I CARE.

Every month of the year is associated with an awareness that is brought to the forefront. For example February is ironically “ American Heart Month” how fetch is it to have that awareness in the month of love bugs and candy hearts! June is “Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month” and October is “Domestic Violence Awareness Month.”

These are some big and well known awareness's that I'm using as an example. WWW.Healthline.com has a long list of awareness's each month is well known for, take a look and see if any encourage you to get involved, change your life style or find a community of others facing the same battle you are. You are never alone.

On top of the serious topics each month brings, there are also some light hearted and downright silly things each month holds. Did you know that April has a “Don't go to work unless it's fun day”? (Try that out for me and report back with details.)

August has “Skyscraper Appreciation Day” (I will make sure to admire from the ground, thank you very much.) And May has my favorite day of all! Not sure if I should just go ahead and categorize this May day as a National Holiday...what's the day in question you ask? Why, my birthday of course! Okay, okay... I'm done. Now that you have maybe learned something new, (like when my birthday is... I like Chick-Fil-A...hint hint!) and I hopefully have your attention, I would like to jump into a topic that is near and dear to my heart. Many of those cute, funny and out of the box awareness's bring up a fond memory from childhood or at least a smile while you're working!

I'm sure you can think back on a time when life was simple, you didn't have to worry about dinners, mortgage payments or keeping other little humans alive. Your biggest concern was if your parents would let you go ride your bike to your friend's house for the 4th day in a row, or if they would notice the ice-cream pops disappearing at a rather fast rate. (news flash, they noticed!) While we can enjoy the light heartedess of Silly Sock Day or 2 Straw Tuesdays, we should be reminded of months that have some hard pills to swallow. What we all wish weren't a thing, what we wish we could avoid, just give us the fun and never the tough... break your heart type awareness's. This month, the month of thankfulness, togetherness, love and family... we bring awareness to adoption.

The end of year is statistically some of the loneliest and most depressing times according to Suicide Hot-line. Everywhere you turn you can't seem to escape the image of happy families gathered around a big table with food to last weeks. (Talking about you Campbell's Soup commercials!) You see grandmas shuffling the streets for the perfect gift to get their grand kids and even the little cute squirrels seem to have a happy little chipper pep to their scamper. From the outside looking in, the holidays seem like (♪♪*It's the most wonderful time of year, there'll be much mistle-toeing and hearts will be glowing when loved ones are near....*music note♪♪) where was I?... oh yeah, standing back it seems like the perfect situation! Everyone is happy, donations come flying in so fast you could lose your Elves in the piles of money, food and toys. All the glitz and glamour your heart can handle! Even the Grinch is a lovable character during the holidays! Sprinkle some glitter on your darkest time and magically everything is okay. Right?

This was me and my way of thinking for many years. I had those Christmas tree shaped- rose colored glasses on and I was blinded by the tinsel... I wasn't sad or lonely during the holidays, I shared my money and food with anyone in sight, it embarrassingly never occurred to me that while I'm living out a slice of Heaven on Earth, people down the street were going through Hell on Earth. No, I'm not talking about the dramatic hell my husband says I put him in as soon as I pull out totes of glitter filled decorations... but a state of loneliness, and depression that feels like Hell on Earth.

As many of y'all already know, I adopted my son. Yes, the same one I talked about in my last blog and will probably bring up again in my next. I can't help it, I'm in love with my wolf-pup. Adoption is a rough process. You take educational classes that help you understand trauma and reactions, you meet children that you fall in love with but they end up finding better placements for and the hardest part of all, you watch these children have their whole lives ripped apart and turned upside down in the matter of seconds, you watch adults get frustrated because these little minds and mouths can't express what they are feeling or going through.

I did not adopt my child from foster care, I did a step parent adoption, which was challenging in its own nature but not near as hard and demanding as DHS adoption. I did have to take some of the same classes many DHS foster families go through, which led to many friendships and a life long calling to be involved with the foster/adoption community.

Let me tell you a story, when I was going through the classes my heart was set on doing what I needed to do to adopt my son. I was not focused on the other families or the staggering 443,000 children in foster care already, I was a one track mind. That is, until I volunteered to work an adoption fair. For those that don't know what that is, it is a big event where all the children available for adoption and prospecting parents all come to one place to mingle and see if they hit it off. Unfortunately there isn't a better way to do this yet.

I could feel my heart literally break into pieces as I watched children's faces begin to droop as the day went on, as their little hopes and dreams of a forever family slipped through their fingertips yet again. The tension in the building was sometimes so thick it was hard to breathe, but it wasn't until I witnessed a certain event that I knew I had to do something, somehow... in a single moment, I knew my life had a purpose and a calling.

For months leading up to this event a group of the sweetest women gathered together to sew up some beautiful blankets for the children attending the event. When the day came I was one of the helpers who had the opportunity to hand out a blanket to the children as they would leave. Many of the kids lit up when they saw the cute blankets that were all different and unique, they could pick one that really spoke to them! We had Disney princesses, Monster Trucks, animal print, you name it, we had it! Watching the children get excited about a simple blanket broke my heart.. knowing they finally had something of their own, something they had control of CHOOSING. These children lose the right to choose anything for themselves and their life the second DHS shows up for them. Homes, schools, clothes, haircuts, friendships, visitations.. every moment of the day is planned for these children. So to finally be able to choose something as simple as a blanket was a BIG deal to most of these kids.

Towards the end of the event this little boy came up and was probably the most excited child we had that day. He was cute as button and was outwardly showing the most gratitude for his blanket. I wish I could remember what was on his blanket and why he was so excited. I watched this boy, flying high with excitement on cloud 9, float over to his foster dad screaming with excitement. My heart was just melting with love and happiness. What I saw next, was something that will forever be engraved into my mind, brings tears to my eyes EVERYTIME I think of this. When the boy reached the foster dad with such excitement the “dad” quickly tuned around with such annoyance, swiped the blanket from the child's hands and threw it in the trash, all while yelling “I don't want anymore of your crap in my house!” he then grabbed the child's hand and began to head for the exit.

