God With Us

Last night, I went with a group of church family to a MercyMe concert. There is something about attending a concert by Christian performers that blesses my heart.

This concert was in the state of Vermont, statistically the 'least Christian' state in the U.S., quite spiritually dead and the people are difficult to reach. Nevertheless, there we were, 1,600 believers standing in an auditorium in the heart of Vermont, singing and worshiping together, feeling the presence of the Lord so strongly and surely.



Who are we
That You would be mindful of us
What do You see
That's worth looking our way

We are free
In ways that we never should be
Sweet release
From the grip of these chains

Like hinges straining from the weight
My heart no longer can keep from singing

All that is within me cries
For You alone be glorified
Emmanuel
God with us

My heart sings a brand new song
The debt is paid these chains are gone
Emmanuel
God with us

Lord, You know
Our hearts don't deserve Your glory
Still You show
A love we cannot afford

Such a tiny offering compared to Calvary
Nevertheless we lay it at Your feet

-MercyMe

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The Trying of Your Faith Worketh Patience

I was sitting in the sanctuary at one of the local churches.  One of my baby sisters was graduating. (The local homeschool group has a graduation ceremony every year).  I was listening to the speaker and trying to not be distracted by the squirming little brother in the seat next to me when my ears pricked up.

"Patience produces answers, answers confidence, and confidence a faith in God which nothing can move." Wow! Patience produces answers... there's a thought.... If we "waited patiently of the Lord, and He inclined unto me and heard my cry." (Psalms 40:1) Patience produces answers.  Now, I know from personal experience that patience doesn't always produce the answer we want.  But it does produce answers. God given answers.

And now I am sitting here.... staring at what I just wrote...acutely aware of my own failings. Very aware that even today I had a terrible lack of patience.  Rarely a day goes by that I don't that I don't ask God for an answer.  Every day I fall short of patience, everyday.  But the more I think about it.  I realized that even though I've been waiting over 10 years for some answers.  I'll wait a lifetime for others.  Even though I think that the waiting has been long enough and learned my lesson,God still has a lot for me to learn and isn't finished with me yet.

And you know what.  It's not just a straight line: patience-answers-confidence-faith.  It's actually a circle.  A circle that begins with faith, faith to be patience and wait on God for the answers, answers that will bring the confidence that will strengthen your faith enough to be patient and wait for the next answer.

"...If ye have the faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you." ~ Matthew 17:20
and
"Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.  If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.  But let him ask in faith nothing wavering:..." ~ James 1:3-6a

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Impressive-less

I have this thing about impressions.

I like giving good ones.

For years I struggled with an inferiority complex. To look at me, you probably wouldn't have guessed. Outwardly I was outgoing and friendly, but inwardly I wanted nothing more than to run and hide from everyone around me.

The reason?

I didn't feel impressive. Quite the opposite.

I like to be liked--but more often than not, I want to impress. I like the admiration of others. I like knowing people look up to me. I like, well, being impressive.

Like many people, I tend to base my actions on what other people think rather than on pleasing my Lord.

The truth is, I'm not someone because I'm somebody--I'm someone because of Somebody. As I stated in a previous post, I have been fought for. Bought with a dear price. Anything I have is because of my Lord. In all honesty, I have nothing to be impressive about--it's all from Him anyway.

I don't need to worry over what people think of me--what really matters is what God thinks.

Of course I need to protect my testimony. After all, "A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches" (Proverbs 22:1). I do have a reputation as a child of God that I must guard carefully.

Wanting to impress tends to go beyond protecting our testimony. It becomes about us looking good to others. My focus as a Christian should not be to make people look at me and say "Wow, what a great girl!" but rather "Wow, what a great God she serves!"

God is the one who chooses to exalt us as we humble ourselves before Him. In His time, in His way, He does lift us up. But the focus all goes back to Him, because He alone is Creator of the Universe, King of kings, & Lord of lords.

Now that is impressive.

