I can’t believe I am writing a blog. I always have had an elitist attitude toward these public diaries. I mean, don’t we have friends to talk to? Why do we feel the need to share our innermost feelings with complete strangers in the universe? Are flesh and bone relationships so unsafe that we run to the ironic tension of intimacy and annonymity on the internet for that sense of “connetion without risk”? The whole concept has always boggled my mind.
And yet here I am. I don’t know what I am doing, but I do have a deep desire to share my jouney toward honesty with other Christians. I sometimes feel that I am drowning in a cartoon life – trying to seem perfect and joyful, when inside I sometimes feel dry, lonely, afraid and distant from God. It is time for me to be as real and radical in our relationships as Jesus was. Otherwise, it comes off sanctimonious and “religious” (because it is) rather than the reality that my spiritual life can be vibrant and energizing.
So, today I begin this blog. I am somewhat paralyzed at the thought that others will see my inner rambling passions, but so be it. This is my call to the vulnerability that is missing from many Christian lives. My heart is racing at the thought that the Lord might actually do something AMAZING through my life as a result of being open with others about what I am learning. And I do look forward to what will happen as I comment on the awesome rollercoaster that is being a follower of Jesus.
And so it begins…
Fragile Pottery 
June 23, 2007 at 1:16 pm |
Thank you for sharing your life. You are a beautiful woman. I have thought a lot about you over the passed 15 plus years and I’ve never met you! I knew your brother Robert at Emmaus. I’ve met your parents a few times (wonerful,wonderful people!) I’ve even been in your parents home in Tenn. I want to tell you that our lives took a very similar course. I too have found grace in unexpected places and at unexpected times. God’s grace in bringing me a loving and understanding, merciful husband and four beautiful boys is truly a story of ‘beauty from ashes’. I thank you, though I’ve never met you, you’ve brought strength and encouragement into my life.
June 26, 2007 at 1:31 pm |
It´s really encouraging to have permission to share life like yours. We all need more courage to get beautiful things out of the bad ones. Go ahead, it´s nice to meet people like you on the road!
June 26, 2007 at 2:17 pm |
Donna, thank you for your work and testimony. I am posting here in comment to an article I saw on the front page of msn.com about abortion and adoption. Your story is amazing and I am sure is an encouragement to the countless number of people who read it. There must be many mothers to be who read it and see the courage you exercised in those difficult days of your life and see that there is hope. I is wonderful to see someone share her faith as you did, showing that with God’s help we can overcome anything. God bless you and all those you are helping.
June 26, 2007 at 3:48 pm |
Dear Donna,
Thank you for sharing your beautiful and thoughtful article about why you chose adoption for your first child Vanessa. I was adopted as an infant 57 years ago and would love to personally thank my birth mother for her generosity of spirit and for her courage that gave me life and then gave me up to a wonderful couple to raise. Since I don’t know her, I will thank you instead. Adoption is such a loving CHOICE.
Thank you!
Barbara
June 26, 2007 at 4:23 pm |
Donna,
I read your article on msn.com and was directed to this site. Thank you. You must touch so many people’s lives and give them hope. I chose to parent my unexpected pregnancy, though abortion was, for a few days, the only choice that seemed possible. She is now four, vivacious and the light of my life. I pray that your story will touch countless lives and situations. You are brave and loving…thank you for your testimony.
Sara
June 26, 2007 at 4:41 pm |
Donna,
I read your article on msn.com tonight. What an incredible testimony. Thanks so much for sharing. As a young girl I, too, had a baby and gave him away. I have never met him, but just reading your story is an incredible inspiration and confirmation that I did what was best for him. Thanks so much. God bless you.
June 26, 2007 at 5:32 pm |
Hi Donna,
I really enjoyed your adoption story, it will be an encouragement to many, as it was to me. I have not been in this position but I feel for those who are. I am curious how the adoption process went for you and what your relationship is to Vanessa now. Adoption is something I have struggled with doing for years and my main concern is for the child being adopted and if they would feel accepted by a family that is biologically not their own. If you have any thoughts, I would appreciate them.
Sincerely,
Kathryn G.
June 26, 2007 at 8:05 pm |
Donna,
What a truly inspiring story. I’m sure that Vanessa’s adoptive parents are very grateful that you made the decision to not abort. I am an adoptive mother as well as a mother to 3 biological children. All children are God’s gift to the world as you so beautifully stated! For Kathryn who is wondering about adoption, I say go for it. If you have thought about it for so long then maybe you are being called to it! If a child is Loved and nurtured and taken care of then that is the true meaning of family whether the child is biological or not. We love all our kids equally. Geneology has nothing to do with that! I’m sure you will make the right decision.
June 26, 2007 at 10:16 pm |
Donna,
Just wanted to let you know I am the recipient of two beautiful children, a boy and a girl, through adoption. I got them both as infants straight from the nursery, and needless to say, I have a special affection for birthmothers who are so selfless in giving of their precious gift. Through adoption, my husband and I went from being a couple to being a family.
Thank you for sharing your story and for giving someone else a precious gift.
All things work together for those that love the Lord. I have two very sweet examples of that in my life!
June 27, 2007 at 9:27 pm |
Donna,
What an amazing story. I guess it has so much meaning for me because I am the beauty that came out of the ashes. I am continually amazed at what God is doing in my life. In answer to Kathryn, I love Donna to death, but my family is my world, my everything. Every time I look at my daddy and try to vaguely contemplate life without him I am reminded of God’s amazing love for me. I have never ever felt unloved or out of place, ever. I have two other adopted siblings and three who are my parent’s biological children, and they loved us all not in spite of our differences but because of them. I can never thank Donna enough for what she has done for me, it is the epitome of selflessness and love. Thank you Donna