The look on the child's face is something I will NEVER be able to forget. The little arms reaching for that trashed blanket as he was being dragged out the door. The tears that fell weren't just from that little boy, but from all of us at the blanket table as well.

To be fair, we do not know the situation or even what the foster dad dealt with that day. I have had moments with my son that surely don't look loving and excepting to strangers. But this moment spoke to me, I spent many nights awake, crying, praying and trying to figure out how to get involved, to do more. It wasn't until recently, many years later that God revealed to me why that event and that moment meant so much to me.

I watched children feel less than. I watched them literally be told they didn't fit in to this family or that one. That they weren't good enough. I watched children look their past square in the eyes and listen to the enemy tell them they have no future. That they are scum and will always be. Who could ever love scum..? These CHILDREN were being judged with every single breathe and movement they made. If there ever was a Hell on Earth, it is here, at the adoption fairs. The Devil's playground of tormenting thoughts and judgments.

I so desperately want to grab each child and say, you are loved!! But how can I convince them when they haven't been chosen for adoption yet? I want to scream from the rooftops that they have a bright future! But how can I when they are flunking out of school because they have been to at least five different schools in the last six months? I want to tell them they are worthy! But how can I when all they see is a troubled and broken family history?

If only I could help them realize their worth. If only I could help them realize that what they are feeling and thinking is so normal. That those thoughts and fears are what EVERYONE faces. I have met so many grown adults with not even half the story these kids have... but yet, feel so lonely, so unworthy, so unloved and useless. I want to tell these kids that sadly, it is normal to feel like a puzzle piece that got lost under a rug, only to be thrown in the wrong box later in life.

I want to tell them about my family, not my Earthly family, but my spiritual family. The Dad that rejoices when I came running to Him. The family that has redeemed me (Isaiah 44:22) and loves me (Romans 5:8). The family that has given me a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). The family that fights for me! (Exodus 14:14) The family that continually turns my bad days to great days! (Romans 8:28) That is the family that adopted me! That is the family that has such open arms... that no matter how many people this family adopts, there is always room for YOU. I want to drill in to their heads that they are NOT defined by what this Earth says they were, are or will become! Misery loves company and it will try EVERY trick in the book to get you to believe the worst about yourself and your situation.

But my Daddy in Heaven will be the FIRST to say how amazing you are, how YOU will do great things! He will be the first to cry with you, to be there with you and to give you what you need to succeed. And most importantly....He will be the first in line to proudly brag about how much he loves you, how much you mean to him. He knows every detail about you. You are his greatest creation. His heart breaks to see you think so little of yourself and your future.

I want to wrap them up, hold them tight, shower them with love and whisper YOU MATTER through tear filed eyes until I have no voice, I want to shower them with not only love and acceptance but I want to speak Godly truth over them and their lives until they realize and accept their potential. I want to be there for them for the rest of their life! Weeping with them, showering them with love and pride and being a steady anchor for them, just as my Father in Heaven has been and will ALWAYS be for me and you.

That is the idea behind Galatians 6:2 Society. “Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

Carry each other's burdens. You are not alone. You matter. And together we will get through this.

I pray for you and your family over the coming holiday, I pray for laughter to be abundant, the joyous memories to overflow. I pray that hearts and minds be open and receptive to the nudging of the Holy Spirit this season, as this is the season of giving, the season where people search for answers, where they search for God the most. I pray that you reading this will have an opportunity to change lives daily this holiday season. I pray your turkey be moist and for safe travels! Have a very joyous, memorable and wonderful Thanksgiving!

Hugs, Loves and Prayers, Galatians 6:2 Society If you feel the Holy Spirit leading you to help with the foster/adoption community there are many ways you can get involved to make a difference!! Not everyone is in a position to foster or adopt. But everyone is in a position to PRAY for these children. To speak Godly truth over their lives and circumstances.

Other ways you can get involved:

-donate to local foster homes/organizations (toys, clothes, bedding, gift cards)

-sign up to volunteer at an adoption fair

-cook dinner for a foster family in your community

-volunteer to clean their house

-buy the family movie tickets, trampoline park time or invite the family to join y'all while at a fall themed event.

-volunteer as a big sister/big brother

-volunteer to tutor

-volunteer to be a CASA (child advocate)

-have flowers delivered

-message the family and let them know you are thinking of them, and that you recognize that fostering/adoption is hard and you think they are doing a great job!

The biggest and most IMPORTANT way you can support a foster/adoption family is: NEVER EVER EVER ask questions about why the child is in foster care, how they get along with their other children and if the foster family is happy with their “placement” IN FRONT OF THE CHILD!!! Please show that child the same love and respect you show their other children.

Please pray that the Holy Spirit guide you to where you are most needed. Thank you for choosing to get involved and help carry someone's burden. May God bless you this Holiday Season.

I highly recommend the movie “Instant Family.” The movie is a Hollywood take on what it is like to open your heart and doors to a child in foster care. The struggles, love, heartbreak and special blessings that come when you choose to take that leap of faith. This movie is very moving and well worth a family night around the screen!

With my busy schedule, I am more likely to connect with music. I am so thankful for Lauren Daigle's song “You Say.” This song is an instant reminder that I am a child of God! It gives me hope that what has been placed before me, is not worth my tears! That what this world tries to classify me as, is a lie! A strong reminder that God says I am loved, redeemed, strong and enough!! What God says about me is the say all, case closed!