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Wednesday quote

“Overall, the Christian and Orthodox view is that the world is full of genuine suffering. We cannot deny it, dismiss it, ignore it; we cannot pretend that it’s an illusion, or that people get what they deserve for deeds in previous lives. Instead, we are compelled to take positive action, bringing healing wherever we can and comfort where we cannot.” Frederica Mathewes-Green, At the Corner of East and Now p. 73

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In God I Trust

Growing up, I had so many fears. Armed with an especially vivid imagination, I'd hide under the blankets in my bed, certain that all of my fears came to life when the lights went out. The White Witch lived in my closet and the Wicked Witch of the West under my bed. Nagina from Rikki-Tikki-Tavi was lurking somewhere out of sight nearby my bureau and the wolves from Little House on the Prairie, they were just down the hall.

Books and movies were both my friend and enemy in those days.

Lying in bed, I'd repeat snatches of Psalms in my head, even while I evilness that kept my eyes wide open to watch for witches, wolves and cobras. What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee...I will not be afraid of the terror by night or of the arrow that flies by day...

(or the imaginary monsters that never frightened me by day)

I grew up. I outgrew my fears. Well, those fears at least. I grew up and lost my fears of characters from stories and movies, but I haven't lost my fears.

I'm still scared of change, even though I'm getting better at overcoming it. I'm still afraid of what people may think of me, afraid of conflict, afraid of...so many things.

My fears have different names, but the remedy for them is the same. I will never lose being afraid of something, but I hope and pray I never lose the way to deal with them.

God.

Prayer.

His Word.

God.

So many unknowns...but I'm hanging onto the prayers and Psalms.

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty
I will say to the Lord, "My Refuge and my Fortress. My God in whom I trust."

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In Memory

Of all the men and women that gave their lives for this country.

Because they believed in freedom for their families

And for all the people they would never know who would walk this land after them

For their courage under fire

For their sacrifice, because sacrifice means hurt

For their willingness to die for something they would never see

For their families and friends who are privileged to live in the freedom they earned

Who carry the burden of a grief that will never die

And know the names of the unsung heroes.

Thank You. 

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Psalm 42

To the chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah.
As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.
My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?
My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?
When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.
O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.
Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.
Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.
I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God?
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

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Vision

"God gives us the vision, then He takes us down to the valley to batter us into the shape of the vision, and it is in the valley that so many of us faint and give way…The vision is not a castle in the air, but a vision of what God wants you to be. Let Him put you on His wheel and whirl you as He likes, and as sure as God is God and you are you, you will turn out exactly in accordance with the vision. Don’t lose heart in the process. If you have ever had the vision of God, you may try as you like to be satisfied on a lower level, but God will never let you."

~Oswald Chambers

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Dry season

I've been sitting here, staring at the computer screen. Staring at the empty page. Wondering what to write. (It seems to be quite a theme for the IDD bloggers.)

There are days when I feel dry of words.

There are days when I feel dry of life.

On these days it's hard to trust. Hard to believe that everything will turn out all right. Our human frailties have messed it all up so much. Hard to believe that I, me, this person sitting here, is really of value. Hard to believe that there could be a 'soul-love' for me, somewhere out there. Hard to believe that any of my dreams will come true.

If I let myself, I can go into a serious tail-spin. But sometimes I have to catch myself and say: Wait. Stop. Think for a minute. And then I remember. "Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows."

Me. Sitting here. Struggling for words. Struggling with everything. It's a gift I can't possibly deserve, and yet I have it. And then there are the wonderful words of St. John Chrysostom, read every year at Pascha:

Let no one bewail his poverty,
For the universal Kingdom has been revealed.
Let no one weep for his iniquities,
For pardon has shown forth from the grave.
Let no one fear death,
For the Saviour's death has set us free.
He that was held prisoner of it has annihilated it.

If Christ is Risen, as I firmly believe, anything else can happen. God does love and care for each and every one of us.

