I can’t believe it’s been a year already. January 1, 2009 our family moved into the John House (part of the Hope Program) here on the Monterrey, Mexico campus. Just a few short days later, five boys who had been living in children’s homes moved in as well. At the start of 2010 there is so much to look forward to. We have lots of challenges ahead in this new year, but I can’t help but be hopeful when I remember how faithful God has been in 2009. We have come a long way as a family.
Just a month or so ago one of the boys and I were talking about scissors. He needed to use some and we couldn’t find any around.
Of course the mom in me starts asking “What happened to the pair I bought you for school?”
He tells me he used to keep them in a spot above his bed (he sleeps on the bottom of the bunk bed) but can’t find them now.
I am thinking and ask, “Why did you keep them there?”
After a short and rather cryptic conversation I begin to understand. He kept them there for protection, in case he needed to protect himself at night. He tells me that the childrens home, he slept with a stick under his bed for the same reason. It’s sinking in, I am beginning to understand. And then I innocently ask, “But you don’t need them anymore?” And he answers “No.”
We have lots of challenges to face with our boys this year. A hard start to high school, an ongoing court case, and the always present chores, homework, GIRLS, etc. But my boys feel safer than they did last year. My foster son no longer sleeps with a weapon for protection. That is a blessing I cannot deny. And with that in mind, I look forward to what God has in store for 2010!