Family

How “Low” Would You Go for a Job?

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My friend Jonathan never pictured himself unemployed. Obtaining a bachelor’s and masters degree in his field, he was a great candidate for many jobs. Working during his time at school, upon graduation, he was able to receive a great job with a good salary with benefits.

After a few years in this job, he took a stand for something he was right and it cost him. Unwilling to back down from his convictions, he was forced out of his job in a hard economic time. He sent out resumes all over town. Due to family situations, he was unable to look for unemployment outside of the city. For all of his job hunting, he came up empty.

The only place that was hiring was a job that was way below his education or his prior pay scale. It would also be a job where he would be visible and a reminder of his previous job termination.

He had a choice: humbly provide for his family or worry about his reputation?

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I’m Now the Father of a 4-Year-Old

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It’s with great disbelief that I tell you that today, I am the father of a 4-year-old.  Happy birthday Obadiah!  It is so hard to believe that you are already 4. The first time I held you in my arms, I remember my arms holding you awkwardly because I had never held that many babies. …

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Why Eli Was Sad

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Today is a very special day in the Agnew household.  Eli came home 2 years ago today.  After a week in Ethiopia, Eli and I took the 17-hour flight to finally meet Mom and Obadiah.  Last night, we watched the video documentary I put together of our time together.  As I watched this boy who couldn’t walk at 2 years old get up during the movie to put a pacifier in his baby sister’s mouth, I remembered how far we have come.

Obie asked, “Daddy, did you get me in an airplane?”

“No, buddy.  I didn’t.”

“Oh.  You just got me in a car?”

“Yeah, but it was a pretty special car.”

A few weeks ago, I took the picture you see above.  Eli was in my office at church and saw the first picture we received of this troubled little boy.  He turned it around and looked at it, and then I was shocked by what he said.

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Remodeling (The People in) Your Home

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Since we moved a few months ago, I’ve been working at remodeling our home.  I’ve had some pretty fantastic help.  While Eli obeys orders well, he also watches an example and learns quickly.  There have been many times he has taken his toy screw driver and hammer and pulled up flooring or shoe molding that was not intended to come up.  It’s hard to get frustrated with such a cute kid (that’s not to say I never did ;)).

If you were remodeling a house, the best bet would be to have a systematic approach to your work. You would determine which room needed the most desperate attention. You would organize the needed tools to find the job. You would seek help for the jobs that you felt unqualified for.

You may not be remodeling a house, but you are called to disciple your children which is actually more work and requires more dedication than any other house project you could imagine. Have you ever thought about what your goal is in your home.  Get honest about your approach. I put together a list below that could serve as a template for your approach.  Copy and paste the section below and then fill it in for each child in your home.  Fill in the sections below honestly and prayerfully.

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“I Got All These Trees”

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Our little family is growing.  Not only in number or size, but we are slowly getting things.  Our minds are growing.  One of my prayers for my children have been, “God, give them a mind to comprehend your nature and help them develop a big heart with which to love you.”

We use different types of teaching plans or Bibles with the children during family worship.  I have contended for a while that the best way to bring my kids up in the Lord is not the best church programs, but what we do in the home.  Lately, I have been retelling the Old Testament narrative over and over to the boys.  I have them repeat different elements to me, and we keep stacking more of the story each time.  They know the days of Creation, the 10 Commandments, and the big picture with the main characters involved.

Sometimes, you wonder if they are getting it, and then, you have a moment like I did last week and you remind yourself that you might be on to something.

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Gloria’s Arrival

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The Agnews were thrilled to become a family of 5 officially on Good Friday, April 6th when Gloria Beth came into the world.  I’ve been on a blog hiatus as my attention was needed with the growing clan, but I wanted to share with you some of her story that had some funny twists and some close calls which reminded me all the more to be grateful that God was so very gracious to us.

So, here is her arrival story and some pictures to share with you:

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Your Father’s Arms

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It’s wild to think that we are nearing 2 years of Eli being home with us.  I still remember the first time I picked him up out of that smelly orphanage crib.  With all the issues looming before us, God was more than faithful.  Eli is not only a healthy little boy, he’s advanced for his age now.

With all the love and support we received during our adoption process, we put together a 50-minute documentary that we gave to family and close friends who had walked with us during this time.  I want to share a piece of that video with you today for 2 reasons: 1) to be reminded of God’s faithfulness, and 2) for you to consider adoption.

The video shows some of my departure from America and the first time meeting Eli.  I saw him while he slept, but then the video shows our first encounter together.  The song in the background is a song that I wrote to help fund our adoption efforts.  It’s entitled “Your Father’s Arms.”  The first verse is about Obadiah.  The second verse is about Eli.  The third verse is about the rest of us.

Hope you enjoy some home footage:

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How to Love Your Wife

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Maybe you are married, unmarried, remarried, once married, or want to be married.  For anyone out there interested in how to love a wife, I want to give you some advice today.  Not because I’m an expert, but because I’m learning.  My wife has endured a man trying to learn how to truly love her …

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Big Brothers in Training

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The boys are learning all types of stuff these days.  Not only are they shoppers in training, they also are big brothers in training.  The boys are eagerly awaiting Baby Gloria’s arrival.  We all are anxious to see when she decides to make an appearance.

The boys talk about her a lot.  Their eyes get wide when she kicks their hands.  They like to sing “Gloria in excelsis Deo” with their faces pressed against their mommy’s belly.  They have been picking out stuffed animals to place in her crib.

I asked Eli the other day, “Are you excited about Gloria coming?”

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