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The Touch of the Master's Hand

"Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer
Thought is scarcely worth his while
To waste much time on the old violin,
But he held it up with a smile:
"What amd I bidden, good folks," he cried.
"Who'll start bidding for me?"
"A dollar, a dollar" then, "Two!" "Only two?
Two dollars and who'll make it three?
Three dollars once; three dollars, twice;
Going for three-" But no,
From the room, far back, a gray haired man
Came forward and picked up the bow
Then, wiping the dust from the old violin
And tightening the loose strings
He played a melody pure and sweet
As a caroling angel sings

The music ceased, and the auctioneer
With a voice that was quiet and low,
Said, "What am I bid for the old violin?"
And he held it up with the bow
"A thousand dollars, and who'll make it two?
Two thousand! And who'll make it three?
Three thousand, once, three thousand, twice,
And going, and gone," said he
The people cheered, but some of them cried,
"We do not quite understand
What changed it's worth?" Swift came the reply
"The Touch of the Master's Hand"

And many a man with life out of tune
And battered and scarred with sin
Is auctioned cheap to the thoughtless crowd
Much like the old violin
A "mess of pottage" a glass of wine
A game- and he travels on
He "going" once and "going" twice
He's "going" and almost "gone"
But the Master comes, and the foolish crowd
Never can quite understand
The worth of a soul and the change that's wrought
By the Touch of the Master's Hand.

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Star Wars, Sock Monkeys and Siblings

I’m sitting on my bed, listening to country music - and my five year old sister playing with Star Wars action figures. The rest of the family is scattered all over the house, some are working on craft projects, others have homework to do. The baby, who really isn’t a baby any more, is giggling in the living room. My older brother is sleeping and my mom, who got up early this morning, is still working on her never-ending list of things that must be done.

Such is life in a family of thirteen.

I’m down to the wire on this post again this week and am wondering if God has anything in particular He wants me to write about. He’s been pretty quiet about writing with me lately; one story idea keeps bumping into the sides of my head, persistent but not quite ready. Blog posts? They’re pretty well-hidden.

But today, I keep getting the nudge to talk about family.

My second-littlest sister is five, going on six, keeps chattering away to me tonight. She wants to know what the singer is talking about in this song. Holding her Star Wars action figures, she tells me, very seriously, that Leia’s father is Anakin, because he was Anakin before he became Darth Vader. “That says ‘and’,” she says, pointing at my computer monitor, “and that’s, ‘she.’” She has a question for everything and a story for anyone who wants to hear it.

She’s five. Adorable, and she knows it. She’s a bit of a distraction, I will admit. Kids are magnets, don’t you know? Five minutes ago there was just one child on my bed, and before I can finish writing three more sentences, three siblings are clambering about, asking questions about music – “Are they married?” my sister inquires of a song that a country artist is singing on my computer. “Yes,” says I – and paint on the ceiling and why don’t I ever wear that dress in my closet?

Life is always interesting in a large family. Distracting, noisy, head-enducing, prone to drama and well, interesting. Interesting can be good and interesting can be bothersome. Today has been a busy, gray day in our corner of New England. A few of us have come down with colds (again) and others are grumpy. Tempers are fraying now at the end of the day. There have been moments when I, sniffly and sore-throated, have hidden in my room with a pile of tissues, just to get away from the noise and chaos.

Life isn’t peachy. But this life that I lead…in spite of the noise, in spite of the chaos, in spite of the arguments and the fact that grumpiness is incredibly contagious in a large family, in spite of this…

This is where God has me. He has me in a house with five sisters and five brothers; He has me sitting on my bed tonight, writing to you all and listening to my sisters ask a million questions and tell me all sorts of stories that I’ve heard before and I’ll hear again. Living with little children has taught me patience; they teach me to listen and love and learn. To see things that I’d forgotten to see and hear things that I may not hear.

They teach me unconditional love.

They teach me how to maintain a sense of humor – when your sister shows up wearing your pantyhose on her head at the dinner table you have a choice: laugh or cry. And when they start telling family friends every secret they know about every member in the family, you have to laugh (while covering their mouths with your hands to prevent anymore secrets from escaping). Laughing is much more fun and just may prolong your life.

They teach me to find joy in every day things. It is so easy to forget the excitement of the first violets of spring and the joy of sleeping with not just one, not two, but THREE pillows.

They teach me that love is a choice and not an emotion. I don’t always like my brothers and sisters, old and young. But I will always love them, because they are my siblings, they are my family. None of us are always loveable, including myself, but my siblings have shown that love to me: forgiving me when I’m hurtful and sin towards them, always loving me.

