Jonah

Jonah is, well he's just Jonah. There is really no words to describe him. He is like no one else in the world. We met Jo when we would go visit Luke at the handicap home they both lived in before living with us. Jonah was about 2 years old and already had a story to tell. He was like most kids born in the system, addicted to drugs. On top of that his mother was homeless which ment she was not given the right prenatal care as well as she was an alcoholic. And so when she had Jonah she didn't want the burden and left him as an orphan in the hospital.

Over the years Jonah has had many open hear surgeries in which he died 3 times, he underwent anal surgery and must be given an enema every other night, he is on 4 different medications to make him somewhat bearable and he has to attend a special school. To say the least Jonah is the most difficult child in our home.

It's sad to think that if his mom would have just stopped drinking and doing drugs for 9 months he would be a normal boy living a normal life. That Jonah wouldn't be as angry and he would be a regular boy playing t-ball like the other kids hi age. Though Jonah is so difficult my hear is still full of unconditional love for him. Looking at his action and his life I am reminded that I am like Jonah. I am a sinful human just like him, but yet Christ loves me the same, and I am in love with him more.

Though I don't know why Jo was brought to our home or why he wasn't taken to be with the king one of those times he died I do know he has a bigger purpose. It seems that the hard times are over powering the easy ones now a days but it is a comfort to know that we are not the ones in control. And that fact along with love is enough to keep us going.

love and good byes

Ever has it been that love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation.

~Kahlil Gibran

owl of love

I opened my phone the other day to find a surprise text from my mother. Now those of you who know my mom know she is electronic illiterate. So when I opened the text to find that Gabby, my 9 year old sister was texting me, I was not surprised. My text read "krista it's gabby are you coming home today because i have a surprise for you". When I texted back asking what it was thinking this was some kind of corny joke my mom was playing on me Gabby replied "its a surprise you will see when you come ohm". I was still a little optimistic about the whole thing but because I was in need of laundry I decided to make the trip up the hill.

When I entered the house like always I was greeted by a swarm of children. I counted and each one was there to give me a hug... all but Gabby. I noticed when she realized it was me she ran to her room to get me my surprise! Seeing her walk out with the smile on her face I couldn't help but smile myself. She gave me my present which was a small owl neckless that looks like it will break at any moment, but now it is the most treasured piece of jewelry I own. I once had an owl neckless that I loved but when I went home for Christmas the children broke it. Gabby knew this so when she went to the store with my mom and saw this neckless hanging on the rack she picked it up, took it to the register, pulled out her wallet with change that she collected from the tooth fairy and purchased my newest accessory.

Through this small gesture I am reminded how little acts in life can make a persons day. Tonight I wore my new neckless and as it was hanging around my neck I thought of my sister and how loved I am. I always think about the impossibility of ever loving these kids more because my love is so great, but day by day they prove me wrong. Tonight I love them more than I did yesterday and tomorrow I am sure my love will be changed again.