A Vortex

How can I describe the feelings wreaking havoc on my mind and heart right now? The passion and incredible respect and pride and grief. Now is my time to weep. To mourn. To celebrate. To learn and to grow.

We just returned home from a mission trip with Royal Family Kids Camp. Over thirty on site staff, over twenty special visitors, teams of people before, during and after camp volunteering hundreds of hours, thousands and thousands of dollars... all to give children the opportunity to know they are loved and experience a thousand moments that matter! Here are just a few.

1. To experience love and the amazing outdoors.
2. To touch dead bees, leaves, flowers, bugs, snakes, dirt and explore the wilds of the plains and learn about creation
3. To drive ATV's and ride horses
4. To swim and have massive water fights
5. To make string art, sensory bottles, spin art, paint, duct tape and draw to their heart's content
6. To climb a rock wall
7. To play GA GA BAll and shoot archery
8. To have their own mailbox and receive and send notes of affirmation 
9. To have access to quiet areas where sensory tools await
10. To be welcomed into rooms designed for them
11. To have beds made and a special quilt and welcome bag just for them
12. To have a special MP3 player to listen to the music of God's love
13. To have special snacks designed intentionally and with love for them from a special Aunt
14. To eat incredible meals and family conversation in our Jungle Cafe
15. To receive nurturing care from our nurse and our counselor
16. To experience the joy of having the men creating a giant fort...just for them
17. To play catch and a myriad of games with Coach
18. To navigate scavenger hunts and feelings
19. To tell stories at night and share experiences with others who have faced similar situations
20. To celebrate their birth with a massive birthday party
21. To celebrate being a girl and women and a boy and men with a tea party and eat incredible treats never experienced before
22. To have fun in the glow party learning to trust God to light their way
23. To dress up and pretend
24. To accept love and protection
25. To learn about Joseph and God
26. To experience someone loving you unconditionally
27. To give parents and foster parents a break and a new perspective
28. To mobilize the church across denominations to confront abuse and the break the isolation of shame
29. To see themselves in pictures and videos
30. To lead and to follow
31. To trust, to help and to accept help
32. To reconnect with families in celebration
33. To grieve
34. To be protected and to practice boundaries 
35. To light up thousands of glow sticks and fill hundreds of water balloons
36. To dive in to Gak
37. To sit and walk in the quiet
38. To play with special pet friends
39. To see four young campers graduate on to the next level.

My very favorite time of the day was before bed as we listened to kids' stories, celebrations and reflect on the day. 

It sounds crazy...but I carry these little ones within me and love them with my whole heart. 

I pray they take the love with them forever!