An 'angel' for Angel

We've been pretty busy (crazy busy) with 7 kids. The house isn't always perfect (not to disparage Becca because she does an outstanding job - but you have to make a few compromises here and there). We have a hard time staying on top of our ever changing schedule. Family dynamics are a lot more challenging for sure. But for every challenge, frustration, heartache - there has been an equal or greater reward\ blessing.

For example, Angel, the 12yr old with us, seemed like she would be a huge challenge (according to her social worker, extensive file, previous foster parents, teachers, principle, etc etc). Expectations from those same sources were that we'd need to ‘send her back’ to the teen shelter we got her from within a few days. Her previous foster parents couldn’t handle her and were intimidated by her (or something like that). They said she was a 'wiccan' and was nearly impossible to get through to.

One social worker called her a 'wiggan'... We got a good chuckle out that ;)

The previous foster parents were Christians of one sort or another, and were afraid to even take her to church!!

Well, that sounded scary enough, but Becca felt God calling her to at least meet Angel herself. And as we've been learning from God more and more - living in fear is not living for or in Christ!

Long story short, we found much of what they said to be true. But what we also found was a very impressionable girl struggling for identify, acceptance, attention, and mostly just love! She is a handful to be sure... But after testing us directly with her ‘wiccan’ beliefs to see if we’d freak out as the others have, she quickly realized and began to understand what real love is about, and that REAL love is ONLY found through Jesus!

Her first prayer about a week ago over a family meal (testing us) was to a ‘horned god’. We didn’t freak, but kindly asked her not to pray out-loud anymore in our house... Since that time, she has started asking Becca and eventually me to prayer over her at bedtime (she listened as Becca and I prayed with T~Bella every night in their room). We never forced anything on her, but were there to answer questions as they came in. Now she is praying every night with me or Becca and prays over our meals (rotating with the other kids) and prays to Jesus and ends her prayers “in Jesus name”!

She’s been going to church with us with no problem, including the Thursday night Bible studies. This is very exciting to see and I’m so proud of Becca for being there for Angel in such a critical time in Angel’s life. Becca provides an excellent balance of firmness + boundaries and yet clearly demonstrates unconditional love and patience.

She's nothing short of an 'angel' for Angel :)

Please keep us in your prayers. This is a prime time for the enemy to attack on so many levels. We are doing great, but this work is mentally and physically challenging and naturally hard on relationships\families. And pray that Angel will truly pray to the one true God for forgiveness and invite Him into her heart and reserve her place with Him for eternity! [Forgot to update this... Not more than a week after this post, Angel did, on her own, pray that prayer. And her life truly changed! Her teacher noticed immediately and let us know that she has seen an amazing transformation in her at school. She is also very different now at home. She is much more encouraging to the other kids. She is more helpful and not as confrontational. She looks and acts much kinder, patient, sweet, and so on. There is still lingering pain and confusion regarding her situation, but instead of having a 'mad at the world teenager' attitude, she has a more positive, hopeful, and peaceful perspective and has been good at sharing her feelings and working through the sadness, frustrations, and confusion.]

So now when I look around and see the floors that haven't been swept for a few days, or the dishes that are starting to stack up, or my garage that NEEDS some attention soon, and seeing my grass and WEEDS starting to grow like crazy... Not to mention the constant noise and demands for attention from 7 wild kids... Well, I just smile and think to myself:

"Self, this is just what living the abundant life is supposed to look like!"

And I say a prayer thanking God for his amazing blessings and the opportunity to be part of something bigger than myself.