Two Sundays ago during church I was sitting with my mom and a teenage girl came down the row with a bunch of people, I didn't pay much attention at the time, I only noticed her, and she sat down in the seat next to me. After worship the girl asked if she could borrow a pen, so my mom lent her one. I noticed her writing things down for most of the service and when I glanced over she seemed to be writing a prayer request. I can't even describe what was going on in my head after I saw this. All I could hear was God saying you need to talk to her and I was thinking the entire time how or what I would say. Finally at the end of service she pulled out the order form for The Story books that we are going through as a church. So I leaned over and asked her if she had a book yet. She said no. So I asked if I could get one for her. She looked me surprised. She said sure, but then said that there were 12 of them and none of them had a book. I was confused and then she told me she was from a group home and there were 12 girls total living there. I glanced down and saw the row filled with teenage girls and their leader. So I said, then lets go get 12 books for all of you. She was shocked and she told the girls who where very surprised and very appreciative. As we got to where the books were sold, I found out that there were actually 7 teens and 5 elementary age girls living in the home. So I bought them all the appropriate books and their leader one as well. They were all so sweet and thankful. I gave the leader my contact info and got hers too. As we left to go get the younger girls, they all promised to read their books and that they would see me next week. Their leader Kelley, told me that this was their very first time going to church as a group and she was nervous but excited to start bringing them and reading with them. We reconnected at the cafe and got the girls all lunch and ice cream. I then found out a little more about their situation and how difficult it is for these girls. I encouraged the girls to come back for high school youth group and put them in contact with some friends who helped connect them. They went and had a great time and can't wait to come back.
At lunch I was able to speak more with their leader, Kelley, and her situation really made an impact on me. She grew up in a group home herself. She went into the Army after high school and got married. Her husband left her after 5 years of marriage and abandoning her and their 3 daughters, ages 1, 3, 4. She now has to work 2 full-time jobs to provide for them. Through talking with her Sunday, texting back and forth and becoming friends on Facebook, she has expressed her gratitude for for everything that happened. When I checked my messages the next morning, she wanted to thank me again for everything that had happened the day before and also for the book that I bought her. She was having a really bad day and started reading her book and told me for the first time that the Bible was going to make sense to her. She let me know that her babysitter quit on her the previous night and how she had no one to watch her girls while she works. She can't afford to be off of work. But never once did she ask me for help, she only wanted to say thank you.
So all this to say in my heart is overwhelmed! I am so happy and excited to have met these amazing girls, who have been through more than I can even fathom, and also the opportunity to meet Kelly and be in a position to help her and her daughters.
I just started praying for God's leading, wisdom and discernment in how to proceed. The immediate needs are prayer, clothing and shoes. I would say currently the youngest girl at the group home is 7 and the oldest is 18. They are needing every size of clothing and shoes in between. They also could use resources for entertainment. They are given $20 total to cover expenses for the girls' entertainment for the entire weekend. So Kelley and the other leaders pay a lot out of their own pockets and they don't have the money to spare. I'm asking for a list of items and supplies that they need around the house and will let you know when I know exactly what they need. But maybe Target gift cards would be a good idea, so they can get clothes, shoes or whatever other things they need. I'm up for suggestions.
I sent out an email to some family and friends, making them aware of this life changing experience, and their response was so amazing! I had so many prayers, encouraging words, clothing donations and even financial gifts.
God is so good and He is evident in everything that has transpired since Sunday and my meeting Kelley and the Sunshine Group girls.
I was able to watch Kelley's girls for her last Monday-Wednesday, as well as all of last weekend, starting Friday through Sunday night. This was not only a blessing for her but for me, Joe and our girls, as well. Her daughters are precious little girls and will forever have a place in my heart and in our life. Joe and I have been able to get to know Kelley more and even took her to dinner to learn more about her, how she came to this point in her life and what brought her to CCV and into our lives. Her story is truly incredible...everything that she has been through and overcome and what an amazing mom she is to her girls, trying so desperately to give them everything she didn't have.
Joe and I have started collecting funds to help provide Kelley with child care expenses to hopefully cover the next month and any other expenses that will help ease her financial burden, so she can focus on getting another job that will enable her to spend more time with her daughters and finding a new housing situation, as well.
We are also still collecting clothes and shoes for the girls group home, for ages 6-18. We need girls, women's and even men's sizes...all sizes. I learned that some of the girls only wear men's clothing. I am in the process of working with the house manager to compile a list of items that they need. Kelley and I discussed creating welcome bags for when a new girl arrives. Everything has happened so fast that I don't have exact items needed yet, but would love to collect Wal-mart or Target gift cards to purchase these items when we do find out the exact needs. I will be writing an email/letter once I know specific needs, that can be sent out to friends, small groups, etc.
If you're reading this, I can't thank you enough for your prayers, support and contributions. My heart is so full of joy, love and compassion and my life is forever changed by this experience. Thank you for letting me share it with you!
I wanted to end this by sharing Kelley's recent Facebook status:
"I have never felt so complete... I had to hit the bottom and finally see I could not do this alone...I turned to God and in a few short hours I was blessed with something I had been looking for my whole life!!! Everything happens for a reason, and some people are put in you're life to make a difference!!! The feelings I have had the last few days are simply amazing!!!!"
This is what it is all about! God is so good!
Here are Kelley's girls playing dress up with my girls.
No comments:
Post a Comment