Tomorrow I will be back to my regular blogging with a Pink Saturday Post! Pictures and everything...but today...I am sharing what's been going on in my life that put me on the bench for a while.
**********************************
My husband,Bob, and I met "June" and her two girls through my volunteer work. They were living in their car and halfway sharing a hotel room with another lady and her two children. There was no food, it was crowded, unsafe, and bleak. It was clear to both of us God wanted us to offer June, and her girls, the little guest cottage behind our house. It's not fancy, but it was a better situation by far. We asked June to think it over because we wanted her to commit to working to get her life in order. A couple of days later June agreed and the girls moved in. Bob and I committed to meet all of her immediate needs, if she would give her all to work at this opportunity to create a better life for her family.
We immediately began to focus on setting some short and long term goals. She needed a G.E.D. and a job, car insurance, car seats, and shoes for the kids. Bob worked to get appliances put in the little house so June would be able to cook and have a refrigerator like a real home. June and I headed to town most days... to fill out applications, enroll in a G.E.D. program, get her car worked on so it would be safe to drive, or the many other tasks at hand. We spent lots of time talking and June shared with me how she would love to be a school teacher. I took her picture the first day of school, as she nervously headed off to a classroom for the first time since eighth grade. I agreed to care for the two year old until a day care slot was available.
The little girls called the guest cottage, their "big house" as it seemed so large to them. My 13 year old was helping June with her math homework in the evening. Daisy read to the girls at night, and Bob worked to repair the septic system and put in some new plumbing for the kitchen area. Our family and friends joined in where they felt led and helped out. Life was looking up for June and she got a call to come in for a job interview. She was so excited.
Then one day my bank called me to let me know someone was trying to cash a check with my forged signature. My heart sank as they told me who it was. It was June. I have faced similar situations with foster children in the past...so I am not totally shocked, but am so very disappointed and sad. More forged checks were discovered that had just cleared the bank, and so we rushed to close our account and get things back in order. A police officer showed up at our home and we had to decide to ask her to leave or have her arrested. We asked June to leave. It all ended so sadly. I grieve for her girls who will pay the price for her wrong decisions. Bob and I wanted so much good for her and we tried to shine the light and say, "Come this way! It's the good way!" As much good as we wanted for her, we could not force her to do what was right. So, June and the girls are gone. Later I discovered my promise and wedding ring from my late husband, were gone too. Yes, that makes me aggravated, as it was sentimental. I wanted to pass them down to Daisy. I keep reminding myself they were "things".
Bob and I do not regret for a minute taking in June. We knew it was God's will for us, and we obeyed. We knew the risks from the beginning for sure, but when God tells you to do something, you just do it! We don't want to question it, but be grateful we were able to share God's love if only for a little while. I don't know what the "all things work together for good" part is at this point, but I trust Him to work that out. In the meantime, I ask you to please pray for June and her two little girls.
