RESPITE = SHORT TERM BREAK

RESPITE CARE = SHORT TERM TEMPORARY RELIEF TO THOSE WHO ARE CARING FOR CHILDREN IN THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM

I had the honor to provide respite care for my sister's 5 foster peeps this weekend.  They are 11, 8, 4, 3, and 3.  Two sibling groups.  4 girls and 1 boy.  I had them from 5 p.m. Friday till 3 p.m. on Sunday.

I wasn't sure what the weekend would hold.  I've cared for them one other time before, but just over night.  They are the sweetest little peeps.  They are in the foster care system.  They come from two different families.  That is where the similarities end.  One sibling group comes from a huge well known family in the community.  Their parents never miss a visit.  Their parents

ALWAYS.BRING.A.PRESENT.TO.EACH.VISIT.TWICE.A.WEEK

The other sibling group are lucky if mom shows up for her visit.  No dad in the picture.  No gifts.  They come from a really rough environment, lived in a home with no running water.  Only bathed once a week.  Seems so unbelievable.  They live here in the good ole USA and they had no running water.  And they were only able to bathe once a week when their mama heated water on the stove for them.  And this was their life, this was normal for them.  But now, they  have their own beds, my sister is teaching them about hygiene and keeping their bodies clean.  They have clean clothes, someone cares whether they do their homework, someone cares that they have three nutritious meals a day, someone cares that they bathe everyday.

I see the differences between these to sibling groups.  The one group that has experienced so little just soak everything up.  They appreciate every single thing. And, they don't expect "more, bigger, better."  Then I see the other sibling group that comes from an upper middle class upbringing that are showered with "stuff".  They don't seem to appreciate  or get when they are given something special, a treat, a surprise.

I wasn't sure what I'd do with 5 kids for an entire weekend.  I didn't now how I would handle if one of them threw an enormous screaming fit that goes on for hours that is known to happen on a regular basis in that household.  But I did know one thing, my sister and brother~in~love needed a respite weekend, to refresh, to relax, to just spend time with each other without any little people hanging on then, tattling, calling their names 50x every minutes.

They were almost empty nesters, my nephew is graduating from high school in June and my nieces have been on their own for a while now. 

 Almost.Empty.Nesters.

But God had other ideas.  He broke their hearts for the things that breaks His.  Children needing a safe, loving home.  They were asked if they wanted to be on the foster/adopt program.  They said NO.  They don't feel that is the path God is leading them on.  They feel they are to love as many kids as God places in their home.

My weekend with these little treasures was

INCREDIBLE!!!!

We did not watch TV, all weekend!  Friday night I read book after book to the three little ones while the two older ones colored and created fabulous drawings.  Dinner was uneventful.  I gave them two choices, grilled cheese or quesadillas.  Each got to chose what they were having for dinner, everyone cleaned their plates.

Saturday morning again they had the choice of what to eat, cereal or eggs/bacon/toast.  Again, no complaints, and everyone ate.

Then we had some fun.  We went to the beach and ran, skipped, jumped, and collected buckets full of seashells.  The kiddos had a blast!  No whining, no tattling, no crying!!!

I did use a little bribery.  They were told if they behaved, I'd take them to the movies after dinner.  THOSE LITTLE PEEPS WERE WONDERFUL.  Again, dinner went off without a hitch.  They did their chores.  And, we went to see Gnomeo and Juliette.  They loved it!

When we got home we then had a dance party.  Head/Shoulders/Knees/Toes, Hokey Pokey, Macarena, musical chairs.  They laughed.  They giggled.   They screamed.  They danced.  It was so fun to watch these little treasures just being kids and having fun.  Not having to worry about someone hurting them, or neglecting them.  The least of these here in our own backyard.

Sunday I wasn't sure what we'd do.  I decided to surprise them with a trip to Ostrichland USA, which is about 30 minutes down the road from my sis's place.  They were all excited in anticipation of what their surprise would be.  The group that came from the not so nice home ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT.  The other group looked around and said "where's the surprise?" 

All the kids got to feed the ostriches and emus.  They did have a good time.  And the best part of all, they were all very well behaved.

My sister on the other hand, came down with the flu and spent the entire weekend in their hotel rooming puking her guts out.  Poor kid.  But at least she got to do it in peace without 5 little people calling her name every 22 seconds, without 5 little people knocking on her bedroom door every minute of the day.

