This is the Starting Point We are at with Many of Our Kids
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God.” 1 John 3:1
This verse is at the heart of what we are striving to do. We are called to love the kids God has placed in our home. Whether they are cleaning the bathroom without being asked (THANKS IZZY!) or are screaming and yelling at us about how stupid we are for what feels like the hundredth time this week. We get to call them our children, and we have chosen them to be part of our family. However, just like in God’s family the kids have a choice of whether they want to accept that love and that inclusion or not. Accepting love from someone is difficult, especially if people in the past have failed you or not been as strong as you needed them to be. If you have felt discarded all your life, being chosen is scary. This is the starting point we are at with many of our kids.
Trey is at this starting point. He has had months of struggle. He does not know what true love or a healthy family looks like and has not had a lot of long-term, strong adults in his life. We have seen momentary progress over the last month and pray that he is beginning to turn a corner and accept our love and choose to be part of the family.
Izzy is settling in as well. We are proud of how hard she is working at school. She had over 2,000 merit points this month, which is amazing. Mirlanda struggles to allow herself to enjoy life and accept love. We pray that she learns to accept not only our love, but God’s love and grace. She is amazing at showing love to young kids though. She helps a young boy with Down Syndrome at our Wednesday after school program at church and has amazing patience and gentleness with him.
The Claypools struggle at times to understand why the other kids are not more accepting of being part of the family. To them this is their safe place, and being a “Moore Kid” is a badge of honor. Just ask them, they’ll tell you, we’re the best. Even though their journey has not been easy, they have reached a point where they see God’s work in it. What a blessing!
Can you believe Heaven is a senior? Neither can we. In a few short months she will graduate. She is super nervous about these next steps, but we know she will do great. She is planning to go to the local community college to start working toward a degree in social work. Grace is living her best junior year cheering, shooting archery, and being in musicals. Hunter has enjoyed his freshman year in sports but has learned he has to really start working to keep up with the pace of high school athletics.
Our boys continue to do well. Luke is in piano and loves Tri-County. Ezra finished basketball strong but was more than ready for a break from after school practice. He’s currently working on helping Kirk “remodel” the intern building.
The “adult” kids are all doing good things. Ashley is doing well at college and enjoying cheerleading at MACC. Abigial transferred to Truman State University to finish her English Education degree and is loving the bigger campus life. Titus is living his best life at Ozark Christian College. He’s making friends and loving digging deep into scripture. Mercy moved to Chicago this past summer and is continuing to do Postpartum care for moms and babies while exploring all Chicago has to offer.
Pray that our kids old and new will not only accept our love but will more importantly accept God’s love and his desire for them to be called His children.
Blessings, The Moore’s