tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90258491165268671572024-03-05T08:40:48.066-07:00The Beauty Within"Blessed is the man who trusts the LORD and whose trust is the LORD. For he will be like a tree planted by the water, that extends it roots by a stream. And will not fear when the heat comes; but its leaves will be green, and it will not be anxious in a year of drought nor cease to bear fruit." Jeremiah 17:7-8Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06619924777727844652noreply@blogger.comBlogger119125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9025849116526867157.post-20089305904126075482015-08-05T11:43:00.000-06:002015-08-05T11:43:17.031-06:00Comfort *This was written on my plane ride home from Haiti. God has been challenging my heart with how I view comfort. I hope this speaks to you in some way.<br />
<br />
<br />
2 Corinthians 4:17-18<br />
I struggled this week with comfort. At first it was my own comfort. I
was hot, sweaty, tired, nauseated, achy (from the hard bed and sitting
in the back of a truck riding down roads that are not paved). I itched
from bug bites, my showers were too cold, Internet access was sketchy,
talking to my family was hard, and my feet became swollen.<br />
<br />
The night our devotion was over these verses, I vividly remember saying
"this is light and momentary affliction. I focus so much on my comfort
on this earth that I step out of my comfort zone to help those in need".<br />
<br />
Throughout the week, though, I saw peddlers on the street selling any
good they had access to, Haitians working in the tin market in the heat
and humidity, children living in buildings that were broken down and
provided no real safety, human trafficking, children with no clean
clothes, no access to showers, limited access to foods, little to no
access to caregivers who actually cared, homes with no electricity and
running water, no beds, markets where meat is left out to be sold, trash
that fills the street, smells of urine and everything else engulfing a
place where food is bought.<br />
<br />
And I only thought about my comfort. About how I felt being there and
how I would feel if I lived there and then deemed that "sacrifice".<br />
<br />
Now I'm on a plane home, wrapped in a blanket because I'm cold. I'm
thinking about the people I saw and I met. The people who own
businesses, raise their children, are hospitable, believe in the good of
others, and love their country. And I'm asking God "why do I get to go
home to the States where my life is comfortable? Why do I not have to
starve? Why do I have food and clothing and access to air conditioning?"<br />
<br />
And this verse came to mind "this light and momentary affliction is producing for you an eternal weight of glory".<br />
<br />
I don't understand why some of us have, what seems to be, worse
afflictions than others. I don't understand why some children are
allowed to be orphans, why some are trafficked, why some of us get to
live in first world countries while others live in third world
countries. I don't understand why some of us have more than enough food
every day and others are lucky to get one meal a day. I don't understand
why my afflictions are anxiety, and my sisters in Haiti struggle with
finding jobs, feeding their children, and having a safe place to sleep.
But I do know this: whatever our affliction is IT IS MOMENTARY compared
to the ETERNAL WEIGHT OF GLORY.<br />
<br />
Jesus is coming back. This world is temporary. Praise the LORD. It's
temporary. And God has so much more for us in Heaven than we can ever
imagine. There is hope.<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54492/69/97A57AFBEE6277240EEC8B67FBF0D6CF.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06619924777727844652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9025849116526867157.post-86863330956346148382015-05-27T19:42:00.000-06:002015-05-27T19:42:17.575-06:00To Those Who Are SURVIVORS of Sexual AbuseDear Sexual Abuse Survivor,<br />
I'm praying for you today. I'm praying for you because I don't know who you are, but I know that you are probably feeling much like I am. You see, I am just like you. I was sexually abused too.<br />
<br />
My perpetrator was 10. He lived in my house with me the entire time that I was abused and no one knew about it. I promised not to tell. I lived for many years not telling my parents or anyone else that it had happened because I had told him I wouldn't. He never received any justice. He never showed remorse. No one ever advocated for me.<br />
<br />
I grew up feeling like I was alone and worthless.<br />
<br />
I'm sure you know that feeling. <br />
<br />
I'm sure you have heard the news that a famous "Christian" family had sexual abuse in their home. Committed by one of their children against other of their children.<br />
<br />
I'm sure you have seen the news stories, blogs, Christian leaders, etc coming out in defense of the perpetrator.<br />
<br />
"He asked for forgiveness from those he abused." they say.<br />
<br />
"Jesus has forgiven him." they say.<br />
<br />
"Why can't you just move on?" they say.<br />
<br />
I'm sure the words of those defending this man have stirred up many different emotions in you, like they have in me.<br />
<br />
I'm actually jealous that they apologized publicly because I never got an apology. I actually used that as an argument on a friend's facebook page. "It's more than what I got." I said.<br />
<br />
And yes, I am very glad he apologized. He should apologize. He should never stop apologizing. But that isn't enough. That doesn't wipe the slate clean. That doesn't mean we all move on and forget what he did.<br />
<br />
I've actually stepped away from Facebook some because I can't handle the people saying "Jesus forgave him, we should too!" I can't handle that battle cry any longer. Can you?<br />
<br />
Let me answer this in case you are wondering. YES! Jesus died on the cross for that sin just like he did every. other. sin.<br />
<br />
But just because Jesus died on the cross for that sin and EVERY other sin doesn't mean that we do not face the consequences of our actions here on Earth.<br />
<br />
Jesus died for murder, but that doesn't mean that murderers don't go to jail for their crimes. We don't stand on courthouse steps and scream "Jesus forgave him, we should too. Don't send him to jail."<br />
<br />
Why is this the issue that we stand and say it is acceptable for forgiveness of sin to be enough? Why is this the issue that the church stays silent on? Why is this the issue that we tell victims "you need to forgive and move on."? Why?<br />
<br />
Christians, THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE! This is a crime that cuts to the very core of the person affected by the abuse, and walks with them daily throughout the rest of their lives.<br />
<br />
Should we encourage and walk through forgiveness with survivors of sexual abuse? YES! But this should not be INSTEAD OF sending them through the justice system. This shouldn't be the issue that you say (often years later) "Just get over it!" <br />
<br />
If I could "Just get over" my sexual abuse then I would have 27 years ago. I wouldn't be in counseling 27 years later. I wouldn't be terrified of it affecting my two precious daughters. I wouldn't be taking anxiety medication because I wouldn't be having panic attacks and becoming physically ill when these issues arise in the media because they wouldn't affect me any more.<br />
<br />
But they do. They do because sexual abuse is very personal. Sexual abuse takes a part of you that you don't even know exists, and then it heaps guilt and shame on you because for some reason you, the victim, must have done something to tempt the abuser. We don't simply stand up and say that there is evil in this world and that's why the abuser abuses. We blame and bring shame upon the victim, and fall prey to the abuser's lies that they [the abusers] are the victim. <br />
<br />
Survivor, I am with you. I am enraged, I am hurt, I am sad, I am anxious, and I am physically ill over this story. Over the many stories that are not brought into the media about sexual abusers getting off without paying for their crime.<br />
<br />
I am very sorry that you are walking this road. I am here with you. I am trying to navigate this life with sexual abuse as part of my story. And I ask you to use your voice. Don't live in fear. Don't let others silence you. Demand that you are able to tell your story. Know you are not alone. Don't believe the lie. <br />
<br />
Let's use our stories to change this world so no one else will have to be shamed into silence. Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06619924777727844652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9025849116526867157.post-34621747756898196632015-03-17T15:03:00.000-06:002015-03-17T15:03:25.551-06:00I Get It NowLast night I got home at 2 AM from picking up my friend at the airport in San Antonio. Since I was out late, Paul took the girls to a drop in childcare center (where we have taken our girls many times) so that I could sleep in and then take care of some things I needed to.<br />
<br />
I woke up at 10:15 AM, went through my morning routine, and left the house around 11. I thought about going to get the girls before I went to run errands, but we had said we would pick them up at 12:30 so I took my chance to do some grocery shopping alone. I went to Target, grabbed a coffee, sent some group messages to see if I needed to grab anything for our MC tonight, and then started shopping.<br />
<br />
I went to the pharmacy to grab some prescriptions, and they said they had 2 more for me they could have ready in 15 minutes. So I decided to wait, ran into a friend and caught up on some stuff, and my phone rang.<br />
<br />
It was the director of the child care center. She said "Mrs. Coppinger, I just wanted to call and let you know that while coming in from outside Amelia was bit 3 times by a younger child on her arm. It didn't break the skin. She didn't cry at all, we have put ice on it, and her teacher held her to comfort her. She just sat down to eat lunch. I just wanted to let you know so you weren't surprised."<br />
<br />
Everything in me wanted to forget everything else and go get my baby. I did get my prescriptions, check out, and drive the speed limit to get her.<br />
<br />
When I got there I was thinking a few little bite marks no big deal. When I saw her arm I wanted to scream. Her arm has welts on it, and one of the bites is already bruising.<br />
<br />
When she saw me, she lifted up her arm and her eyes filled with tears. My heart broke for my sweet girl.<br />
<br />
We came home, and I was getting everyone down for naps and she was really struggling to relax. I picked her up, sang to her, and then I prayed for the child that bit her. I prayed for the child's family. I prayed that we could forgive them.<br />
<br />
And that's when it clicked for me. That's when I realized how God felt when I was sexually abused.<br />
<br />
He was hurting because I (His child) was hurting. He wanted justice because I (His child) needed justice. He forgave so that I (His child) could forgive.<br />
<br />
I have struggled for many years to understand why God would allow me to be sexually abused. I have been angry at my perpetrator, my parents, God for many years. I have asked why, and questioned "If God is good...WHY?!?!"<br />
<br />
Today, as I heard the words that my daughter had been bitten, and I saw the marks on her arm, and I saw the pain she felt I said to myself "If I hadn't been out late then she wouldn't be hurting. If I hadn't slept in then she wouldn't be hurting. If I had picked her up early she wouldn't be hurting." I hurt because my child hurts. I want justice because my child was hurt. I can forgive so my daughter can learn forgiveness.<br />
