This time last year I promised myself I would blog more. I would take time to journal the things that matter most day to day, but I seem to forget as the year goes by. Well, I didn't! I will try again in 2011. Many HUGE life changes this year happened in Jacksonville.....
The most notable is the beginning of our journey as a foster family. In April of this year Robb and I completed the process to become foster parents and within 2 weeks our family of 6 became a family of 10. That in itself sounded absurd. Who in there right mind CHOOSES to parent 8 children?????? The same 2 people that will later choose to parent 12!!! So far 20 children have come through that door and each one has brought their own unique qualities to love. We have had our heart broken multiple times as we've said good bye to children we loved and we've had our hearts overflow with joy as we watch little lives transform when met with the love of Jesus. I would have not been able to write our story better. I have seen changes in each one of us as we have faithfully walked this journey. The #1 comment we receive, which is also the one that provokes the deepest thought in me is "I could never do that, how do you let them leave?" . My response is this: That is why you do it. If you don't want to let them leave it's because you loved them the way Jesus calls us to. If you don't want them to leave that means you are loving selflessly and with correct focus. My concern would be if your heart didn't ache when a child you've loved on has to leave your home for any reason. My prayer for our family is that our hearts continue to ache-so I know we are doing this for the right reasons and that God chose the right family to love on His precious children.
Another big change that is related to the last is that in order to be able to take in more than 2 children at a time we had to have more than one adult in the home during the day. This led us to hiring help from and amazing woman that is a true joy to "work" with and an awesome friend. It also led us to making the decision to sell our printing equipment and bring Robb back home. We still serve our customers. Robb still does designing, we just contract out for the printing. It has been a huge stress relief and has been quite awesome having him working from home again. He is the best Dad I have ever known and the Jackson kids as well as every other child in our home is blessed to have him there.
Robb and I have learned a lot about each other through this past year. Most lessons being taught through parenting situations. The kids have learned a lot about us as well. Let's just say -they know exactly who to go to for each individual treat or privilege. They go to Dad most of the time, especially if it is $ related. I have learned now more than ever that I have the best parenting partner that God ever created.
Kami's senior year is now 1/2 over. It just seems surreal even typing that. It seems like just yesterday she was going off to her first day of preschool with a scabbed red nose from another one of her "curious explorations" She hasn't changed much in that department, she still has a curious side. I'm just very thankful that her maturity has changed and can sometimes control her curious inclinations. She has grown into an amazing woman. I witnessed her share her story with our group of Teen Moms this year and it the 30 minutes that God spoke through her are now engraved on my heart. She is a remarkable woman of God, I am proud to be her mom. She is now an employee of Chick fil A and we are thankful she now has a paycheck to turn to. Ryte Side is still playing a major role in her life-That crew is dope (an adjective she would choose, and a word she would ask me to never say again). Check them out on YouTube.
Lanni is certainly growing up. I have been amazed at her precious heart, witnessing as she transforms in front of my eyes from a girl in to a young woman. Her level of selflessness warms my soul. She is still the foo foo girly girl that she has always been. You will never catch that girl without a hair accessory-not even when she first wakes up in the morning. Lanni is definitely a social butterfly. Anyone whoever said that homeschooled children are socially challenged seriously needs to spend a day with this girl. She wears me out. She will have her name in lights one day, I can see it now! I hope she remembers who paid for all those lessons! Her laugh is contagious, her smile is uplifting, her heart is transparent, and her boldness for Christ is to be noticed.
Robbie has certainly come into his own on the soccer field. He has always been quite the little athlete, but I think he has now officially claimed his sport. That boy is on fire on the field. His passionate heart is almost as valuable as his left foot. I see more and more of his dad's qualities in him the older he gets. He is an extremely hard worker and committed to doing his best at everything. I am thankful that he passionately loves his family with his whole heart. The woman that I already pray for will be extremely blessed to call him her husband.
Elijah is not a baby anymore. I cannot believe that there were 10 candles on his cake this year. You can't be around that boy with out smiling! He has the exact same beautiful smile that he had 10 years ago. He is still my cuddle bug and I still cherish my Lijah Kisses! He has resumed his lessons in Tae Kwon Do. They were put on hold a few years ago after he broke his leg. He is doing well and I believe has found his niche. The last of our four asked to be baptized. It was a true blessing to watch my husband baptize our baby as he chose to publicly profess his faith in Jesus Christ.
We invest wholly in the ministries we are serving in. Robb took a major step of faith to lead an alternative service at our church. Timing may not have been perfect, but his vision and passion have been contagious and I'm sure we haven't heard the last of Five29. Teen MOPS is growing strong. The year started in March with 5 girls and will come to an end with 29 girls registered. The growth taking place in that group is mind boggling. Not only among the girls involved, but in the leadership team as well. Kami is still enjoying serving with the Kindergartners on Sunday mornings and Lanni with the infants. Both of the girls help with childcare for Teen MOPs and Robbie was so excited to finally be old enough to serve in the Kids ministry. We LOVE our life group and have thoroughly enjoyed growing in Christ alongside some of the most amazing people!
God has truly blessed us in 2010!
Through the year we've had relationships end and relationships begin, old relationships be renewed and new relationships explode. We've experienced heart ache and we've had our cups overflow with love. We've cried many tears and we've laughed till our tummies hurt. We've prayed for miracles and we've witnessed our great Savior showing up. We've watched friends pull away from God and we've witnessed people we love welcome Him into their heart. All in All it's been a pretty full year of life changing, mind blowing, show stopping events. I end this year thankful for more things that I can list, most of all thankful for a family full of people that choose to live for their King!
Merry CHRISTMAS and praying you have a BLESSED new year!
