It's been a long time yet again...and my faithful followers are remaining faithful but pretty soon might give up on me! It's been a whirlwind of a month and had plenty of ups and downs. The holidays always invite craziness and add the 20+ families I work with and this season that proved itself to be true yet again.
About a year ago two beautiful young ladies had made their home in my house and my bed and i was ripped way out of my comfort zone as I walked the road of grieving the loss of their mother with them. It was tragic and heart-breaking but one of the most real times in my life where I tried desperately to be Jesus and love these girls even when I didn't feel like I knew how. I remember the day of the funeral returning home from the office to help iron their clothes and get them ready and my house was filled with the laughter and the aroma of the flat iron- these children absolutely amazed me. Those moments of laughter when all the siblings were together squished in my little house began the process of healing togheter and made them stronger as a family. It was a hard start to the year but proof yet again of God's faithfulness and that He goes before all things and works all things together.
I made the decision final in the next few months of the beginning of 2010 to move back home. Never did I think I would move back home but my heart yearned to be here and I knew it was time. It was hard to tell those that were so dear to me, but I knew in my heart of hearts it was right, and that has continually proven to be true.
My three years in Detroit taught me invaluable lessons, but most of all taught me how to love beyond what was within me but with what Christ has given me. So, I loaded up the (not so trusty lately, grr) Bonnie and my dearest friend Dana and we journeyed back home.
Home has been everything and more than I thought it could be. I have laughed more and slept less than I could have ever asked for, and been provided for in ways that I coudln't have imagined. My family and community here welcomed me back with open arms and I am so blessed.
However, it's funny how God carves your path as this year ended similar to how it started with tragedy and heart ache, but this time it was not new to me. A family I work with had a house fire three days before Christmas and lost everything. This mother and I are very close due to various other tragedies and yet she stands strong and fights hard for her children- a precious 3 and 7 year old. So, the apartment hunt began, donations came rolling in, and an effort to make Christmas happen for this family was immediately in the works. We fought hard for three days I felt major defeat but saw truly miraculous works of God and hours before Christmas eve they were in a beautiful apt with Christmas tree in tow. Most mornings I felt helpless, not sure where to turn to except the arms of Christ and though I have to admit I almost gave up hope- He proved yet again to go before all things. The week before Christmas and ones following have been hard, and led me to uncharted territory. But as proven in my last three years of ministry He doesn't leave your side. The love and grace of Christ gave me power yet again to love like Jesus and be His hands and feet. I am so honored and blessed to walk with this family who has truly become like my own.
Today we took the 7 year old to a new school due to the move and a little part of my heart cried with him when we waved goodbye. He is so precious to me. Then we went to change some addresses as well and worked with a woman named Becca. My friend thought her name was vaca...which means cow in Spanish...so there we sat in the social services waiting room laughing til we cried that some crazy American was named cow. Benilda sat there and mooed and I had tears of laughter in my eyes. Don't worry, I cleared things up and assured her we aren't all that crazy, at least not crazy enough to name our children after cows. This was exactly where I wanted to be, and know I needed to be sharing life with this precious friend of mine. It hasn't been easy and there has been ups and downs, but I have been absolutely blessed with a burden to get calls at 2am and drive around for days looking at apartments, and deliver blankets and pillows on Christmas eve morning as I love the people the good Lord has entrusted me with.
Absolutely, positively so blessed to call this my life.