<br />
Y'all, God was not far off when I was abused. He hurt when I was abused. He wanted to take away my pain when I was abused. He did not desire for me to be abused. Just like I was not far away when my daughter was hurt, I want to take away her pain, and I do not desire for her to be hurt.<br />
<br />
BUT sin is in this world. And because there is sin people get hurt. People are bitten, sexually abused, murdered. That does not mean that God is far off. It doesn't mean that God doesn't hurt. It doesn't mean that God wants His children to experience pain, but it does mean it happens. It does mean that His heart breaks when we are hurt. He cries when we are hurt. But He also forgives when we are hurt.<br />
<br />
God is still good. God is still sovereign even when we suffer.<br />
<br />
I didn't get it until today, but I get it now. I'm still a good mom even when my child is hurt. God is still good even when I am hurt. He forgave so I can forgive. <br />
<br />
God demonstrated His love for us that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). <br />
Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06619924777727844652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9025849116526867157.post-9832856034559043392015-03-11T08:52:00.001-06:002015-03-11T08:52:47.247-06:00Happy Birthday!Four years ago I gave birth to the most beautiful baby girl I had ever laid eyes on. She was absolutely perfect, and absolutely healthy. Healthy is important because 20 weeks earlier we had lost her twin brother, Owen, with no warning and with no knowledge why.<br />
<br />
I'm pretty sure that this sweet girl would have stayed snuggled into womb for many, many more weeks had the doctors not said that it was absolutely imperative that she come early. I know this because this sweet girl likes to stay snuggled into her bed or next to me as long as she possibly can.<br />
<br />
This sweet girl has taught me what it means to have your heart walking around outside of your body. She has taught me what it means to always see the glass as half full (unless you don't get the coveted the princes cash register for your birthday, and then the glass is very, very empty). She has taught me to love unconditionally, to be willing to sacrifice everything for another person, and to be willing to lay my very life down for them. She has taught me what it means to love like Jesus loves us.<br />
<br />
She is the best big sister I know. She loves Amelia with all that is in her, and then some. She forgives without being asked for forgiveness, and she offers so much grace to this mama who is trying to just keep her head above water some days.<br />
<br />
Julia Ruth, you are truly a blessing to daddy and me. You will always be the girl who made me a mama and showed me how deep love runs. Happy Birthday sweet girl!! I love you!!<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54492/69/97A57AFBEE6277240EEC8B67FBF0D6CF.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06619924777727844652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9025849116526867157.post-5279614160635702412015-01-01T21:04:00.001-07:002015-01-01T21:04:18.880-07:002015 Word of the Year: RESTLast year I decided to choose a word of the year and embrace it for all it was worth. I chose the word brave, and I really thought that God was calling me to be brave with my Noonday Collection business, or with sharing the Gospel, or meeting people. Instead, God was calling me to be Brave in dealing with sexual abuse.<br />
<br />
Can I just say that was (by far) the hardest thing I have ever done. It is super easy to give people excuses for their behavior and never deal with it. Trust me, I've been doing it for 25 years. It's also easier to tell yourself that only weak people go to counseling and you're not weak so you are fine (that's a lie...strong people go to counseling). We bravely followed God into putting our adoption on hold. We have no idea why. Sweet Amelia had to have surgery a few days ago, and even though it is a routine surgery that happens often it takes insane amounts of bravery to allow your child to undergo general anesthesia for any amount of time. (So to all of you parents who have done that this year and your child was under for longer than 15 minutes....big hugs.)<br />
<br />
A couple of Sundays ago the sermon was about Jesus being the true and better Moses. I had already started praying about my word for 2015 (I've been studying the life of Moses in BSF so I was completely prepared to sit and learn nothing), and God gently whispered REST.<br />
<br />
Y'all, this past year of bravery has left me feeling tired. Probably because I have been doing a lot of hard work, but also because as much as I've been trying to follow God I've been fighting Him too. I've gotten mad, I've yelled, cursed, and just stopped talking to Him. And in all of that God reminded me that I need to rest in Him.<br />
<br />
So during 2015 I'm going to rest. I'm going to physically rest, mentally rest and spiritually rest.<br />
<br />
Do you have a word of the year? If so, what is it?<br />
Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06619924777727844652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9025849116526867157.post-90283883841431168942014-11-22T20:30:00.000-07:002014-11-22T20:30:05.569-07:00Are you Blessed?<br />
I have seen so many blog posts and Facebook statuses about people being upset about other people describing themselves as blessed. And it makes me sad that among Christians we are starting to quarrel about whether or not we can say we are blessed.<br />
<br />
So I've had enough, and have to throw my 2 cents in on the subject. I'm gonna set the record straight.<br />
<br />
Did you know there is a difference in saying you are blessed and blessed (pronounced blesid)?<br />
<br />
It's true. I consulted a dictionary.<br />
<br />
Blesid is an adjective. If you remember from English class and adjective describes a noun. Like when Jesus says in Matthew 5:3 "Blessed are the poor in Spirit; for theirs in the kingdom of Heaven" he is describing the poor in Spirit. That word in Greek is actually saying that they are fortunate or prosperous. Jesus was literally telling those people that they were fortunate to be poor in spirit because Heaven belongs to them.<br />
<br />
Blessed is a verb. An action word that means to "express or feel gratitude to; to thank" So when someone says "I am blessed." they are essentially saying they feel gratitude.<br />
<br />
I say this because I feel like it is important to acknowledge that we have been giving many things in this life, one of them being life itself, and we should be thankful for that. We should be telling people we are blessed. We should be acknowledging that which God has given us. <br />
<br />
So if you are one of those people who felt ashamed for saying you are blessed, and you meant it because you are grateful for ALL God has given you, you are free from shame my friend.<br />
<br />
And if you are one of those people who was like "Yeah, stop saying you are blessed! You're not! That's not how Jesus meant it!", then know that those who are saying it are being grateful, and it's okay for you to be grateful too.<br />
<br />
Hugs my friends!<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54492/69/97A57AFBEE6277240EEC8B67FBF0D6CF.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06619924777727844652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9025849116526867157.post-34210025793291328152014-11-08T21:42:00.001-07:002014-11-08T21:42:44.610-07:00And we said NoShe came into our living room and sat in the yellowish-orange chair. My girls ran around her and giggled. She played with Julia, and listened to all of her stories about My Little Ponies. She told Julia that Rainbow Dash is her favorite.<br />
<br />
I sat on the couch under a quilt; tired, cold, worn down, nervous. I looked around my house and saw boxes of kitchen cabinets in the corner, clutter all around, and I could feel the vomit wanting to come up.<br />
<br />
She asked us about our wedding, our parents, where our adoptive child will sleep. She asked if I would do my one on one interview with her and Paul took the girls for a walk.<br />
<br />
She asked me about my relationship with my dad. She asked me about being sexually abused. She asked me if now was the time to adopt. I cried. I felt humiliated. I felt like all of our friends were judging us without even knowing the conversation was happening. I felt like I had failed.<br />
<br />
Tears welled up in her eyes as she told me she knows that God has called us to adoption, that she knows we are good parents, that I am a good mom. She told me that God didn't give me a spirit of timidity but of power.<br />
<br />
She asked me again...is now the time for you to adopt?<br />
<br />
She told me that there is no shame in postponing. She said that I am doing good, hard work in counseling and she doesn't want me to be distracted by the adoption process and stop healing. She asked me again "is now the time for you to adopt?".<br />
<br />
She asked Paul to come in and talk with us. She told him our conversation. She asked us again "is now the time for you to adopt?".<br />
<br />
She told us our options. She told us we could complete our home study and postpone referral. She told us that we could stop the home study process and start over again when we were ready. And she asked again "is now the time for you to adopt?'<br /><br />Paul took a deep breath, and paused. He asked questions. He said that finishing our home study and postponing referral was a good choice. She gave us time to talk. We told her the same thing.<br />
<br />
She got up to leave, and told us that she would see us in the morning.<br />
<br />
Everything in the pit of my stomach told me that we needed stop. Paul was hesitating, and that meant we need to figure out why. Continuing this process wouldn't be right if we didn't know.<br />
<br />
She hugged me, told me she was going to be praying for me, and left.<br />
<br />
We have spent today trying to figure out why there was hesitation, and we don't know. We honestly don't know. but we know that God knows. We know that God is going to show us in His timing, and until then we will wait.<br />
<br />
Waiting is hard, but we know He has called us to adoption. So we will wait until he says it is time.<br />
<br />
So we said no when she asked if this is the right time to adopt.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54492/69/97A57AFBEE6277240EEC8B67FBF0D6CF.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06619924777727844652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9025849116526867157.post-62398831019524172702014-10-27T14:34:00.002-06:002014-10-27T14:35:04.021-06:00Halloween...4 years laterWe spent the day with my mom and some friends in College Station. We went to eat lunch at Potbelly Sandwiches, we shopped for Aggie Outfits for Owen and Julia, we went to Step Off and then enjoyed the game. It was a beautiful sunny day, and we be Texas Tech. Paul and I took a picture on the field after the game "with" the babies. You can't ask for more.<br />
<br />
We drove back to Giddings, and had dinner with my parents before heading home. On the way home someone cut Paul off, and he cussed at them. We joked about how if our children are born cursing it will be his fault.<br />
<br />
