Connected parenting asks parents to become detectives of their child; this includes being mindful of our own “heart, mind, soul and strength,” (Deuteronomy 6:5) and that of our child’s. By choosing to love our children in this holistic, connected, way we are teaching our children about the love of the Lord, and pointing them to the everlasting hope in Jesus Christ.
Read MoreIf you've never studied about trauma and the brain, it's easy to see a child as misbehaving rather than unregulated. Our bar slowly raised for each of our children, over time, as we saw they had developed healthy coping options when that anxiety crept in. That's what we do at the care farm. We get to walk our visitors at the farm through attachment with the animals, empowering them to be in the place of meeting needs.
Read MoreGod has asked us to lay down our understanding and to go into difficult places NOT for our sake, but for His purpose for us to love another as God has loved us. As a friend recently reminded me from Psalm 23, it's not that walking in faith keeps us from going through dark and difficult moments it's that by doing so with Him, we find His surpassing peace. The most amazing thing about God is that he uses even the most painful of circumstances that's brought our way to become our blessing.
When we take time to go into those foggy places with someone and all we do is give the gift of who God made us to be, we minister hope. I had someone say to me, I can't really do what you do, but I'd really like to help with building projects. My reply was, "And I'm grateful because building is not what God has for me to do. We need you."
If you have dismissed yourself, reconsider and step out in faith, relinquishing your understanding and trusting in His. You won't be sorry.
Read MoreMinistry at the Care Farm places emphasis on the magnificent intricacies in God's creations. This experiential learning is happening at the pace of the person being served. As we discover their likes and differences our awareness expands. Without typical performance related demands on a timeframe decided by a "system," we see a relief in pressure, anxiety lowers and in it's place curiosity can emerge.
Read MoreHurting people, by nature, have a tendency to develop a self focus. It's not related to their lack of care of others as much as it is, a hyper awareness of their own pain. In that place of pain, it's difficult to develop empathy which is a critical component to connecting and growing. It's natural when we come across those struggling with deep wounds, to be uncertain about what to do.
Read MoreThe Grace Haven Care Farm’s first priority is to provide a place of refuge where felt safety can be found. Felt safety is a crucial piece to reconnecting the spokes back onto the rim, or in some cases, connecting for the very first time. Not only do we get excited about seeing someone find healing, it is part of our mission that we help our community members know how to help so they can be a strong “spoke.”
Read MoreThe first time I read this quote I was a new foster mom. We were on our 4th foster case since becoming an open foster home five months earlier. The sweet babe I was cradling in my arms when I read this quote was not yet talking, she wasn’t walking, she was not even sitting up on her own – because she was only five months old. This precious one continued to grow, and learn, and change; and when she spoke the word “mama” it was me she was calling. I have learned and grown and changed a lot since that day; and this quote continues to hit me deep inside. You see, adoption is beautiful, it is the walking out of the gospel in the flesh and it is hard and painful and messy.
Read MoreDid you know we have 7 senses: taste, touch, sight, smell taste, and two internal senses vestibular and proprioceptive? These seven senses help us understand the world.
Read MoreMom win - - because my little one tenderly came back to check on me - - which he learned somewhere along the way. In this house, we stick together.
Read MoreJohn 10:10 says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” (ESV)
I cannot live the life God has called me to live when my thoughts act like bombs along my journeys pathway destroying my path.
The song Fear is a Liar, is a good reminder to me that I, myself am NOT Fear. Fear is the enemy who longs to keep us from all of the fruits of the spirits becoming evident in our life!
Read MoreWhat are our ‘buttons’? Perceived external irritating occurrences or behaviors in others that cause us to react destructively or sudden internal responses with no apparent or obvious cause. We all have these ‘buttons'. How do we find them? What do we do when we find them? How do we respond?
Read MoreWe talked yesterday about what compassion fatigue is now let’s talk about ways to prevent compassion fatigue.
How do we picture our journey?
Before we dive into the steps to self regulation, let’s start with how we see. I remember when God got a hold of my heart for orphans. I felt fiery inside and I remember saying, “I don’t care how hard it is God, if you send me, I will go!” I was so resolute. At that time the call felt like an invitation and I was excited about it.
Read MoreCompassion fatigue develops over time. The added stressors of this pandemic makes the topic an even more important one as it certainly adds a new dimension to stress loads.
Compassion fatigue is a natural and inevitable result of caring for others when we as caregivers have not cared for our own needs. With our energy slowly depleting, our ability to feel and care for others isn’t there. The abilities we once had, to meet needs, to care for others, those that we once seemed to flow in so freely may seem distant and inaccessible. It is not too late to recover but it will take some real action steps.
Read MoreWe have sufferings now. But the sufferings we have now are nothing compared to the great glory that will be given to us. Romans 8:18
Most of the time, I really don't want to hear this verse. It so goes against my flesh to agree to suffer even if it is for greater glory...what does that even mean? Then I hear a whisper, "Jesus.”
Yes, Jesus. You are worth it all. My heart knows and must wrestle with and remind my flesh.
Read MoreWho is overwhelmed at the thought of being the teacher AND the mom? Me too! Yes, I AM a homeschool mom. Yes I DO fight insecurities on the regular and we push through. At the beginning of this school year I had NO idea how I was going to teach MY daughter to read. I had NO idea how I was going to teach my daughter to do math problems. I was overwhelmed and afraid I was going to shortchange her.
Psalm 91 1-2 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
Read MoreShe never gave up. She pressed on and reached her goal. She pressed on - - this reminds me of Paul's words from Philippians 3:14, “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Read MoreWe have been trying to be very intentional during this season to grow even closer and really listen to the lessons being taught.
Today we set up our table with art supplies and played music chair painting. We turned on worship music and a timer. Each person had 2 minutes to add to the painting and then pass it on. Some of us recognized our control issues more than others.
We've been busy this past year! Grace Haven served over 83 families in 6 different states in 2019. We added 2 TBRI Practitioners to grow our caregiver and volunteer training. Grace Haven hosted the Empowered to Connect Simulcast and provided childcare for 10 families.
Thanks to the financial and prayer supporters like you, our ministry has grown in ways that could only be God-ordained.
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