Woo hoo!! This blog has reached 10,001 page views!! Thanks to YOU! Thanks for being a regular follower and sharing my message with others! I hope it has brought you some insight, perspective, hope and some laughs along the way. I obviously don't talk about adoption ALL the time because that's not what guides my life. But, I hope when I do talk about it you get a better understanding of what it's like to be adopted or you can relate. I think with all things that face us on a daily basis, the more we can learn and understand another perspective the better and more united we can become as a whole...in our families, in our communities and around the world. It's taking the time to reach out and listen to someone that's different than you that's lacking sorely in our nation today. We all need to take some time to reach out, listen and reflect on our own lives what we can do to make it a better place....to live, to work and to play. Yes, we ALL have a part to play and if you get disheartened, pick yourself up and try again! We ALL can make a positive difference in this world if we want to!
So, thanks again for helping hit this milestone and I hope I've made some small positive difference in your life along the way! Grateful blessings to you this first week of August! May you have a productive and insightful week ahead!!
Sunday, July 31, 2016
Thursday, July 28, 2016
A Little Off...
I'm a little off on my days this week...posting on Monday and today instead of my usual Sunday and Wednesday. I'm not sure why...guess my mind has been focused on other things this week or just full of political news from this painful election year. I'm definitely ready for it ALL to be OVER with already!! But, whatever the reason I'll be back on track for the next posting on Sunday.
It's not just my mind being a little off lately, but other parts of my life as well. We all go through growing pains and/or those times where we're not sure what's next in life for us. I always look at my life in 4 different areas...physical, emotional, spiritual and work. If things are going well at least 3 out of the 4 things are in a good place and moving forward in my life. I'm not sure I've ever had all 4 in that sweet spot as an adult, but I'm sure I did as a child. But, back then I didn't have the self awareness to know the difference or know the true struggles that life unfolds. Lately, I've been 1 for 3 and on some days 0 for 4 which is not a good place to be. But with time and experience I've learned to settle into whatever I'm feeling and just get through it. Feel what I'm feeling and be OK with it even though it's uncomfortable and sometimes frustrating. I've learned to CONTINUE to have FAITH because I know and trust in God's will for my life! I know he has a plan for my life, I know he's putting the pieces into place and I know it will all work out in the right time. I just have to continue to be faithful and patient...which isn't always easy.
God has always provided in my life and I trust in Him to do so again. It's that faith, that trust that keeps me going. No matter how badly I want to know what my future holds or what the next step is, I know God will present the next step when the time is right. So, I'm grateful for where I am right now even though it's not where I want to be. I know God is walking beside me and will never leave me and that sustains me.
So, if you happen to be going though your own growing pains or a down time in some area of your life...lift your head up and know that God is with you! Trust in the Lord. Trust in the Lord with all your heart. He will lift us back up!
Reinforcing positive blessings your way and may you hold onto your faith for greater things ARE to come!!
It's not just my mind being a little off lately, but other parts of my life as well. We all go through growing pains and/or those times where we're not sure what's next in life for us. I always look at my life in 4 different areas...physical, emotional, spiritual and work. If things are going well at least 3 out of the 4 things are in a good place and moving forward in my life. I'm not sure I've ever had all 4 in that sweet spot as an adult, but I'm sure I did as a child. But, back then I didn't have the self awareness to know the difference or know the true struggles that life unfolds. Lately, I've been 1 for 3 and on some days 0 for 4 which is not a good place to be. But with time and experience I've learned to settle into whatever I'm feeling and just get through it. Feel what I'm feeling and be OK with it even though it's uncomfortable and sometimes frustrating. I've learned to CONTINUE to have FAITH because I know and trust in God's will for my life! I know he has a plan for my life, I know he's putting the pieces into place and I know it will all work out in the right time. I just have to continue to be faithful and patient...which isn't always easy.
God has always provided in my life and I trust in Him to do so again. It's that faith, that trust that keeps me going. No matter how badly I want to know what my future holds or what the next step is, I know God will present the next step when the time is right. So, I'm grateful for where I am right now even though it's not where I want to be. I know God is walking beside me and will never leave me and that sustains me.
So, if you happen to be going though your own growing pains or a down time in some area of your life...lift your head up and know that God is with you! Trust in the Lord. Trust in the Lord with all your heart. He will lift us back up!
Reinforcing positive blessings your way and may you hold onto your faith for greater things ARE to come!!
Monday, July 25, 2016
Share!
