peace

I found our seat on the plane yesterday. I hate planes. They are loud, crowded, and the turbulence scares me.
Bentley sat on my lap, toys in hand as he waved his arms up and down making the bells jingle and smiling with his success. He turned to look at me and give me a large grin as if to say, "Hey! You're there and because you're there and I am safe I am going to keep playing here!" When the plane begins to ascend in the air I give him his bottle and he drinks away, looking up with his large eyes and smiling between gulps. He falls asleep. There was a lot of turbulence around Atlanta. As I began to tense up and fear, I felt an overwhelming sense of peace and wisdom. My child rests in my arms in total confidence that I am going to take care of his every need. He need not fear because I am holding him, providing for him, protecting him... and God was trying to show my that I should have the same sense of peace and trust. So I sat back and studied the behavior of my son... his peace... and imagined myself wrapped up in God's loving arms... taking care of my every need, offering me His ultimate peace... and suddenly I felt safe... and because I felt safe and full of peace, I nodded off to sleep.

do people really want this?

So I was reading my friend's sketch blog... which is amazing by the way... and she had drawn her daughter using the technique from another artist... so I googled the artist to see what Sue's painting was created after and I found this painting and article:
The Best Places to Live


Illustration by Alanna Cavanaugh
The Classic Suburbanite
Barrington
It’s been called Borington, and that’s just fine with the residents of this perfect little suburb. This is the best place to live if you’re into the Scott’s five-step lawn fertilizer program, weekend barbecues and teaching your 2.4 children how to ride their bike on a freshly paved street. Crime is low, 100 percent of the schools are considered high performing and the kids have an academic home advantage: nearly 80 percent of Barrington moms have at least a bachelor’s degree, the highest in the state. What would the suburbs be without services and stores to cater to Ward and June Cleaver? Modeled after the village centers of New York’s Westchester County, Barrington’s downtown has a faux brick median running between the two traffic lanes and street lamps adorned with overflowing flower baskets installed and maintained by the local garden club. There are high-end women’s chain stores, quaint boutiques and a friendly bookstore. The sign of a desirable town is the reaction you get when people discover you live there. You know you’re in one when someone says, “Oh, you’re in Baaaaaarrington.”
And when I was done reading this section I just was wondering if this is something people really want. :)

FLORIDA!

So for all you who read my blog, and not David's (very few I know :) David left for Honduras yesterday. You can read more about his trip on his blog (www.bentley81.blogspot.com). I always think I am going to be fine without him... I encourage his adventures (even though it really is very difficult that he is going to the places I have always wanted to go without me)... and I look forward to his stories, but it is very hard to be apart. So as you're reading this pray that the peace of Jesus will rest upon me and that I won't fear for his safety and that I will be encouraging to him.
Since he's gone in Honduras, and I vowed last year to get out of Michigan during the gloom, I found a really cheap ticket awhile ago to go see my Papa in Tampa with my mom. Also, my aunt and her 3 children will be joining us at the end of our trip. Oh and my Papa's brother and wife will be there for a BBQ next Saturday. Unfortunately I see my family very little... and this is my only living grandparent ...so it's a big deal for me to be seeing all these people who I only get to spend time with every few years... I am looking forward to the warmth of the sun, the coolness of the ocean, and the love of family.
So there's an update of what I'll be doing!
Here are some pictures from 3 years ago at my Papa's 70th birthday. My dad flew in as a total surprise! My dad was very close with my mom's family, and he hadn't seen my papa for many years, so it was a lot of fun!


My dad, Papa, and Kate (his 2nd wife)

Me and my mom :)

The cousins... minus Michael.... Meg, me, Meredith, Meranda, and Mackenzie.... yep they all have "M's" but me!

Aunt Charlotte and me
Anyway, I am looking forward to this vacation!

ignorance

So I was telling a friend about how therapy was going well for Bentley and we probably will have him set up in Detroit in the near future, and I turned to a guy I've never met, who isn't from Detroit, and informed him Bentley has Down syndrome- so he'd know what I was talking about. So I continue my story to my friend. At the end this guy (who I don't know) says, "We had a family a in our church who has a child with Down syndrome and they changed his diet, and of course we prayed and he doesn't have Down syndrome anymore!" We were walking out the front door anyway, so I smiled and said, "Really?" and left.

1. It is not out of God's capability to change the genetics of my child, but why would He want to?
2. Seriously? (as in, I know you have no idea what Down syndrome actually is)

I got a glimpse into the world of people who share their stories and then are informed by people (with good intentions) of another person in a similar situation who was cured... or whatever. And let me give you advice.... it isn't helpful. So the next time you meet a person who can't have a baby, or is in a wheelchair, or has cancer, or has a child with autism, or a kid with Down syndrome :) don't tell them about your friend who had the same thing and was cured. Just listen with an attentive ear and offer your prayer to God silently.