As we laid in bed that night, I realized I hadn't felt much movement from the baby that day. I tried to chalk it up to all of the moving I did, but my stomach was in knots. We decided to call the OB on-call to get his thoughts on it, and he casually told me that it was normal to not feel a lot of movement at 18 weeks, but if I was really concerned I could go to the ER for peace of mind. Paul didn't want to go, but I told him it was better to go and everything be fine than to not go and regret it. My momma instincts kicked in way before my children were born. I knew something wasn't right.<br />
<br />
We got up and went to the nearest ER. When you are pregnant and say that you haven't felt movement from your child/children...they don't make you wait.<br />
<br />
We went back to a room, and a nurse came in pretty quickly to check fetal heart tones. She could only find one heart beat, but reassured me that the babies were still small so it is sometimes hard to find both of them. The doctor came in and said he wanted to get an ultrasound to see what was going on. He said we would have to wait awhile because they had to call in the on-call sonographer.<br />
<br />
Paul and I chatted while we waited. We were sure that everything was fine, but we just wanted some reassurance.<br />
<br />
Once the sonographer arrived, she came in to get me. She told Paul that he wasn't allowed to come back to the ultrasound. This was devastating, but we knew that I would be back quickly. She told me that she would let me watch the ultrasound, but that she couldn't answer any questions.<br />
<br />
She squirted the warm jelly on my protruding belly, and began the ultrasound. She asked if we knew the genders of our babies. I told her yes. I told her we were expecting a boy and a girl. She first found Owen, confirmed his gender, did his measurements, and checked for a heart beat. I never saw a heart beat on the monitor. I never saw movement.<br />
<br />
She moved on to Baby #2.<br />
<br />
She confirmed that we were having a little girl. She immediately got measurements, a strong heart beat, and I saw LOTS of wiggles (this little girl still wiggles).<br />
<br />
She told me we were done, that she was taking me back to my room, and that a doctor would be in talk to me shortly. I asked if her there were two wiggly babies and two strong heartbeats. I was hoping that was I saw was wrong. She simply said "I'm sorry. I can't answer that." The doctor will be with you shortly.<br />
<br />
I knew in my stomach that something was right, and I wanted desperately to be wrong.<br />
<br />
As I went back in the room, Paul looked at me and said "Is everything okay?' I looked at him and whispered "I didn't see Owen moving. I didn't see his heartbeat."<br />
<br />
A few minutes later the ER doctor walked in, and he looked like he had seen a ghost. He was very solemn. He sat down in the chair, and with tears in his eyes said "I'm sorry. One of the babies doesn't have a heart beat."<br />
<br />
I felt like someone stole all of the air out of the room. I couldn't breathe. He said "I'm going to call your OBGYN and see what they want to do."<br />
<br />
After he left, I felt like the room was spinning. I couldn't breathe. I couldn't cry. I couldn't think.<br />
<br />
I looked at Paul and told him we needed to call my parents. As soon as my dad answered the phone I burst into tears. My dad knew something was terribly wrong. He calmly said "Cynthia, take a deep breath. What's wrong?" Through sobs I mumbled "We lost Owen." He asked if I wanted him to call anyone and I said yes. He told me to let him know what was going to happen, and we hung up.<br />
<br />
The doctor came back in and said that my OB wanted to admit at the hospital where I would deliver. He asked if I wanted to go by ambulance or if Paul wanted to drive me. We said Paul would drive. (It's crazy to me that in the midst of all that was going on I could think about how expensive an ambulance ride would be.) We then waited to be discharged.<br />
<br />
As we waited, my aunt showed up and I just started bawling. She held me. Prayed for me. Held my hand. She asked if I wanted her to come to the hospital with me and I said yes.<br />
<br />
Once we were in the car we knew we had to tell Paul's family. I called my sister in law and Paul called his mom. Both were at church, but answered their phones. I could barely speak the words when I talked to Jenny. Saying it didn't make it more real.<br />
<br />
We got to the hospital, and I was admitted into labor and delivery. The nurse checked for contractions and monitored Julia's heart.<br />
<br />
The OB on call came in, and held my hand. He said he was very sorry. He told me he had talked to the doctor that was on call before, and he apologized for not having me come there. He said "we just couldn't have known."<br />
<br />
Since I had seen the Maternal Fetal medicine doctor before, he let her take over care.<br />
<br />
She came in, and did an ultrasound. She explained what had happened. She said it was a placental abruption. My sister asked if there was anything I could've done to prevent it, and she said no. These things just happen and we don't know why.<br />
<br />
She said that I would need to see her throughout my pregnancy, and that Julia would need to be delivered between 37 and 38 weeks.<br />
<br />
I tried to make jokes about how Julia would be stronger and smarter because she survived. You know the jokes people make about eating their twin and such. I wanted to do anything to make the pain go away.<br />
<br />
I finally gave into crying. Then I started vomitting.<br />
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I made my dad take Paul to run errands so that Paul could talk and not have to worry about me.<br />
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He is so gentle. I knew he would avoid talking about how he was feeling to be strong for me.<br />
<br />
I asked my grandma to come to the hospital. It was a moment that I just needed her gentle hugs. She sat and let me cry.<br />
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I asked if Owen when to heaven. No one could give me a straight answer.<br />
<br />
The next morning my OB came by and expressed his condolences. He told me to come down for an ultrasound after I was released. He told me that I would need to come in more often, and for more ultrasounds. He told me I couldn't do anything for a week. I needed to be on pelvic rest.<br />
<br />
That was 4 years ago on Halloween. 4 years.<br />
<br />
My daughter arrived safely. She is healthy and happy. She loves dressing up and is excited about Halloween and getting candy. She has become a big sister. She is beautiful and brilliant.<br />
<br />
She is so excited about Halloween that she has been wearing her costume for 4 days.<br />
<br />
And all I can think about is that day, 4 years ago when I lost my son. I was never able to hold him in my arms. I was never able to see his face. And I dread having to take my daughters trick or treating.<br />
<br />
A few weeks ago Paul said "I wish I had a son." And I know what he means. One that he could see, hear, smell and touch. One that he could teach about football. One that he could teach how to blacksmith and work on cars.<br />
<br />
My heart sinks when I think about our son. Owen is our son. But sometimes it doesn't feel like it because we can't see him and hold him.<br />
<br />
I often wonder what he would look like, what he would like to play, what his favorite food would be. I wonder if he were here if I would I want to try for another baby.<br />
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I wonder if every Halloween for the rest of my life is going to be this horrendous or if one day I will enjoy it.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54492/69/97A57AFBEE6277240EEC8B67FBF0D6CF.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0px none ! important;" /></a>Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06619924777727844652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9025849116526867157.post-83484864820751573692014-10-13T12:25:00.000-06:002014-10-13T12:25:21.271-06:00It Isn't Just a DollarLast week I was out running errands with my girls. We went to the dentist, Wendy's for lunch, and then Target. While I was at Target, I looked through the dollar section and grabbed a couple of bath things for the girls. One was some bath wash in crayons (that I thought came in the color of the crayon, but it turns out are just clear. Not fun.), and the other was bath paints. I like for my girls to have fun in the bath.<br />
<br />
We get home, and go about our day and a couple of days later I remember I bought these nifty bath things for $1 each and it would be fun for them to do in the bath. (Paul was doing something downstairs so I was in charge of bath time. For some reason this is the most boring part of my day. I digress). Anyway, we quickly learn that the body wash crayons are clear body wash, not colored, and they get bored with them. But the bath paints were a huge hit. They used all five in a matter a minutes. The girls are giggling while they paint everything around them.<br />
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I remember sitting there thinking that I would like these $1 paints to last longer than this one bath, but then I thought to myself...what does it matter? They were just a $1.<br />
<br />
Suddenly, I felt this tremendous weight on my conscious as I thought about that $1. That day I had spent $3 on bath things for my girls. I didn't think about that money when I spent it. I just thought "Oh, this will be fun for them, and it's only $1". But as I sat there as they played I began thinking about the 2.2 BILLION people that live on less than $2 a day. I had spent $3 on bath toys that my girls didn't like or used up in less than five minutes when there are 2.2 BILLION people* who don't even have that for food or clean water.<br />
<br />
I became an Ambassador for <a href="http://www.cynthiacoppinger.noondaycollection.com/" target="_blank">Noonday Collection</a> a little over a year ago. I decided to be part of this company so I could create a marketplace here among my friends for artisans across this world to be able to live on more than $2 a day. For those artisans to be able to have access to food, clean water and medical care that I often taken for granted.<br />
<br />
I have worked hard to try and spend my money as as wisely as I can when it comes to where I purchase from so that I know that what I am buying is being ethically made. These things have become important to me after meeting Jalia, hearing her story, and realizing that she came from NOTHING and each purchase that I make wisely has helped her create a pathway out of poverty for her and the other artisans in her group.<br />
<br />
But I sat there the other day throwing away money on things that my girls can survive without, and I didn't even think twice about it before I spent it. I very easily could have said "I would like to spend this $3 on bath stuff, but instead I will talk to my girls about those living in poverty and we can save it to support a child through Compassion International or put it towards our adoption fund." I could have taken that moment and made it a teachable moment for my girls. (Can I just say that my girls didn't even ask for these things...this was something I did.)<br />
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I know that I live in America and things are more expensive here than in many other places, but I also strongly feel like I should think about where I spend my money and what I spend it on.<br />
<br />
Because for some people that $1 could change their lives.<br />
<br />
