Friday, August 30, 2013

You is kind. You is smart. You is important. - Aibileen Clark

All children need an Aibileen Clark in their life. Speaking words of love, kindness and truth. I watched The Help shortly after we came home from Ukraine with SJ. For the past two years I have been able to put her little face in my hands and whisper similar words to her. Every single day. 

She knows she is kind, smart, important. Loved. She is safe. She knows her Daddy in Heaven loves her and her Daddy on earth adores her. She knows her mommy loves her beyond measure. She is home. But so many children are without an Aibileen Clark, they live with no voice of truth, no comfort and no love. 

This past summer we hosted a beautiful 15 year old girl. Her story is hers to tell. I know as she grows older she will impact the Kingdom of God. The past three weeks we have gone from a home with four children to a home with three again. It has been an emotional adjustment and a time of reflection. 

Driving home from the airport three weeks ago I listened to my nine year old sob for three hours, missing Luda. Grieving. I cried also as I thought about our time with Luda. I realized that even though we are not perfect - we are loud, life is messy & so is the house sometimes...Luda experienced great love here.

We were her safe place to fall. The arms that wrapped around her when no words would come. The comfort when tears overcame her. The voices that told her she is loved, precious, smart, important, kind, compassionate, talented, beautiful, adored...even when she doesn't think so. Even when she makes mistakes, even when we do. She knows it is okay to make mistakes. She is loved. We were the voices that told her how much her Daddy in heaven loves her.

For the first time in her 15 years we were her Aibileen Clark. The comfort and love every child needs. 

We took her back to the airport three weeks ago and watched as she and 11 other children slowly slipped out of sight. Not knowing what their future would become. Sobbing children and families. We watched young children as they put on their brave faces and began the journey back to a place so very far away. Children who have had so much pain in their lives. I wondered, as I watched them waving and calling goodbye...how many goodbyes have they had in their short lives?

We watched heartache come to life. 

In the midst of pain we give the glory to God and know He has orchestrated every step.






Friday, August 9, 2013

Where Did It Go?


Summer.

How have nearly three months passed since the kids flew out of the school, SJ with cookie cake remnants left on her face from the summer birthday celebration on the last day of school, Paige with her backpack trailing behind her as she talked non stop about the beach, Texas and a special visitor's arrival.


It has been a summer filled with family, friends and mixed emotions!

Last day of kindergarten and 3rd grade


Spending time with precious family in Texas...I leave a piece of my heart there every time we have to come back home.





Texas heat/extreme humidity calls for desperate measures. Solution = giant slip n slide. 

And home made ice cream



Little One turned six this summer!! This summer we celebrated two years of having this little firecracker in our family! 

Beach fun with friends



Thankful for the time the Lord has given us this summer, the bonds we have made with those God has brought into our lives the past few months and looking forward to school starting back.

Did I just say that? The "s" word? One going back to public school, homework, after school activities and so much more. 

Definitely looking forward to a new season, cooler weather and all the fun Fall brings. 













Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Shout...

 "My lips will SHOUT for JOY, when I sing praises to you; my soul also, which you have redeemed."


Little One filled with JOY

and 

JOY she brings.
             


          "Joy is the serious business of Heaven.” ~ C.S. Lewis