Adoption: Messy Bedroom Solution

Poor Nemo he didn't think I was serious when I said "You don't want me to clean your room". We adopted him 1 1/2 years ago and I have been putting off doing this for some time. I am not sure what Joshua was thinking because he has had this done several times in his life time.  Their room has been trashed for several months now.  I do believe because of all their "stuff" it became overwhelming to clean.  They didn't know what to do with it all.  Plus Christmas is around the corner and I declutter before adding even more toys. Today was THE day.

My husband informed me that he was taking the boys fishing on Friday (today). This would be a perfect time to "clean" their room.

Here was what I was facing.

Yes -- very overwhelming even for me.  On top of everything else -- 5 minutes into cleaning I hit my nuckle really hard on the bunk bed that sent me to the floor.  Then just to make matters worse after I washed their blankets I went to hang them on the cloth line and got stung by a bee right on the arm pit!! WOWSIE!!! That hurt!

So here is the result of pushing through pain.  Now I just hope the garbage truck shows up before they do!!!!!

Blessings!

Adoption: Happy Halloween?

Brace yourself!! I get slack every single year for how I feel about Halloween.  What makes it much more difficult is when you take in children who have ALWAYS celebrated this day they almost feel like they are being mistreated because we stay far away from anything that resembles this day.  This was a fun day for them!

The two we adopted last year are actually realizing the truth and share our feelings about halloween and focus on Jesus instead.  This brings joy to my soul!! However, we now have three new children and they do not understand "what is the big deal" about this day. I know the Lord will cover what areas I fail into explaining about this day.

I know many disagree with me but that is okay.  Even my own reletives have halloween parties.  They do not celebrate satan or anything like that.  However, my family does not participate in these activities.

This year I was so EXCITED to discover on this day we will be in church!! That is the place we need to be on this day!! See what I mean how the Lord covers me? 

I found this blog that shares my feelings about Halloween.  I have many people ask me just like this writer of this blog and our answers are very simular. So I thought I would share what she wrote and it will explain alot about how I feel about halloween.

"Happy" Halloween?

Posted: 25 Sep 2012 09:11 PM PDT

My birthday happens to be on October 31st - yes, Halloween night.  As a result, I have had a long history progressing from celebrating Halloween as a child for my birthday parties, to not celebrating it at all with our children now.  And people seem to assume that because I was born on that day I therefore must know a lot about Halloween, and they always ask me questions about it.  *chuckle*  So as a result I have tried to educate myself over the years to be able to use my birthday for Christ; to use the questions as an open door to "unmask" the truth about Halloween for those who really want to know.  

 

Here are my answers about Halloween, and what scripture says about celebrating it.  There are the short answers for those people who ask a question in passing or out of politeness, and there are the longer answers for those who seem to really desire hearing more truth about it.  *smile*  When people question me I continue answering questions as they continue prompting for more information, and they stop asking when they're "full".  *laugh* 


Answering the questions and comments...

§ "Do you celebrate Halloween?"

§ "Did you you used to have trick-or-treating birthday parties?"

§ "What changed your mind about Halloween?"

§ "It's just a fun activity; we don't 'celebrate' Halloween, we just dress-up, go trick-or-treating, and pass out candy."

§ "Don't you feel that your kids will miss out by not dressing up and going trick-or-treating?" 

§ "Do you pass out candy at the front door when trick-or-treaters come?" 

§ "We participate in a Harvest Festival that night instead."

§ What scripture says about Halloween and occultism

§ Guarding against building an appetite 

§ "What do you do then on the evening of October 31st?"

