Raising Stella in Keller Park

It's been quite a while since I've last blogged. Perhaps it's because it is difficult to find a spare moment, or maybe it's the uncertainty of what to write about, or even more the question, "Does anyone actually read this thing?" After the prompting of a dear friend, I am going to make a valiant attempt to start the engine of blogging once again. Over the next few weeks I will answer some of our most frequently asked questions. And so we begin...

What is it like raising Stella in Keller Park?

It was a year ago, January, that David and I were asking ourselves this same question. What would it be like? David, Stella, and I had been the three musketeers from the time we brought her home from the hospital and at camp we were on our own private island. We wondered how she would respond to having lots of people in our home and even more about how we could keep her protected and safe. Now that we're in the neighborhood, however, it seems as if most of our anxieties have been put to rest. No, life is not perfect(it isn't anywhere), but I sure have learned a lot by watching Stella grow up in Keller Park.

In Keller Park, Stella is getting a jump start on her studies:

She is learning so much as she watches children around her learn.

In Keller Park, Stella is making great friendships.

Stella loves the kids in Keller Park. She can't wait for Devin to get home from school or for Lance and Markise to come and play. She wants her hair braided like Damaria and to wear lipstick like Alayzah. The children are good to her. They are gentle and kind and she takes great delight in their presence.

In Keller Park, Stella has great role models around her.

Working at Prairie Camp, Stella has always had adults she could look up to. This did not end when we left camp. Stella is surrounded by adults who love Jesus. Seven of those individuals are Bethel students living in two Urban Ministry houses. These seven students are amazing people. We are so blessed to have Stella around such godly young men and women. Stella adores them and is already learning from them.

In Keller Park, Stella is beginning to understand the deeper meaning of "family."

This picture represents a typical Sunday morning breakfast before church. Children gather around the table to eat together and then we all walk to church. I believe that these times are solidifying the fact that this is our family. We come from different backgrounds and we have different colors of skin, but we are family.

In Keller Park, Stella is making memories.

In Keller Park, Stella is learning to serve.

It is a great blessing to have Stella alongside us while we minister and serve our neighbors. It is our desire that Stella grow up not looking only to her own needs, but also to the needs of others. Even through baking Christmas cookies for the neighbors and passing them out, it is our hope that serving others is instilled deep in her little heart even now.

Lastly, in Keller Park, Stella has found great joy and is getting quite the little groove.

I really love this little thing. She is my wish come true.

Raising Stella is the hardest thing I have ever done. It is difficult being a parent, whether you live in rural Kansas or in the heart of South Bend, IN. Each day I am reminded that God is in complete control of our sweet sugarbee. Even before we came into Stella's life, He had her all taken care of. I pray everyday that God will protect her eyes and ears from things that will scare or discourage her and that He would continue to mold and shape her heart into who He desires her to be. I believe that He is doing that right here in Keller Park.