Wednesday, June 24, 2009

D-I-V-O-R-C-E!

I HATE IT! I hurt for the children that have parents that would give up so easily. I hurt for the families that will be torn apart by two selfish human beings.

There is already enough hurt in the world, why do we have to make it worse by taking something so amazing and full of love, and turning it into something that people despise. Why has marriage become something we can check in and out of with no second thought.

Marriage is hard. It wasn't intended to be easy. When two people stand up and say their vows, they should be doing just that. Making vows. Those vows state "for better, or for worse". I know it's a little cliche, but it means something to me. It means more than just something. It means I'm ALL in. I'm NEVER going to give up. Forever, for always, and no matter what!

I know I'm venting out of anger, but these things, they hurt me. They hurt me a lot. I feel very strongly about them. Why? I don't know. Maybe b/c I have parents who loved each other enough to fight through the hard times. I know what a great marriage looks like and it is a terrible thing when two people give up too early. I've never experienced divorce and I don't know where my passion comes from, but I have it. Now, I just need to figure out how God is going to use it through me.

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Stories from foster care!

I don't really remember a ton about foster care, but the few things I do remember are funny, sad, and comforting!

I remember I had my own bedroom with lots of toys and it was decorated in precious moments. I will never forget precious moments. Anytime I see them to this day it reminds me of the warm love I felt in foster care. My foster dad used to read to me at night before bed and a lot of times he would read out of these two precious moments books. I still have them. Precious moments bedtime stories & stories from the bible.



I remember how the pages smelled and I just love the stories in them. I still have the books and I've noticed after my sister has spent the night a couple of times, the books laying next to her bed :) We still find comfort in them.


Also, my room was ALWAYS clean. I started early as a neat freak. I have a picture of myself right after I cleaned my room and I was sitting at my little table coloring. It was my reward for cleaning. I rewarded myself back then just like I do now!

Another thing I "remember" is that I threw some pretty terrible tantrums. And when I say tantrums I mean, kicking, screaming, breaking toes, call the police kind of tantrums. WHAT!? Brittany?? YES. I broke my foster mom's toe once b/c I kicked it. Another time the neighbors called the police b/c they thought I must have been being abused. (I assure you, I wasn't. I was just a confused, screwed up 5 year old).

My favorite thing about foster care though was how much I was loved. In all the chaos, I had some sort of stability. I had two people that loved the HELL out of me! I know I didn't realize it then, but I realize it now and that is why it is my favorite memory.

Hopefully I will remember more things about foster care and can add them later, but for now this is what I got.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Sleepover follow up!

On May 22, 2009, I invited 5 girls over to spend the night. Girls who are in 5th & 6th grade. No, I don't have my own daughter and it wasn't a birthday party. Yes, it was a brave move, but one I am very glad I took.

I have been teaching these girls every Sunday for the past year or so. I've been building a relationship with them over time. Some of the best relationships I've ever had. These girls have shown me that pre-teens who have their hearts turned to God are AMAZING!!!

We ate LOTS of junk food, played a game, played with Sadie, watched a movie and fell asleep EARLY! Okay 11:00 pm is early for a bunch of preteen girls. I wanted to go to bed at 9:00 when we were playing the game. LOL.




These girls were so good at including everyone. There was one girl who didn't want to listen to "scary" stories so she was going to sit in the other room. One of the other beauties went in there and told her she should just come listen to one b/c they aren't that scary and if she didn't like it she could leave. What a perfect example of the heart of Jesus! Reaching out to those who feel left out! This is just one example of trying to include this particular girl. 5 is an odd number and it's hard to include everyone, but they were GREAT!

When I was a preteen girl, most of my friends (not me of course) would have made fun of her for being scared or something. I am so impressed by the hearts that my girls have. They are truly beautiful young ladies and I LOVE THEM!

I can't wait till our pool party!