Something very dear to my heart.....

I have put off talking about this for a long time, just b/c it is very hard for me to put into words my emotions about this. I have been so honored to have been able to assist in photographing children that are awaiting adoption through DHS. With Kelly's help, we photographed over 25 awesome kids.

November 16th they unveiled the Heart Gallery at the Clinton Library. This is an exhibit of photographs of these kids that will rotate throughout the state. Once the children are adopted, they will be able to have the photo and hang it up in their new home. Also, DHS's website has the boys, girls, and sibling groups on there, along with a description about them. Many of these photos haven't been updated in a long time, and in time, all of these new photos will be on the site, a few of them are on there now. I have looked at this website many times in the past and thought how cool it would be to get to photograph these kids. And it was cool....and also heartbreaking. Each day that I worked on this.....it totally consumed my mind, a heavy weight...those small moments with those kids etched into my heart forever.

There were many photographers that contributed to it, and it was such an impact to see so many beautiful photographs of these children. The bigger impact was the knowledge that all these kids want is a home....and the images in my head of the life these children have had. You could see small glimpses of it in their eyes, behind their smile....but these kids are just like our own kids.....they only want to be loved. My heart truly breaks for these kids. Truly.

I pray everynight for these kids....now I have met some of them, I know them by name....it is so hard to just sit back and ignore the call to help them. My kids have looked at the photos with me, I have told them about them, and they even include them in their prayers at night too.

The other night, even Rachel, on her own was praying and said, "God, please help the kids find new parents...." And then she stopped, looked at me so innocently and said, "Mom, could they just come live with us?" I just looked at her with tears in my eyes, and said, that would be nice, how would that work, how many could live with us? She proceded to come up with a plan for who would sleep where, how she would share her toys......how easy it sounded coming from her. And maybe it could be.....b/c I know the Lord would guide us all the way through.

If you have not heard of The Call, check out their site. And click on Interested in Foster Adoption. I met these kids on this video....and it truly pained me to watch the video on that page, but you should watch it. Once reading their philosophy on how God has CALLED us to take care of these kids......it is very hard to just sit back and say, "Oh well, I already have 3 kids....someone else can help..." This is so heavy on my heart.....

These are a few of the kids that we photographed

The walls were lined all the way around the room with photographs of "The Waiting" children