sTiCkY NoTeS

Vermon and I were out of town in April for almost a week without our kiddos. Leaving town is always hard for me (and them!). I'm sure no child likes having Mommy gone for a few days, but especially children whose life began with some difficult losses, having Mommy away brings up a flood of emotions for our children. And I typically feel nervous, anxious, and guilty for whatever negative emotions might come up for them as a result of us being away.

But this time when we came home, I was surprised to see how well the kids did (compared to past shorter trips away). Their sadness/missing us seemed more normal child behavior. It was much less about their past and more about just missing their Mommy and Daddy. Instead of returning to tantrums and super emotional children, we returned to stacks of pictures and projects made for us. This was very exciting to me and just another answer to prayer as I watch the Lord continue to heal my children, mend their broken hearts, and knit their lives to ours.

A few days after we returned I cleaned out Marcel's lunch box and found a sticky note from one of the young ladies in our church who helped get Marcel to/from school. "Marcel, I'm praying for you. Have a great day!" I cannot tell you what it meant to me to read that note. Sticky notes in lunch boxes are what I do for my son and to know that even that small detail was still taken care of filled me with such joy. My children are deeply loved and cared for by their church family and I know that a large part of why it seems like Marcel and Mya have grown so much in such a short period of time is because the role our church family has played in loving them.

And it wasn't just sticky notes in lunch boxes...another friend picked Marcel up for a special play date. Another took Mya on special "Target" shopping trips so she'd have time to talk one-on-one about how the week was going. Another took them on special trips over the weekend to explore old ghost towns and eat pistachio ice cream.

And none of this was necessary...my dad ("Grampy") was doing a great job taking care of them and loving on them, but having so many other friends take the time to check in with them made such a difference...

...I'm so thankful for a church family that cares not only about physical needs being met for the orphan, but their heart needs as well. I know that the Roosevelt Church community has been instrumental in my children's healing and I am so thankful for my family.