So, I may never have my own room. I have to remind Mia that my diary is not for her own perusal and I know to hide behind my bedroom door when getting ready for bed at night because not everyone knocks before entering (small children are somehow so forgetful).

But I don’t think I’d trade them.

Love your siblings. Enjoy today while you can. Sock monkeys and questions and stories and stuffed animals being thrown about the room. Um, yes. You’ll have to excuse me; there are now four children in my room and I have to deal with an argument over who gets to play with my sock monkey.

Have a blessed week.

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IDDiots Unite!

Last Sunday, three more of us IDDiots had the chance to meet! Maureen was stopping in Boston, on her way home from London, and Krista and I met up with her for coffee. For about 2 1/2 hours we talked about books, writing, family, more books and, of course, IDD. What a blessing to see the friends we'd goten to know so well through IDD in person.

Krista Valerie Maureen

Note: Yes, the coffee cup in front of my face is intentional! Not that I distrust any of our readers here, but my family rules prohibit me from posting my picture online. :-)

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Faith Quote

"Faith is deliberate confidence in the character of God

whose ways you may not understand at the time."

—Oswald Chambers

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Almost Flew

If at first you don't succeed, try, try again...



Never give up.

When it comes to dreams and following God's will...never give up. Even if, in everyone else's eyes, it just looks like jumping.

Because you just might almost fly today.

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Top Ten

Top Ten Things You Should Never to Say to a Single Woman
*Author's Note:
This is purely for comic relief purposes only.  While I have certainly had all of these things said to me at one time or another I'm not trying to be mean or demeaning to anyone who might have said them.  I'm posting them merely for humor's sake.  I'm sure if you've been single for any length of time you'll identify with some if not all of these questions.   

• So, when are you going to tie the knot?
• It's YOUR turn next!
• Can you babysit while we go to the couple's barbecue?
  
• Have you tried E-Harmony?
• Have you been looking?
• So, why aren't you married yet?
• Have you prayed about it?
• Maybe you should get out more.
• You need to meet a really nice young man who loves the Lord.  
• Being married isn't all it's cracked up to be
  

Top Ten Things You SHOULD Say to a Single Woman

• Here, have a chocolate bar.
• GIRLS NIGHT!
• You look nice!
• Here, have a dark chocolate bar.
• Let's go shopping!
• Let's watch a Jane Austen movie
• Here, have a white chocolate bar.
• I've been praying for you!
• You're such a blessing!
• Here, have another chocolate bar. 
  

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Valley of Vision

From Sovereign Grace Ministries comes Valley of Vision, one of those rare albums that has lyrics that truely speak to me. Inspired by a book of Puritan prayers, The Valley of Vision , the songs are a medley of God's love for us and our desperate need of Him. So many of the word bring me to my knees, and sometimes to tears, longing for a closer and truer walk with the Lord. Especially now, while going through an uncertain time of life, these words give me something to cling to and take comfort in, the determination I need to throw of the "old man" and conform to His image.

In the daytime there are stars in the heavens
But they only shine at night
And the deeper that I go into darkness
The more I see their radiant light
So let me learn that my losses are my gain
To be broken is to heal
That the valley’s where Your power is revealed

Let me find Your grace in the valley
Let me find Your life in my death
Let me find Your joy in my sorrow
Your wealth in my need
That You’re near with every breath
In the valley


Listen here

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IDD Dictionary #5

Llama - a random word you holler when you have nothing of importance to say

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Take your medicine!

"I love to laugh,
Loud, and long, and clear!
I love to laugh,
So everybody can hear!
The more I laugh,
The more I'm filled with glee;
And the more with glee,
The more I'm a merrier me!"

Sometimes taking your medicine can be unpleasant--we've all had the bitter taste of whatever nasty but necessary liquid cough syrup our mothers pushed at our mouths with the usual "Just swallow it quickly dear, you'll be done."

As a child, I was convinced the makers of Robitussin hated children. Why? Because if they liked kids, they would have made their product taste good.

That was one medicine I loathed taking.

There was another medicine I loved, though. I would take this medicine any day, anytime.

Laughter.

It's no surprise to me that the Bible says a merry heart does good like medicine (Proverbs 17:22). How many times have you been down in the dumps, and someone came along with a bright smile and a happy heart, cheering you up and lifting your spirits with their exuberance?