*information from http://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/poverty/overview<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54492/69/97A57AFBEE6277240EEC8B67FBF0D6CF.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0px none ! important;" /></a>Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06619924777727844652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9025849116526867157.post-87889846575159852252014-07-22T14:22:00.001-06:002014-07-22T14:22:17.307-06:00This Little Light of MineYesterday as I was reading through the <a href="http://shereadstruth.com/" target="_blank">She Reads Truth</a> devotional on "The Sermon on the Mount" my thought process changed a little. You see the reading was over <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+5%3A13-16&version=ESV" target="_blank">Matthew 5:13-16</a> where Jesus talks about believers being the salt of the earth and the light of the world. I think you know what I'm talking about (here's the text):<br /><span class="text Matt-5-13"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">13 </sup>“You are the salt of the earth, but
if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is
no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under
people's feet.</span></span><br />
<span class="text Matt-5-14" id="en-ESV-23249"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">14 </sup>“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.</span></span> <span class="text Matt-5-15" id="en-ESV-23250"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">15 </sup>Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.</span></span> <span class="text Matt-5-16" id="en-ESV-23251"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">16 </sup>In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that<sup class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-ESV-23251a" value="[<a href="#fen-ESV-23251a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+5%3A13-16&version=ESV#fen-ESV-23251a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]</sup> they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="text Matt-5-16" id="en-ESV-23251"><span class="woj">While I was reading this I started thinking about this skit I did in youth group. There were 8 of us standing in a line, holding candles, singing "This Little Light of Mine". As we sang, someone pretended to be Satan and he would go around each one of and list off sins and then blow that person's candle out. That person would stop singing. This happened to every person down to the last singer when that person said "Romans 8:1 says 'There is therefore, now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.' In the name of Jesus Christ, Satan be gone." And then that person would turn to the next re-light their candle and they would start singing again. </span></span><br />
<span class="text Matt-5-16" id="en-ESV-23251"><span class="woj"><br /></span></span>
<span class="text Matt-5-16" id="en-ESV-23251"><span class="woj">This reminded me that Satan wants to accuse me. He wants me to believe that have no value because of my sin and the sin done to me. He wants me to believe that because I was sexually abused, masturbated, sought out boys to make me fee valuable, had sex outside of marriage, lied, manipulated, feel anxious, doubt, judge others, etc. that I have NO value. And he wants to blow out my light. A light that Jesus lit. And I forget that I am NOT condemned because I am in Christ Jesus. I have value and worth not based on anything I have done or will ever do, but because I am a Child of God and 2 Corinthians 5:17 tells me that "If ANYONE is in Christ He is a NEW creation. The old has passed away and the new has come." When God looks at me He sees that new creation. He doesn't see who Satan is talking about. He sees me as holy and blameless because Jesus paid my debt in full!</span></span><br />
<span class="text Matt-5-16" id="en-ESV-23251"><span class="woj"><br /></span></span>
<span class="text Matt-5-16" id="en-ESV-23251"><span class="woj">So if Satan is lying to you about who you are, rest in the word of God. Remember that You do not stand condemned before you Heavenly Father...the old has passed away and the new has come.</span></span><br />
Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06619924777727844652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9025849116526867157.post-41103943106791709002014-07-19T20:38:00.000-06:002014-07-19T20:38:12.234-06:00On Being BRAVE!I'm not sure where to start this post. I'm not sure what all I want to say here in this space. I have so much to say, but I don't know where the words are to say it.<br />
<br />
I do know that I'm finding my voice, and I'm not going to let anybody stop that. I want this to be the time that I find the strength and the courage to use my voice to claim truth. To use my voice to encourage others to find and use theirs.<br />
<br />
I feel like when it comes to sex we allow our voices to be quieted. We allow shame to come in and take root, and we allow our voices to be silenced. What we need to be doing is being BRAVE! We need to talk and talk and talk until we feel better. And then talk and talk and talk until we feel even better and then keep talking because we have found our voices, we have told the shame and the guilt to "Go to Hell!", and we help each other heal. (Thanks Ritz!)<br />
<br />
In January, I decided I was going to do a word for the year and I chose the word BRAVE. When God laid the word Brave on my heart I thought He was asking me to adopt, go to Haiti, go on a mission trip...<br />
<br />
I didn't realize that when God asked me to be BRAVE this year it was because dealing with sexual abuse was going to take every amount of courage I could muster and then some. I didn't realize that I was going to need my friends and family to stand in the gap for me when I had no bravery left. I didn't realize I was going to have to be brave by sharing my story with those people who are standing in the gap for me. I didn't realize that it was going to take being brave to tell God how I really feel about who He is because it's easy for me to look at Him as a far off impersonal God not one who weeps over the sexual abuse of His child and then continues to weep as the effects of sexual abuse continue to hurt for many many years. And I am learning that He cares about what I have to say when it's good, when it's bad, when it's honest. He is big enough to handle my doubts, my fears, and my anger. And He can help me overcome it.<br />
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So if you are reading this, and thinking "I get this! I feel this way!" use your voice and be BRAVE. Start with God. Start by being honest with Him, and then keep talking to everyone who will listen, and even those who won't because your voice is beautiful and your story is valuable and you never know what that person will hear and how it will encourage them.<br />
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Be BRAVE!!<br />
Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06619924777727844652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9025849116526867157.post-16783524224341431192014-07-18T15:56:00.000-06:002014-07-18T15:56:00.617-06:00A Story Worth TellingLast week a group of bloggers went to Rwanda with IJM and Noonday Collection to meet women and tell their stories of redemption from some very dark places. There were many critics of this trip, but those people have probably never been in a place so dark that they wanted to scream their story to all who would hear it.<br />
<br />
Over this past week, I too, have realized that I have a story to tell. A story that is sad and so scary. A story that I have prayed I would forget over the past 27 years. A story that haunts me as a wife and a mother, but I have a voice that will not be silenced and my story is worth telling.<br />
<br />
When I was 5 years old I was sexually abused by a foster child that lived in our home. A place where I thought everyone would be safe; he took safety away. I remember very very vague details. I remember him coming to my kindergarten classroom to check on me, and I laid on my mat during nap time PRAYING that my teacher would think I was a sleep and send him away. I remember when I was in first grade I walked by his room and he asked me what I was going to be for Halloween and I told him a yellow crayon and then he asked me to have sex with him. And I said yes. I said yes. He told me not to tell. I remember nights of him being on top of me with a pillow over my face. I remember laying on the floor in front of my door waiting for him to come in because he was going to come, and my dad finding me and telling me to go back to bed. <br />
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What I don't remember is when it started, but I do remember when it ended. It ended when I watched something on TV about AIDS and became terrified that I would get AIDS from him and told him to stop or I was telling. He stopped so I didn't tell. He took my voice. After he left my home, I told my parents. And after that we didn't talk about it. And for years I haven't talked. For years I've allowed my voice to be silenced. For years, I've worried about what others would think so I didn't talk I just pushed it all inside. I never healed and I felt like my story was not worth telling.<br />
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And now I'm married and I have 2 beautiful daughters, and I daily live in fear that someone will sexually abuse them and take their voice and they will feel that their story is not worth telling.<br />
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And I'm tired of living in fear.<br />
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I'm tired of feeling unworthy.<br />
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I'm tired of pushing my feelings inside and fake smiling.<br />
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I'm tired of someone else silencing my voice.<br />
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I'm going to speak up.<br />
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You see, I'm worth healing. I'm worth living free of anxiety and depression. I'm worth be healthy. I'm worth it.<br />
<br />
That 10 year old boy may have been abused, but that did not make it okay for him to abuse me. He knew what he was doing to me was wrong and he told me not to tell. He took advantage of a 5 year old girl and then left me to deal with the ramifications for the next 27 years.<br />
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Make sure you understand this: Healing will come for me. But my voice does not need to be silenced. I don't need to get over it and move on. This is part of who I am, and I'll be damned if I'm going to shut my mouth any longer.<br />
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Don't tell me that I should've talked about it sooner. Don't tell me that God works all things for the good. Don't tell me that I need to trust Jesus and this will go away.<br />
<br />
The pain of abuse reaches far and wide my friends F A R AND W I D E. This abuse effects my parents, my siblings, my husband and my children just as it effects me. And the effects of abuse don't go away. They are there forever. They are scars are on my heart and my soul. There will ALWAYS be evidence of it in my life. As long as there is evidence of it in my life then I'm going to tell my story because someone else has a story that is similar and they need to know they are not alone, just as I need to know that right now. <br />
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So when you meet someone who has a history of abuse in there life please let them tell their story. There is value in it. That person's life is valuable and to not listen to their story makes it seem like you don't value them. They need to know they are valuable because someone has told them they are not, and the wounds need to heal.<br />
Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06619924777727844652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9025849116526867157.post-59865233057118982542014-05-31T15:26:00.002-06:002014-05-31T15:26:34.359-06:00A Community of FriendsI am absolutely floored by the community we have. Our church is very big on living in community, and there have been times I've wondered if we did, but God is showing me how much He has blessed me. Right now we are putting in tile floors. Not the most fun job in the world, but we have a community that has stepped up to help.<br />
<br />
I understand that this is such a minor detail in life, but to have people come along side you and say "Hey, I've done that before...I'll help!" or "I have no idea what I'm doing, but I'll learn and I'll help!" is so huge. Even our sweet neighbors who blessed us by watching our girls so we could have a little time to get stuff done without them was so HUGE!<br />
<br />
Thank you Lord for our friends! They are a blessing!!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54492/69/97A57AFBEE6277240EEC8B67FBF0D6CF.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0px none ! important;" /></a>Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06619924777727844652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9025849116526867157.post-6976007947898713702014-05-03T06:47:00.000-06:002014-05-03T06:47:19.497-06:00"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." John 14:18Oh dear friends! I feel your prayers and they are mighty.<br />
<br />
I've seen this verse from John 14 many, many times. It has really hit home with me this morning. In John 14:18 Jesus is telling his disciples that once he leaves this earth they will not be left alone. The Holy Spirit is coming. He isn't actually talk about the fatherless in this verse. However, his disciples thought they were going to be fatherless. They knew a time was coming when Jesus would no longer be there and they felt scared. What would they do? They had given up everything to follow him.<br />
<br />
But this is a promise from Jesus. He wasn't going to just leave us with no one. Someone else was coming. The Holy Spirit was coming. The Holy Spirit who was going to "teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you" (v. 26).<br />
<br />
I imagine that if I had been one of Jesus disciples I would've been terrified. Everything I knew was going to change. This man that I gave up everything for was going to die, and then who knew what was going to happen. I tend to live in fear anyway so I'm sure I would've been a whole bucket of a mess, and while dealing with Peter, Jesus would've smacked me and said "Get it together! Haven't you been listening to me these past 3 years!".<br />
<br />
I don't know if orphans know they are going to be orphans before they become them. Some may. Some may know they have one parent, and that parent is dying. They may know that once that happens they have NOTHING. That must be terrifying. And that must be why Jesus tells the disciples (and us...because after all the Bible was written for us) that they were not going to be left as orphans. Someone was coming! Jesus was sending the Holy Spirit! (And I know he uses the word "I" there. It's because of the whole God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit...3 in one relationship. And let's not forget the 2nd coming. That's a whole other post.). <br />
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I can't help but think that orphans in orphanages feel like someone just left them, and no one is coming. They feel very much like the disciples did. Hopeless. The disciples had Jesus to tell them "Hey! I'm sending someone for you!". And I want my daughter to know that Jesus is sending someone for her. He is not going to leave her as an orphan. Mommy and Daddy are coming. He has provided a family for her. She can have HOPE! Just like the disciples had HOPE that they were not going to be left as orphans.<br />
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I'm sure that you are wondering why I just said "daughter" in that paragraph above. I know that you are wondering what has happened. Well, since yesterday Paul and I have prayed over that little girl I told you about. And we have decided to express interest in adopting her. We don't know what anything looks like. I literally sent the email to our agency 30 minutes ago on a Saturday morning. So we probably won't hear anything until at least Monday if not later.<br />
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And y'all, I'm scared. I'm scared to set my adoption parameters aside and adopt outside of birth order. I'm afraid that they will tell us NO! I'm afraid.<br />
<br />
But God is doing a MIGHTY work in my heart. He is calling me to put down my parameters and take on His. He is calling me to open my heart to a little girl who needs a family so He can fulfill His promise to her of not leaving her as an orphan. Because that promise in John 14:18 is for her too. God doesn't want to leave her as an orphan physically or spiritually. So He is sending us to bring her into our family and tell her all about Him.<br />
<br />
Will y'all pray for us? Pray that we won't live in fear. Pray that we will be BRAVE. Pray that we will find our courage in Jesus. Pray that our little girl will be well loved until she can come home. Pray that she will rest in the arms of her Heavenly Father while she's waiting for mine.<br />
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I will keep you updated, but in the mean time would you please pray about giving to our adoption? At the top of the page is a map of Haiti. If you click on that map it will take you to our Pure Charity page where you can donate any amount to help us bring our girl home.<br />
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Thank you for your love and support!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54492/69/97A57AFBEE6277240EEC8B67FBF0D6CF.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0px none ! important;" /></a>Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06619924777727844652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9025849116526867157.post-76646193736135024722014-05-02T12:50:00.002-06:002014-05-02T12:50:40.490-06:00Paper Pregnancy and a lot of other stuffWOW! It's been a long long time since I updated anything about our adoption so I'm sure you are all so curious!<br />
<br />
Well, we are officially paper pregnant! Meaning we are in the Home Study stage which is LOTS and LOTS of paperwork. LOTS of doctors visits, LOTS of book reading, LOTS question answering, LOTS and LOTS of things.<br />
<br />
I'll admit, I'm a bit overwhelmed by it all. Looking at the paperwork and all that we need to get done has scrambled my brain, and I've kind of put ignored. I know that sounds horrible because the longer we take with our part the longer the process takes, but I want to be real. This is hard. On top the paperwork we need $2100 in order to pay for our home study. I guess I'm having a hard time focusing. What is more important turning in paperwork that we can't do anything with until we have $2100 to pay for our home study or raising the money first and then worrying about the paperwork?<br />
<br />
This is where my brain is at. Overwhelmed by so much with adoption stuff, but then also trying to live in the moment with Paul and the girls. <br /><br />We also asked to have access to waiting child list of Haiti Children, and there is a sweet little 5 year old girl that has my heart. We requested younger than Amelia, but this girl. I can't explain it. I see her sweet face and I'm wondering if God is trying to tell me to let go of my concerns about having older children in our home and just go with it. Honestly, I haven't even talked to Paul about it. I haven't had the words to express my heart. I don't even know. But I know this little girl is older, and less likely to find a home, and she is precious. She is created by God and needs a family. So, here I am pouring my heart out to each of you that may stop by this little space, and asking for prayer. Please pray that God would just lead us to the child or children that God has for us. That we wouldn't pass by one because they don't fit our criteria. Pray that we will be open, wise and discerning.<br />
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And finally, thank you so much for those of you who have supported us financially and through prayer. Whether it be through buying a puzzle piece, buying some AWESOME Jamberry Nails, or Advocare so that our friends can support our adoption we truly appreciate it. From the bottom of our hearts. I'm moved to tears every time someone says they want to do an adoption fundraiser for us. Y'all $37,000 is a lot of money. It was pretty much my teaching salary. So having people walk along side of us in this time to donate to our adoption so that we can bring these babies home is humbling. I really don't have words. Thank you doesn't seem like enough. But it really is all I have. We love you all! Even if we haven't met! You are part of our story, and we love you!<br />
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Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06619924777727844652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9025849116526867157.post-61556464690966676182014-03-27T15:25:00.000-06:002014-03-27T15:25:18.514-06:00Noonday Blog Train--What God is Doing in My Heart Through the Orphan Crisis<span style="font-size: small;">If you are here for the Noonday Collection Blog Train...WELCOME!</span> Make sure you check out <a href="http://www.hannahjamesblog.com/" target="_blank">Desiree's Blog </a>tomorrow!<br />
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In January I had the pleasure of attending the <a href="http://cynthiacoppinger.noondaycollection.com/" target="_blank">Noonday Collection</a> Ambassador Conference. I was excited to go, and meet new people, see the Spring Line, and learn how to grow my business. I was not prepared for the work God was going to do in my heart.<br />
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God reminded me that weekend that He has BIG, BEAUTIFUL plans for my life. God reminded me that He called me Noonday Collection as a way to care for the vulnerable. He reminded me that because He adopted us as sons we are called to adoption. He reminded me that making sure that you use your purchasing power to help others is how we should be using our money. That's the calling he placed on my life.<br />
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So, I came home and we applied to adopt from Haiti through AWAA. I started emailing people and asking them to partner with me to change the world. And I prayed that God would help me be BRAVE. That when I'm scared that the money won't come in that He would blow my socks off and remind me that this is Him doing a great and mighty work through me. Through my family.<br />
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God has amazed me every step of the way. He has given me wisdom to raise money for our adoption. He has given us a support system that I couldn't have ever imagined I needed, but He did. He has given our girls hearts for their sibling(s) in Haiti. He's blowing my socks off. I doubted. I was hesitant. And God came through.<br />
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And the thing I LOVE about <a href="http://cynthiacoppinger.noondaycollection.com/" target="_blank">Noonday Collection</a> is that God is coming through for our artisans. He is caring for them. He is blessing their businesses through your purchases. He is preventing children from becoming orphans. <br />