The whole thing is sort of funny and annoying all at the same time!

time magazine pics

Our friend Micah emailed us this link today... the photos are exactly as Sue described in on of her comments on my post last week http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1882089_1850973,00.html

post 201! :))

This is an interesting article about Detroit! Just so you know, the $700,00+ house they are talking about is the infamous "castle house" I have been watching for 7 months! You can rent it for $3500/month. Apparently it's a maintenance nightmare! Anyway, there is NO WAY it will sell for that much money. Houses in that neighborhood don't sell for more than $150,000.... even the sweet ones! Our friends bought a house for $100 and at closing paid $2000. :) CRAZY!

(Click the title!)

Eastern Market

I bought the following items for $19.50 at Eastern Market!

Ok, I recognize 8 min is a long to keep your attention. :) Here's a link to the pictures so you don't have to view them slideshow style.

http://picasaweb.google.com/Adriennelynne82/Detroit#

on medical students

Background information:
So David and his friends have this big test in June... in the medical world it is the first board exam and the score is considered when you are applying for residency programs and it is a REALLY big deal... in the non medical world, it's just a test the medical students take after completing the first two years of schools... basically it's a comprehensive exam of the first two years. When you choose your doctor you wouldn't ask what the scores of your doctor were... you just want them to have passed!

David is taking the exam June 13 and his friends are taking it on June 20... David chose to take it a week earlier so he gets that time free before starting in the hospital in July.

So I ask, "Hey what are we all doing for Memorial Day weekend this year???"
And I get 4 straight faces looking at me like I just asked the stupidest question ever, "Studying." They respond.
Oh yeah, that's right... they have this test.

So basically the other 3 medical students who were with us that day start talking about how their performance on this test determines the type of medicine they can study and what residency program they will get into... David and I sort of challenged that thought because we believe God is Sovereign and will lead you where He wants you to be. (In his heart a man plan his course, but the LORD determines his steps. Proverbs 16:9, For we are God's workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10)
This is something God has been really teaching us. Firstly, in His leading us back to Him a few years ago which we both would NEVER happen.... this alone is an extremely humbling experience.

Obviously everyone knows the biggest thing that points us to a Sovereign Lord was His bringing us to Michigan. David did everything right. He had a perfect GPA, amazing MCAT score, volunteer work, and the right personality. According to the world, he was set for medical school... and we assumed ANY medical school. But God wants us here and so His will was done when Wayne State was the only school David got into.

And so when it comes time to take these exams for residency we know the same is true. David can do amazing in medical school and well on his exams.... or even just pass... and the Lord will lead us where He wants us.

So why is it that our Christian friends who are medical students think they can actually control their fate by getting a good score? Do they really think that their ability to do well or not do well is going to separate them from the will of God for their lives? Or perhaps better thought... it do they really want to control their lives apart from the will of God. "Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is." Ephesians 5:17 It's not that studying and doing well is a bad thing.... it's just that they are sort of stressing out about this exam and I want to be like, "Chill out, hang out with your wife, and believe that God has your best interest at heart." "Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart!"
(In his defense, one of our friends is taking off Sunday which I do have respect for. But I still think he believes he can control his destiny. Which I used to believe too... until I was seriously humbled.)
They even went on to say maybe David didn't have enough extra curricular activities which is why he didn't get in. (He did by the way, he volunteered at the hospital and was a foster parent). But aside from my defending David, my point STILL stands... God wants us here. And it didn't matter that he had "done it all right"

Henri Nouwen writes in one of his books about how we are so shaped by this world that we have to RESHAPE our minds and our lives to live Kingdom lives and not follow the powers of this world. (Romans 12:2) It really is a complete TRANSFORMATION of not following into the belief system and value system of this world.... (I do hope to post more about this on another day).
He writes, "The basic question is whether we ministers of Jesus Christ have not already been so deeply molded by the seductive powers of our dark world that we have become blind to our own and other people's fatal state and have lost the power and motivation to swim for our lives."

It's so frustrating because I know I do this too. I read my Bible and I pray and I am trying to focus my mind on the things above and not on the things of this world.... but I am so tempted. I am so tempted to choose where my life is headed... I want this and that, I want to DO this and that... I want this for my family.... and I don't SEEK HIS FACE FIRST and how we can SERVE Him and love people.

I hate that we are in Michigan and I wish more than anything we could be back with our family and friends in Arizona. I hate that my son's aunts and uncles are not his actual aunts and uncles... but our dear friends here. I wish that I could control it all... it would sure restore hundreds of hours of sleep I lose because I have so much anxiety.

So I guess this post is turning into a confession of sin. A confession of sin for our fellow friends and for me. Once again Satan has enticed us away from our Heavenly Father... He is showing us his delicious apple, while God is offering me His kingdom. The problem is I can see the apple and I have to BELIEVE in the kingdom. Satan wants us to choose our life because it will lead us away from the purposeful work of the Lord.

