Bridge Families - James127 Father

Wanted to share a quick story from this morning.  Today I got up early to go change the oil in the family car.  Leaving for the quick lube joint early enough to make the planned 10am coffee with a great friend and brother.  Upon arrival at the quick lube the wait would be longer than expected, but still work to keep the appointment.  Walked outside, found a shady spot to sit for a moment.  Sat quietly for a moment, reflecting and praying to the Lord for guidance about the next events on the calendar.  Messaged the 10am appointment, to find he was literally driving by the quick lube. Jumped in his car and went on to our coffee an hour ahead of schedule.  During our chat another dear brother seemingly randomly chose to stop for breakfast at the same place.  The time sharing and hearing from these two men was a blessing that only the Lord could have orchestrated.  Today's lesson, you don't have to figure it all out, you can't.  Our plans ar...

We packed up our cars and headed out with two goals in our minds. Spend more time as our core family unit was our first main goal.  Just get into a solid routine of just having our crew together to depend on.  It may seem a little strange, but with our crew we usually have everybody moving in a different direction most all of the time.  Being on the road and staying so close would keep us moving in the same direction.  At least for a few days.  We knew that a road trip would bring us lessons on about being a cohesive unity that our family will need to prepare us for His Cherished Ones in Kenya.  The second goal was exactly that, pray that situations along the trip would prepare each of us for the travels yet to come.  There are four of our children that have not done much traveling especially long trips. We travelled the first day into Chicago, nice and easy.  Ventured into Millennium Park late to find the kids a place to stretch after our ...

Men, this post is for you. Most men define who they are by what they do for a living.  We have to let that go, simply put.  At the very highest in the priority list your job or profession should rank no higher than third.  Following the Lord is number one. Being a husband and father number two, most often expressed as family.  However, we place so much emphasis on what we "do" as men that we regularly get this all messed up.  Don't let your daily work become the top priority in your life.

Hi Friends and Family...open arms have welcomed us into the family of His Cherished Ones International Ministry in Nakuru, Kenya. Ten weeks ago we listed our home for sale NOT knowing where or what God had planned. We quickly received an offer on our home and that SAME day we prayed over a completely unexpected invitation that we accepted to partner with HCO. HCO was founded in 2008 by Trena Ivy Mroczko. Our family is honored to announce that we will be partnering with His Cherished Ones (HCO) International in Nakuru, Kenya. The same place that Haley (our eldest) served last year and she will be joining us in this journey. This ministry closely mirrors the heart Nick and I have for serving children and their families. HCO is the umbrella ministry and the following ministries are currently thriving: - Providing safe and loving homes to babies and toddlers at Haven of Hope Baby center while addressing the barriers to reunification or adoption. -Training and discipling m...

In the last few months the Lord has been working in our hearts and lives.  Let me share a few details that prayerfully bring to light how the Lord has moved in the recent months. First, our family has been permanent with the four boys and four girls since June of 2017.  Through the blessing of adoption we have been able to love on the children in our home as Mom and Dad without concern that could change.  All ten of the Rosenbaum’s will be traveling to Kenya, most likely in early 2020.  Our older children are beyond excited while the younger children are a bit more reserved, but looking forward to the coming changes. Second, this has been a possibility for our family for years.  This recent season has so clearly been the Lord’s timing.  Back in January of this year the Lord began laying on our hearts to put the house on the market. Repeatedly, we heard the Lord calling on our lives to be ready.  So in an act of obedience in April we put the ho...

A little scripture food for thought, we hear clearly don't worry about tomorrow in this gem. Matthew 6:34 gives us the "today will have enough trouble of it own". A few days ago a version of this verse was posted, let's call it the modern translation.  " If you knew what the Lord had planned for tomorrow, you just might miss what He has for you today. Be still and listen."  Still true no matter how you slice, dice or cut down the core.  But let's look at the placement of this gem. The verse before states we should seek the kingdom of the Lord, live a righteous life and He will give us all these things.  These things are simply the daily bread kind of questions, "What shall I eat/wear/drink." Our basic needs of life we often tend to worry about should not be our focus. The following verse calls us not to judge.  How often do we see others around us and covet, want what they have, judge their choices and completely miss what the Lord is doing ...

Have you ever been asked how you can support a foster family?  What do they really need to succeed? How can you impact their hearts as they give of themselves to children in their homes.  There are so many things you can do (acts), to list a few: laundry, meals, deliver food, give them a break and watch the kids (this might require first aid and a background check), clean their house, braid hair, take family photos, paper plates, paper towels, yard work, celebrate the child (baby showers), drive them to visits.  Those are all things that will possibly require both time and money.  Not too much of either, but to bless the foster family with one of these acts it will take some of your resources. Let me suggest those are all well and good, but fall short of the real long term need for a foster parent.  The truth be told, they just need to feel your support, to not be alone. To know that as they stand in the gap for the children in their home they have you with ...