If you're a regular follower, have you shared my website with someone you might think would benefit from my message? If you're a new follower to my blog, have you purchased my book, Corn-fed with Rice yet? If you have previously purchased my book (hard copy or soft copy), have you shared it with any of your friends or family? If not (to any of the above), what are you waiting for?! Share!
Please share my story, my message of adoption with your family and friends, to your church, your school and your book clubs! Please take a moment and send out an email this week with my website, www.kimfenneman.com!
I truly appreciate your support and action and hope to see more followers join this blog soon! Have a blessed final week of July ahead and stay cool out there!!
Please share my story, my message of adoption with your family and friends, to your church, your school and your book clubs! Please take a moment and send out an email this week with my website, www.kimfenneman.com!
I truly appreciate your support and action and hope to see more followers join this blog soon! Have a blessed final week of July ahead and stay cool out there!!
Wednesday, July 20, 2016
Dog Days...
I feel like the dog days of summer are just starting. We haven't even officially hit our 1st 100 degree day although with the heat index we've definitely hit it several times this summer. But, the forecast calls for our 1st 100 degree day tomorrow...wouldn't you know it! It is mid-July, so we're really right in the middle of summer...which means we still have a many more hot and humid days ahead. Joy.
If it would hit 70 degrees in early September I'd be a happy camper. But, we won't cool down to that until mid-to-late October. By early next month I'll be ready to roll into fall! But, it's time to settle in...into the heat, the sweat, the sun beating down and wet, sticky weather. Joy.
So, here's to frizzy hair, refreshing swimming pools, hydrating watermelon and ice cream! Lots of it!! Joy! I hope your week is full of blessings and you find fun ways to cool off during the dog days of summer!!
If it would hit 70 degrees in early September I'd be a happy camper. But, we won't cool down to that until mid-to-late October. By early next month I'll be ready to roll into fall! But, it's time to settle in...into the heat, the sweat, the sun beating down and wet, sticky weather. Joy.
So, here's to frizzy hair, refreshing swimming pools, hydrating watermelon and ice cream! Lots of it!! Joy! I hope your week is full of blessings and you find fun ways to cool off during the dog days of summer!!
Sunday, July 17, 2016
New Normal?
After the devastating ambush on Dallas Police officers last Thursday that left 5 officers dead, there are 3 more police officers shot dead in Baton Rouge, LA today. Is this the new normal...or just a tragic time in our present lives that seems like it's becoming the "new normal?" Hopefully our leaders can calm the anger and engage the unrest so that mutual respect for one another can reign again. We need peace! Peace in our hearts, in our minds and in our communities!
May we find within ourselves new hope, new perspectives, and new love for one another. May peace prevail and all of our collective strength stand united for good, for civility and for love!
Hearts are also heavy for those tragically lost in Nice, France, as well. Too many lives lost in such a sad and scary manner. It's a worrisome time, not only here in the States, but around the world. We are all living in a "new normal" it seems. God, give us strength, courage, love and determination to root out evil and ensure love shines through on all of us!
Wishing you a peaceful, safe and happy week ahead! May we all come together as one in peace, love and unity!!!
May we find within ourselves new hope, new perspectives, and new love for one another. May peace prevail and all of our collective strength stand united for good, for civility and for love!
Hearts are also heavy for those tragically lost in Nice, France, as well. Too many lives lost in such a sad and scary manner. It's a worrisome time, not only here in the States, but around the world. We are all living in a "new normal" it seems. God, give us strength, courage, love and determination to root out evil and ensure love shines through on all of us!
Wishing you a peaceful, safe and happy week ahead! May we all come together as one in peace, love and unity!!!
Wednesday, July 13, 2016
Can We Stand United?
Even after one of the saddest week's in America, I have to wonder if we will ever be "united?" There have been wonderful moments of unity after many of the senseless acts of violence and deaths last week, but there have also been continued protests that have injured many, death threats against police and more officers killed. Do people not get it? Violence doesn't justify more violence! It does show that there is so much rage and hate against one another that it's truly sad to witness and to know it's right out my front door. We all have to face those realities of each new day.
At my core I am an optimist and believe there is good in ALL people. I believe traumatic, unjust experiences of many people's past have caused them to have distorted views of all instead of a few and their pent up anger and frustrations have reached a breaking point. I understand their unfairness and I understand their anger, but I also know what is right...and violence is never the answer. It only causes more violence. Positive, constructive action and conversation is needed to resolve many of hurts in America that have cut deep and have remained over the years. I can only wish and hope those with hate in their hearts can take a step back, have more understanding of on another and be willing to be proactive in being a part of the solution rather than continuing to being part of the problem. We all have a part to play. Can we be "united?"