Humor is one of the most universally appreciated forms of communication.
But like nearly everything else, there is a good side and a bad side.

It can build up and edify--
Or it can tear down and discourage

It can exhort us unto godliness--
Or exhort us in ungodliness

It can point us towards wisdom--
Or point us towards foolishness

It's all in how we use it.

Sometimes I think Christians have the impression that we must always be serious, and never enjoy things for the sake of enjoyment.
While I would certainly agree that all we do should be done for the glory of God, we have to ask ourselves, exactly how is God glorified?

When the joy of the Lord exudes from our countenance, that is God-glorifying.
I have found that the most Spirit-filled, daily walking Christians are often the funniest and most uplifting people to be around. Why? Because when you are filled with Him, you can't help but bubble over with joy. We as Christians should be known for a twinkle in our eye and a ready smile on our lips. How can a lost world believe the change in our hearts if they don't see it on our faces?

When we delight in the Lord, His goodness, His gifts, the way He created us, that is God-glorifying.
John Piper once said "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him."
Much as a parent delights to see his young child running merrily through the yard, a happy smile and laughing face, so God delights in us living and happily being who He created us to be. We are HIS creation. Made exactly as He wanted us. While none of us are perfect, and we all are works in progress, I believe that God smiles when he sees us smiling, and perhaps even chuckles at some of our less-than-smart antics. Knowing Him is to know happiness. It's simply the truth.

This is not to say that we should go through life laughing at everything, and not taking anything seriously. There are many things in our walk with God that are very serious. There are many things that are not funny. He is God, and that is no laughing matter.
Laughter that takes delight in what grieves God is not God-glorifying. Laughter that elevates or exalts what God has declared unrighteous is not God-glorifying. Laughter that encourages us to view as petty what God says is important is not God-glorifying.

But laughter that causes us to smile up at God and take pleasure in Him is, I believe, the best medicine we could ask for.

Sweet to the soul, health to the bones, and a whole lot yummier than Robitussin.

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Waiting

Wait. Wait. Wait.


Like a piano’s hammer the word wait strikes at the strings of our heart; ominously resonating within us. We wonder “why am I in this place of holding, waiting, all over again. Why can’t it just be over?” Yet on we trudge; sometimes hearing, sometimes ignoring the gentle whisper of trust me, follow me. I often forget that a meaning of wait is “To watch; to observe; to take notice.” Instead, I freeze and think STOP. I get so caught up stopping that I miss the opportunity to wait.



"Yes, LORD, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts." Isaiah 26:8 (NIV)







Yes, sometimes waiting is “resting in expectation, to stay, not to depart, to await; as, to wait orders...” For me that means remaining faithful with my last instructions until the next ones come… it's hard. I am working on observing, learning and growing in these times of waiting. For me waiting isn’t just about marriage; it is waiting for guidance on school decisions, career, growth, family, and relationships. Even in my spiritual walk I have learned that often when I feel like I am just waiting for the next “moment” with God is when He is transforming me the most. Faithfully walking through moments of drudgerous waiting we can revel in transformation when all of the work of waiting finally comes together in perfect harmony.

“It is in the waiting that we are transformed…" Keil Zepernick

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Joy

Today didn’t begin well. Mondays are never my favorite day of the week; the beginning of the work week and the weekend so far away. And this morning, I woke up earlier than usual, but from an unpleasant dream, in which I had already woken up to mayhem and unpleasantness. No clothes found suitable to be worn to work and fighting siblings at the unearthly hour of 5:30 AM. Or so I dreamt. I awoke and lay there for a full five minutes, trying to decide if my dream was real or not.

It was not a pleasant way to begin the day and I couldn’t help feeling gloomy towards the world as I rummaged through my clothes to find something to wear to work, as I ate breakfast and made that last mad dash around the house to get everything I need for work ready.

And was nearly late punching in.

I worked for eight hours, came home with a headache and a scratchy throat, and sat down to tackle homework. More inclined to be grumpy and not at all willing to play Nice Girl, I gave a neighbor boy a look of doom when I discovered that he was annoying my middle sister. I ate supper, I texted, I worked on my homework and remembered a million and one things that should be done and won’t be before bed tonight – because I am so very, very tired.

