Thoughts from Parent Weekend

December 31, 2008

My first Parents Weekend as Big Sister at Doulos has just concluded. When the weekend started I was very intimidated and nervous about meeting the parents of the girls. I had been chosen to share my testimony on Friday night at dinner for all the parents, LeadTimers, staff and family. I was also very nervous about that!
In order to spend some time with parents and get to know them a little better, the Bigs are assigned to families to eat out with. I was blessed to be able to eat with the families of all three girls in my room. Friday morning I went to breakfast with the first set of parents and my Littles Sisters brother. I really did not know what to expect but it turned out to be really good experience. I gained alot of insight from the parents on their daughters struggles and really felt like it was a God given gift to sit down with them all having a common goal in purpose…to have their daughter grow and molded into Christ’s image. It was awesome.
Lunch proved to be the same thing but exceeded breakfast, which I didnt think that was possible at the time! I ate with family #2 and the conversation was very individual based on the girls it provided alot insight, encouragement and lightbulb moments. The most amazing of this experience was when my Little Sisters Mom looked me right in the eye with so much intention and emotion and said that her and her husband wanted to genuinely thank me and bless me for investing in their daughters life. That they would be praying for me and loved me. WOW…the boost of motivation and love in my heart to pour into these girls went up about 100% at that moment…it was amazing.
The rest of the weekend included more meetings with the parents which was equally amazing and the opportunity to serve in many ways. Last night the Bigs had a night off and we all hung out and relaxed which was awesome Today we all had church together with a sharing time and it was really great to hear the hearts of the parents as they shares how God had worked with them over the weekend.
So now its back to the everyday at Doulos. God has done amazing things in my life through the parents this weekend and I am going back in a few hours renewed, refreshed and having a new perspective of my kids and where they are coming from. I serve an amazing God who just never ceases to amaze me. Thank you Lord that you hold it all in your hands…your incredible <><