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Jen Hatmaker said something that whacked me upside the head. She said "I shouldn't be allowed to raise your kids because you can't afford to." It's true. I shouldn't be allowed to adopt your kids simply because you can't afford it. But that is what is happening all over the world, and this is what Noonday Collection is preventing by offering jobs to artisans.<br />
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My friend Jalia is living proof of this. Jalia's story rocked my world, but the truth is before Noonday Collection Jalia was in poverty, and because if your purchases Jalia and her husband Daniel have been able to employ 300 people in Uganda so that they don't have to give up their children, and they can house their families and feed them. In Ethiopia, women are able to take their ARV medications, in Haiti one artisan group is having to hire more artisans because their pieces are in demand.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3KwEsDEthoFwIS3UmzqogI1rcbHk1BWDUEkYxxVnCWIkBJYBvtBkG211IfVHqjkPfOlU_-thDv-j8PosYTev3qDDDFDA4f74_LjCBD_tYxdGpliik7HDF9XJlSzrzZNQYmF47VgRBdxV0/s1600/IMG_1083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3KwEsDEthoFwIS3UmzqogI1rcbHk1BWDUEkYxxVnCWIkBJYBvtBkG211IfVHqjkPfOlU_-thDv-j8PosYTev3qDDDFDA4f74_LjCBD_tYxdGpliik7HDF9XJlSzrzZNQYmF47VgRBdxV0/s1600/IMG_1083.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jalia and Me at Ambassador Conference</td></tr>
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Friends, how you spend your money and where you spend your money is making a difference in the lives of real people. So use your purchasing power to help defend the cause of the orphan instead of just getting cheap stuff.<br />
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And now, A GIVEAWAY!!! You can win $50 to spend on your favorite <a href="http://cynthiacoppinger.noondaycollection.com/" target="_blank">Noonday Collection</a> pieces!!<br />
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<img alt="$50 Gift Voucher" border="0" src="http://www.noondaycollection.com/img/products/GIFT-50-s.jpg" id="catlproduct_2496598" style="opacity: 1;" title="" /><br />
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<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e637192/" id="rc-e637192" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><br />
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script> <br />
<br />Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06619924777727844652noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9025849116526867157.post-37913678848694797742014-02-04T20:41:00.000-07:002014-02-04T20:41:24.637-07:00It's OFFICIAL...We're ADOPTING!!!After several years of changes in the adoption world we have found a new agency, and have been officially accepted to adopt from Haiti! We are beyond thrilled to begin this process to bring 2 babies home from Haiti.<br />
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This process is no small feat. We are going to need you (our friends and family) to help us raise money so we can bring our babies home! Our first step is to raise $2500 to pay the first initial fee to begin the Haiti program.<br />
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Here's where we need your help! We have a 252 piece puzzle that is a map of Haiti. For every $10 you donate your name will be put on the back of a puzzle piece. Once the map is complete it will be put together and our children will be able to see the 252 people who helped bring them home!!<br />
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This is how you do it (cue <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIYtBSqkbmw" target="_blank">Montell Jordan</a>):<br />
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Click Here:<br />
<form action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" method="post" target="_top">
<input name="cmd" type="hidden" value="_s-xclick" />
<input name="hosted_button_id" type="hidden" value="SG4W45G8PYHUL" />
<input alt="PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!" border="0" name="submit" src="https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/btn/btn_donateCC_LG.gif" type="image" />
<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif" width="1" />
</form>
Through Paypal, you can donate as much as you want.<br />
For example; let's say there are 4 people in your family and you donate $40.<br />
Then 4 puzzle pieces would have each person in your family's name on it.<br />
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Make Sense?<br />
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From the bottom of our hearts...THANK YOU!<br />
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<br />Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06619924777727844652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9025849116526867157.post-72555040958888305752014-01-19T20:30:00.001-07:002014-01-19T20:30:53.082-07:00What God is doing in 2014I have been avoiding writing this post. I am TERRIFIED of what is going to happen over the next year. I have NO IDEA what God is doing right now, but I do know He is calling me to be BRAVE.<br />
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I know there are many people who choose a word for each year. I have never done that. I've always been the "make a New Year's Resolution and then break it girl". Last year my <a href="http://cynthiacoppinger.blogspot.com/2013_01_01_archive.html" target="_blank">resolution</a> started to change form. Instead of making it something I couldn't keep, I made it a goal to simply just follow God and not go anywhere unless He was there with me. I can honestly say that God changed my life in 2013, and I started some new adventures as I followed Him. However, as I began to read about the words people were choosing for 2014 I heard this small voice whisper "brave". My first honest thought was "I'm not doing this...it's silly.", but I kept thinking about that word...brave. I started thinking that I can be brave in 2014. Being brave is easy. I can step out of my comfort zone and go on a mission trip, I can ask for support from family and friends, and I can even be brave in how I parent. I can be brave. AND I can blog about how I am going to be brave in 2014, and it will be all nice and tidy.<br />
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As I sat down to start writing I thought it would be super neat to include the definition of the word brave. Here is what google told me: <br />
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brave</h2>
<span class="main-fl"><em>verb</em></span>
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: to face or deal with (something dangerous or unpleasant)</div>
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<sup>1</sup>brave</h2>
<span class="main-fl"><em>adjective</em></span> <span class="pr">\<span class="unicode">ˈ</span>brāv\</span>
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: feeling or showing no fear : not afraid</div>
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I'm not sure what you thought when you read these definitions, but I closed my computer and decided not to write. Being brave is a lot scarier than I thought. I mean let's be honest here...who wants to face or deal with something dangerous or unpleasant? I personally am not knocking anyone over to get in that line. When you have to face or deal with something dangerous or unpleasant can you do it without feeling or showing fear? I don't know if I can. I'm just being honest. I don't know. I don't know if I can be brave or be described that way. I take anxiety medicine to help me not feel like the world is falling apart when I am faced with those dangerous or unpleasant situations. </div>
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So here I am 19 days into January, and I am just now writing about how I am going to be BRAVE this year. </div>
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The truth is I don't know how I am going to be brave. I don't know what situations God is going to bring me to that are going to require me to be brave. </div>
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Here is what I do know:</div>
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I know that in July of 2013 God made it very clear that He has called me to <a href="http://cynthiacoppinger.noondaycollection.com/" target="_blank">Noonday Collection</a> as an Ambassador as a way for me to care for the poor and oppressed in our world. </div>
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I know that in August God called me to begin the Women's Development Program at Austin Stone Community Church in order for me to learn to seek Him, to deal with pain from my past, to learn how to Love Him and Love People, and to really deal with the darkness of my sin.</div>
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I know that this past weekend at <a href="http://cynthiacoppinger.noondaycollection.com/" target="_blank">Noonday Collection</a> Ambassador Conference God showed me that not only do I fear being brave, but I fear dreaming BIG. Because of this I am not surrendering to Him nor being obedient to Him and that is preventing me from being radical in my life. </div>
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So here I am. I am home with my precious family after a weekend of realizing that God gave me BIG dreams in college and I have stopped dreaming. I've become afraid to dream. I've become afraid to dream because if I do dream BIG, and I ask God to fulfill those dreams then it might possibly require sacrificing my comfort. </div>
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I'm comfortable in my sweet home in Austin, Texas that has heat when I'm cold, air conditioning when I'm hot, a nice bed, cable, an alarm, my sweet girls, my cute hubby, and my dog. I'm comfortable here. </div>
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But my dreams are bigger than my comforts. I have to stop being satisfied with being comfortable and start dreaming again. I have to be satisfied with God and God alone. I have to let go of wanting to be close to family and friends so that God can move. And God might move me. And it would be sad for my kids to not grow up near their cousins and grandparents, but we will be reunited in Heaven. So that I have to let go of. </div>
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This weekend Jessica Honegger read something that I think will be etched in my soul for eternity. It was a text from her friend Jen Hatmaker. She texted Jen when she was leaving to go visit artisans when she started <a href="http://cynthiacoppinger.noondaycollection.com/" target="_blank">Noonday Collection.</a> She was worried about not being the stay at home mom she thought she needed to be. And Jen said this "Girl, go! Your kids don't need you to stay home and take care of their every first world problem. You are leaving a legacy for them as you care for the least of these". (That may not be 100% accurate...it probably isn't, but it was something close to that). <br /><br />Jen also said this weekend that the Bible is literal. When Jesus said "feed the hungry." He actually meant FEED.THE.HUNGRY. When He said "care for the orphan", He meant CARE. FOR. THE. ORPHAN.</div>
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I desperately desire to teach my girls to literally follow ALL that Jesus commanded us to do. Not just to do it metaphorically. </div>
