Bloom with Jesus!

    Goodness is something so simple; always to live for others, never to seek one’s own advantage. ~Dag Hammarskjöld   I have always thought my neighbor is an amazing young Christian woman. I have heard bits and pieces of her story, from having a child out of wedlock, to a family of four with a happy ending, or should I say beginning, when her husband adopted her oldest child. The entire family is an example of goodness, but the story she shared of her wedding day, solidified how I feel about her even more. Hanging on our wall is a picture Jim gave me for Christmas. It says Jim & Mary and our wedding date. Behind those words are the lyrics to our song, “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now.” (And yes, I cried when I opened it.) Our neighbor was here and asked about the picture. When I explained that it was our song, she shared about her own wedding. Leading up to their big day, she asked numerous family members and friends, “What is your special song?” She made them believe sh...

    Enjoy this guest blog post from Erin E. McEndree.  Even if you are not in the adoption arena, there is great wisdom in her words. I met Erin many years ago through a writer's group. Her calming spirit always makes one feel welcome and loved. Erin's book is available on my website as well at  https://maryrodman.com/updates . I will pass on the information to Erin and she will send you a signed copy. Hi! I am Erin. I like to say I was my mom and dad’s little girl before I was born. My birth mother got pregnant, and my birth father broke it off and did not take responsibility. My birth mother’s parents took her to a maternity home for three months until I was born. It was not her choice. She prayed for a Christian couple to raise me surrounded by the love of the Lord. She did not get to hold me or see me. The nurse told her I was a girl and that I had all 10 fingers and all 10 toes, which translated to, “You had a healthy baby.” Her dad came to pick her up, and I wa...