§ Surrender and blessings

§ Some valuable resources to help people learn about the truth about Halloween and the occult.

~~~~~~~~~~

Let me start by saying that most people who celebrate Halloween do not want to know what God says about it.  *chuckle*  Generally, people want to do what they want to do - and they do not want someone to shed any light on the topic.  And most people who learn that we do not celebrate Halloween immediately respond by giving me lots of reasons and justifications as to why they are convinced that it's good for them to celebrate this pagan holiday.  I just smile.  They are free to do as they choose; that is completely between them and the Lord...but if they ask me why we do not celebrate Halloween then I will share.  God's timing is perfect for each person.  When the Spirit prompts families to really seek the truth about a topic, then they will be ready to hear it and they will drink in the truth whole-heartedly.


"Do you celebrate Halloween?"
The Short answer:  No.  *smile*

The Long answer, when people ask, "Why not?" :  Because it's a celebration of death and fear and we don't celebrate that; we celebrate life. 

There is nothing Christian about this pagan holiday.  Nothing what so ever.  It is one of the two biggest satanic holidays of the entire year - recognized even by both the US Air Force, and a state prison.  Wicca (witches, pagans, and occultists) call Halloween,  "Samhain" (lord of death).  The Wiccan calendar is even orchestrated around Halloween, between October 31st and October 30th.  There are a lot of evil practices that happen on that dark night, and not just historically since the Dark Ages but today as well.  So no, we do not celebrate Halloween... But many Christians condone this "holiday" by participating in it.


"Did you used to have trick-or-treating birthday parties?"
The Short answer:  Yes, before my parents became Christians and chose to celebrate life instead of death and fear.

The Long answer:  I always had trick-or-treating birthday parties with about a dozen party guests.  We all dressed up in costumes, including my parents, and my mom made all kinds of evil-looking foods for us to eat, such as green macaroni and cheese, and adding dry ice to the apple juice so that it would "smoke" like a caldron.  My brother and I celebrated Halloween until I was about 18-years-old (and he was 15), at which time my baby sisters were 3 and 6-years-old and my parents needed to re-evaluate whether or not they ought to be trick-or-treating.  At that time my parents dug in to God's Word and realized that Halloween was actually a very dark "holiday" that Christians shouldn't participate in.  I would encourage people to ask themselves, "Would Jesus participate in Halloween?"  No?  Then should we?


"What changed your mind about Halloween?" 
The Short answer:  I've done a fair amount of studying about Halloween and the occult (satanism), through Christian books, online materials, audio messages by prominent Christian theologians, and God's Word.  The origins and current day practices were and are very dark, frightening, and clearly evil.  The more I learned, the more I desired to stay as far away from Halloween as possible. 

The Long answer :  I did a research project on the realities of the occult (satanism) and Halloween while I was attending Christian college.  I read an autobiography written by a former high priest Satanist now Christian, and studied a lot of other material.  I was shocked by what I found (see the resources I've listed below for well-documented and fascinating information on Halloween.)

The world of the occult has been permeating our society for the past 30 years, through movies, games such as Dungeons and Dragons and Ouija (pronounced, "weegie) boards, toys, and books such as Harry Potter.  It's become common place.  No big deal.  Most people really aren't shocked by it any more - and are actually convinced that it's harmless.

"It's just a fun activity.  We don't 'celebrate' Halloween, we just dress-up, go trick-or-treating, and pass out candy."
The Short answer:  Which... is celebrating Halloween.

The Long answer :  Even if we did not understand about the evil behind Halloween, there are lots of scary people out there, and Bob and I do not feel it is wise to send our children or our young people to strangers doors to ask for candy.  It's not safe to have them wandering about at night (with or without an adult).  And we do not feel it's a good to encourage our children to approach people's front doors and tell them that they should give our child a treat, or they will regret it.  *chuckle*  "Trick-or-treat".   It's good for parents to think carefully about what actions they're encouraging their children to take.
 

"Don't you feel that your kids will miss out by not dressing up and going trick-or-treating?" 
The Short answer:  No.  *smile*

The Long answer :  We don't make decisions based on whatever we want; we choose to let scripture guide our decisions.  Scripture says 'no', so we ask ourselves, "Okay then, so what are our other choices?"  And we find other fun things to do as a family.  *smile*  We don't look at it s missing out, we look it as choosing something wholesome for our family.


"Do you pass out candy when children come trick-or-treating at the front door?"
The short answer:  No. That would be condoning the celebration of Halloween.

