PERSONAL | Dear Michael

I'm glad it's your birthday,

Happy birthday to you.

- The Beatles -

Dear Michael,

Once upon a time, 2,922 days ago, you were born.

I wasn't there to hear your first cry. I didn't get to stroke your soft, fuzzy little head and sing you a lullaby.

We didn't pass you around while gasping at the wonder of your tiny frame, nor did we gaze into those gorgeous dark brown eyes and whisper "you are loved" into your precious baby ears. 

I didn't get to (or perhaps, have to?) change any of your diapers *sigh of regret mixed with relief :)*

I didn't get to watch you crawl across the floor and I didn't get to catch you as you toddled into my open arms. 

All the things a big sister longs to do for her newly-born brother, I didn't get a chance to do, except one -- I got to pray for you. I wanted so much for you to exist. Even though I didn't expect you to be born in a hospital several hundred miles away to someone other than our Momma, I longed for you to enter the world. Michael, God answered my prayers and you came into being.

After that, all that was left to do was to pray that God would bring you to us.

474 days ago today, you hopped out of the back seat of a Missouri State-issued car and said "Nice to meet you!" and my heart was thoroughly melted. 

We took you in the house, and your next remark was, "Do you guys have any LEGOS?" and my heart-melting turned into a chuckle. "This kid and I are going to be friends."

We spent the next few weeks getting acquainted, and one day it sunk in that you were here for keeps. 171 days ago, you officially became my brother forever. And I was glad :)

So many times the Lord has used you to bless me. When you color me pictures and write "I love my big sister" on random scraps of paper, I feel all swollen up with joy. A few days ago, you brought me a math worksheet with multiplication on it, and I felt like I was going to bust with pride because you are s-m-a-r-t! I can't help but laugh at your giggling when Barney does something funny on the Andy Griffith Show. And whenever I sit by you during Sunday worship and you ask questions about the sermon, or when you recite your scripture verses for your Bible class, I'm overwhelmed by God's Work in you and I'm thrilled that you're learning about what truly matters. 

You stuck by my side through last year's gardening failure, you say "How was school?" every day as I drag myself back through the doorway, you're my workout buddy, cookie-tester, and movie-pal. You are Michael, and that's just the only way to sum you up justly. 

Are you a perfect young man? Ha, no. Sometimes, my sweet brother, you aggravate me to my core. Sometimes, you seem to know exactly what to say to set off my ticking time bomb. Sometimes, I feel like I do a face-palm every five minutes over something Michael-related.


But, oh, how I love you. 
And so does Jesus.


Being your big sister is one of the greatest things in my life, and I will always cherish you as one of my best friends besides. I regret that I often don't reflect Jesus to you as I should, and I make bucket loads of mistakes every day regarding my attitude towards you. But if there's one thing (or maybe two things?) I hope and pray that you learn from having me as a big sister, is that Jesus saves (the chief of sinners-- she sits with you at the dinner table!) and that the burden of our failings can be abandoned at the foot of the cross, never more to be a part of our identity. 

Little brother, I'm glad you're here.
Buddy, thanks for all you mean to me.
Sweet friend, happy 8th birthday.

Michael Joshua, you are loved. 

For I am confident of this very thing,

that He who began a good work in you will perfect it 

until the day of Jesus Christ. 

- Philippians 1:6 -

The End

PERSONAL | Dettmer Day 2016

Come on, heavy laden
Don't wait for tomorrow
Come on, my brother
Come on and follow

- Ben Rector -

Today marks the one month anniversary since the adoption of our 3 (ex-foster system)  kiddos.

We lovingly referred to the day as "Dettmer Day".

Our adoption was on the docket for 8:30am, which meant we had to leave our house at 5:30am to make the three-hour drive. We expected the kids (at least 2-year-old DJ) to sleep on the way there. 

NOPE.

We were all WAY too excited for that!!

The fog ended up making some gorgeous scenery once the sun began to shine.

The waiting :)

DJ randomly (and quite adorably) kept nuzzling up to Dad while we waited. It was so sweet! I think he know more about what's going on than we give him credit for ;D

^ The last picture of all three kiddos before they shared the last name of Dettmer!! :D ^

 The Judge was so fun with the kids; he let Michael and Audrey sit with him and pretend to preside over the hearing. Audrey really hammed it up and even asked for paper to "take notes" (draw pictures) :)

Big Bird also took part in the event. 

