“Snowflakes are one of nature’s most fragile things, but just look what they can do when they stick together.”
― Vesta M. Kelly
(My Aunt and Uncle’s driveway, March 2019)
(My Dad’s driveway, March 2019)
“Ding! Ding! Ding!“, my cell phone announced the arrival of no less than nine mostly-white pictures from relatives in Minnesota last week.
It made me think about the snow days of my childhood. I spent ten freezing, white-cold winters on a farm five miles from the nearest town. It was at the end of a long, gravel road, privately-owned by someone else, which meant it didn’t always get plowed right away. We would literally just be snowed in.
Every year, the grassy field in front of our house flooded and made a big, bumpy ice skating rink. I don’t remember ever using actual skates, it was just fun to run and slide around on it in our boots. If the wind chill was too brutal, we’d play in the barn. Mom would string up heat lamps for the chickens and my brother and I would spend hours reworking baled hay into houses for all our kitties to stay warm. Eventually, we’d high-step our way through the snow back up to the house…red cheeks, runny noses. I haven’t been cold like that in years.
The weather is supposed to be warm and cloudy here in Alabama this week (yay!), and based on some buds I *think* I saw on a tree in our neighborhood last night, I feel like Spring is about to…well…spring. 😉 It was warm enough to sit outside yesterday and Kevin and I got to spend a couple of hours with our friend, Sonia, on her back porch. Sonia is a social worker and has been such an amazing resource for us when it comes to talking through all-things post adoption and foster care. Sonia told us more about her friend, Lee, who created an organization called Kids to Love, whom Sonia works with and which exists to help find forever families for children who are stuck in foster care and who are hoping to be adopted. She told us about how, in 2015, the Lord led Lee to an abandoned mansion nestled on 10 acres up in north Alabama, and about how a generous gift from Tech CEO/Philanthropist, Dr. Dorothy Davidson, allowed Kids to Love to purchase the property, which is now named in her honor.
Today, the 10,000-square-foot house is home to seven teenage girls, as well as a team of house mentors who provide care, guidance, and stability for each girl in the group family. The girls get to attend a nearby school, have chores & allowances, and live in the home with house parents so that it as close to a family type setting as possible until they are adopted.
Kevin and I drove back home at dusk, moved and inspired by the stories Sonia shared about the girls and the entire Kids to Love organization.
Snowflakes and people…just look what they can do when they stick together.
What’s the weather like in your neck of the world this week, friend?
Layla
PS- Want to learn more about Kids to Love? Just click through to be re-directed to their website…I know they would love to hear from you!
I’m in MN and it has been the snowiest winter since I was a little kid! So ready for spring. Amazing read about foster care.
What a touching story. I wish I had as much faith as that woman does, I don’t know how to find it.
In Minnesota where is the snow is sticking together with a vengeance … I needed this story today to put a beautiful spin on all this snow! Love this story! Love this mission!
What an inspiring group to care for, mentor and love these girls. I hope everyone of them finds a family to fold them into their family and love them. I can’t wait to hear about your visit
Oh, I love this. Incredible story- and so beautifully put to words by you. You’re such a special follow for me. So glad to “know” you through this medium. ❤️ Can’t wait to hear how your visit there goes!
What an inspiring group! Prayers that everyone finds a family.
Layla your story brightens most of my days! Your love is contagious! Thanks for share your life with us ♥️♥️
Oh my goodness, what a powerful video and an amazing mission! I love what they are doing for girls in need! We need homes like that everywhere!
I wish these kinds of stories were in mainstream news! 🙂
Such a unique ministry to those
girls, wow. There are such difference
makers in this world.
Such a touching story! I love your comparison of snowflakes and people!
Wow, loved learning about Kids to Love. Great post too!!!
Such an inspiration! Thank you for sharing Sonia’s story
Beautiful. Just beautiful, all of it. I love how our hearts can bend and turn when we hear a story that inspires us. And we’re just not the same after.