The long answer:  Putting up decorations that display and play with death and fear on our front porch and yard, and/or encouraging other children to participate in Halloween by passing out candy at our front door when they come trick-or-treating is still also celebrating it; let's be honest.  And when those dressed-up children come to our front door our own children are then exposed to those costumes (and we've had children be frightened like that in the past).  Also parents must consider what message they would be sending if they did not allow their own children to participate in Halloween, but they passed out candy to other children who were.  We need to be consistent in what we communicate to our children as being right and good.


"We participate in a Harvest Festival that night instead."
The Short answer:  ...Which is celebrating Halloween but calling it something different. 

The Long answer :  Some may call it "All Saints Day".  But the bottom line is, if it looks like, tastes like, and smells like costumes and trick-or-treating, and it happens on or right around October 31st, then it is celebrating this pagan holiday.  We used to participate in harvest festivals at church for our first 10 years as parents.  Years ago at a church we were members of before we moved Bob and I each had jobs helping to put on the festivals.  I was the candy buyer, going out and spending $700-800 on candy from the local stores and bringing it all back to the church, and Bob was the primary photographer.  Until the Holy Spirit began showing us that we were really not staying far enough from Halloween.  And when we asked the Lord to teach us more on this, He sent some great educational materials and theologians to help us learn God's truth about it.

Many, if not most main stream churches seem to have convinced themselves that they can offer a "safe solution" for children on Halloween night by offering a Harvest Festival as an alternative to Halloween.  But really that's like saying, Halloween is okay just don't go out on the streets to do it.  Or, families are going to do it anyway, so let's just help them do it safely.  That's the same reasoning as encouraging kids to drink alcohol at home because they're going to do it elsewhere anyway so they might as well do it where they're safe at home.  What we should be teaching children is that the celebration of evil, death, and fear is wrong, that scripture condemns participation in it, and then expecting them to obey God's Word.  Again, we shouldn't teach children that we make decisions based on what we want; we should make decisions based on what God's Word says we should and should not do.  It's not like scripture is silent on the subject of Halloween...


What scripture says about Halloween and occultism  (emphasis mine)

"Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.  And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.  But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.  For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, which is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.  Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.  Therefore do not be partakers with them.  For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.  Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.  And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them."  ~ Ephesians 5:1-11

"Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil."  ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22

"Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons.  You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord's table and of the table of demons."  ~ 1 Corinthians 10:20-21

"[do not] give place to the devil."  ~ Ephesians 4:27

"Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons."  ~ 1 Timothy 4:1

"Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!"  ~ Isaiah 5:20

"Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good."  ~ Romans 12:9

 "Seek good and not evil, that you may live; So the Lord God of hosts will be with you..."  ~ Amos 5:14

It may be tempting for people to think these words too strong for being applicable to playing with Halloween, but from what we've been taught, and from what we've learned and have read through out God's Word - we need to take evil serious.   It's not a joke.  It's not something to be played with.  Satan would like nothing more than for people to believe that just compromising a little bit won't hurt anything...that just a little fun in the dark won't lead to anything...that the children will be just fine...

"Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, 'Has God indeed said, 'You shall not eat of every tree of the garden'?...Then the serpent said to the woman, 'You will not surely die.'"  ~ Genesis 3:1, 4

I heard a great quote once about playing around with sin:

"Sin will take you farther than you intended to stray,
keep you longer than you intended to stay,
and cost you more than you ever intended to pay."  (author unknown)

I encourage parents to consider, is it really worth it, playing around with this occultic holiday?


Building an appetite 
It is always wise to consider before deciding to participate in anything whether or not that activity could form too great of an appetite, a desire for more and more, and which would then lead to bad fruit.  Halloween did this to me, and to all my other friends growing up. 