Only time will tell and only strong leadership can lead the way. I pray for both and in the meantime, I pray for our country, our communities and our families...that we may be part of the positive process for unity and common respect for our fellow man. God bless us ALL!!
At my core I am an optimist and believe there is good in ALL people. I believe traumatic, unjust experiences of many people's past have caused them to have distorted views of all instead of a few and their pent up anger and frustrations have reached a breaking point. I understand their unfairness and I understand their anger, but I also know what is right...and violence is never the answer. It only causes more violence. Positive, constructive action and conversation is needed to resolve many of hurts in America that have cut deep and have remained over the years. I can only wish and hope those with hate in their hearts can take a step back, have more understanding of on another and be willing to be proactive in being a part of the solution rather than continuing to being part of the problem. We all have a part to play. Can we be "united?"
Only time will tell and only strong leadership can lead the way. I pray for both and in the meantime, I pray for our country, our communities and our families...that we may be part of the positive process for unity and common respect for our fellow man. God bless us ALL!!
Sunday, July 10, 2016
Time for Healing...and Progress
It's been such a hard week for our country...especially those that lost loved ones so senselessly this past week. It has left a pit of sadness in my heart. It's literally a lump of grief that is stuck in my gut that wants to cry out "Why? Why do we live with SO much hate?" Many of us are saddened, shocked, horrified, angry and frustrated with our 'divided' states of america. We are definitely not 'united' and that's the saddest part about it all...we have not learned from our past and we have not progressed enough to truly RESPECT one another, LISTEN to one another, UNDERSTAND one another, or LOVE one another! And that means everyone...everyone that looks different than we do, men, women, young, old, gay, straight, trans, and those that believe in a different religion. It's the oldest divide of generations...religion and race.
So, how do we move forward? We need respectful conversations of change from all sides, not just one or the other. We need monumental leadership that can gracefully steer the ship toward unity and peace. We need to look inside ourselves, each one of us, to ensure we are doing out part to promote peace, love and non-violence towards one another. We need to respect our fellow man even though we may not believe with his/her beliefs, religion, gender, sex, or ethnicity. We need to respect our fellow man...it's as simple as that...and then again, it's not.
We are ALL human beings first. Period. We all have blood running through our veins. We all have a heart pumping to keep us alive. We all breath the same air. And, we all inhabit this earth for a limited amount of time. These are the 'simple' things we have in common. But, we've complicated our existence by dividing ourselves into certain groups or labeled ourselves into groups that have led to us tearing down each other's differences rather than seeing the beauty and richness of each other and what we have to offer this world. We ALL have something great and unique to offer this world. But, the hate, the blaming, the bullying and the finger pointing does NO ONE any good. It only brings more hate, more blame, more bullying and more violence into our world. We can't fight hate with more hate. No one wins and we'll continue to digress into a small hateful world....and that's a frightening outlook of our future.
I know many of us have been trying to make sense of this week and yes, it IS hard. I think that's the point...we need to take our horror, our grief, our anger and our sadness and use that for good, for light, for true progress that WILL make a difference in our world. We NEED it! And it first begins with ourselves...what prejudices in your life are you open and honest to admitting? What changes do you need to make in your heart first? Once we look inward, then we can truly help to make change in our world with a full heart of love, grace and mercy for our fellow man. Then we know our intentions are pure at heart and we can look at one another with more grace, with more respect, with more understanding of bringing goodness, greatness, love and joy into this world for ALL of us!! We need strength of mind, strength of heart and strength of integrity to make these changes in our lives, in our communities and for the good of all humanity. It's time for history to show we've truly made progress and ARE "The UNITED States of America"!
May God bless you this week, heal your hearts and move you to peaceful progress for all! And may God bless, comfort and provide peace to all those that have lost a loved one due to violence in the last week. We stand with you and we stand up for change for all!!
So, how do we move forward? We need respectful conversations of change from all sides, not just one or the other. We need monumental leadership that can gracefully steer the ship toward unity and peace. We need to look inside ourselves, each one of us, to ensure we are doing out part to promote peace, love and non-violence towards one another. We need to respect our fellow man even though we may not believe with his/her beliefs, religion, gender, sex, or ethnicity. We need to respect our fellow man...it's as simple as that...and then again, it's not.