There are no words to describe the feelings and emotions in that courtroom. We chuckled at the kids, we cried at my dad's heart-felt testimony of how these kids are an answer to years of prayer, we held our breaths as we waited for the declaration that they were our family, forever.

INTRODUCING (finally!): THE DETTMER FAMILY!!!

All 5 of the Dettmer Kids! Left to right: Isabel Faith, David Jeremiah, Michael Joshua, Audrey Hope, and Isaac David :)

The kids and their caseworker, "Uncle Joe" - We were so blessed to get to know him! He has been amazing and the kids adore him!

US :0

Calling people to share the news :)

After a drive-thru breakfast, we surprised the kids with a trip to the Saint Louis Zoo. 

We ended the day with a late lunch at Culver's, and were surprised to come home to a poster-clad door with Scooby Snacks (human ones) and confetti poppers as left by some sweet friends. I was too excited and exhausted to remember to take pictures, but I doubt that we'll forget :)

In an effort to solidify the memories of this emotionally-rich day, I captured some moments on film and made this video:

I first heard the song "Follow You" by Ben Rector on the documentary The Drop Box, and I just knew it was what needed to be on this video. Our sweet kiddos have had great burdens, some they don't even know about and won't know about until they are much older. The lyrics: "Leave all your trouble, leave all your sorrow, set down your burden, come on and follow" - we want them to be able to heed that call in their lives. Our prayer is that one day they can know the great freedom we have in laying our burdens at the cross.

They have a great new daddy named Dusty Dettmer. But they have an even greater Heavenly Father who can carry their burdens. 

We know He'll do it, and we just can't wait to see it happen. 

The End

PERSONAL | blustery days

Oh the wind is lashing lustily

And the trees are thrashing thrustily
And the leaves are rustling gustily
So it's rather safe to say
That it seems that it may turn out to be
It feels that it will undoubtedly
It looks like a rather blustery day, today

- Winnie the Pooh -

Happy Winds-day, Friends.

This post has been a long time coming.

I can't believe spring is already coming to a close, and I'm coming close to a full year since my last post.

Spring thus far: rain. Lots and lots of windy, rainy, blustery days.

Last month I went to grab a jacket before I headed out into the great outdoors, and I realized that the article was several sizes too small. 

Why, do you ask?

Because it was actually meant for a 7-year-old.

Let me back up a few paces: three little munchkins joined the farm late last November. 

God said "Look at these three kiddos, how about I let them live with you?" and we, in all humbleness that we would be counted worthy, said, "Sure!"

Fast forward 6 months.

I guess they like it here, because they decided to stay ;D

We still are waiting on God's timing to officially announce them as inductees to Dettmer Farm (foster care: there are glories and woes within that system!), but it's pretty official that we love them and know they are meant to be here for at least such a time as this.

The days are oftentimes hard. God has called us to take up what sometimes seems like multiple crosses and die daily to our own wills and plans. But in reality, that's what life is all about, and I'm grateful to serve Him and be blessed by Him in this way. 

Are my sleepy Saturday mornings replaced by early wake up calls from a bubbly four-year-old on the bunk below me? Yes.

Is having time to brush my teeth a luxury now? Yes.

Are my shins so bruised from tripping over baby gates that I expect them to one day fall off? Yes.

Do I miss the privacy I once had and bucket loads of free time I once wallowed in?  ...Sometimes.

Do I regret my family's decision to follow where Christ leads? Not in the least.

He gives more grace. 

More than I deserve, more than I deem possible, and more than I even recognize.

When I look back on the life I've been blessed with, God's hand print is so clear. Nothing that has taken place thus far is anything I could have ever conjured up in my feeble brain. His Master Plan is far too glorious, and the earthly reflection of it is just a mere glimpse of what's in store. 

From that perspective, I know that the life we're currently living is gonna turn out a-okay.

God is showing Himself faithful even though the days often seem floodier and floodier. 

We're holding on and trusting; enjoying the good times and giggles; and clinging to Him in the storms.

 'Cause those blustery days are no match for His mercy.

The LORD your God is in your midst,

a victorious warrior.

He will exult over you with joy,

He will be quiet in His love,

He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy

- Zephaniah 3:17 -

The End