Sadly, one of our foster girls left us a couple weeks ago to go back and live with her extended family. I have struggled to blog about this as I have mixed feelings about it.

Discipline is an area that a lot of people disagree on. We don't use physical discipline with our foster girls. One reason is they have already been physically abused in their life. We are trying to help them deal with this wound and feel like additional forms of physical punishment with set them back even farther.

But teens push.

And push.

And push!

One lesson we learned through this circumstance is that when dealing with unacceptable and defiant behavior with a teen, is all adults in that teens life have to stand united on the ultimate outcome and uphold the same punishment. David and I were on the same page but others involved in this child's life had different visions of how to correct her behavior.

When it came down to her behavior being potentially very harmful to herself, we called her extended family, who she lived with before and told them we could no longer be responsible for her.

What makes us very sad is this child is now missing out on the opportunity to go to school. She is vision impaired which makes it more difficult to find a school that will accept her. Her family is looking for a school in their area.

Please pray that God opens doors of opportunity for this child especially in the area of education.

Happy Valentine's Day to my Odessa! (David too of course!)

"Our willingness to wait reveals the value we place

 on the object we are waiting for."

-Charles Stanley

I have been waiting 1,013 days 

and will wait a thousand more as long as I get to spend them with you...

That's how much I love you...

2nd House of Hope Finished!

I woke up Monday morning with the task of going to Peredo and hiring someone help the family Invest Hope is helping rebuild their house.

I was surprised to find that our girls didn't have school that day. What a perfect service project for us to do together!

We love opportunities like this where our girls get a change to serve in their own community and country. Odessa was thrilled she was going to get to paint. The teens not so much but they came along.

 And then they worked very hard in the hot sun and ended up having fun! Go figure...

 

I played the pregnancy card that day and was the project manager and photographer. Our intern, Santana Davis, jumped in a painted too.

By that afternoon we were done. The house is complete! This is one happy family who send their thanks to everyone who helped them rebuild their house. They contributed lots of time and effort into this project as well. David and I were so happy with their work ethic and gratitude.

Your donations went to help this family rebuild their home and give them hope. Thank you!

The older kids in our "Kids Today, Adults Tomorrow" program continue to work on their Embroidery skills about one Saturday a month. The remaining Saturdays have new projects and lessons.

 

  Pictured above, Patricia, our Children's Director, is teaching embroidery stitches to a teen.

 

Surprisingly, the guys are REALLY good at embroidery.  

 I, however, do not have embroidery skills. But I do enjoy working with the younger kids, teaching them bible stories and the lessons that come out of them. And I LOVE the fact that you NEVER know what this age group is going to say so it keeps you on your toes!

 


 

This was 2 Saturdays ago when we talked about courage and used the story of Esther as a great example. The kids loved making their own sparkling crowns and then danced and sang songs wearing them.

Your support of Invest Hope goes to help fund this children's group, specifically the craft materials we purchase. Thank you for continuing to support this program.

~The kids really thank you~