God wants us to be all that He intended for us to be. He wants us to be filled with peace and to live from a strong sense of purpose. Yes, in a world that fails to plan and wallows in the superficial, God wants us to rise above by fixing our hearts and minds on keeping His Word.

Make it a priority to take time each day to spend in His Word.

The early morning hours are filled with wonder. Have you noticed?  My grandmother used to say �The early bird catches the worm.� Well I am not always able to catch the worm but I have noticed that when I do those early moments spent in meditation and prayer are somehow different. The tone of my whole day is better.

So take time to allow your Heavenly Father to give you direction and vision for your day.

Celebrate the wonder of being His Child. Spread your plans before Him and let Him guide you.

Remember He longs for you to know His Will even more than you long to have it.

Have a glorious day!

Remember to check out my new blog at www.heartprintscoaching.wordpress.com/

In the days ahead I will be sharing ways that you can build more peace, purpose and passion into your life.

Again and again I have shared a moment in my life or in the life of my family with the prayer that it might encourage you, my friends. Many of you have written to me telling me how much these shining moments have meant to you.

Now I have opened another website at www.heartprintscoaching.wordpress.com/. I am continuing to blog regularly with words of encouragement and hope.

This present website will be closing out in the next week. Please subscribe at the new site. I am looking forward to sharing ways that you can increase the peace, passion and purpose in your life. Don't miss a single blog.

Sign up today.

Blessings always,

Sharon

In just a few days Moms and Dads will watch and wonder �How will Emme or John do?� �Have I prepared her for what she will meet in the world?� �Will he be safe?� Questions and more questions.

There might be some tears. Understandably fears.

So what can you do to ease the anxiety?

Whether you are a teacher, parent, student, or grandparent there are three things you can do to prepare your child and yourself for a successful school year.

�        Focus on the purpose

My first graders used to come to school with little awareness of the importance of education and how each grade built on another. Weaving the importance in small ways gives an understanding to the daily process.

�        Focus on your strengths and the strengths of your child

Some children are naturally curious. School gives them marvelous opportunities to satisfy their curiosity. Some teachers are blessed with a marvelous gift of creativity. School gives them an opportunity to use their gift. Some parents have strengths that are used in an even greater way during the school year. Building on a person�s strengths will give satisfaction and meaning in life.

�        Focus on maintaining a positive attitude every day

What you tell yourself is so important. Instead of saying �Oh no, I have to go to school� tell yourself �I get to go to school.� �I get to teach�. �I get to see my child go onto the next grade.� Life is all about change and growth. Embrace it with openness and you will discover the joy of new experiences.

So have a great school year. Whether you teach or have a child on public school or homeschool, make it the best year ever. And may His Hand be upon you each step of the way.

In a world that is often dishonest, hurtful and full of hate, it is all too easy too pick up that poison. The sad truth it that the more one is around it, the less aware one is of its impact.

Saturday evening all of a sudden I heard the crash of broken glass and the screams of people. Looking outside my back window I saw huge, ugly flames reaching to the sky. A nearby apartment building was on fire.

My daughters and I raced outside to look and to offer any help we could. Unfortunately there was little that we could do but stand beside folks as they watched their earthly possessions turned to ashes.

Today the charred building stands as a reminder of how destructive fire can be. 16 families are without homes. Everything changed in just a matter of minutes.

Its been days and we still can smell the smoke in our home. It will take time.

Love heals. Hate tears down. In a minute angry words can be spoken and but their impact last for years.

It is hard to see the lives of so many of our neighbors suddenly changed. It tears at my heartstrings to see their tears and hear their cries.

But in the midst of the tragedy the flower of love is evident. Love breaks through. Neighbors who have not spoken in months, are talking again. Friends are speaking words of care and concern and compassion. Smiles and hugs. Being there.

No matter how difficult life might be, look for love. Its power is greater than the destruction. In time there will be healing. In time.

Every day is a new opportunity to love. Remember, the more love you give, the more you will have to give.

Early each morning my daughter and I tie on our shoes and go out for a walk. I love the moments of walking side by side talking about everything and anything. At that time in the morning the sun brightens the earth with a glorious morning light and the birds sing cheerfully heralding a new day.

Every morning is different. Each walk opens up a new surprise. Today was no exception.

All of a sudden my eleven year old stepped away from my side. I glanced back to see what she was doing. There she stood with a lovely purple wildflower in her hand.

�I�ve been looking at these flowers every morning. Aren�t they beautiful?� She held up the delicate blossom for me to admire. My eyes traced the fragile petals and then turned to look at her youthful face.

Her appreciation for the beauty of the small wildflowers by the side of the road touched me.

How often do I miss out on the Lord�s blessings because I am too busy to look and really see?

God has surrounded us with beauty on every side. Sometimes it is more hidden. Sometimes we need to rise early or stay up late to see it. Sometimes we need to change our routine. But His Creative Hand has blessed us with Touches of Glory all around. Beauty that was designed to refresh our souls and encourage our spirits.

Let the beauty of the Lord enrich your life and add meaning to your days.  As you go through today ask yourself �Where do I see the Touch of my Father�s Hand?�

Change has already begun.

Adoption is still the call of my heart but along with it there is a burning desire to help people particularly women discover more peace, passion and purpose in their lives.

I hear the cries of the anxious soul, the restless heart, the distracted one. I am excited to reach out and teach tools to enable people to move into a greater sense of peace. I am thrilled to see the difference that a small shift in one�s attitude can make.

So I am in the process of making changes to my website. Although I will continue to coach adopted parents as they raise their children, I am also coaching folks all over in ways to add greater purpose and meaning to their lives.

My blogs will focus on a variety of topics some of which are steps that you can take to increase your peace on a daily basis, what to do when you find yourself distracted and discouraged and ways that you can be successful no matter what your bank account says.

