So, I’m not usually very good about keeping this blog updated, but TWO months is a record, even for me!! Sorry for those of you who have been on the edge of your seats! J As usual, there’s lots to catch you up on, but I’ll try to keep it brief!
April brought us another new resident who has settled in
quite easily. Shortly after his arrival, my parents flew in for a nice long
visit. We were able to celebrate Easter with them. And despite the fact that
they were here for 10 days, it seemed like a whirlwind. I felt like I had less
time to see them than I had at Christmas. They didn’t seem to mind and the
girls sure loved every moment of having them here! And a little birdy told me
they might be coming down to celebrate the 5th birthday of a certain
little girl we know (who is growing up entirely too fast!) While my parents
were here, we also celebrated the dedication of Bucky’s Backyard – our
playground.
We had a cookout and a dedication ceremony, where we paid tribute
to a former resident who has been a great friend to Joy Ranch over the years.
My mom got to talk with his sister some and it was incredible to hear some of
the stories from their time living here. It is an honor to be a part of such a
legacy, to be continuing on the vision of the McHenry’s. I wish I could have
known them. Oh, one last highlight from April – I participated in the American
Red Cross Lifeguard Certification at one of the local rec centers. It was a very
busy weekend, but I passed with flying colors and am now a certified lifeguard!
Yay! J
In May, Jason and several other staff members participated
in Leadercast – a leadership seminar, which he enjoyed and from which he has
applied some techniques here in the home. We also made some treats for Teacher
Appreciation Week to let the kids’ teachers know how much we appreciate them
and want to support what they do. We attended an arts & crafts
festival in Pilot Mtn. NC. Just as we got there and started walking down the main
street, it started down pouring! We ducked for cover in the nearest shop and
waited it out. But overall, we had a fun time and even got to indulge in some
cotton candy! Jason and I had a three-day weekend and got to spend it in
Asheville, NC, visiting some friends who were in town for a CEF International
conference. We haven’t seen them in almost a year, so that was a very sweet
time.
While we were in Asheville, we just had to stop by the Billy Graham
Training Institute and the Biltmore Estates. WOW! If you’ve never been, you
should go. Both were just beautiful in their own ways and such a contrast to
each other. Pictures don’t do them justice (particularly the Biltmore.)
The
following week, we enjoyed a staff outing to Charlotte, NC and got to have
lunch all together as a staff, which is a rarity and was quite a treat. It is a
blessing to work alongside these individuals who love the Lord, these kids and
each other.
The end of May brought with it the end of the school year
and good byes to two residents. A bittersweet time, to be sure. Every time one
of the boys leaves, it is bittersweet. We are still missing both of them. The
boys are not missing being in school, however. And to celebrate, we held a
campus-wide Luau. We decorated Bucky’s Backyard with a Hawaiian look, served up
some delicious food and grooved to some tropical music. I think everyone had a
great time! No sooner was the luau over than it was time to clean and pack up
for the beach trip. Every year, Joy Ranch kids (and staff) get to have a week in
Myrtle Beach. Well, Garden City Beach, to be precise. Some years ago, the
Garden City Chapel & Retreat was founded and one of their ministries was,
and is, to provide children’s homes with a beach vacation. They have a
beautiful spot and provide great hospitality. While we were there, we got to:
go mini golfing and shopping; go to Ripley’s Aquarium; go to a water park; and go
to the Carolina Opry (and obviously we spent a considerable amount of time at
the beach!) It was a blast. I think my favorite part was just watching the kids
have fun.
Some of them have never been to the beach, some have never had a
chance to be kids, some have never been on vacation. My heart is full to
overflowing just recalling their faces last week. I think of one boy in particular
who has had to take care of himself for much of his life and has had very
little chances to just let go and have fun…he’s normally very stoic and not
very excitable. If you asked him today (or even last week) if the beach trip
was fun, he’d shrug and say with a straight-face, “It was ok.” However, last
week, every time I saw him his eyes were lit up and he was wearing an
ear-to-ear grin. He would repeatedly come up to staff and want to show them
something, like the picture he just took. And looking through the pictures was
so neat because it allowed us to see the trip through his eyes. It was obvious
he thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s moments like these that I am reminded why I so
love what we do, and am reminded that God called us here for such a time as
this. When the days are hard or long or just plain bad, these moments keep me
going.
Summer is stretching before us, and while I don’t quite know
what it will look like (and am a little nervous about keeping kids occupied!) I
know that it will be crazy, because that’s just how we roll here. There are
camps, jobs, work projects, movies, home visits, festivals, youth group, Boy
Scouts, appointments, Joy Fest – not to mention new residents that will be coming and all the day-to-day stuff that
needs to get done. I am looking forward to lazy days just being together
without the ridged constraints of the school year schedule, of spontaneous
water wars, of picnics at the river, of making s’mores around a campfire, of
memory making. What do YOU do to keep the kiddos entertained and make summer
memories? I’d love to hear your ideas and inspirations!
Until next time…(which hopefully won’t be two months from
now!) J
For HIS Glory,
Michelle
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