Haye's Teacher Conference - An Incredible Improvement

When Hayes came to our home, he was reading at a very low level C - assessing on a level ranging from A - K. Joel and I went for his teacher conference this week and were so pleased and affirmed to see his progress. In the most recent assessment, he is now reading at a very high level H - definitely on a first grade level and he is in Kindergarten. He had learned all of his sight words for Kindergarten and first grade and is working on his list for second grade. The progress was such a tangible affirmation of his progress and just what Joel and I needed to assure us that we are on the right path. We are proud of him - he is a hard worker and is concerned about doing well. I'm so thankful today for a teacher conference.

Learning to view challenges as opportunities

One of the hard things about beginning a new journey is the fear created by all of the un-knowns. When we began this journey, one of the significant unknowns was the financial responsibility of taking three additional children. We have been blessed with a beautiful home. However, as with anything, when you makes changes more changes are required. Such is the case with our home. We have 3 bedrooms and then one additional one downstairs. To accommodate everyody we had to make significant changes understanding they were temporary - or so we thought. The bedroom downstairs is nice - but doesn't meet fire code and has mold issues along the wall where Jacob's bed is. So........we need to move him. But there just isn't any place to go. The other three children are all in one room - a 16 year old, an 11 year old and a 6 year old. Of course, they are living on top of each other. We need to make some changes but the financial implications are huge. One of the things the court asked was for us to separate them on different floors but the court system and the State of NC have been very difficult to work with through this point. We covet your prayerful support as we work dilligently in allowing the Lord to do His work and to meet our needs as He sees them.

My sister and my friend!

I am lucky to have a sister who is also my friend. She so generously shares her life and her time with my family. She is my advocate who reminds me that there is no honor in running but that I must "turn my face toward the wind" and move forward. She reminds me that I am fortunate and that God doesn't make mistakes. She shows me perserverance through her own adversity with breast cancer and reminds me that I can if I will!! Her husband Jeff gives his time to my children and prays the most beautiful prayers for them. Thank you, Glenda and Jeff!!

The legacy a parent leaves!

Throughout all of this tragedy, my parents, Glenn and Alta Rogers, held me up on a daily basis. Having my own children, I know how painful it must be for them to watch as we struggle daily to start over, to begin again. Yet they never offer any words but those that encourage. They give us a legacy of faith, of family, of unconditional love!!! They stood by us with their physical presence, their tangible help! They are the hands and feet of God to our family.

Role Models

Hayes (and all the other children for that matter) is so fortunate that God has placed a role model like Joel in his life. I think this picture portrays that relationship so beautifully. Joel has been such a tremendous role model to all of the children through such incredible pain. He lost his sister. He is now an only child - with the full responsibility for his family. Yet, he never lets that responsibility deter him from what God has called him to do. He works hard, loves deeply, gives fully of himself. He has endured the pain with such an elegance, a determination to bring good from all the evil that touched our family. We are so blessed to have him leading our family!

The men I love!!

I took this picture at Easter of Hayes, Jacob, Carson and Nathanael. Carson and Nathanael are my sister's boys and they are such an important part of our lives. Each of them are so different and I love them dearly!!

Hayes - the son of my heart - my nephew!

Hayes joined our family in January. He talks of his missing his mom and dad but he has been an incredible joy! He is 6 years old and has an beautiful gift of communication. He simply says I miss them but I have a new family now. God has given children the gift of resillience - amazingly so!! Hayes is funny, fun, affectionate, obedient - all the wonderful things of a 6 year old boy!! He loves Jacob and is having so much fun being a boy!!

Hailey - the middle daughter of my heart - my niece!

Hailey came to our home in Janaury as a result of the death of her mother and father. It was a horrible ending to their lives but Hailey has just made the best of the situation. Hailey is such a worker!! Give her a task and she works her hardest at doing her best. She loves to earn prizes and worked hard at selling cookie dough and doing her PE worksheet. She is the same age as Keaton - 11 years old - and plays soccer with Keaton. She enjoys anything outside and likes to sing and dance!!

Chelsea - the oldest daughter of my heart - my neice!

Chelsea is 16 and came to our home in January as a result of her mother's death in a domestic dispute. The last few months have been months of incredible change for Chelsea. She continues to work hard to deal with the loss of her mother but that certainly is no easy task. She has such a sweet disposition, loves all things music and just finished participating in her school play "Seussical" at Enka High School.

Keaton - my beautiful daughter!!

Every family should be lucky enough to be blessed with a daughter. Keaton is sweet, helpful, a doer in word and deed!! She is so helpful to me at home with so many things. I can depend on her to do what she needs to be doing and she often looks for and finds things to do to help others. She is playing soccer and volleyball and looking forward to the summer. I am so lucky to have such a happy, helpful daughter in my life. I love her with all of my heart.

My son, Jacob!

Jacob is truly a joy in our lives!! He will be 14 in June. He has the sweetest temperment - he has such a dry sense of humor and keeps us all laughing. He is into all kinds of sports - plays football and basketball for the Enka Jets - our middle school. He also throws shotput and discuss for the middle school team and placed 3rd in our conference in the discus this year. He has a tender heart and is truly Haye's hero. I am so lucky!!

Your life can change in a moment's notice!

On New Year's Day of this year, my husband Joel and I were tiling our laundry room when we received a phone call from our local law enforcement asking about Joel's sister, Angie. Joel's parents had submitted a missing person's report on Angie. She was to go to her home that she shared with her ex-husband on New Year's Eve to get keys to the property and pick up her two children. She never returned that evening. Joel met the Sherriff's Department at her home and allowed them to enter. What they found that morning changed our lives forever. Her ex-husband her suffocated her and killed two other women - one in the home and a neighbor. He then fled our county with the two smaller children. We issued Amber Alerts and waited. They located him approximately 100 miles from our home with the two children. After a lengthy standoff, he committed suicide and the two children were rescued safely from the home. Angie had three children. Our life was forever changed in that moment. Joel and I along with our two children - Jacob and Keaton - met Joel's parents at the Sherriff's Department and brought the children home with us. Overnight we went from 2 children to 5 children. The last 5 months have been an incredible time of adjustment. We've spent many hours with counselors, in court, late nights talking, lots of crying and grief - it's just been plain tough. But I am reminded in Isaiah 55:8 that "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." In my limited human capacity, I simply cannot understand God's ways in his event. But I know his character and trust in His plan - because He has told me that his thoughts and ways are higher than anything I can imagine. In Jeremiah 29:11 He promises me that "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." So there is where I leave it and follow it from day to day. I trust without reservation my Heavenly Father.