Thank you so much for sharing, it was such an inspiring post. My husband and I are in California for him to attend a web accessibility. Conference. The weather today here is sunny and the high will be in the sixtys. We are from the Dallas area and I think they are calling from rain.
I so enjoy your blog and your instagram. You make me laugh a lot! I also leave in Duluth,Mn. Too far north and these photos are all to familiar . I wish I could fly away somewhere warm for just a bit! Also, both our children are adopted and love love love adoption! So thankful for God’s plan in our life and how He put our our family together!! Thanks for your joy and hopeful words!! Lord bless you !
So inspiring. I love when God calls on people to help and they hear the call and take action. So amazing!
Such a sweet touching story. Living in MN the winters can be harsh especially if not use to it. The area is beautiful after a fresh snow. All clean. All sweet and hopeful!!
Such a beautiful story. Xox thank you
What an inspiring post and quote! I love it ♥️
Here in Boise Idaho, the weather is definitely turning to Spring. Cold one day, warm the next! This next week we are warming up to the 60’s! Yay!!!
Thank you for sharing. Some many beautiful people in this world. So much inspiration to live fuller!
Wow, so beautiful! Gave me goosebumps! Thank you for following God’s call and trusting Him to lead you Sonia! I thought I was done having children many years ago and then one day God called and put on my heart the gift of adoption. We were scared but knew that if God was truly opening a door then we needed to trust and walk through it with him. It’s hard to believe that it’s been 12 years since we traveled around the world and were blessed with our beautiful daughter. All of our lives and hearts have been changed for the better! I pray that all of these girls will find their forever families soon! Keep up the good work!
I’m from Michigan and we’re wondering where Spring is. However, with stories like Sonia’s that warm the heart, I know that it’s just around the corner. God is good, all the time!
When we lost our son to cancer I wanted to adopt so badly. My husband was afraid that it was for the wrong reason. He asked me to wait and we did, During that wait, grief was deep and my dad became ill. I had to help my mom care for him. I think God had other plans for me. I wouldn’t trade taking care of him for anything. I still would love to adopt though. The thought of a child not having a forever home hurts my heart. Loved reading about this mission.
Glad to hear beautiful people like this live in this world 💜 we are freezing on the northeast coast. No spring for us for awhile. Thank goodness the sun is warm!
As a foster/adoptive mama and a volunteer with our local foster support ministry, I am SO GRATEFUL you’re using your voice to shine a light on Sonia and her work. 💕
WOW!!! First, thank you for ALWAYS sharing from your heart about adoption and fostering. Your willingness to be transparent (about so much in your life) is helping so many people. But, specifically regarding adoption and fostering… I believe you are helping change peaople’s perspectives, hearts, and, ultimately, helping change lives. THANK YOU.
Now let me address Davidson House… again, WOW! I got goosebumps listening to Lee share. I am always in awe and so humbled by God. The way He works just blows me away! I love how He uses people who love Him and are OBEDIENT. He is so good! As I watched that video, I found myself praying over every room in that house and every person who walks through those doors. I pray their lives will be transformed in mighty ways… not just the girls waiting for a forever home, but EVERY PERSON who enters those doors. I pray they will feel God’s presence and love. And I pray their life will be changed! AMEN!
Again, Layla, thank you for being YOU! You are blessing and a light to so many! Keep allowing God to use you. HUGS to you, my virtual friend! 🙂
This was such a great post! I love reading about foster care! It’s such a blessing to help out children in need.
It’s been rainy on Maui lately, but today looks like it will be beautiful and sunny, currently 69 degrees, high of 79. I can only imagine all that snow, although our mountain did see a couple inches of snow a couple weeks ago—-only happens once every few years and usually melts by the next day.
Thank you for sharing about Kids To Love. I fostered then adopted my biological niece when she was 4 years old and this really touched my heart. I own a small women’s/girl’s clothing business. I’d love to donate some clothes for those sweet girls.
I love your style!
They say every snowflake is unique and beautiful … really no different than people … great comparison Layla. This program sounds wonderful and we need many more just like them. Thanks for making my day.