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Jessica
Fruck
Hi, I’m Jessica! I have three little ones—my son Zachary is six (He
was breech and born via C-section.), my daughter Lilyonna is four
(She was a VBAC.), and my baby boy Josiah just turned one in May and
was placed in my arms at 15 minutes old as our first adopted child.
I will be sharing more about his story a little later. My hubby and
I have been married almost seven years.
When I found Charis, it was literally an answer to a
very desperate prayer to God. Without going into a lot of details--I
had hit a rock bottom. I felt like all the grand ideas and dreams
that I had for my life where slipping away forever. I was just
trying to get through each day taking care of my then three year old
(with some special needs) and a one year old. I told God how I felt,
and I was questioning a lot about my situation. I don’t remember
the exact time, but it was within weeks that I got information
about Charis. I read the vision statement and the process of
becoming a Doula. I was so excited, my mom says I was visibly
shaking when I ran back to her and showed her the information. (We
were at a home school conference.) I had never heard of a
Doula, and dismissed it as something I could never do, but I felt a
connection with Kristin’s story and her vision for Charis. I have
always wanted to take care of children, and as a teen, God
also filled my heart with a passion for everything that has to do
with abandoned babies, orphanages, adoption, etc. At age 16, my best
friend, who was 14 years old, got pregnant. After all that happened
in that situation (She ended up going through an abortion, because
of pressure from her family.) My heart was permanently marked with
a desire to be involved some how, in some way, with unplanned
pregnancies. When I showed my mom the information, she told me that
God had given me a heart for serving in that way and to pursue it. I
remembered what I had expressed to God before, and realized that
YES! God wanted me to do this.
Charis was my key to unlocking a spiritual journey
(that I am still on) to discover so many plans God has for my life.
Going through the program gave me the courage I needed to step out
and do or go when I hear His voice. Most of my fears and feelings of
inadequacy have melted away as I bring them to God and study to be a
better Doula and birth educator. Every time I hear a client’s new
baby cry their first cry, it makes me feel so close to my Savior,
who doesn’t just rescue us and restore us, but blesses us beyond
measure!
These days I am gearing up to begin homeschooling this
coming school year, anticipating Josiah’s first solo steps, and
praying for legal closure on his adoption. God has also opened the
door for a birth ministry at my church. One of my visions is to be a
resource for unplanned pregnancy situations, families looking to
adopt, and supporting birth moms who make an adoption plan for their
baby. Although I still have many very difficult struggles in my
life, I hold on to the dreams God has given me.
~Jessica~
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Twelve Layer Salad
2 cups spinach leaves -- sliced
2 medium carrots
1 1/2 cups sliced celery
2 cups red cabbage -- thinly sliced
2 cups broccoli florets
2 cups lettuce -- chopped
1 medium bell pepper -- sliced
1 medium sliced tomato
1 1/2 cups green beans -- cooked crisp tender, cooled
1 cup finely chopped fresh parsley -- divided
15 ounces canned red kidney beans -- drained and rinsed
1 medium red onion -- thinly sliced
Layer spinach, carrots, celery,
cabbage, broccoli, lettuce, Pepper, tomato, green beans, 1/2 cup
parsley, kidney beans, and onion In 2 1/2 quart glass salad bowl.
Spread vegan Caesar salad dressing over top and Sprinkle with
remaining 1/2 cup parsley. Serve immediately or Refrigerate up to 24
hours.
Vegan Caesar Salad Dressing
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons nutritional yeast flakes
2 tablespoons almonds, blanched and ground
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
In a small bowl, combine the mustard,
nutritional yeast, almonds, and garlic. Make a paste.
*Whisk in the water, lemon juice, soy sauce, olive oil and white
pepper.
*I prefer to blend the ingredients together in a mini-blender or
using a hand-held immersion blender for a creamier consistency.
Refrigerate until ready to serve. Adjust seasonings if necessary.
Have a good recipe? Share it here!
Now THAT Makes Sense!
Three year old
Blake is going to attend Aunt Angela's wedding next weekend.
He has never attended a wedding before.
"I'll see you soon," Grandma Susan told him as they
were ending a phone conversation.
"Ohhh, are you coming here?" he asked.
"No, we're going to Aunt Angela's wedding! Do you
know what a wedding is?" asked Grandma Susan pretty sure he had
never been to a wedding before.
"No." he said.
"Well, when a man and woman fall in love they want to
stay together forever so they get married and kiss," she answered.
He paused and then chimed in, "Now THAT makes sense!!!"
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