Wednesday, December 30, 2015

So Long 2015....

The end of the year is upon us...already!  How did that happen?  It feels like we should just be starting fall.  But alas, 2016 is right around the corner.  A new year!  A few days, weeks ahead where we make plans, promises...yes, resolutions...for the year ahead.  Do they stick?  Does it matter?  A few weeks into the new year and we're back into our regular schedules or predictive behaviors.  So, is the new year really "new" or just the same old?

I guess as the new year hits, I'll get my reflective cap on and get a sense of 2015 and what my hopes are for 2016.  Yes, I'll have the energetic hopeful enthusiasm for the new year and what can be accomplished and yes, hopefully throughout the year I can execute on those goals.  Hopefully I can stay consistent and determined enough to reach those goals and then look back at the end of next year with satisfaction.  For this year...I'm not quite sure yet.  I need to spend some quiet time reflecting on this past year and appreciate how much I've grown.  I think we all grow in some way shape or form every year, but it takes acknowledging that growth and using it moving forward that really counts.

So, as this year comes to a close, I want to thank you all for continuing to share in my journey and hope that we all have a joyful, peaceful and happy new year!  Blessings to you as we wrap up 2015!!

Sunday, December 27, 2015

Mother Nature's Fury

Yesterday we had spring-like temperatures here in Texas...it was 80 degrees and muggy all day as my mom and I did some after-Christmas shopping.  So, as a cold front approached severe storms and tornadoes were unleashed in many urban locations east of DFW.  The alarms where I live went off 3 times, but luckily no tornadoes developed here.  But, many cities east of here were hit and had devastating results...yes, the day after Christmas.  Such a tragedy during this time of year...it's even more difficult to imagine, but there's been such an outpouring of help and support from the surrounding communities.

One of the cities that was hit was the town that we moved to from Iowa over 30 years ago.  My aunt and her husband still live there and luckily were also not affected by the tornadoes.  But, I know so many people (friends from high school) that still live in that area and surrounding cities that were also hit by the tornadoes.  Seeing the pictures of the devastation on TV this morning was heartbreaking.  I'm praying for all the families affected by the tornadoes and all the families that lost a loved one in the storms.  It's a terrible tragedy, but also so sad during the holiday season.  It just shows us how precious life really is and it's emphasized by the true meaning of Christmas.  God will see those affected through the very difficult days ahead and he will lead them out to the other side of pain and suffering.

So, as we close out another holiday season, please pray for those who were in Mother Nature's path last night and have lost all their worldly possessions.  Comfort them with love, strength and support in the coming days and months ahead.

And may you be blessed this last week of 2015!

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Blessings this Christmas....

Wishing you all many blessings this Christmas!  Travel safely, enjoy all of the decorated Christmas cookies, and rip open all those presents!  But most importantly, may Jesus' birth remind us all of what truly matters in our lives and around the world.  May the glory of his birth renew our faith and love in the world, so that peace abounds in the coming year!

Blessings to you and your family this Christmas!!

Sunday, December 20, 2015

Have A Very Merry Christmas!!

Christmas week is here!  I hope your gifts are wrapped, your menus are planned, your cookies are made and your little ones are excitedly awaiting Christmas morning!  It's a magical time of the year...for the most part.  For those missing loved ones, I know it's never easy so just remember the joyous memories of past Christmas's.  

At church today, the sermon was about Jesus not being born at home but in a stranger's place.  His birth was for you and for me so wherever Jesus is that's where "home" is.  He's "home" no matter where we are and no matter where we go.  And, Christmas is always about coming home...to those you love.  So, remember why we celebrate as you gather for celebrations this week.  It's not the presents, the food, the decorations, the sales, the cookies, or even Santa Claus...Christmas is about Jesus' birth.  His salvation for ours.

Enjoy this joyous time of year and reflect on the true meaning of Christmas.  I think we all need a little peace in our lives no matter where in the world we all reside.  So, many blessings to you and your family this Christmas!!!

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

300 Posts!

Wow!  I didn't realize my last post on Sunday was my 300th post!!  If you just started following my blog or have been reading it since the beginning, thanks for being a part of my journey!

I really just wanted to share my positive story of adoption in hopes that it would resonate with other adoptees and provide some guidance for adoptive parents.  And, in the beginning it was to share my journey of publishing my 1st book!  My memoir about what it was like growing up as an adopted child.  If you haven't read it yet, you can go to www.kimfenneman.com to purchase your copy today!  It's not too late to order yours or to order one as a gift!

So, as this journey continues I hope you stick around to see what's coming up in 2016!  I can't believe another year is over and we're about to flip the calendar into a new year...again!  Where has the time gone?

Thanks again for following my journey and I hope you've enjoyed the ride as much as I have!  Blessings to you this final week before Christmas!

Sunday, December 13, 2015

It Feels Like Spring

For most of the U.S. we're experiencing spring-like temperatures...even across the eastern seaboard, which is highly unusual.  But, what is "usual" with the weather anymore with climate change affecting our environments and el nino showing up in the weather patterns this year.  It was in the mid-70's here in Texas today with a chance of "spring-like" showers in the forecast.  So, it definitely doesn't feel like Christmastime.

