A letter to my long lost friend!

Dear Blog of mine,

I've missed you. I think about you often and have so much to tell you. I wish we had the chance to catch up more often. It seems that the busier I am, the less busy you are. Funny how that works.

I've been wanting to tell you about how much I delight in that precious baby girl who is sleeping upstairs right now. There are so many pictures I want to show you. So many expressions and milestones and firsts. She is the light in my eyes, and holding her has carried me through some rocky patches this year. It seems that at least once a day, I am overwhelmed again by a wave of gratitude for this most precious gift. I haven't intended to keep her from you!

I've also read some books that I wanted to tell you about. Learned some life lessons. Made some memories with my boys. All of these are things that I've wanted to share with you, my long-lost Blog. But alas, I have been so busy living my life that I have not found the time to write about it!

I really want to do better. You are so dear to me. I find in you moments of reflection and quietness of soul that has been hard to come by these days. Let me assure you, there have been no large quantities of quietness around the Wood household these days.

So, my sweet friend who is always eager to hear about all of my antics, I will try to be more loyal. I am working to arrange my life to grab a cup of tea and sit down with you more often. You have been dearly missed and not at all forgotten.

Sincerely,
Stacie 

Doing Life Together

Occasionally someone at South Bay that I may or may not know will tell me that they have been reading my blog. I always love it when people tell me they're out there because it inspires me to keep writing and it gives me a better idea of who I'm writing to.

Recently one sweet gal came up to me and began telling me how much she had been enjoying reading my blog. Then she said a phrase that made me laugh out loud and meant the world to me at the same time. She said, "I feel better about my life when I read about yours."

I loved that. I read (or avoid reading) plenty of blogs that make me feel worse about myself...I don't do enough crafts with my kids. My home looks like a single guy decorated it. My days are spent cleaning up messes and folding clothes while she's out writing books and changing the world. And on, and on, and on.

While it is not my goal to air all of my dirty laundry in cyber-space, it is a huge value of mine to be authentic. In my opinion, the last thing this world needs is one more person pretending like they've got it all together. We benefit a lot more from people who are willing to share their struggles, trials, and failures. It's the stuff life is made of, and the way we respond to those difficult moments will shape our lives.

We are ALL works in progress. We ALL have days that leave us cringing in frustration over things we wish were different. And, if we are willing to let the guard down and be authentic, we can ALL experience the grace of God that is ours for the journey.

So, let someone in today. Not in a TMI-weird-major-over-sharer kind of way. But in a let's-do-life-together kind of way. I'll splash some grace on you while you splash some grace on me. I'll follow your lead on paths you've walked before, and I'll invite to join me in the journey God has me on.

Instead of desperately focusing on our own image control, let's be willing to allow others to feel better about their lives when they look at ours. The road's a lot more beautiful when we do this journey together. 

MIA

Sorry I've been MIA from the blog this week. Life has been busier than usual and I think all the busyness has depleted my creativity. This week we went to a Dave Matthews' Concert (!), hosted a dinner party for 16 people, had Life Group leaders' training, had a dinner with South Bay's staff girls, and I'm planning a camping trip for this weekend to celebrate Caedmon's 6th bday. Good things. They are just keeping my mind occupied with things other than writing. I hope to be back at it next week.

Oh, yeah, and Caedmon lost his 2nd tooth. Big events, People!

Moving Madness

Dear Blog-World,

I may be MIA this week due to the fact that we are moving this weekend, my husband will be out of town two days this week, and I have two small children. Our apartment looks like we are auditioning for the next season of Hoarders as we are up to our neck in cardboard boxes.

I'm not sure what it is about moving, but it is making me want to purge EVERYTHING! I am throwing away all kinds of "treasures" my kids have accumulated over time...treasures like kazoos, and yo-yos, and poker chips, and little spinny tops. And in the unlikely event that it occurs to them one day that they haven't seen that paper airplane in a long time, I fully intend to "blame it on the move". I'll say things like, "Hmmm, I haven't seen that since we moved. What do you think could have happened to it?"

So, please don't be annoyed with me for taking a break from the blog. Just PRAY FOR ME instead! And I hope to see you back next week...IF we get our internet and power transferred correctly to our new place!

Still Alive...and Coming Up For Air!

Every year about this time, no matter how hard I fight against it, I seem to take an unintentional Sabbatical from blogging. I wish I could say it was because I am taking this time to really focus on Jesus, to be still and quiet before Him as we remember and celebrate His birth. But alas, I have just been trying to stay afloat through the busyness of this month. I am typically the "early to bed, early to rise" type, but late nights have become my specialty as of late.

Anyone else out there been stuck in the spirit of, "Go! Go! Go! Merry Christmas!"

This week I went to the post office to ship 30 (THIRTY!) packages and about 120 letters. I'm pretty sure the only reason I didn't get cussed out by the long line of people behind me is because I had an adorable little Ethiopian boy dancing around, playing with his train, and wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. (Way to go, Sammy!)

But, I think I am (finally) about finished. Just a few minor details remain and the heavy weight of preparations that had to be made has been lifted. I have definitely been more of a Martha than a Mary this month, and I'm ready to make the switch. (Luke 10:38-42)

Leave me a comment to let me know one thing you do to help yourself stay focused on Jesus and keep a quiet heart during this season.

300th Post Giveaway!!!

Today is my 300th post since starting this blog!

There are 3 primary reasons why I blog:

1. I love to write and I needed a way to get out all that was inside. The thought of writing a book is oh so intimidating to me...I wouldn't even know where to start. But a blog? Well, that's much more manageable.
2. It keeps my family "in the know". We live a loooooooong way away from any family (sniff, sniff), so my blog keeps them updated on what's going on in our lives.
3. Influence. I hope that my blog is an inspiration to those who attend South Bay Church, other wives in ministry, adoptive families, and anyone else who wants to join up in my cyber-life. 

The funny thing about blogging is that you really have no idea who's out there reading. I don't know if there are 5 people or 500 people reading a particular post. Some of my best friends never read it (I know this because they'll ask me about something in our family that I just answered in a post). At the same time, there are lots of people at South Bay who I hardly know who know a lot about our family because they do read it. It's a strange feeling.

So, I was trying to think of a way to get people to come out of the shadows and leave a comment to let me know you're out there. It had to be a really good giveaway. Something that everyone would want. But not everyone has the same interests. I racked my brain to think of a good giveaway. And then I decided on, drumroll please, a $25 Amazon gift card! Who wouldn't want that?! You can get (almost) anything your heart desires from Amazon...maybe not with $25, but it's a good start!

So here's how you get chances to win.

For each category listed below that you fit into, you can leave a comment. (Honesty, people. Come on, scouts honor.) Every comment is considered a different entry. I will leave the giveaway open for one week and announce the winner next Saturday, February 26.

1. Just leave a comment. Everyone can do this one.
2. Follow my blog. There are a few different options on how to do this on the right side of my screen. If you already follow or if you sign up today, just leave a comment to let me know.
3. If you attend South Bay Church, let me know
4. If you are a mother (or father) with a child/children under the age of 6, let me know.
5. If you are a church planter's wife or on a church planting team of a church that is less than 2 years old...
6. If you and/or your spouse are serving Jesus in vocational ministry...
7. If you are an adoptive family (paper chasing or already home)...

Wow! Wish I could sign up to win! I'd get to leave 7 comments! Good luck!!!