Anyway, I was just annoyed that they weren't listening to me and still want to "do it all right." And I want them to do it right, I just want them to seek the will of the Lord first. And I want the same for myself.

Pictures of Detroit

So here are the pics I took in Detroit on Saturday... I am still going to do a set in the neighborhood we are moving into! The first two pics on this video are the apartment building we live in now. I tried to show pics of the broken buildings, as well as, some of the ones that are in use. Although, just because they are boarded up doesn't mean they aren't in use... you know what I mean! Towards the end is a series of pics on the train station that is downtown. It obviously is no longer in use. Here's the history on it: (I think you will find it quite fascinating)

Opened in 1913, the building is of the Beaux-Arts Classical style of architecture, designed by the Warren & Wetmore and Reed and Stem firms who also designed New York City's Grand Central Terminal.[2] The price tag for this 500,000-square-foot (46,000 m2) building was $15 million when it was built.
The building is composed of two distinct parts: the train station itself and the tower which rises 18 stories. The roof height is 230 feet (70 m). Speculation as to what the tower was originally designed for include a hotel, offices for the rail company, or a combination of both. In reality, the tower was only used for office space by the Michigan Central Railroad and subsequent owners of the building. The interiors of at least the top floor had never been completed and served no function.
The main waiting room on the main floor was modeled after an ancient Roman bathhouse with walls of marble. The building also housed a large hall adorned with Doric columns and contained the ticket office and arcade shops. Beyond the arcade was the concourse, which had brick walls and a large copper skylight. From here, passengers would walk down a ramp to the departing train platforms, 11 tracks in all. Below the tracks and building is a large area for baggage, mail, and other office building functions.
The building has since been stripped of most valuable items including brass fixtures. It has also been the victim of extensive vandalism.

So enjoy this video. Oh and DO NOT put it in to full screen, you will lose the quality of the photos... which are important to me!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HALIE!

Yep, today is her 7th birthday. Pray for her today. :) Pray that she'll know Christ as her Savior and Daddy who will never leave her or forsake her... and is the only One who can fill the empty spaces and pain she is going to face. And praise God that He has brought me to a place where I can rejoice in her birthday and not be sad that she isn't with us. Enjoy being reminded of her laughter and love!

Friends I love. :)

Not in order.... Eric, Sue, Ashton, Elliott, David, Adrienne, and Bentley

I forgot to post these pictures after Christmas... so they're a little late.... but better late than never!!

Dear Todd

Our roommate gave me this poem to read.... not sure what his diagnosis was... but it's a touching poem, anyway...

Dear Todd

I wanted you to be born healthy and strong
But you should me God's strength was perfected in your weakness
I wanted to teach you to eat and drink
But you showed me my need to feast on God's word
I wanted you to see my face and respond
But you taught me to seek Jesus' face and trust
I wanted to teach you to hold things in your hand
But you taught me to loosen my grip on the things of this world
I wanted you to learn how to speak
But you showed me how to pray
I wanted to teach you to stand
But you taught me to walk with God
I wanted you to sing in the children's choir
But you taught me to praise God in times of despair
I wanted you to learn to be quiet in public places
But you taught me humility instead
I wanted you to learn about this world
But I learned this world couldn't even recognize your worth
How can a student be so hard to teach?
How can one be so slow to understand?
God made you teacher, didn't he, Todd?
Yes, you were the teacher not I.

(The Molendyks were advised to abort Todd, but they felt God had a purpose in sending him to their family. This poem was written the night after his death.)