And, as soon as she got home and I was on my way home, the fighting, the whining, the tattling, the fits started.  Yes, these 5 little peeps are comfortable, safe, and at home with my sis...they act just like normal siblings, in a normal home, with parents that love them.

I was truly blessed to have been able to spend this time with them.  It has opened my eyes to a big need right in my own backyard.

There are kids everywhere who need someone to love them.  Who need someone to care about them.  Who need someone to teach them about taking care of their bodies.  Who need someone to teach them about Jesus.  Who need someone to tell them they are loved, they are wanted, they are special.

Jesus tells us when we do for the least of these, we do for Him...

Resting in the SON,

~s

May The Lord Bless You

May the Lord Bless you

and protect you.

May the Lord smile on you

and be gracious to you.

May the Lord show you his favor

and give you  his peace.

Numbers 6:24-26

Resting in the SON,

~s

Angel Flight - Bringing A Hero Home

This brings tears to my eyes.  Being married to a career mility man now retired this video brings me to tears.  Because it is too  real for me.  My guy could have come home on an Angel Flight.  Thankfully and by the grace of God he didn't.  But too many have and my heart breaks for their families.

The men and women of our armed forces are true heroes...and so are their families that are left at home.  When a soldier goes to war the family goes to war.

HEROES. EVERY. SINGLE. ONE. OF. THEM

If you see a soldier at the airport, grocery store, around town, stop and say thank you.  It's because of them that we live in the land of the free...

BECAUSE.OF.THE.BRAVE



Resting in the SON,
~s

BLESSED!

The Lord blessed me with two sons. I have really enjoyed being a mom to boys. They are rough and tumble, loud, sports minded. FUN!

He also blessed me with a very understanding, supportive husband. I've been in California for almost two years now. I've been BLESSED to be a part of Little Miss' life these past almost two years. Little Miss is our first grandchild. I arrived in California when she was 4 days old. In a few weeks, she'll be two.

I am BLESSED to get to spend every Monday with her. We do all sorts of fun things. Story time at the library, nature walks, and visiting all the parks in our area.


I am BLESSED to have this time with her. She has traveled back to the farm with me several times to visit Papa. Soon, life will be different for me and time spent with her will be limited to a few days every couple of months.

Nothing puts a smile on my face and in my heart faster than Little Miss.

This is my biggest BLESSING. He has grown into an amazing human being, an amazing husband, and an awesome daddy.

I am BLESSED to have a beautiful daughter~in~love who loves my boy. Who embraces my relationship with my son, and who shares her precious little girl with me.

I am BLESSED to watch their mother/daughter relationship evolve and grow.

I love these kids and when the time comes for me to head home to the farm, I will miss them so much my heart will hurt and feel like it will explode in my chest.

I am BLESSED. Not everyone is lucky enough to be able to watch their little one's first two years of life first hand. I am BLESSED with a husband who understands this deployment I have been on.

And I am BLESSED with a heavenly Father that loves me and made the way for this to happen.

Resting in the SON,

~s

GOT LOVE? Adopt

GOT LOVE?

ADOPT

Isn't this just an awesome thought? This is Minus1project.blogspot.com idea and they've got some really awesome tshirts in really great colors they are selling to help fund their adoption.

Head on over to their blog and check it out. Leave them a comment and let them know you stopped by. Become a follower. Purchase a tshirt or a water bottle...

GOT LOVE?

Help make it minus 1 by helping this family bring home their child.

Resting in the Son,

~s

70 x 7

70 x 7 = 490

That is exactly how many times Jesus tells us we are to forgive people who are mean, nasty, and just plain evil towards us. Seems like an awful lot of times...so what happens when you surpass 490...do you still have to forgive?



Personally, I think by the time you reach 490, it will be so ingrained in you to forgive who ever this person or people are, you continue to do it because it has become a habit and because it is the right thing to do. Just like Jesus would.



Jesus also tells us we are to pray for our enemies and these evil people who pride themselves on causing others pain. I guess their own lives must not be so happy and cheery if they have nothing better to do than to try to cause harm and misery to others. Seriously, if their own lives were as fulfilling and happy as they say, why would they waste time on trying to harm others? It takes a lot of energy to be hateful and hate filled.



Let's face it, it isn't the easiest thing to pray for people who are mean. Honestly, what's that saying - MEAN PEOPLE SUCK? It's true, but we are still commanded to pray for them. And even if it is not heartfelt, we're still supposed to do it. Seriously, how heart felt can you get towards someone who only wants to cause you misery and pain?