But this blog post must be written first.

Today wasn’t a horrible, no-good, bad day, like the one in the children’s book; it was just plain out, ordinary, busy and…full of things that needed to be done, as much as I didn’t want to do them.

That’s life, at least in the adult world. We rise early when we’d rather sleep in. We go to work when we’d rather play. We bite our tongues, when people are cranky in the workplace and when our boss piles another thing to do in our in-box, or when our littlest sister is whining for the umpteenth time. We do what must be done because it has to be done and that’s life.

But we are Christians. There’s got to be something different. There has to be.

The one thing missing from my day?

Joy.

Joy doesn’t always mean happiness. Joy means rejoicing, in spite of all circumstances. Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say, rejoice.

Take a moment. Breathe. Thank God for your day, ordinary or horrible-no-good-bad or brilliant-sky-blue-wonderful. Thank Him. Rejoice in what He has given you. Take joy in His strength and rejoice.

Always.

Tomorrow is Tuesday. That’s part of Always and I’m going to at least try to get up rejoicing tomorrow morning.

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Today and the history behind it

Guess what!! Today is the one year anniversary of the unveiling of the IDD blog!!! Yay!!!

So, what do you think of the first year?  Thoughts? Questions? Anything?

O.k. on to the real article for the day.  I thought that maybe we could celebrate our first anniversary with a post to tell our readers about the history of IDD and how it got to be where it is today.

All the credit for the orgination of a board/forum/fellowship/group of girls to encourage girls that don't date goes to Siobhan, Anne, Emily and Rebecca(not Rebecca/Jak).  When I asked them about it this is what they said.   Once we thought we had a brilliant idea. We were tired of boy talk among girls.  We decided to start a forum which is named after and themed upon the subject of dating(or, more correctly, not dating). The idea is not unlike that which Pippin had in Lord of the Rings. The closer we are to danger, the farther we are from harm. It's the last thing they'll expect. Then we can talk with other girls our age who are more serious about marriage and families, and not just into recreational dating.  I Don't Date was started in 2002 with the idea of providing girls with a forum where they could discuss life and preparing for marriage and motherhood with other like minded girls. A board where we can talk about things other than boys, who is dating who, etc.  Four girls got together to give IDD it's beginnings, and as word spread the forum grew quickly into what it is today.  And thus the creation of IDD.  The original IDD forum was launched in the world of cyberspace on February 26th, 2003.

On July 15th, 2004 I Don't Date was blessed to receive it's very own domain at I Don't Date.org (this is not a link, because the domain isn't there anymore, keep reading :)) and the forum moved there.  For many years IDD was a small group of girls growing ever so slowly watching members come and go.  Everyone on the board knew everyone else and we could be ourselves online.  We were goofy and serious, funny and had awesome discussions. We shared in the joy of new courtships and weddings.  Shared prayer requests and there were always plenty of cyber shoulders to lean on in a time of crisis and enough hugs to brighten any face at the end of a rough day. 

2006 rolled around and due to demands of life the administration team had dwindled down to Siobhan who had just become too busy to give the time a board of that size required.  We of course didn't want the board to close and that is when Maureen stepped up to the plate. She volunteered to take over the administration duties.  Due to the administration change the contract we had with the domain ended and thus resulted in the most recent forum move.  On March 27th, 2006 the forum opened at http://s12.invisionfree.com/I_dont_date. Since that time the administration team has grown.  Maureen is head administrator, Sarah and Katie are co-administrators and the moderating team consists of Deb, Krista, Rebecca, Sarah and Valerie.

A year and a half later Maureen broached the idea of starting an IDD blog. We tossed the idea around for a couple months and then let the idea go.  We didn't have a clear picture at to what to do with the idea.   In April of last year we brought the idea up again and we immediately came to agreements on what we wanted to do and how to do it.  We felt that there was a need for a a place online for girls of all ages to be encouraged in  the "Waiting" stage.  We felt that we should feel that need and expand the borders of IDD to include the blog. A little over a month later on May 1th, 2008 we introduced the IDD blog to the world.

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