Dear Graysie:

Daddy is the youth group leader for our church and has been for a couple of years now. He loves his time each week spent with all these teenagers. He has brought our youth group from 3 to 150 kids. Our church congregation is now incredibly smaller than our youth group. Daddy has a way of bringing something from nothing to greatness, a gift in a way. They adore him and he has a unique approach with them. You see, our youth group is made up of kids who are broken and hurting. It does not house your typical "churched" teenager. Yes, we have a handful of kids who've gone to church their whole lives, but for the most part they are just your typical teenage kids. Daddy knew if he provided food, fun and a safe environment that he could reach these kids like no other youth group would.

Many of the parents of these kids are absent. Either physically or emotionally. Most of the kids came because we left the church doors open and as they skateboarded or ran by daddy would invite them in. Pretty simple approach, but it worked. These kids are broken and they need a place to share their stories and their hearts. Each week, I also help, although I feel less than natural with these big kids. It takes a lot of work for me to feel comfortable with them and I generally just busy myself with game set up and cleaning up. I do form bonds with many of the young girls. One in particular who is a teen mom. I am her sounding board when things get tough, I am her motivation when she is lacking skill to go on. I hear her heart and her embarrassments and her fears for her future. I realize that I am able to connect with her so much more than I thought I would.

These big kids will not end up perfect. These big kids make many mistakes. Daddy stands at the door each week and collects drugs from pockets so that the kids who are not into that feel safe, and so he can establish an environment to teach these kids that he cares enough to not want them harming their bodies(something many of their parents have not done for them). We have been called at 3 a.m. by the police because one of our "kids" had shoplifted and they didn't think to call their mom or dad but instead they called us. We have been to school events where parents never showed up. We attend baseball games many times for our kids who play. We employed many of them for their first jobs. We talk through heartbreaking family situations. We listen when they feel helpless and we hug when they had never received affection before. We love these kids and we see good in them even when the world has not a glimmer of hope.

Our experience with these kids who the world see's as "bad", "wild", "non-christian" and so many other negative labels will set us up for grace when it comes to meeting your birth mom. Although she will come to us as a christian and has loving great parents, she will be hurting and broken and we will know how to be there for her even though our kids are only toddlers.

We still don't know you are coming, but we are loving you already.

Love you forever!

Mommy