God tells us to. And I am sure God knows it isn't heart felt. But I don't think that is the point. I think the point of it all is, we're being obedient to God when we do it. And I know if you continue to pray for who ever these mean people are in your life, it gets easier. And it gets more sincere. And so what if they don't even know you are praying for them, GOD KNOWS! And that is all that matters. Being obedient to my Father in Heaven.



I have the New Living Translation One Year Bible, and I've been reading it faithfully and am completely up to date on my reading. Each day before I open it I ask God to help me understand and retain what I am reading. And guess what? It is happening. I am absorbed, interested, entertained, enlighted. I AM HOOKED.



I AM HOOKED ON READING MY BIBLE!



I want to keep on reading, and I probably will start doing just that. Who knows, I may finish in less than a year!



I used to read my bible regularly, I've read thru several of the different books, but it seemed like a chore at times. I read it becuase I knew I should. But now, my heart has changed. I am enjoying getting to know my Savior even more intimately by studying His word.



Mercy, was Pharaoh a big, fat, pig headed jerk or what? I'm like, dude, seriously? Egypt's entire water system being turned into blood, frogs crawling all over the place, gnats covering everything and everybody, boils on your animals and all the people, all your livestock dropping dead, flies all over the place, the worst hail storm EVER in Egypt and you still are screwing around with God?



WHAT AN IDIOT!

I am seeking after God. Craving for an intimacy that only He can fill. And, the only way to get it is to search His word, to spend time with Him each and every day. To pray without ceasing. To talk to Him, like I was talking to a friend. Because He is my friend. And He loves me unconditionally. Forever and ever and ever and ever. HE just rocks my world and it is so stinkin' AWESOME!

I want to be more like Jesus. I want to learn to love those mean people who suck. I want to learn to turn the other cheek. Because that is what my sweet Jesus does. And I want to be like Him. And I want to be His hands and feet.

Lord, continue to break my heart for the things that break yours.

Resting in the SON,

~s

Blessed!

A couple of weeks ago I was on a photo shoot and tragedy struck.

I.DROPPED.MY.CAMERA.

I use my camera almost daily. Love seeing the world thru my camera lens. She was my BFF, my trusted companion, and I rarely went anywhere without her. Until almost three weeks ago.

I've been cameraless for almost three weeks now. My first thought - after wanting to throw up and cry - was to go right out and purchase a new camera. My subject for the day, Little Miss, was oblivious to what had happened. She was just glad I didn't have the black box in her face any more. Later that day, after sharing with the hubs about the tragedy, I got an earful from the hubs about how it should have been in the case, how I always sling that thing around, yada yada yada. He was right, of course, but it didn't help how I felt at the time.

Once I was over the shock and awe of killing my Nikon, I started researching, comparing prices, reading reviews, etc. I had been using a Nikon Coolpix L100 and it took great pictures, was automatic point and shoot, and was very user friendly. A long standing dream of mine has been to upgrade to a DSLR with the ability to change lenses. I've always told myself someday I'll take it to the next level. But for time being, my faithful Nikon point and shoot worked just fine and I just couldn't justify spending the $$ to upgrade when my camera was perfectly fine.

Then tragedy struck due to my carelessness and I was in the situation of finding a replacement. Do I go with the same thing, try something new, different brand, take it to the next level now that I was in the position of having to replace my Nikon, buy what I could afford now and make due? So I prayed about it, talked to the hubs about it, and decided to not run out and replace it right away. I would wait until I had enough $$ stashed away to buy a DSLR.

The decision felt right. Yet I felt naked without my camera. I literally have been having withdrawals. Each time Little Miss does something absolutely adorable and I can't capture it on film, goodness what am I to do?

Keeping my eyes on the prize and being patient, calculating how long it will take me to save the $$ needed to purchase the camera. I researched, compared, and finally found the camera I would be purchasing, a Pentax K-X. Once the decision was made, I felt at peace with it. Now all I have to do was be patient and continue with my saving plan so I could pay cash for it. I was adamant that I would not go into debt buying it on credit.

Then something happened. The hubs made an announcement that he was blessing me with an early Valentine's gift...

Meet my newest BFF. Isn't she pretty?

She should arrive late next week!

I.AM.SO.STINKIN'.BLESSED!

Thank you Love, you rock my world!

Resting in the SON,

~s