A new look

After three months of being in the family, she is slowing adjusting to everything.  Just last night she wanted to go to sleep in mommy and daddy's bed.  This is HUGE.  Many times our girls just want to fall asleep with us, and we rarely say no. So, for her to request to fall asleep next to mommy was a big deal.

The other day we went shoe shopping, because the one pair she got from C just was not working anymore. She needed tennis shoes and a pair of dress shoes.  I am sure it was the first time she had ever been in a shoe store trying on NEW shoes.  We walked out with shoes that fit her wide feet and a large smile on her face.  She now has shoes of her own, that did not belong to someone before her.

And to add to all the first, we got her first hair cut.  Yes, we finally did it.  After three months of her slowly not wanting me to sit and fix her hair up every time we washed it, and her always pointing to her older sister and asking to have their hair, we did it.  She kept requesting, and I kept saying I was going to wait.  But she kept requesting. 

Here is her new style.

By the time this picture was taken, she had brushed her hair multiple times and put in multiple clippies.  She LOVES having the ability to do her own hair with out the assistance of mom.  She is slowing learning to do things for herself.  Some things she just need a little help but she is getting the hang of things and adjusting well into the family, as if she had been with us for years.

Showing Jesus to the Forgotten

"If you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday."  Isaiah 58:10

The Forgotten Initiative, Lifesong's foster care ministry, exists to bring joy and purpose to local foster care communities through mentorship, service projects and family support organized by local TFI Advocates. With a holistic approach they reach out not only to foster children, but also agency workers, foster parents and vulnerable adults. Read along to learn more...

JOURNEY BAGS {For Children Entering Care}

The Forgotten Initiative (TFI) has many different ways to get involved. One is creating "Journey Bags" for local foster care agency to ultimately reach foster kids in your community.


What exactly is a Journey Bag? Children often come into foster care with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Journey Bags are backpacks filled with personal items for kids to have when they are abruptly taken out of their homes.


Listen in to the impact of Journey Bags...

"Last night at midnight, three precious little beauties showed up on my doorstep. They each had with them a blanket, a stuffed animal, and a book bag, their Journey Bags. I kept waiting for more, anything more, but nothing came. The investigator told me this was all they had.

Our 5-year-old came with shoes so worn, they had to be thrown away. One of our two-year-olds had no shoes, the other had two left shoes. When I asked about getting anything out of the home, the investigator said it wasn't possible. The kids had nothing. There worldly possessions consisted of Journey Bags. As I stared at those bags, I began to cry. What if no one took the time to fill those bags and deliver them? What would our children have then? Absolutely nothing. Nothing to claim as

their own, nothing to protect or cherish. Thank you for all you do. Thank you for my kiddos Journey Bags." 

--Heather, foster mom

Learn more about tangible ways you can serve your foster care community>>

PROJECT RENOVATE {Supporting Local Foster Families}

Go on a local "mission trip" with Project Renovate!

Often foster care families feel alone and overwhelmed. Spend a day reaching out to families in need while at the same time raising support for The Forgotten Initiative with projects like deep cleaning a home, landscaping or giving a room a makeover!


Check out this new promo video & see how you can get involved at www.theforgotteninitiative.org/projectrenovate.

Join us this year for a Project Renovate in Central Illinois:

June 7th -- Clinton, IL

July 12th -- Creve Coeur, IL

Learn more about who YOU can be involved in this year's Project Renovate>> 

Read More...

Journey Bag Testimonial - Listen in as foster mom shares the impact the TFI Journey Bags had on her and her foster children. Watch Video


Showing Jesus to the Forgotten - Learn what it means to become a TFI Advocate for your local foster care community!  Read More


ReMoved - Originally created for the 168 Film Festival, ReMoved follows the emotional story through the eyes of a young girl taken from her home and placed into foster care. Watch Video

Coming This Spring...

Celebrate Life Tour - Featuring Cheri Keaggy & Zambian Children's Choir! This concert will be an excellent opportunity for the whole family to hear how they can help care for orphans and vulnerable children! Learn more about dates, locations & where to buy your tickets>>



Christian Alliance for Orphans CAFO2014 {May 1-2; CHICAGO} - CAFO2014 inspires and equips Christians to care for orphans with

wisdom-guided love. Register today! Learn More & Register

Learning to write

Things are settling down, finally, and we are getting back into the grove.  We are changing the way we work the day so we can all learn.  J is learning the new way of writing and doing very well in the process.  She amazes us everyday at how much she is picking up. 

We are still not up to big events or family visits but hope this will change soon.  She tends to act out more when around those who draw attention to her or me.  Yes, this is strange.  If you ignore me and her...and act like she is a long time friend...nothing happens, but the moment you start talking to me (especially about her), the poor actions come out.  Other then this, we are all adjusting well.

Celebration

Every year (well, when daddy is not deployed) he takes his daughters on a date. At first it started by going to McD's because what can you really do with a 3 year old. Things have changed and our girls are growing up.

Happy birthday S

Why is it so hard?

Why is it so hard, to get a picture of an 8 year old?  All I want is just one, nice, picture that I could use.  This is what I got, when I told her to stop fooling around and let me get one picture.

Yes, she is a clown. 

No, we did not succeed on getting a decent picture today.  The batteries died.

Let it snow...again

It seems to be a colder winter then it was last year. It cant seem to stop snowing, and the temps just cant seem to stay above freezing for long, and many days it is ridiculously close to zero.

 

The older kids had some fun outside, and the newest member...well, she still got to play in the snow.

Keep on...

Our oldest has been attending Chinese school since last year and enjoys it so very much. She had an opportunity to dance in their performance they put on every year.