Where's the chilly breeze, the sharp wind cutting across your face, or the hint of snowfall in the forecast?  No where in the forecast yet, but I'm sure it's coming...it has to, right?  Does the "right" weather for the season help you get in the festive holiday spirit or are you immune to whatever the weather wants to do?  I'm somewhat immune, but I grew up in the Midwest with mountains of snowfall during the winter.  So, that type of weather is reminiscent for me during this time of year.  It would be nice to have but living in Texas for so many years has gotten me used to the idea that it isn't a given every Christmas.

What is a 'must' for you to have to get into the holiday spirit?  If you didn't have it how does that affect how you feel about the holidays?  It's interesting to think about how our environment shapes us...primarily growing up since most of our childhood memories involve mother nature to some extent.  We remember a brutal blizzard, a massive hurricane or a simply beautiful sunny day at the beach.  It's the background that frames those memories.

Whatever weather you're experiencing right now, enjoy it as it frames this year's holiday memories!  Blessings to you this holiday season!!

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Acceptance

Acceptance of others is a hot topic all around the world and especially here in the States right now.  Acceptance of individuals who are different than ourselves.  Acceptance of others religious beliefs.  It's a word at the core of what shapes our world...decisions that are made, how we perceive things/people/situations, and it starts with the acceptance of ourselves.  All of our flaws, mistakes, triumphs, hopes, dreams...all start with acceptance.

How did we get so far away from that basic core principal?  When did "being politically correct" start?  For me, it started there when everyone tried not to offend one another for this and that and we had to be more "politically correct".  Who said we had to be?  It just permeated our social culture and became prevalent.  Now, with social media and trying to find constant acceptance and validation for things that we post it's only in-flamed our desires for more and more acceptance for our actions and things that we say.  Does it make them any more true, right or good for humanity?  In the most part, no.  Sadly, these are the days we are living in and hurtful, harmful words are flung all over the place (primarily on social media) each and every day.  

How do we stop it?  Unfortunately, we don't.  But, we can choose not to read it, subscribe to it, support it or encourage it.  We can take a stand and be the positive, supportive and respectful change we want to see in the world.  We can make a difference.  Hate can be overcome by love, respect, and understanding...not fear.  So, choose to surround yourself with positive messages, kind people and reflect that to others.

Blessings to you the rest of the week for positive messages, caring hearts around you, and peace on earth...goodwill toward ALL men/women/children!

Monday, December 7, 2015

Holiday Cheer

We're in the middle of the "most wonderful time of year" as many call it, Christmastime!  Are you and your family full throttle into the yuletide cheer or are you stressed out by all the holiday to-do's...or are you worried about current world affairs (i.e. Paris attacks, San Bernardino shootings, terrorism in general)?  How do we balance protecting ourselves and our loved ones with celebrating the most joyous time of the year?

I think we're all trying to figure that out.  It seems like we're all struggling a little with the new normal of trying to balance personal safety and peace of mind with the socialism of Christmas and what Christmas truly means.  Christmas is about the birth of a baby, our Savior, and what his birth means in the Christian faith.  It is overwhelmingly overshadowed by what we've all turned it into...Black Friday before Black Friday, cyber Monday, tree lightings and parties that are about showcasing who the best party host can be and not centering in on what the true meaning of Christmas is and why we are all celebrating it.  If we all pulled back from the madness of the season and took heart of the true meaning of Christmas, not only at this time of year but all year, maybe we would be kinder to our neighbors, more understanding of that "crazy" person we just saw make a scene at the mall, or the person that simply "looks" different than we do that we judge immediately.  The fact is....we're all HUMAN.  We all truly want the same things in life...to love, to be safe and protected, to share our lives with our friends and family and to feel free to live the lives we want.  Yes, there are variations to that but at the core we all just want to be ourselves and live our lives.  The word "freedom" often gets tossed around, but we do have a lot of freedoms living in the United States that others across the world do not have.  Many of those freedoms we take for granted everyday because we are so accustomed to having them.  We don't know what it's like not to have them.  So, as we all work through (in our own ways) getting through the holiday season, looking back on the year that was and looking to a new year ahead let us take time to search our souls for what truly matters in our lives, how we want to improve ourselves and the world around us and how we can let our lights shine but even more how we can help others let their lights shine!  Then, maybe in some small way the world around us will seem less dark and scary and we can unite with our fellow man to create the world we want...and the one we deserve!

May God bless you today and everyday!!

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Another One?!

Another mass shooting has happened...this time in San Bernardino, CA.  What is this world coming to?  It seems like it's a weekly story now.  It's such a sad occurrence that seemingly is not as shocking as it used to be...when it only seemed to happen a couple times a year. I just saw a post on Facebook from The Huffington Post that "There have been at least 352 mass shootings in the 336 days of 2015."  That's a very sad and disturbing statistic.  

Where's the hope...the respect for one another?  Where has compassion and understanding gone?  Where is the love?  We all need more love and respect for one another in our lives and MORE PEACE!  Peace in our hearts and minds.

Prayers for those affected by the San Bernardino shooting and prayers that law enforcement is able to capture the shooters.  May we all find more compassion for one another!

Blessings to you today and stay safe wherever you are!