Empowered to Connect

Jonathan and I had the opportunity to attend the Empowered to Connect simulcast, hosted by our church, the past two days. He was planning to go regardless, as he was doing the "tech stuff" for it, but I was not certain I was going to make it. Since the kiddos were in school on Friday and were able to entertain themselves for most of Saturday, I was able to go and am so thankful that it worked out. It was a tremendous learning and growing opportunity!! 

Parenting, in general, is not an easy task, but parenting "a child from hard places" requires a unique approach. Although not difficult to comprehend, it is an approach that is counter intuitive in our culture and can be difficult to embrace. As was said often over the past two days, "science is finally catching up to the Word." 

We are indeed a blessed generation to have someone like Dr. Karyn Purvis, Director of the Institute of Child Development at Texas Christian University. Her knowledge is vast, but her genuine love for the child from hard places is even greater. 

A few of the most meaningful topics/quotes from the two days included:

• Every child should know that they are precious - in the sunshine and in the storms.
• When we talk about what success in the home looks like, there should be joy...there should be laughter.
• Is it my job to make my child behave or to help them heal?"
• One of the greatest things we can give our children is a healthy us."
• The parent determines the destination, but the child can help determine the path.
• Summarized by Empowered to Connect:
• If our children are to believe that Jesus is crazy in love with them, then I suspect they will need to first understand that they are worth being loved like crazy.
• Yet we know that what they have experienced in life -- in terms of trauma, abuse, neglect, abandonment, and relinquishment -- often whispers...no shouts to them a very different message.
• So, by God's grace we as adoptive and foster parents are given the indescribable privilege of showing our kids, day-by-day and moment-by-moment, that they are valuable and deserving of love. Not because they are worthy, but because they have worth.
• As parents may our love in action be even a dim reflection of the love of Jesus and send the inescapable message to our children: you are worth being loved like crazy.

So far, both of our children's transitions have been quite smooth, but we left this conference realizing that we can be doing better for our kiddos. Feeling a bit overwhelmed, but hopeful as well. One change at a time : )