within us. Let's dig in, Brothers and Sisters. Let's not shrink back, but press on!

Who might you share the Good News of Jesus with today?

Orphan Sunday - Nov. 8

Many of you know about my passion to advance adoption awareness and see people understand and embrace its beauty. You will likely know of the work I am involved in with Act of Life. Please take a moment to read the following blog entry and consider your responsive action.

I hope to see your smiling face Sunday, November 8.

With love,
Julie

In Honor of Public Schools

We are well into our school year here in the Stobbe Household. The children have found their groove and are in a decent routine: homework, sports, and music. Keeping things organized is the key. Okay, okay, 'somewhat' organized. We have moved to the marvelous school district of Conroe ISD where Doug and I believe our children are getting a tremendous education. Over the summer I came to realize the next time my children (currently 3rd and 5th) are on the same campus again will be in year 2016-2017 when my son is due to graduate. This is no big hill for a climber, so I did what any sane parent would do. I embraced the adventure of school buses. The Wheels on the bus go round and round....oops, that's for another time.

I have found there are those among us who will always find something to complain about when it comes to public schools. But, then again, are they not the same ones who will find a way to complain about anything? Being reared in the home of a school superintendent and a public school teacher surrounded by extended family members representing all facets of public education, it stands to reason that I am a defender of public education.

Now, I understand and respect my friends who have chosen private schooling and/or homeschooling. Pitting these types of schools against the public system is not what this post is about. This is about coming around our public school educators who show up day in and day out and pour their time, energy and lives into our kids.

When I came across this phone recording from a school in Australia I applauded! It is a fine message to parents everywhere. It is worthy to note the students of this particular school worked on a variety of messages and voted this one as the best. Please, take a moment to listen, to appreciate, and then to thank your area public school officials.

No school is perfect, and yes, I realize there are some teachers who would do well to find a different line of work, but most teachers want to be there to help our kiddos. Let's honor them. Let's also do our level best to rear respectful responsible students.

Here's to a GREAT school year!
Julie

"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe."
- Philippians 2:14-15 (New International Version)

Revisiting Re-routed Rites

Do you ever go back to look at old journals? If you are not a writer, do you like to go back in your mind and revisit particular memories?

I did that this morning and wanted to share a page from a journal dated over 3 years ago. The entry is dated May 24, 2006.

May I have a moment to bless you? I mean really bless you?

As parents, we go through various rites of passage. When my children were younger it was getting them through the diaper stage, then graduating from the high chair, then using “grown up” plates and utensils, potty training...the list is endless. Today I would like to share a rite of passage with you. It is the rite we all know as vomit.

Currently I am in full blown “end-of-the-school-year” madness. You know, the time of year when the cosmic calendar collides in all directions: ball games, school parties, birthday parties, pre-school graduation, musicals, more school parties (haven't we had enough?)... The time when it is humanly impossible to be six places at once. And let me mention, we are supposed to not only attend all of these gala events, but we are to do so with genuine smiles gracing our lips while carrying a set up pom poms showing our never-waning spirit.

This morning was to be one of the calmer mornings. I had plans to attend only one of my son's school parties (a luau, ugh!), but my little girl threw up in the middle of the night. So, at 1 a.m. I was thinking, “Now, how am I going to pull this off? Who is going to want to babysit a vomiting 5 year-old?" This was probably just a short-lived bug, but I could not take her with me. I declined my son's festive occasion and knew I would be at home – where I should be. The lei went back to the closet.

After dropping Connor off at school, Katherine and I went to get some medicine at the store. She carried a little plastic bowl with her in case she got sick. She did not want to make a mess. What a lady! We made it through the store and all the way home without an incident. The Lord and I exchanged a spiritual “high five” and I thanked Him profusely for getting her through this particular outing. Safe in the garage I got her out of the car. Everything seemed fine. I should not have counted those pesky chickens before they had hatched.

