Missionary Living

What an experience I've had the past couple of days! I attended the Alabama CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) conference in Birmingham today. CASAs are assigned to foster children to meet with them on a regular basis, get to know them, and provide information to the court during hearings concerning their cases. The goal is to ensure that kids don't linger in the system, that they receive the services they need, and that placements are appropriate. It's a wonderful program! There is a new CASA program starting in Lee County hopefully by next Spring, and we want BigHouse to be a strong partner with them. So I signed up for the conference.

Last night I drove up Hwy 280 to Mountain Brook where I stayed with Heather's family, whom I haven't seen for a couple of years at least. They were so hospitable - sheets turned down on the bed and all! I got to visit with them for a long time and tell them all about what God is doing at BigHouse; it was great!

This morning I got to the conference - on time, without any traffic or parking problems! Answered prayers! I made a new friend at breakfast, Cari who works with a non-profit called Family Bridges which serves at-risk families in Clay, AL. She went to high school with my sweet college roommate and dear friend, Jennifer! So we had a lot in common.

The speaker I followed to each session today was Holly Schlaak who wrote a book called Invisible Kids. She was an excellent speaker - engaging, passionate, knowledgeable. She told several stories of her experiences working as a caseworker and Guardian Ad Litem for foster children in Cincinnati, OH.

The whole day I felt overwhelmed by the need of these children, the sinfulness of our fallen world that has led to the destruction of our families and children, and the broken heart of God. I felt so burdened to share the love of Jesus with someone - and what an appointment God had in store for me! I met a man named Rufus - a security guard in the parking garage and I shared with him a little bit about my day, and that I wanted him to know that Jesus loved him. He shared with me that he was a believer and he was glad that I had stopped to talk with him.

I got back to my car, completely overwhelmed by the love of God and His willingness to use me for anything. It was wonderful, and all too much. So I called my friend Julie and had a great conversation. Afterwards I was just driving in traffic, not paying attention because I was busy worshipping, and then I looked around and noticed I was in Alabaster on Hwy 31 - NOT on 280 like I thought! So I was all confused, and got on I-65 like the GPS wanted me to, but was still like 2 hrs from Opelika, so I called Julie back and she told me I could spend the night at her parents' house in Clanton. I'd stayed there once before with her, and her parents are wonderful, so I definitely was ok with that option.

Her parents - SO SWEET! I was so relieved to get here and feel at home, and got fed a delicious meal, and took a shower, and now I'm ready to get in the bed. God is SO GOOD to me!

Fall Festival

Mr. Incredible and 3 Blind Mice and a sleepy puppy.

That's what I'm talking about!

Cool dudes.

Blind faces.

Face painting! Cheyenne - such a cute flapper!

The Hard Part

Yesterday we expected all of our kids to be back from Fall Break - we were one short. We were informed that he had been placed with a family member in FL and had already moved. Isn't it amazing how FAST that happens, yet adoption takes sooooo long? And by amazing I mean ridiculous, cruel, unfair, and terrible. We didn't even get to say goodbye. I felt robbed. We would have thrown a party! We would have hugged him! But instead, we got no closure. It feels like getting kicked in the stomach. Micah and I both cried. A rarity, I assure you. We're not criers. But we love our kids! And we want them to know! I hate having to wonder if he knew that we cared about him, that we were sad he left, that we loved him, and that we miss him already. It took my breath away to realize the uncertainty that these children face in foster care. How can they do this to people? To kids? It feels like court-ordered abduction. It certainly doesn't feel like the best thing for anyone.

It also awakened me to the importance of telling every child that they are loved, not only by us but by Jesus. I feel sure that this little boy understood that - I even mentioned it to my Sunday School class on Sunday before I knew what had happened. He had mentioned God several times at BigHouse. I realize that we never know how much time we have with anyone, but this brought it especially close to home. I want to be more intentional. It's of utmost importance. I miss our boy. I pray that he is taken care of, and loved, and safe, and happy, and not afraid. God never intended for this system of foster care to happen. It's messed up and broken and hurtful, like the rest of our fallen world.

What day is it anyway?

So fall break is over and Wednesday is my mostly unstructured day anyway, which makes for a very confusing life! I got up this morning and walked to the park and RAN the exercise track. Yes, ran, and didn't even feel that out of shape - playing tag with the girls has done wonders for me. I kinda want to go get them and take them to the playground before it gets dark this evening...

I went to lunch with Micah - I feel like I haven't talked to her in ages! It was fun. Came to BigHouse and my Wednesday volunteers knocked everything out so fast I sent them home early.

Tonight I'm helping Micah and Natalie get decorations ready for a ladies event at the church tomorrow night - they've worked so hard getting everything together! I'm so proud of them.

Little girls, little girls

I am having a fantastic fall break with Ariel, Cheyenne, and Felicity. They're Micah's little sisters by adoption. Their parents are out of town, enjoying some much-needed and deserved break from the littles. So I'm getting to enjoy time with them. Friday night was our Kids' Night - we have a sad lack of pictures due to our BH camera messing up, but I can tell you it was a blast. Micah and I shared a feeling of being one step ahead of disaster the whole night, but God is in the details too and everything went off without the kids noticing any hitch! I brought the girls home and we sent their family on their way.

Saturday I took them to Frog Legs, a party place with inflatables. Here are some pics:

Lissy and Cheyenne - action shot!

Ariel - the big slides looked like soo much fun!

Then we came home and made popcorn balls:

That is one serious popcorn ball!

Girls have to model everything, obviously!

Today we went to church - well-dressed and on-time, mind you! Took a picnic lunch to the park afterward and played hard on the playground. I would like to know how many calories playing tag with three elementary schoolers burns in 45 minutes. Came home and took a nap then did a 5-minute tidy of the livingroom and went back to the park by popular demand. This time we did the exercise track - a one mile loop with 8 exercise stations. I've done it twice before, but never running between all the stations! Whew. Then of course we needed another hour of playground time! I may not be able to move in the morning. haha Didn't take any pictures today - lame, I know. Too busy playing! I'm a terrible photographer.

Got pizza and watched "Diary of A Wimpy Kid" tonight - sweet, funny, sometimes sad, but really good I thought. Worth the redbox dollar in case you were wondering! We also got "Letters to Juliet" which we're saving for tomorrow. Oh the girls were so tired and on the verge of meltdowns tonight. But everyone got a bath and got in bed by 9. So they got to enjoy staying up a little later, and hopefully they'll sleep in tomorrow! I'm not holding my breath though. Setting my alarm for 6:15 again!

Yesterday's Songwriting Class

Here is the masterpiece created by the BigHouse Songwriting Class yesterday! (Tune of "My Favorite Things" from the Sound of Music)

Sweet candy apples and pies made of pumpkin,
hoodies, and blue jeans, and leaf piles for jumpin'
birds singing softly on windy mornings,
these are a few of our favorite fall things.

Halloween costumes, and trick-or-treating,
hiking, and camping, and turkeys for eating,
football and hayrides, leaves falling from trees,
these are a few of our favorite fall things.

When the night falls, when the wolf howls,
When I'm feeling sad, I simply remember my favorite fall things,
and then I don't feel so bad!

We're getting our playground finished today and getting ready for Kids' Night Out on Friday! I'm keeping Micah's 3 little sisters Friday night through Tuesday while their parents are out of town. Should be a par-tay!

BigHouse Second Saturday

Getting our playground ready, respite for foster parents, games and fun for our kids!
My boys Brian and Chris

Teen girls painting canvases indoors

Our worker men

Kids playing outdoors