I look forward to hearing from you. Until then remember you can live out more success every single day!

We�ve all been there. All of a sudden your child decides to make a major issue about something you have said or requested. Within seconds it seems they become loud, yelling, screaming, stamping their feet. You try reasoning and realize very quickly that that approach won�t work. You insist on a certain behavior and then the emotions escalate on both sides. You try counting 1-2-3 but none of it works. It all unravels and you with it.

So what is a parent to do?

1. Right from the beginning, instead of detaching, connect with their heart.

Yes, children who have been adopted oftentimes need a sense of being connected. Rather than sending them away from you, work to build a sense of connection. When you are calm enough, place your hand on their shoulder. Speak softly. Show your care.

2. Distract the upset child.

A cold drink of water. A soothing popsicle. Choose something to get their mind off the present power struggle. This will help everyone calm down so that you can address it further. Help your child feel more in control and heard.

       3.  Verbally remind them of their strengths

            It is too easy in the midst of the conflict for a parent to get into winning the battle.

            But if you keep your mind on the bigger picture, raising a self controlled, loving

            child, you will encourage and remind the child of what strengths they do have to

             resolve the present issue.

Parenting your children through the upsetting tantrums is not easy but it can be done. Ask yourself what their behavior is saying. The experience then becomes an opportunity to learn and grow. And isn�t that what effective parenting is all about anyway?

I smiled inside knowing it was true. God in His amazing wisdom created Jenny to resemble me in some small ways. Although she will grow taller, the shape of her head and features do look like me.

Later she and I talked about the conversation.

I could see that the comments had pleased her.  

At a time when she is developing her own identity it is interesting to see what has meaning. In truth both of my girls also look very different from me. But the laughter and light in their eyes is familiar. Maybe it�s the inside shining out. Maybe it is what happens when you live together over time. I don�t know. But it means alot to my daughter and so it means alot to me.

I looked over at the young mother gently bouncing her fourth month old up and down and frowned. It was what I also had been doing with my newly adopted seven month old a few minutes earlier as we sat in the living room of the Russian flat. But there was one difference. A big difference.

Every time my daughter�s legs touched the floor they showed no sign of strength. On the other hand the other little baby�s legs clearly pushed upon contact with the hard surface of the floor.

My stomach twisted in fear.

What was wrong with my daughter�s legs?

I had read the books. I knew developmentally what a seven month old should be doing.

Was she crippled? Permanently handicapped? My thoughts spun out of control and my body began to tremble as I imagine myself pushing her in a wheelchair.

There I was halfway around the world. Far from family and friends. My fears concerning my daughter�s health loomed.

By following these steps though I managed to not only control my rising panic but also embrace the inner peace that I desperately needed

1. I asked myself what I could control.

If something was wrong there was nothing I could do about it at that time. If I allowed myself to worry and be filled with dread of the unknown my little baby girl would feel it. I could and had to control myself, my thoughts and my attitude.

2. I asked myself what I could not control.

I could not control the past. Whatever the reason was for the weakness in her legs I could not simply fix it. It could be caused by a number of things ranging from simply needing more exercise to something more serious.

      3.   I could let go of my fears and embrace God�s peace.

             �Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own  understanding.�

             Proverbs 3:5

             As the waves of fear threaten to mount and rob me of any enjoyment of the

            moment, I knew that I had to let go of what I could not control and trust God�s

            care for me and my daughter.

From the moment I chose to let go of my fears and receive His peace, I felt an inner strengthening. Nothing had changed. My daughter still was unable to push with her little legs but I was at peace. I was free from the inner torment and sickening thoughts.

Days later when I met with our family physician he reassured me that the weakness would more than likely disappear. He was right. It did.

But I learned an important parenting lesson. In a world where fear and panic is the norm, parenting with peace brings a much needed security and stability to the relationship. Experiencing God�s peace has made me a better mother.

So no matter what you are facing today, remember you are not meant to live in fear and worry. Ask yourself what you can control and what is not in your control. Then choose to let go of the worry and receive His Peace. He is more than able to help you face anything with confidence and courage.  

Noelle was adopted from Russia in 1993. When I brought her home to the States she received only temporary citizenship. A year later though she was invited to attend a ceremony with other adopted children to formally receive her United States citizenship. Families and friends gathered together on that warm day to witness the memorable event. And although I was so excited for her, my one year old daughter was oblivious to all that was going on.

First they gave her a small Russian flag to hold. She waved the colorful flag back and forth in her hand while numerous speakers explained the significance of citizenship. At long last the moment arrived when all the parents were told to bring up their children to receive their own American flag. I stepped forward with the rest and watched as they handed the small flag to my daughter. 

She reached for it with the joy and gladness of a child. Her brown eyes danced as she waved her flag back and forth again and again. I took a picture to capture the beautiful moment.

Welcome my little American, I thought. You�ve come a long way.

 On this Fourth of July I remember again not only the ceremony but also the privileges of being an American citizenship. My daughter does not take it lightly. Ask her today at eighteen and she would tell you that she is not only grateful to have been born in Russia but also to now be an American.

As Christians we too hold a priceless citizenship in heaven which cost our Lord everything. We not only have freedom from the curse of sin but all the riches in Christ Jesus are ours. Like my little girl, we too are often oblivious to how important that is.  We live day after day taking for granted the awesome privileges of being free. We wave our little flags, so to speak, back and forth but have limited concept of all that our heavenly citizenship means.

But this Fourth of July let�s take time to reflect on the gift of freedom that we have. Let�s say our thanks to those who sacrificed themselves so that we could have these freedoms. And most of all, let�s remember to thank our Lord for the life He gave so that we too can celebrate true freedom.