To Coder Elementary

Life Changers:

I want to thank you all for loving my children.   The way you received my family is something we will always remember.

On the way home there was a silence in the car that was deafening amongst Jordan and Ava.  I was in the front driving through the tears that was flowing from my eyes.  The tears were those that you always want a reason to have but you never want to experience.

Let me explain...

There are a few things in your life that you really long for, one of them being that your children are loved and are safe.  When you place them out in the "world" you only pray and hope that they are surrounded by others that love and care for them with the same mindset that you have.  When this occurs, you are overjoyed.  This was the reason for the tears driving home today.

You guys at Coder loved our family beyond anything we have experienced.  We are very grateful for the way you opened up your lives to our family.  Words cannot express the gratitude we have.  Please know that what you do makes a difference each day.  Please know that the long hours do make an impact.  The patience, joy, and love does not go without notice!

When I headed to Coder today to pick up the kids for the last time, I had no idea the emotion that I would feel.  The deep feeling originates only from those that open their lives to you and receive yours for what it is.

We love each of you and will miss you dearly.

John, Christi, Terah, Ava, and Jordan

The House With Upstairs and a Backyard

Sounds like a funny name for a blog title, but that is our reality right now.  For the last few days that has been the question reverberating around our dinner table.

Jordan asked Christi and I where our house was?
"You know momma and daddy the one with upstairs and a backyard!"

Change is real for our family right now, and we are all feeling it.  To step out in this journey the unknowns are a constant conversation upon my tongue to God.  I find myself asking him to relieve the pressure on the little ones and give me, John, wisdom on how to serve them and walk with them through this change.  Not combatting their answers with quick responses but taking the time to listen and direct them along this path.

I covet your prayers for our kids as they journey with us.

To GOD be the Glory!

The Right Perspective

On our way back from the kids getting shots, Terah shout out, "Oh my..."  Concerned with what was wrong, I asked her.  She responded with reading a report from International Justice Mission.  Here is part of the story she was reading:

"Last fall, Malavika was five years old – the age my own daughters started school. But Malavika was spending each day as she had the one before: sitting on the hard dirt next to her mother, helping to crush rocks, as her father carried massive stones out of a deep pit. Though she was young, Malavika knew enough to understand her home – a remote and massive granite quarry – was a terrible place.

Malavika’s parents were slaves. The fabric of her childhood was a cycle of abuse, pain, work and need. It was hearing the vulgar shouts of the owner and his henchmen berating the labourers and threatening to sexually assault the women..."  (A link to the entire story)

As she was reading the story, I had a reality check.  It is so important for us to to keep a KINGOM PERSPECTIVE; such as the one Jesus shares in Matthew 6:20.

When she finished reading , Terah and I had a daddy-daughter moment.  One in which we felt the same emotion  The soul thought was how important it is for us to keep our heart on the following:

1.  Jesus loves us.

2.  Jesus has placed a deep love for our brothers and sisters in Haiti.

3.  Jesus has called us to serve in Haiti.

4.  We have no other choice but to obey Jesus.

As we get ever so close December 27th, we more than ever have to keep the Kingdom perspective.  It is easy to get wrapped up in "what you are leaving" instead of the "ONE who is calling?"

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Saying Goodbye To My Dog

One of the hardest parts was leaving my dog, kelsey. I have had her since I was five. She was one of my christmas gifts. It seemed like she was always there through my moves to new schools to my families move from Colorado to Texas. She was there trudging through the snow when she'd rather be in her nice warm bed by the fire. She was always there, and I thought she always would be there. But you don't know how much you love things until they're gone. I know that what we are doing in haiti is much bigger than that. But nothing will replace the spot that Kelsey had, and always will have in my heart .