Finally!

It has been a really busy summer in our house, of course with nine kids at home what else can you expect, but, the demands on my time have seemed greater than usual.  We have been waiting for the "go ahead" on Job Corps for Isaiah, and that has been put on hold for a couple of months, as well as my cd about the children and their stories, and the video, moved into action.  The video was a hard choice for me, but in the end, I chose the song about Isaiah.  He has been the one who has struggled possibly the most, at least emotionally, and still faces living in survival mode from day to day.

Just as I think we make progress, we go back a couple of paces, then gingerly look at whether to put another foot out.  I think this has been the biggest challenge in my history of fostering and adoption.  Emotional problems are elusive at best, while physical ones present themselves in the light of day, with many options to overcome.  Whether Isaiah can overcome them is yet to be determined.  I hope and pray every day he will, and each time he goes forward for prayer, I feel there is another dent made in the wall that surrounds him.  In fact, there isn't one wall, there are many layers.

Last night was a spontaneous night for us, which is not rare, after all we are Australian, and our English friends, who have a marvelous dance and acting studio which all of my kids attend, rolled up bringing our two home who had been helping over the summer with the office, and kids etc, with the pleading request that the kids all have a swim and sleepover.  Well when you have nine, what's another three?  Just more breakfast!  The catch was my sweetheart was leaving for Vegas at six, and they were all being picked up to go to the studio by 7.30.a.m., so it was an adventure in the making.  My reason for telling this is, that my friends are black English people that Isaiah looks up to, and he was childishly excited that their two boys were staying the night.  The sad part was, my youngest boy, Zach, is also bi-racial and the three of them have this tight "brother" relationship, which because of the ages, Isaiah is not part of, not for any bad reasons, just the age difference and the interests that the three younger ones share.

It was a reminder to me of how damaged this young man, of sixteen and one half years, is and probably will be for some time.  It saddened me to see him on the front porch this morning trying to relate to three young boys that were much younger and less mature, just because of their color and race.  It also pointed out to me the desperate need he feels to fit into this society and has not a lot of ability in knowing how to.  I am such a "fix it" person, but I cannot fix this.  This is a long journey because of past abuse, lack of education, and such a need to survive one day at a time.

I have mentioned previously that an article has been written about Isaiah, and his other Liberian brother and sisters with regard to the abuse suffered at the hand of their previous family, well, it is finally here.  It will be published and within the next few weeks I believe.  I hope justice prevails, although, I know that works in strange ways.  I hope I get the opportunity to put my "two bob's" worth in, because I think it is more that 20cents, in American money, it is a price I could not fathom because of the depths of pain, suffering, mis-trust, lack of guidance and parental input that the two children I have taken into my family have been affected by.

I do not know the outcome of their lives, but I hope, that I have at least stepped up to the plate and been a real mother, not a friend, or an abuser, not someone who, because they have difficulty caring for me, to turn away and forget they exist, but a Christ minded person who thinks about What Would Jesus Do?  I know that's a cliché, but there is truth there as well.  If I didn't think like that, I would not have survived the last three years and neither would have my family.  I am immensely proud of the fact that all of my other kids, young and older, have been supportive and have not only tried with these kids, but loved them, and ultimately tried to understand what they have been through.  Not an easy task, but then, I have amazing kids, and that includes Isaiah and CeCe who continue to strive towards the goal even though they have no idea what that is.  I hope, I pray, that I can teach them, and encourage them towards what God had in store for them.

The article that I have spoken about is being published soon.  A five thousand word article that I hope is freeing and informative.  I am eternally grateful for my friend, for her passion and dedication to put her heart and voice into exposing the exploitation of children.  I will let you know when it is being published, I only have tentative dates right now.  Also, my book, or novel based on the truth is finished,.  On that I shall also tell you when, and how to get a copy.  Here is a link to my cd that is not quite released yet, but, go have a listen.  For me this is not about sales, it is about information so that we are not ignorant of what is happening in our back yard.  Please listen to the stories, that's all I ask.  If you click on music you will be able to hear four tracks, the first one is the one I wrote for Isaiah, and also the video.

EPK link: http://www.tatemusicgroup.com/epk/?id=17950