Turning to get my purse from the front seat I realized my mistake. As if in slow motion from the corner of my eye, I saw Kate crawl back in the car. “Why is she getting back in the car?” I wondered. Then I saw the tell-tale signs of tension grab her little body. She proceeded to vomit all over the inside of the car! Timing and location are everything.

This is a good time to point out that this is a brand new car; not a 'new to me' kind of car, but a 'brand spanking new vehicle right off the lot' kind of car. I have driven it for all of 2 months.

So much for the new car smell.

I stood looking at her retching all over the back seat and envisioned my husband, red faced, hands balled into fists, shaking and proclaiming, Why now, Why the new car, Why me???? Trying to hold back the laughter from that thought, I reached to pull Katherine from the car. My laughter was interrupted by a new realization. Katherine had crawled back in the car in order to reach for her little bowl. What a precious little girl. She was trying to do the right thing - to vomit in the bowl. It never occurred to her that the place she was emptying her stomach might prove problematic.

As I wiped wisps of golden hair back from her face, I reassured her that she would be okay. I softly whispered to her how much I appreciate her and that she is such a gift to me. Now we are cuddled together waiting for the uninvited bug to run its course. I have extra time with my little girl. We are going to share a cup of Sprite together. Isn’t God good?

I have passed this rite of passage! The vomit-in-the-new-car didn't succeed in ruining my day. God also reminded me that sometimes my best laid plans for a day may get re-routed! After all we must learn to roll with the punches.

When I close my eyes I think I can see God smiling. Or wait, is that a smirk?

Beach Bums

Summer means all sorts of things to different people. Stobbe summers mean sand between the toes, creative sand creations and body burials, tackling the waves with boogie boards, feeding gluttonous sea gulls, reading books poolside, and fierce card game competition.

We enjoyed some of these special moments recently at one of our favorite beaches: Port Aransas, TX. It's a quaint little fishing town, so don't be looking for the high-rise resort condos. 'Port A' as it has affectionately become known, is home to great times, touristy shopping and is also home of the legendary Pat McGee's surf shop. While growing up, it was all the rage to own a T-shirt from this well-known store. Sadly we discovered it is no longer open. :(


One of our favorite activities is waking early to walk down and catch a glimpse of the sun making its daily appearance on the horizon. We relish the quiet time listening to the waves gently crashing on the shore while eating a couple of powdered donuts. This is pretty well the only time we eat those addictive little morsels, and it's interesting to note the children think one cannot go to the beach without powdered donuts. Ha!

After lots of sand, sun and waves we would break our beach camp and head to the pool. After becoming duly waterlogged we headed in to clean up and fix feasts for dinner and to prepare for card and domino mania. This year was an unmatched frenzy of epic proportions. A good time was had by all!

Now that school has begun, I find myself thinking back over the memories we made this summer. Port Aransas tops the list in my book. Do you know why it is was so special to me? It was special for all the reasons I have shared before, but more importantly because I got to share the experience with my birth mother. 40 years ago, Alyson placed me in the loving arms of my parents. She created a home for me. She could have chosen differently, and well, my life certainly would have been different.

Many people don't understand adoption and often think of it as abandonment or that a birth mother 'gives up' her baby. Whatever people may think they often do not realize or understand the depth of love these women possess for their children. They love their babies and want what is best for them. In this case, providing parents for me through adoption turned out to be the greatest choice. And because of this choice, my kids are able to play with, talk to and love on Alyson and her husband Rusty. They are better known as "G-Mom" and "G-Dad."


Just look at the smiles around that table! I wish you could have heard the uproarious laughter that was the common background music of all our activity. This is a shining example of how God can bring about great things from seemingly very negative circumstances. Praise God for His goodness, for His redemptive power, and for His priceless grace. And I thank Alyson for her courage as well.

Adoption provides a legacy of life that affects generations. My children's smiles are living evidence.

Summer beach bummin' spent with family. My, oh my, how grateful I am...
Julie