My friends and I started with simple trick-or-treating, dressing up and decorating with evil and darkness...and this was no big deal and became common place.  Then as a young adult enjoying haunted houses, enjoying the thrill of fear, and of playing in the dark (where all kinds of bad things are born).  As we got a little older we then desired to practice more of what we participated in at night, so we did pranks on other people's houses, covering their yard and home with toilet paper that then gets wet with dew and pretty much cannot be removed then by the home owner, and other such "tricks" which we thought were so sly and clever...and we enjoyed playing with evil and harm.  I had friends get in to the dangerous Dungeons and Dragons game.  Others who introduced me to Ouija (pronounced weegie) boards, which dabble in communing with evil spirits.  Then there was a fascination with fortune telling and tellers (which are at the fair grounds here in our town, and at several locations around town as well - easily accessible).  Of course there was the thrill of horror movies, again the thrill of fear, evil, death...but now with images that are in one's head forever.  And now that I'm a parent, the several horror movies I did see were returning to haunt my dreams about our children and loved ones... And all of these things lure kids in to the occult.

People may be fooled in to thinking, Well, I would never let our child get so involved.  But those same parents are willing to introduce the darkness of Halloween when the child is little.  Should we say, Well, we just played around with that a little bit but now we should stop?  The child then asks, Why should I stop?  I like it.  I would encourage parents to think ahead to what they are choosing to introduce and communicate to their children.


"What DO you do then on the evening of October 31st?" 
We choose to turn off the front porch light by our front door so as to not look inviting to trick-or-treaters, and to avoid having children come to our door only to have us ignore their knocks, or to open the door but have to tell them that we don't have any candy for them...over, and over, and over again.  If we encourage costumed children to come to the front door then our children have to be exposed to those frightening costumes, and we would be giving a mixed message to our children that we will support others celebrating Halloween but we will not do so ourselves.  That can cause children to feel angry, and eventually to rebel.  We choose to not have any part in Halloween at all. 

We celebrate my birthday that day with the children instead.  We decorate our house for a birthday celebration, watch a movie as a family, maybe play a game, make home made popcorn and snuggle in the family room.  But even if we didn't have a birthday to celebrate that day, we'd still do all those fun activities (minus the birthday decorations of course) just like we do so many other days of the year.  *smile*

We have learned that we can't easily go out of the house on Halloween night because there are horrific costumes everywhere we could go:  to the mall for a sweet treat and to play in the children's play area; to a store (even the grocery store); to any other children's play areas; even walking down the side walks.  So we just stay home and enjoy ourselves as a family.  Sometimes we go somewhere to celebrate my birthday the weekend before my birthday instead.


Surrender and blessings
The world would tell us that we are missing out or greatly sacrificing by not celebrating Halloween.  That what we receive by not participating with Halloween is only loss.  But this is a lie from the enemy of our souls, and from the world. 

The truth is we receive great blessing in protecting our children's minds, hearts, and emotions as the Lord calls us to.  *smile*  By protecting them from evil influences their minds are not compromised, their hearts not tempted toward darkness, and their emotions are not fearful or worried when they are young.  We practice "green housing" the children so that they, as new sprouts and saplings, can obtain strong roots and a healthy beginning so that when they are transplanted in to the world they will be able to withstand the storms, the disease, and that which will seek to destroy them.  They will have a strong foundation in Christ, they will know The Way of truth and life and how to walk in it, and be able to lead others to Christ and eternal life with Him, too.  It is good to teach our children the principle that we do not do whatever we want in life, or whatever is easiest or most popular, but rather what God directs us to (and from) in His Word. 


Some valuable resources to help people learn about the truth about Halloween and the occult.

I have found some really excellent resources to help people become aware of the dark side of Halloween and how prevalent it is in society today.  I encourage people to learn as much as they can, to make safe and scriptural decisions for their families, and to have an answer ready for their choices when people ask.

§  The Occult Explosion - an excellent audio message by Dr. Ron Carlson, founder of Christian Ministries International, and a world renowned speaker and teacher since 1975 (listen to a FREE 10 minute sample, and purchase the entire message for $6)

§ Halloween's Occultic Connection - David L. Brown of BelieversWeb has researched this topic for more than a decade. This 8 page article is an excellent, well-documented, thorough description of Halloween.

§ What Witches, Satanists and Other Occultists Say About Halloween, by Logos Research Pages