Charles H. Wrigh Museum of African American History

Bentley and I went to the African American History in Detroit today... it's only about 5 minutes from our home. The museum is quite well done. (Although I am not a connosseiur of museums).
The history of African Americans is a very difficult one to "experience." Firstly, I get that I will never get it. And although I was at a museum experiencing the rooms and reading about the history I get that it's something I won't understand the same as an African American.
The museum has a part where you go through what would've been the bottom of a slave ship and there are slaves tied together and they're crying out. And the documents talk about how you could smell a slave ship from extreme distances.... and once a slave ship, always a slave ship because of the filth and smells. Then they land in the US and there's this young woman holding her baby and the people are asking, "Does the baby come with the mother?" "Well, I am not sure.... let's see what it says... Yes, the baby comes with the mother. Let's start the bidding.... 15 pounds for the mother and baby. She'll make a great asset to your home..."
And the museum continues with the history... which I guess I don't need to explain because we all learned it in school.... but I will say a museum has a way of making you deal with the pain of our history. And I can't imagine holding my Bentley all alone in a country where I am the only white girl, listening to a language I don't understand, wearing clothes I have never seen before.... as I am auctioned off to a family... and the separation from my son that lies in the future is too much to imagine.
So not only am I going through this museum in Detroit.... where I am usually the only white person... in the grocery store, at the YMCA, driving down the street, etc...
But I am the only white girl in a museum dedicated to helping African Americans remember where they came from... a history full of pain and separation from everything they knew and or loved... And so here I am reading and watching the videos and walking down "the street" in this museum feeling so much pain for these people.... and when the African Americans are walking by me or watching the same video of MLK Jr giving a speech I want to apologize.... and obviously it's much too late and I don't personally have a reason to be sorry.... but I am.
It's a very difficult experience. Especially as someone with the gift of mercy... I want to experience your pain with you.... and I know this is a pain that I can't really experience because my ancestors were the reason for your pain.
The beauty of it all is that Christ has come and restored the pain....a concept I have a very very difficult time wrapping my brain around. He's already restored the tension between black and whites and it's up to us to live into that truth and to embrace one another as brothers and sisters in Christ.
Obviously a big part of us living in Detroit is to walk into that truth and to love people here.... but in order to fully love them it was important for me to be reminded of their very difficult and painful history.
And so I experienced it. And I would love to take anyone who visits us through the museum. And I will pray for the restoration of this city... and that the hatred and pain would be killed with love and understanding. And that unity would reign.

to view pics go to:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=2106095&l=1d825&id=590193688

Reece's Rainbow

So everyone once in awhile I check on this forum that is for families with DS children....hence the recent posts with DS children! Anyway, this video is cool, but it's in Spanish....which I like, but all you non speakers won't get it! So Reece's Rainbow is an organization that is helping to adopt out children from other countries who have DS. It also raises money to help families who want to adopt but can't afford it. They bring awareness and help the orphanages too....also many kiddos with DS have medical issues and the money helps to pay for their necessary procedures, etc...
I especially like the end of the video because it plays pictures of children. So if you get bored, go to like the last 90 sec.
BTW... Bentley is doing great! He's sitting up now. He'll stay up for 5-10 minutes playing. He's also rolling from front to back on both sides. He's still working on back to front. He's eating solid foods... and when his daddy gets home he cracks up for the evening.
He has therapy today, his first day in the classroom with other children! SO EXCITING! I think he was anticipating it because he woke at 1 AM, 3-5 AM and then got up around 6 and hasn't gone back to sleep yet (it's 9 AM) I am hoping he sleeps for a couple hours before therapy at 12:15 so he's refreshed and ready to participate! Luckily for me they have this great medicine for exhausted moms called.... COFFEE! So thankful for this invention and delicious treat!
Things are going really well in Detroit. I take kickboxing 2 times a week and do other various workouts about 3-4 other days...including climbing the 42' climbing wall! So great. We're making friends. Just made one yesterday... a mom who home schools her 3 AMAZING sons! They live next door to the Y downtown in a sweet loft, so that's fun. Also working on some other friendships. I feel at home here. We both wonder why didn't move here sooner.
Anyway, I better get moving! Enjoy the video:

Clip from The Today Show

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/29030653#29030653

Cool video!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5o9nmUB2qls

Life in the city with groceries!

Bentley and I went grocery shopping and to the gym after dropping David off at the hospital yesterday. So far I just do the things I need to do without worrying how I will get all the stuff into the apt. I think yesterday I finally figured out something that works! They have these carts you can use and one of them has the side bars. So I loaded up the groceries, left them on the curb, went and parked the car, got Bentley out walked back to the building where a man helped me pull the cart inside. Then what?!?! Well, I decided I would put Ben on the cart too...and his carseat happened to fit! Then I brought the cart up, unloaded the groceries, and took Bentley and the cart back down to the lobby and then back up to put the groceries away. Craziness!
Anyway, life in Detroit is good. :) Pray for us to find a place to live in June. Looks like we'll be living with Chris and Leigh and maybe Micah....we'll see what happens in the next few months! God is doing some cool stuff! Anyway, here's a link to some more random pics: http://picasaweb.google.com/Adriennelynne82/20090127Jan2009#

 

 

 

 

So I  know a lot of you don't have any idea what Detroit is actually like. I do plan on taking a lot of pictures of Detroit while we live here. I am not very good at that kind of photography (I'd rather do people), but it will be a good opportunity to work on it. I also hope to do some video. When David brought me to Detroit in May of 2007 I had NO idea what I was about to see. I just remember crying. I found this video on youtube that shows only the skyskrapers that have been abandoned....I hope to get some neighborhood pics up soon. The idea of the video is to show you that these buildings are downtown...they aren't off in some part of town...they are EVERYWHERE...and next door might be a highrise selling condos for $250,000-1,000,000. Seriously. Who is going to invest in that? 

So anyway, here's the video...it's sort of long, but you'll get the idea after a minute or two.