It Was a Sweet Day....Just in time for Valentine's

It was a sweet day. 

Just in time for Valentine’s….

Partially because I have initiated the steps for a new journey in my life…time will tell.

But, mostly because I was able to spend the day with one of my most favorite young women in the world.

Madison.

My little sweet pea is growing up.

For a young lady who has been through much in her short life, she is walking through the “stuff” and I am proud of her. 

She has not done this on her own….and, it shows.

When I walked into her dorm room today to wait for her as she took a test in one of her classes, I was greeted with many reminders of who is #1 in her life.

I cannot express how touched I was with the words scattered around her room.  Truth be told, her former  roommate Sara (who has gone to join our military) probably placed most of them in the room, I saw only a few in Madison’s handwriting.  But, Madison kept them in their place…and, I know from talking with her, she left them on purpose and in hopes that if she would be faithful in the small things, God would be with her in all things.

None of my children is perfect. 

But, neither is their mother.

What I do love about each of them is that they are real and authentic.

And, I believe in my mother’s heart that they do love the Lord.  I believe that because I ask them at times if they do….I want them to think about it.  Often. 

Living for Him is more of a challenge….life is tough in the best of circumstances.  So, seeing my daughter’s room blanketed in Bible verses and prayers was very touching…and, it gave me hope and joy.

Hope that He will be with her every moment of the day and that she will recognize that presence.

Joy in knowing that God is faithful to answer prayers – my biggest one of which is that He continually put Godly people in her life to love her and remind her ultimately to whom she belongs.

Further sweet to me was watching Madison participate with her peers in her classroom setting.  It was fun to sit in a room where I had sat some 28 years ago and watch her interact with her peers.  Fun to see her learning and sharing and laughing.  Joyful to see her participate in a mature yet silly way on a fun and silly project.

Sweet as well was walking down the same paths on campus I had walked may years before…thinking I had it figured out and now knowing I didn’t, nor does she.

We did the lunch thing and shared.

We did the Mama/daughter thing and shared.

We did the silly girl thing and snapped photos of ourselves in the car outside of her dorm room.  The things I let her talk me into doing is funny.

She talked mature.  She talked of boys.  She spoke of classwork.  She mentioned CRU (a Bible study) and her need to get in the groove this semester.

But, interwoven between all of that woman was the little girl I carried home in my arms almost 22 years ago…

her – baby girl                       me – Mommy

She just melted my heart.  And, I cannot express how grateful I am to God for my little sweet pea. 

That God would choose to bless me with such a daughter is one of my greatest joys and gifts….and, days like today are made doubly sweet by being in her presence.

So, we kissed goodbye and I turned my head to see her walk away from the car…one last glimpse of one of the greatest gifts I have ever been given.

Madison Elizabeth Jewel

All wrapped up in a sweet, pink bow and given to me..by Him.

I am eternally grateful.

Blessings,

Lesa

I Was Privileged to Attend "The Faces of Substance Abuse"

I was privileged recently to attend a conference entitled, “The Faces of Substance Abuse” which is a workshop for professionals and Partnering Agencies who work to combat drug/substance abuse.  I am new to this environment, being a newly hired employee for Scott Countians Against Drugs a/k/a SCAD and my mind is blown with all that I am learning….and from WHOM I am learning...

I heard speakers from all over Kentucky and even Florida discuss how insidious the drug abuse problem is in our nation.  I heard seasoned professionals give out statistics.   I heard Attorneys discuss legal remedies.  I heard Physicians discuss medical helps.  I heard a former/recovering addict share his life’s journey through drug abuse and back.  Each was amazing and powerful.

BUT, what impressed me the most was a presentation given by a bunch of youth from “38 Kids and Counting:  Building a Successful Youth Program” from Henry County, Kentucky.

While the adult-provided information was excellent, well presented and factual, it was these ten or so young adults who gave me hope.  They were articulate in HOW they presented their information on combatting drug abuse among their peers but more importantly,

Their message was powerful…

Here is what I learned from these young people:

1)      Don’t try to win the war against drug abuse, try to win mini battles right in your own back yard

2)      When you deal with something invisible (drug abuse is generally hidden), you have to make it visible

3)      Let your peers see that is a privilege and honor to be a part of the Army against drug abuse rather than giving in to those who would tell you it is more fun to be a user

4)      Created programs in response to actual needs of your community rather than what a committee of activists come up with – ask the hard questions

5)      Be willing to be self-critical and to accept criticism from others and use that knowledge to improve your program

6)      Planning always equals fair division of labor, implementation and follow through and dedication of members

7)      Never give up and always look up

8)      Don’t look down on them because of their youth; youth has insight which age cannot have; age has wisdom which can helpfully guide youth; together, they can be a powerful coalition

One later likened the war against drugs to the war against sin…it will always be with us – and, all we can do is each commit to do our part, one person at a time, on life at a time, my soul at a time.

She took the same eight principles above and changed the focus from combatting drugs to that of combatting sin.

Amazingly, they all applied.

This from a young person too young to have committed very many “baddies” in her life….

I left their presentation with a greater understanding of the seriousness of drugs in our schools and small communities, a greater sense of urgency as an adult to do my part and a greater perspective of hope in our future leaders.

These young adults did not get paid for their heavy involvement in their communities, they did not get a grade to be reflected on their GPA status nor did they get accolades for their commitment to teaching their peers why not to do drugs.  What they did get was the personal satisfaction of CARING about something greater than themselves.....a "mind-blowing" concept.

They care about their own bodies, minds and spirits

They care about their friends, family and teammates

They care about their school, church and activities

They care about their community

And, in that caring, they find the self-awareness, self-confidence, self-commitment it takes to choose to take the path of saying No to drugs which are the Anti-Care of life.

They said when the “care” is planted back into the hearts of people; the ability to say NO will grow and thrive.

And, perhaps most powerfully, they said care is a gift which each person can give to another person..

Which means we can all chooses to Care…

We can all choose to "share our care"

C A R E….a mind-blowing concept, starting with each of us.

So, as they said, “Let’s do!”

C A R E

Blessings,

Lesa