§ Should Christians Celebrate Halloween? (a blog post and book by a former witch and satanic high priest, now Christian)

So.  *smile*  I would encourage you to consider carefully how you will spend October 31st this year, and to come up with a wholesome family plan that will be pleasing to the Lord.  And if you have children's costumes from past Halloween celebrations that are wholesome, you could add those to the dress up box at home and let the kids enjoy them all year long instead.  There's nothing wrong with the costumes themselves; it's what people choose to do with the costumes that can be the problem.

Blessings on your family as you choose what to do on October 31st this year.  It's an important decision, and I've been praying for you.

Adoption: To Love Or Not To Love

Someone asked me the other day what I feel when someone asks me how many children I have and I reply with "9".  It made me stop and think because the funny thing is I have been pondering this thought myself. 

The word that comes to my head is "proud" however that is not the word I am looking for.  I am not
"proud" that I have 9 children.  I guess the feeling that I have is "full" or "content".  I am "satisfied".  I love my life.  The Lord has blessed me richly.

I think getting away for a couple days really made me realize how much I do love ALL of my little blessings. 

I have really seen a change in my 10 year old son over the past month.  This adoption has not been easy on him by any means.  For awhile he cringed every time one of the little girls wanted to give him a hug or a kiss on the cheek.  He still has the view of girls having cooties.  Not that the little ones have cooties but the only one who could give him a kiss on the cheek is his mommy.  Yes -- ME! As much as I love this I thought it was important that he makes sure he shows these little ones that he loves them like a brother loves his sister.  I brought up that for a long time now his feelings get so hurt when his older brother won't hug him or show affection to him.  Joshua is a very lovable boy.  To him he feels rejected when he is pushed away.  Since that talk with Joshua he has been such a loving brother to these little girls.  They go up to him and give him the biggest hugs and he hugs them right back just as big as what they gave him.  Every night they want to give Joshua and hug and a kiss on the cheek.  Joshua gives each one a kiss on the cheek and he tells them that he loves them.  My heart turns to mush when I see this.

He asked me the other day if he can wait for the bus by himself when little K gets off.  He said that he wants them to know that he cares for them and that he loves them so much.  He said that he remembers how bad it hurt not to be hugged my his older siblings and he does not want them to feel that way. 

He did ask me "what happens if they do go back to their real mom and dad?"  I explained to him that that is always a risk until this whole thing is final and it could very well happen.  The thing we have to remember is that we are teaching them how to love one another and we love them completely regardless of where they will be in 5 years.  Our job is to share the love of Jesus and prepare them the best we can with what time we have with them -- all the while praying like crazy that God will preform a miracle and have them be with us forever.  Josh told me that when he gets older he would love adopt one day.  I love this boy!!


I have heard people who do foster care state don't get attached to the children that you have in your home because when it comes time for them to leave you will be heart broken.  Well all I have to say to that is that is a bunch of garbage.  These children need to be loved COMPLETELY!! If I get hurt -- I get hurt.  These kids can tell if you treat them differently from your biological children and they do want to be part of you.  So my advise to you is to give them the best gift you can and love them to pieces while you have them.  That might be the only true love they experience.

Adoption: Court

On Wednesday was the court date.  I was so nervous because as of right now the plan for our children is to return to parent.  One parent is on the run and other parent is some what doing what he is suppose to.  I am not so worried about the mom in this situation because she has not changed and the judge could see that just for the fact she was not there.

Miss J has written a letter to read at court.  She put a lot of thought into this letter.  The judge asked her if she had anything to say.  She said yes that she would like to read the letter.  She made it through the first word and broke down crying.  She managed to get herself together and read it.  It was amazing.  She did not read this letter to me before sharing it with the Judge.  I was in awe!! She was respectful and same off very intelligent.  She pleaded with the judge not to separate her from her sisters.  The dad (who was there) is trying to separate them.  Almost immediately I started to cry once I heard her break. It was ripping my heart out!

I could see compassion in the Judges eyes.  The Judge told everyone that she is not in favor of separating them.  She then turned to the dad and said very bluntly that he is doing a horrible job and getting his kids back.  The attorney said very harshly "I am giving you 90 days to clear up your warrants". This requires a lot of money.  She gave him a long list of things to complete withing the 90 days.  The list includes things that he should have done in the past but never did so now the list is quite long and pretty much unrealistic.  After the 90 days she said if there is so much of a "T" that is not crossed she is going to move the case to permanency for the purpose of adoption.