We are ALL human beings first. Period. We all have blood running through our veins. We all have a heart pumping to keep us alive. We all breath the same air. And, we all inhabit this earth for a limited amount of time. These are the 'simple' things we have in common. But, we've complicated our existence by dividing ourselves into certain groups or labeled ourselves into groups that have led to us tearing down each other's differences rather than seeing the beauty and richness of each other and what we have to offer this world. We ALL have something great and unique to offer this world. But, the hate, the blaming, the bullying and the finger pointing does NO ONE any good. It only brings more hate, more blame, more bullying and more violence into our world. We can't fight hate with more hate. No one wins and we'll continue to digress into a small hateful world....and that's a frightening outlook of our future.
I know many of us have been trying to make sense of this week and yes, it IS hard. I think that's the point...we need to take our horror, our grief, our anger and our sadness and use that for good, for light, for true progress that WILL make a difference in our world. We NEED it! And it first begins with ourselves...what prejudices in your life are you open and honest to admitting? What changes do you need to make in your heart first? Once we look inward, then we can truly help to make change in our world with a full heart of love, grace and mercy for our fellow man. Then we know our intentions are pure at heart and we can look at one another with more grace, with more respect, with more understanding of bringing goodness, greatness, love and joy into this world for ALL of us!! We need strength of mind, strength of heart and strength of integrity to make these changes in our lives, in our communities and for the good of all humanity. It's time for history to show we've truly made progress and ARE "The UNITED States of America"!
May God bless you this week, heal your hearts and move you to peaceful progress for all! And may God bless, comfort and provide peace to all those that have lost a loved one due to violence in the last week. We stand with you and we stand up for change for all!!
Wednesday, July 6, 2016
Lottery Fever
Every time the lottery hits a certain threshold, usually above $500 million it gets a lot of media attention. As if $200 million isn't good enough, ha! So once again the media is all over the upcoming Mega Millions lottery draw since no one won last night's drawing. I'm sure we've all thought about what we'd do if we won the lottery...buy this, buy that, pay off debt, travel, etc. But, have you really ever thought about it...really?
We most often think about it when we're a little strapped for cash, some major incident happens or when we're really desperate....that's when we wish the hardest for it. "If I could only win the lottery it would all be better." But would it really? Or would we just trade in our current problems with bigger more expensive problems? There are many lottery winners that can attest to the struggles of being a lottery winner and many more that are examples of it causing them to go bankrupt. So, I ask again...have you ever REALLY thought about what you'd do if you won the lottery?
In a calmer state, I have. I definitely would give half of it away to charities, non-profits, etc. I would want to share my good fortune with others because I'd know how lucky I was to be in that position. And of course I'd do all the things I listed above...buy a new house, buy a new car, take care of my parents, travel, and spend it on making memorable experiences hopefully for the rest of my life. But alas, the reality is that the majority of us will never experience a windfall of money like that so we just continue to dream...and yes, hope!
So good luck to you if you decide to play because you can't win if you don't play, right? But when you awake the next day not a winner (as most of us will), just be thankful you woke up and are granted another day to dream and hope! Blessings to you this hot, dry, humid week of summer!
We most often think about it when we're a little strapped for cash, some major incident happens or when we're really desperate....that's when we wish the hardest for it. "If I could only win the lottery it would all be better." But would it really? Or would we just trade in our current problems with bigger more expensive problems? There are many lottery winners that can attest to the struggles of being a lottery winner and many more that are examples of it causing them to go bankrupt. So, I ask again...have you ever REALLY thought about what you'd do if you won the lottery?
In a calmer state, I have. I definitely would give half of it away to charities, non-profits, etc. I would want to share my good fortune with others because I'd know how lucky I was to be in that position. And of course I'd do all the things I listed above...buy a new house, buy a new car, take care of my parents, travel, and spend it on making memorable experiences hopefully for the rest of my life. But alas, the reality is that the majority of us will never experience a windfall of money like that so we just continue to dream...and yes, hope!
So good luck to you if you decide to play because you can't win if you don't play, right? But when you awake the next day not a winner (as most of us will), just be thankful you woke up and are granted another day to dream and hope! Blessings to you this hot, dry, humid week of summer!
Sunday, July 3, 2016
Happy 4th of July!!
Happy 4th of July (to all those in the States)!! I hope you have a happy, healthy and safe holiday celebrating with your friends and family! Enjoy the pool parties, BBQs, time on the lake, picnics, parades, and of course the fireworks!
Wishing you great blessings in the week ahead!
Wishing you great blessings in the week ahead!
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