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This is going to require me to be BRAVE this year. It is going to require me to step out of my nice home, with all of my comforts, STOP worrying, and FOLLOW God. </div>
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It is going to require me to talk to people I don't know and ask them to partner with me in this journey. To partner with me in hosting <a href="http://cynthiacoppinger.noondaycollection.com/" target="_blank">Noonday Collection</a> Trunk Shows so that we can create economic opportunity for the vulnerable TOGETHER. Because let's get real....God created us to live in community.</div>
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So here is to being BRAVE in 2014, and all that God is going to do as I SURRENDER and OBEY.</div>
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Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06619924777727844652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9025849116526867157.post-53005644472444674902013-11-05T22:44:00.001-07:002013-11-05T22:44:09.414-07:00A little about love and loss, and EmilyThree years ago we found out that our sweet baby boy had died in utero at 18 weeks. We had been in College Station for a football game, and when we got home I was feeling nauseated and told Paul I was worried because I hadn't felt Julia and Owen moving very much. We decided to call the OB on-call and he said because I was only 18 weeks pregnant that it was completely normal for me to not have felt a lot of movement, but if I was really worried that I could go to the ER. We went just for peace of mind.<br />
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Once we got there they tried to find heartbeats and could only find one. The nurse told us not to worry because that was normal at 18 weeks. The doctor ordered an ultrasound. Paul wasn't allowed to go into the ultrasound with me. As I went in, the sonographer told me that I could watch, but she couldn't answer any questions. I remember laying there as she did the ultrasound and praying that I would see that everything was normal, and we would go home.<br />
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She asked if we knew the gender of the babies. I told her we were having a boy and a girl. I told her there names. I watched as she looked at Owen. I watched as she confirmed he was a boy. I watched as she took measurements. And I watched as she tried not once, but twice to find a heartbeat. Nothing ever came up.<br />
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I then watched as she moved to Julia, and took measurements which were more difficult because she was very active. I watched as she confirmed her gender. I watched as her heartbeat came up and I listened to how strong it was.<br />
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I laid there, and I hoped beyond hope that I had missed something. I hoped that I had just blinked and missed his heartbeat. After she told me we were done and we would hear from the doctor soon, I looked at her and asked "but we have two moving babies with heartbeats right?". And I'll never forget her response. She looked away from me, and said "I can't answer that question. You'll hear from the doctor shortly."<br />
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As she wheeled me back in the room, Paul asked me if everything was okay. I remember looking at him and saying "I don't know." I described everything I saw, but I really didn't know that everything was okay with our babies.<br />
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We waited what seemed like an eternity, and the ER doctor finally walked in. As soon as I saw his face I knew something was wrong. He was so sullen. He sat down, and said "I'm so sorry, but you've lost one of your babies. We are going to transfer you to your hospital and you will be seen by a doctor at your OB practice."<br />
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My heart sank. I was devastated. I just started crying, and I think I cried for days. I called my parents, and I was shaking as I told my dad. I couldn't even get the words out of my mouth. I had to repeat it so he could hear me. I called Paul's family on our way to the hospital and told them. I kept praying it was a nightmare I was going to wake up from, but I couldn't.<br />
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It took me a long time to put on the clothes I wore that day. It took me a long time to eat at places we ate at that day. It took me until this past weekend to even go back to College Station. College Station was a place I had good memories of. I got engaged there. And now I've lost a child there and it was the last place I wanted to face.<br />
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But God took us back. And he surrounded us with friends and family who helped make this past weekend memorable. New memories were created. My girls had A BLAST while we were there. I laughed while I was there.<br />
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With all of the tradition that surrounds Texas A&M I think that's what makes it hard for me to not be mournful while I'm there. It will always be a bittersweet place for me, but it will be a place that holds special memories for our family too. God redeems and restores. He redeemed College Station, TX for me this past weekend so that I can enjoy the pomp and circumstance of Aggie Football with my family.<br />
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I know that seems silly, but the reality is God loves me so much that I know He doesn't want me to only have negative feelings about a place He created for His glory.<br />
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So I want this redemption to take place for a little girl named Emily too. Emily lives in the Democratic Republic of Congo. She lives in a place that has the highest rate of sex trafficking. She lives in a place where it is impossible to be a girl and maintain innocence. But God is already working to redeem her story. He has called my friend <a href="http://leemeandthegirls.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">McCall</a> to adopt her, and take her out of this place. Right now McCall and her family are working to raise money for their dossier submission, and they need your help! Please go to <a href="http://leemeandthegirls.blogspot.com/">LeeMeandthegirls.blogspot.com</a> and learn how you can help bring Emily home and be a part of her redemptive story. All it takes is $5 for you to make a difference and you will be entered to win some amazing stuff in a GIVEAWAY!!<br />
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Go now! What are you waiting for?!?Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06619924777727844652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9025849116526867157.post-35198171482810410922013-10-17T21:53:00.002-06:002013-10-17T21:53:52.794-06:00King of Love CD-reviewHey friends! I have been given the opportunity to review the NEW Austin Stone Worship Album "King of Love" that releases Tuesday, October 22, 2013. It's absolutely AMAZING!<br />
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I LOVE the ASCC Worship Albums, but this one may be my favorite. It has several old hymns on it that resonate with my heart, and remind me of being little. LOVE that. I LOVE that songs on the album bring about true worship of Jesus Christ and the gospel.<br />
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You will not regret this purchase! So OCTOBER 22 go download it on ITunes!!<br />
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Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06619924777727844652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9025849116526867157.post-24131416565022735832013-09-04T22:22:00.000-06:002013-09-12T21:43:53.100-06:00Noonday Blog Train!!I am so honored to be a part of this Blog Train. Since the launch of our Fall Collection on August 28th there has been one Ambassador blogging about <a href="http://cynthiacoppinger.noondaycollection.com/" target="_blank">Noonday Collection</a> and doing a GIVEAWAY E.V.E.R.Y.D.A.Y. It's pretty exciting. Yesterday, <a href="http://www.pancakesandbeetjuice.com/" target="_blank">Lilly Neubauer</a> started a giveaway for the <a href="http://www.noondaycollection.com/bracelets/sophie-square-bracelet-camel" target="_blank">Sophie Bracelet</a>. This bracelet is near and dear to my heart because it is made in Haiti! It's AMAZING!! You are gonna LOVE it!! Go enter!!<br />
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About 3 years ago a dear friend of mine had a <a href="http://cynthiacoppinger.noondaycollection.com/" target="_blank">Noonday Collection Trunk Show</a> to help raise money for their adoption. At that time I had NEVER heard of <a href="http://cynthiacoppinger.noondaycollection.com/" target="_blank">Noonday Collection</a>, but once I did I was HOOKED! I bought a couple of items for my sister-in-law one Christmas, but didn't really know a whole lot more about <a href="http://cynthiacoppinger.noondaycollection.com/" target="_blank">Noonday Collection</a> until my friend <a href="http://www.thegirlwhosaidyes.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Krista Box</a>, invited me to a Trunk Show to raise money for their adoption from Uganda. Let me tell you....it is one thing to look at what is on the website (and you should!), but when you attend a Trunk Show, hear the story of <a href="http://cynthiacoppinger.noondaycollection.com/" target="_blank">Noonday Collection</a>, and see the products it is a completely different experience. (Not to mention hanging out with a bunch of women, trying on jewelry, and drinking wine is pretty phenomenal too). I had so much fun, and it was at this point that I understood the heart behind <a href="http://cynthiacoppinger.noondaycollection.com/" target="_blank">Noonday Collection</a>. It's about caring for the poor and oppressed.<br />
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If you know me you know that I have a huge heart for adoption. Paul and I are in the process of adopting from Haiti, and are excited about expanding our family this way. However, I can't help but feel sad that I am getting a child because someone else can't raise this child. My whole life I knew there were children who didn't have parents or couldn't live with their parents, but I never realized that some children in the world can't live with their parents because their parents can't afford to raise them. These children are abandoned because their parents want a better life for them. <br />
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<a href="http://cynthiacoppinger.noondaycollection.com/" target="_blank">Noonday Collection</a> not only helps place children in Forever Families by donating a portion of Adoption Trunk Shows to the adoptive families, but more importantly they are helping to keep families together by providing artisans with jobs so they don't have to give their children away. They can afford to raise their children, feed their children, and send their children to school. Lives are being changed.<br />
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I'm excited about this new adventure in my life. I get to help people by selling AMAZING jewelry! I also get to help my friends bring their babies home! <br />