Today was visitation with him and two little ones.  He called and cancelled the meeting.  He gave an excuse that didn't really fly with me and I hoping the state can see through it too.  The judge was really hard on him and confronting him for dragging his feet to get his act together.  I can see that this is just the beginning of him fazing out of the picture.

I have to brag on my husband for a moment.  My hubby made it possibly for me to get away on a three day women's retreat in Bandon Oregon.  I was able to go with my mom and two sisters.  I really couldn't believe it was happening and it took a lot for me not to feel guilty for going.  I will say that the time away really made me acknowledge that I love everyone of my children and I really couldn't wait to get back but also to enjoy the time I had there.  I know it won't happen a lot so I did my best to enjoy the time away.

While we were there one of the ladies who were given the retreat wanted to the person to stand up with the most children.  Guess what?  That was ME!! She knew the answer to this question already but she asked "Sheri tell everyone how many children you have".  I said "9 children!" Everyone cheered for me in the room.  I was so proud of every single one of my babies and it made me miss them even more.  She handed me a scarf that a lady had made as a gift for some women.  I loved it!!

Pulling into the drive way my hubby met me in the parking lot.  I love this man so much!! He was happy and glad I was home.  I can also tell that his bonds with the children had grown too.  I know he loves the children but he works everyday outside the home and is home a lot less than me because of his work.  I could tell that while I was gone the Lord was doing a work at the house too.  All the children greeted me at the door for hugs and kisses.  I picked all of them up a present while I was at the coast.  Soon after that we all loaded up the van and headed out to Hometown Buffet.

I know that I know that these will be my permanent babies one day.  On that day you will see tears of joy streaming down my face.  So mark your calenders for a celebration in the future.  The Lord has made it clear he is in this with us all the way!!

Blessings!

Adoption: Adjustments And Bonding Are A Success!

When looking back on when we first got these new children and look to where we are now I know the Lord is directing my steps every step of the way.  Miss J has been with us for a month now.  She is a beautiful girl with so much potential.  She brings her own flavor to the house.  I love having her here.  She is trying to call me mom.  Most of the time she calls me "mommy".  I think it makes it just a little easier to get use to the idea.  I know it must be hard and I let her know that it is not a requirement.  She can call me Sheri if she would like.

 

Today at church we saw her old counselor from Kiros.  Jade walked up and gave her a big hug.  The funny thing is my girls were over at their cousins house and they had on these little house on the prairie dresses.  They made aprons and bonnets for them.  They decided to be silly and where these dresses to church that Sunday.  This was the day her counselor decided to be at our church.  Miss J was grinning from ear to ear.  I wonder what was going through her mind.

 

The two little girls are realizing that Miss J is not their mom.  They do love their big sister and Miss J has had to be their mom for most of their life.  Miss J lets me be their mom and realizes that she is their big sister so there is not a power struggle going on.  Sometimes I feel bad when the little one gets hurt and they run past her to get to me to make their owie better.  I think it is times like these that she realizes that I am the mom.  I can sense there is not bitterness or attitude but just acknowledgement.  She has expressed that she is so happy that she can act 13 and does not have to worry about her sisters well being any more.

 

So every day we are just keep our heads up and leaning on the Lord every step of the way.  Please keep us in prayers.  On the 12th of September is a court date.  I know Miss J is very nervous about it.  For this involves possibly loosing her sisters.  Things tend to always be looked out negatively due to the history of their case.  For me I have been lifting this up in prayer for a few months now.  I have faith that these kids will be ours sooner or later.  It does concern me that through the process of getting there the psychological damage that this case is causing them is not good.

 

Just in few month that I have been doing foster care it is very evident in this case how the state is for the parents and not the children.  The fact of how long these kids have been in the system and how many times they have been removed is only evident.  Miss J has written a 6 page letter to the courts and is going to read it.  It tells her mom how she feels and how she feels about the little girls' dad.  She has witnessed a lot of abuse at the hands of these two people who the courts are still giving chances to.  It is heart breaking!

 

Thanks you for prayers!!! Boy do we need them!! I will be sure to post an update after the court hearing on the 12th.

 

Blessings,

Sheri