People don't get what we do. They don't get why we would choose to spend our lives not only raising our three young children but also raising other people's children. They don't get why we give up our time, our privacy, our "right" to a bigger home, quiet, peace, etc. etc. And you know what, sometimes I don't get it either. When I have students who are constantly saying how much they hate their life at school and how much "no one cares about them" I often wonder why I do give up all the above listed things so that I can have kids hate me. I wonder why I give up precious time with my own family so that I can be a part of other families. But then there are times when I connect with kids and I see all the wonderment (and torture!) that the teen years can be and I see the amazing opportunities before them and I am so excited to be a part of it. Excited to pour my heart and soul into these young lives...to see them grow, to marture, and to start becoming the people that God wants them to be.
The last few weeks have been really hard. REALLY hard. We have questioned over and over again what we are doing and why we are doing it. We still don't have all the answers and there are issues that still have to be worked out, but yesterday I got to remember why I do this. I had a great time taking pictures of two of my senior girls, I got to spend a lot of time in deep conversation with a girl wrestling with doing hte right thing vs. doing what her friends are doing, and I got to challenge a girl to learn to stand up for herself when no one else will. It is an amazing feeling to know you are impacting another person's life. And it is great to just have fun.
This is my life...I will EMBRACE it!
Have a good day!
They are so cute! Great pictures - they will love these! I think it is a wonderful selfless act that you guys are doing!
Posted by: MandaKay | December 03, 2006 at 05:32 AM
Thankful for people like you at NC. Praying for you guys....as an alumni of the dorm, I know it isn't always easy. Congrats on the layout in the January CK! :) miley
Posted by: miley | December 04, 2006 at 05:59 PM
fabulous pictures Janet!I am sure all your praying and reflecting will help you guys to find the way forward that is best for you all.
Posted by: Kellie | December 06, 2006 at 10:31 PM
Sending you a big hug Janet!! I know it's hard sometimes (we are in Hungary) and ask ourselves the same questions at times, especially this is our first year without our daughter here. But God...He always knows when we need that reminder and touch from Him and is faithful to send someone in our path and then we just exhale and remember our calling :) Congrats on the CK magazine..one of these days I may actually get to see it :)
Posted by: Margie | December 11, 2006 at 09:34 AM