I cut my hair

I cut my hair. I wouldn't have done it except to donate it. 12 inches are now in the possession of lock of love. My hair will help someone who needs it. woo!

It was really hard the first few days. Well, the first day was pretty much all adrenaline: both the up and the down of it. The second day I was having a really hard time adjusting. Every time I looked at myself in the mirror I wanted to cry. Now I am ok with it, as long as it's in a pony tail. I don't like the look of it short at all.

I bought a magazine full of hair styles and decided that I will let it grow an inch (about down to my shoulder) and then get a stylish cut. There are no layers or angles right now, which probably contributes to me not liking it. I dont' want to cut it now though, because I really like being able to put it back in a pony tail.

On another note, the foster care application is progressing. There is actually a good chance that we will get a girl we already know. She is 10 years old. The reality is starting to hit and it is quite scary. We don't know what time she should go to bed or whether she prefers to bring or buy her lunch or even how to register her for school. ah! I'll be asking the parents I know a lot of questions in the near future. Chris and I are both very excited, though, and feel blessed to be able to help this particular girl.

This weekend is women's retreat and I look forward to building relationships and becoming spiritually refreshed.

My final school assignment is difficult and I don't know how I'm going to finish it all, but somehow I'll get it done.

ta ta for now!

here I am, sick again. booo........... I can't complain though. I've been able to do almost all of my work despite my cold, including photograph a wedding with Amber. I'm taking tomorrow morning/afternoon off to rest and try to recover. And don't worry, I'm drinking LOTS of fluids!!!

Church and therefore life are in transition. We are two weeks into services at Elliott St. Everyone is feeling the strain of change and the extra burden that two more services bring. I pray that God will empower His servants.

Youth ministry is in need of help and I don't quite know where to get it. The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few!

Chris and I have almost completed the application to do foster care. It is currently over 20 pages long.

This weekend is assessment for my district lisence. I don't know quite what to expect other than a lot of talking and listening. I pray that everyone will have wisdom as to what steps should be taken next. God is helping me to rest in Him.

Until next time. Kelly.

Currently Reading It Shouldn't Hurt to Be a Kid By Patricia H. Rushford see related

Book Review

I picked up this book at Gordon College's bookstore for a whopping $2.99. It caught my eye because Chris and I are beginning the process to have a foster child in our home. Raising children is no easy task and foster children come with additional challenges, but this has been on my heart for some time and I believe it to be worth the cost.

Some may say that it's unwise to raise someone else's child when you've had no children of your own. I agree that there are numerous disadvantages. One advantage, however, at least in my case, is that I realize that I know very little about parenting and am (and will continue to) seek out as much help as I can.

This book has been a giant first step in learning about "broken" children. The author is well educated, experienced, realistic, and practical. She incorporates many opinions, studies, and theories from other authors and scholars and includes a list of resources for further reading. Most importantly, she incorporates Biblical wisdom throughout.

Everyone who plans to be a parent (of any kind) should read this book. Everyone who works with children should read this book. Anyone who has a history of abuse should read this book.

One of my favorite quotes is this, "We all have to grow up, but I don't think God actually meant for us to lose so many pieces of ourselves along the way." Adulthood often brings cynicism, doubt, false pretenses and the like. All people, but especially children, need a place where they are loved and feel safe. I hope to provide that place some day.

Quick update:

I'm living in the Timothy house. Love the shower, love the air conditioners, love the space, hate the smell when they clean out the port-o-potties next door.

The missions trip to Mississippi was the most fun I've had all year. It was a lot of work, (which I enjoy,) great services, and good times with friends. One of the girls from Missourri thought I was 19, because I was "so mature." Another thought I was 16. woo!!!

Kids camp was fun, but I was too tired to really enjoy it. Playing water games was definitely the right choice. Slip and slide was a blast! The 3rd and 4th grade boys are the cutest EVER.

Sr. High Camp was better than previous years. My cabin was full of sweet, sociable girls whom I adore, even though they jokingly accused me of being a camper beater!! God worked in many teens lives and it was a priviledge to pray with them.

Time with cousins was good, what little I had of it. I REALLY want them to move to MA. I told Mary that we can be poor together. Money's been stressing me out a bit. Now that we are in the Timothy house the time seems to be ticking on us. Even if we had no debt, we could not afford to live here on what we currently make. sigh... so yeah.

The Fall is looking busy. We start services at our new location, I begin 1 or 2 classes, and I'll be planning Sr. High Camp 07, the teen leadership retreat, and a Sunday School class. woo! I'm also photographing 3 weddings in a month! yikes!

I know, this doesn't look that "quick" but considering all that has gone on since I last updated, it really is! I'll try to come back and add pictures. oh to have the internet at home... the luxuries in life!