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I can't express enough that when you purchase through <a href="http://cynthiacoppinger.noondaycollection.com/" target="_blank">Noonday Collection</a> you are changing lives. You are allowing women to take care of themselves, you are helping families get health care, artisans and their children are getting an education. Things I certainly took for granted until I learned about Noonday Collection. Please consider how you can partner with me to change the lives of artisans around the world. Go to my website: <a href="http://cynthiacoppinger.noondaycollection.com/" target="_blank">CynthiaCoppinger.NoondayCollection.com</a> or email me to set up a Trunk Show at CynthiaC(dot)Noonday@gmail(dot)com. <br />
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Let's change some lives together!! <br />
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Today I'm giving away a bracelet that I LOVE!! The <a href="http://www.noondaycollection.com/bracelets/violet-horn-bracelet" target="_blank">Violet Horn Bracelet</a> is beautiful, and is currently backordered so here's your chance to win it!!<br />
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<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e637191/" id="rc-e637191" rel="nofollow"><a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e637191/" id="rc-e637191" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><br /><script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script></a><br />
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Check out my dear friend <a href="http://www.kristineshafer.com/" target="_blank">Kristine</a>'s GiVeAwAy TOMORROW!! <br />
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<br />Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06619924777727844652noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9025849116526867157.post-78199581264547511282013-08-07T23:11:00.001-06:002013-08-07T23:11:40.101-06:00Noonday GIVEAWAY!Recently, I became an Ambassador for <a href="http://www.cynthiacoppinger.noondaycollection.com/">Noonday Collection</a>, and I'm beyond excited about this new opportunity in my life. I've been praying and praying and searching for a way to bring in some extra income without having to send my girls to daycare. I've been praying about how God would have us raise money for our adoption. I've been praying and earnestly seeking the Lord for His will on how He wants me to serve the oppressed.<br />
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Enter <a href="http://www.cynthiacoppinger.noondaycollection.com/">Noonday Collection</a>.<br />
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I've known about <a href="http://www.cynthiacoppinger.noondaycollection.com/">Noonday Collection</a> for about 3 years which is about as long as it has been around, let me tell you friends...<a href="http://www.cynthiacoppinger.noondaycollection.com/">Noonday Collection</a> is changing lives. <br />
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And I'm giving YOU a chance to be a part of it. <br />
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I'm giving away one of my favorite pieces the Funky Paper Bead Necklace. When I wear it I get so many compliments on it, and you can wear as more than a necklace...I've seen it as a belt.<br />
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<img alt="Funky Paper Bead Necklace" border="0" id="catsproduct_7165424" src="http://www.noondayambassadors.com/img/products/NE004AS_1B-s.jpg" /> <br />
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You have multiple entries in this giveaway. Enter as MANY times as you would like. REMEMBER, the more you enter the more of a chance you have to win!<br />
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There is so much more to this story, but that is coming with a Noonday Collection Blog Train in September so keep your eyes OPEN!!<br />
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<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e637190/" id="rc-e637190" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><br /><script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script><br />
Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06619924777727844652noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9025849116526867157.post-56794305684788127172013-05-29T22:01:00.002-06:002013-05-29T22:01:59.151-06:00Amelia Jane's Birth Story Part 2*<b>WARNING: CONTAINS GRAPHIC INFORMATION!</b> <br />
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On April 17th, I started having contractions during the wee morning hours. I got up and dropped Paul off at work and went to Target with Julia. They felt just like the Braxton Hicks contractions I'd been having so I didn't think anything of it. However, as I walked around Target the contractions started making me not able to breathe. As I was doubled over the shopping cart trying to breathe, Julia decided she should take her clothes off and run around. It was kind of hellish. I talked to my doula and she encouraged me to go see my chiropractor and my acupuncturist and see how I felt.<br />
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I went to both appointments. My chiropractor told me the baby was in my pelvis and he thought she'd be coming that day. My OB wanted me to come in when my contractions were 10 minutes apart. I knew this was a little early, but since I was having a VBAC he really wanted to keep his eye on me. At 3 PM I called because I was having contractions that were 7-8 minutes apart. He had me come in and they monitored me. After about 30 minutes I was told that I had an irritable uterus and I was NOT in labor. I cried. I was so miserable. I had to google what that meant. Basically, it means that Braxton Hicks contractions feel very strong to me, and more like real contractions. It's pretty awful.<br />
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On April 18th, I went to see my MFM doctor and I cried the whole time. I was so miserable. We talked about a lot of questions I had, and decided that the best thing was for Amelia to come by 39 weeks based on my history and the fact that with all of those contractions my cervix wasn't changing.<br />
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So on April 19th we went in for c-section. At 8:40 AM Amelia Jane was born at 7 lbs. 12 oz. and 21 inches long.<br />
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Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06619924777727844652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9025849116526867157.post-46583253038787699042013-05-25T20:53:00.000-06:002013-05-25T20:53:04.674-06:00Amelia Jane's Birth Story Part 1<b>*WARNING: This may be contain graphic details you don't want to see or read, but this is our story and is meant to help others make educated birth choices.</b><br />
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When I first found out I was pregnant with Julia and Owen I wanted a natural delivery with no drugs. I knew this. I would go as long as I could and have those babies naturally. Then we lost Owen. Once that happened I had to start seeing my Maternal Fetal Medicine doctor more frequently and Julia had to come at 37 weeks. Many people ask why, and the simple answer is because my doctor believes that we had a placental abruption with Owen and that put us at a higher risk of having one with Julia. The longer she was in utero the more likely it became for her placenta to do the same thing. So at 37 weeks and 2 days she was born via caesarean section because my cervix was not dilating or effacing.<br />
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When we found out we were pregnant with Amelia we immediately started seeing our Maternal Fetal Medicine doctor and were told that she needed to come by 39 weeks because after losing one child to a placental abruption we were more likely to have a still birth if we went past my due date.<br />
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At first, I thought I would just have a repeat caesarean. I honestly was scared to try for a VBAC after talking to my doctor about it. I mean there are really scary statistics. However, the more I researched the more I realized that having a child is scary and you really shouldn't do it if you are afraid of any of the risks out there. I mean there are risks to anything that comes with childbirth. It doesn't matter how that baby comes out there is a risk to it. Once I realized that I just started praying that Amelia would come on her own by 39 weeks.<br />
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I also found a great childbirth education class to take. <a href="http://www.apeacefulbirth.com/">Julie</a> came to our house, and as we went through our classes we decided to have Julie be our doula. She's pretty phenomenal! She had me ask some pretty serious questions of both of my doctors...the most important being if I could wait until my due date for Miss Amelia. My MFM doctor agreed as long as I was seen by her or my OB twice a week. We agreed to that, and I started seeing a chiropractor and an acupuncturist to help get my body ready for delivery. These two things were the BEST things I've ever done. (I'm a firm believer in trying natural remedies and oriental medicine to help your body. That's a post for a different day though.)<br />
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Come back for Part 2!<br /><br />Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06619924777727844652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9025849116526867157.post-12343154176493399322013-05-21T16:26:00.002-06:002013-05-21T16:27:41.312-06:00Where I've been and where I am now...an Update!It's been 5 months since I was last in this little space. My heart has missed it, but so much has been going on that I didn't feel like I had time or energy to write. I mean, I was pregnant and chasing around a 2 year. Then the baby came. I'm just now feeling like I have my head above water and I don't need a nap everyday.<br />
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So here's what's been going on:<br />
In March, Julia turned 2! We celebrated with a few friends and some family at the <a href="http://www.austinzoo.org/">Austin Zoo</a>, and then took a trip to Ft. Worth to visit Great-Grandparents. She got a Funny Face Pancake for her birthday breakfast...she only ate the chocolate chips and whip cream.<br />
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From March through the beginning of April we took Childbirth Classes in hopes of having a VBAC, and it was recommended that I start seeing a <a href="http://www.innersunchiropractic.com/">chiropractor</a> and getting <a href="http://lightfamilyacupuncture.com/about-melissa-b-light/">acupuncture</a>...BEST THING EVER! Even if you aren't pregnant I recommend both of these!<br />
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On April 19th, we welcomed Amelia Jane into our family at 8:40 AM. We instantly fell in love...how can you not fall in love with that face?<br />
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Needless, to say between all of these things and the sleepless nights I'm just now getting back to the blog. I might not be here much because these two beautiful girls are keeping me busy, but I'll be here talking about what's happening in our family and what's on my heart. God's doing a great work in my life as a mom and now as a mom of two. I can't begin to put into words how blessed I am. We have a community that has rallied around us to celebrate Amelia's arrival, help out with Julia and provide meals. We've been eating some GOOD food.<br />
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I'm looking forward to being back on here, and sharing my heart with you. Love you all!<br />
<br />Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06619924777727844652noreply@blogger.com0