Another Two Weeks

These past two weeks started off very difficult again.  This time we were not caught off guard by their behavior.  The boys' biggest need, besides love and acceptance, is structure.  When their structure is thrown off, they respond negatively.  We have found that when we come back on the hall it is very important to reinforce the structure that we set up.  The first week is rough while they readjust, but the second week usually runs smooth.

These crazy boys had us laughing so hard!

We finally have the internet and phones back online.  One or the other had been down since the storms came through in August.  This has made our job a lot easier and the boys a lot happier.

The inevitable fluctuation of boys on our hall is beginning to set in.  One boy had previously been moved off our hall and we had another move off our hall during our first week back on the hall, also because of behavior.  He will not be coming back.  It saddens us because he had so much opportunity to catch up in school and possibly go home with an aunt.  Now he has been moved off our hall and expelled from the school he was attending, and has lost his opportunity to catch up.  On top of that he may not be able to go home if his behavior does not improve.  The sad thing is that he does not seem to get it.  He is so happy because he thinks he is getting one over on us because of how distressed everyone is when they look at his choices.  

Birthday cake that we made for on of the boys.  It was his first birthday party.

     Losing boys because of behavior has been the most unpleasant part of our job.  However, the positives have far outweighed the negatives.  We have had a lot of fun times riding bikes, playing basketball, going on walks around town (we found a second intersection) and taking them to visit other churches in the area.  Cherie has been able to go to a few high-school football games with everyone, and we even found time to swing by Gamestop to switch out their Xbox 260 and PS3 games for new ones.  Two of the boys have started leading devotions on the hall a few times a week, and the attitude on the hall is getting better as they get used to our rules.

     We also have two new associate house parents.  They watch our boys during our off week, and then switch to the emergency cottage the week we get back to watch that hall while their main house parents get a break.  This was their first week on our hall, but from what we have seen they are going to do great.  

Cherie and Mae in Charleston, SC on our last week off.

     And on a completely random note we have all our boxes into their permanent storage closet (out of the main warehouse).  

     Things to pray for:

          > Communication between us and the associate house parents:  We want to streamline the rules and chores so that transitions are smooth.  

         > Cherie has been struggling with some health issues.  Please pray for us as we seek to make wise diet decisions to help control these issues.

        >  We need to find a new car:  This is not a big hurry but we will need one within a year.  Pray that God brings the right one and the right time.

Thank you for keeping up with us and for praying for us.