Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Bonded Forever

Hey guys,

Today's post is by Summer Roughton, our Mama of the week. It's sweet and I love it. I have no earthly idea how to do a proper link-up, but let's all post our blogs in the comment section. And I double dog dare you to visit at least one person's blog and leave a sweet comment.

Also, just in case you missed the coolest blog post on the web right now that totally has something to do with you, head over here.



I had this thought. 
A thought that I thought would be fleeting.
It needed to be written down quickly.
Before it escaped my stressed out mind.
So I got to writing it out on paper towels.
{I really thought it was going to be gone that quickly that I didn’t have time to walk across the room and grab a piece of paper.}

The thought has not eluded my mind, but rather has saturated it.  So deeply that it continues to grow and develop.  I continue to process it.  It is sure to be a thought that is ever changing.  It is the idea of encouragement.  The unique opportunity we have to encourage.  Encourage in a simple loving way.  Encourage those that are in a similar stage of life. 

Here’s how it started: 
Bright and early I received an email from a friend.
A friend who was hurting.  A friend who needed someone to listen. & understand.  A sweet friend whom I have never met.
We are friends because we are using the same adoption agency.  We are friends because we are in a similar stage of life.  We are friends because we have unique bond.  The bond of adoption that allows us to understand the frustration of waiting, the ignorant comments from others, and the deep love we have for a child we have never held in our arms.  But whom we wait patiently (as patiently as we can) for.  

Adoption gives us a unique gift of being bonded forever.  Giving us the ability to encourage.  The chance to allow love to flow from us into the lives of others.  One author describes love as the “fruit” (Galatians 5) from which all others flow.  From love we can experience joy.  Experience peace.  We can encourage patience.  Demonstrate kindness.  We can see goodness.  We can be faithful.  Show our self-control.  We can choose to love those around us- or even those we know from a distance.  That’s one of the beauties of adoption.  We are bonded to perfect strangers.  

Through blogging, I have allowed my vulnerability to be shown to those who adventure into my tiny spot in the world.  A friend encouraged me to write the hard things, as well as the good, in hopes that I might ENCOURAGE someone who may be experiencing the same emotions.  To be honest & real.  Transparent.  As I have read the “hard” of others journey, I have seen hope shine straight through the situation, giving light to a difficult time.  

All that to say… continue to encourage.  Continue to support.  Continue to be honest through the hard times.  You never know who is reading your thoughts.  You may never know whom you can encourage.  Let us strengthen the bond that grows up through the process of adoption, giving hope to those that are a little behind us in the process & looking to others for hope.  Our opportunity is unique.  It lends a voice to those without one.

Summer Roughton

24 comments:

  1. Love the community of adoption and orphan care nuts! It is such a blessing to get to know you all!
    A fellow nut~ Michele www.growingthebards.blogspot.com

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    1. this made me laugh. my husband jokes that he needs to start a community for adoptive dads. a refuge from the insanity that sometimes are us moms. i love being a 'fellow nut'. hugs.

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    2. Summer, sorry it has been so long to reply! Being a nut is a beautiful thing!

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  2. www.africatoamerica.org

    Great post Summer--very encouraged by your videos and blog!

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    1. thank you so much! keep watching & praying. God is doing amazing things.

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  3. Love these life long bonds I am forming through this crazy wild journey!

    Stephanie

    nunespartyofthree.blogspot.com

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    1. it's a blessing to come together with other moms. i am not sure how i would survive otherwise.

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    2. It is amazing the relationships that are created along the way, I love that these friends can be in our backyard or across the nation/world. We speak the same language and passion when it comes to adoption and orphan care!

      Michele Bard ~ growingthebards.blogspot.com

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  4. Love the bond that being on this journey creates with one another. Http://stinsonadoptionblog.blogspot.com

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  5. This is fun.

    My blog.
    http://addingmembers.blogspot.com/

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    1. thanks for sharing your blog. i cannot wait to connect with everyone.

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  6. www.definedbythedivine.blogspot.com

    I am so excited to follow your journeys and to support you all through prayer and encouragement. I am learning how essential community is during this season of life.

    ~Jeri Lynn Owen

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    1. jeri... community is essential to so many areas in life. it allows us to find hope in the journey of others. it allows for us to be encouraged and strengthen. us women need each other. we need to bear the burdens and struggles... hopes & joys... of one another. glad to follow your journey as well.

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  7. Oh, ladies, I could really use some encouragement. The waiting for a referral has been hard, but I've been trying to stay focused on God and stay busy, (which doesn't really keep me from wondering about our kids out there, but I don't have to tell any of you that!) But now, this week, I've started having recurrent nightmares where our agency tells us they can't find any kiddos for us and they just want us to quit trying and go away. I feel like I'm headin' to crazy town! Did any of the rest of you have crazy dreams/nightmares?
    I love being a part of this community...
    God's blessings to all of you.
    - Jenni
    lifedownourdrive.blogspot.com

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    1. jenni... praying for you. truly i just did. prayed for peace to flood over your life. peace to control your mind & heart. we are all on the crazy roller coaster that we sweetly call adoption, but lets face it... it is not for the faint of heart. you have got this. praying the end is near.

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    2. Thanks, Summer, for your prayers and encouragement. It's been neat to "meet" your family via your blog. We'll pray that you are able to go get your sweet boys soon!
      - Jenni

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    3. Crazy dreams, crazy emotions, and crazy provision! Hang in there mama, your wee one is coming!

      Michele ~ growingthebards.blogspot.com

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  8. Love this community of love!!! :)
    Www.ashabraners.blogspot.com

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  9. Though We are adopting domestically again through embryo adoption, I still love to keep up with all adoption blogs that I can. Here is ours if you are interested. --Shannon

    http://www.roomformorekiddos.com/

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  10. YES! This is the purpose of living! This is what we were made for: for relationship with others! :) Thank you for sharing and for loving others! Here's my blog:

    http://adoptingnations.blogspot.com

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    1. amen. can you imagine what would happen if we didn't have one another to lean on and help shoulder our hurts and fears. this is what we are intended to be like.

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  11. I love reading other blogs! www.harshmanpartyofthree.blogspot.com

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  12. Great post!! I'm excited for you guys! We're adopting from Korea.....http://peaceloveandcaffeine.wordpress.com

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