I want to come to you today and ask you the rhetorical question have you ever been frustrated? I feel like I am going through this right now in my own life. We all have dealt with frustration in one sense or another. Frustration isn’t a bad thing, I don’t believe. I think it is completely natural. Especially since we are human and can’t have all the answers. You may be frustrated in your business, family, or even your faith. You may not know how to take your business to the next level or keep it from an epic fail. You may be frustrated with how to deal with certain family members, or how they are dealing with you. You may have doubt in your own faith. There are so many things that can be frustrations in ones life. That was just to name a few, but you get the point. We all have this come up daily. 

The beginning of each new year always, ALWAYS brings with it the thoughts of change. As American’s we are bombarded with changing our lifestyles, spending, eating habits, gym memberships and adding to our dusty shelf of workout DVD’s. I found three DVD's I did not know I had this week! Gulp. But not likely a surprise if you know me at all. Change. 

Personally, Adam and I have gone through MANY changes in our lives as 2014 drew to a close. We were amazingly blessed to sell our home of 13 years and move to a much more feasible living arrangement with the shear volume of people that reside in our house. We are calling it our dream house because it is just that- something we could only dream for at one time. Just as the dust barely settled on our moving boxes, we were greeted with a beautiful, baby girl. Holy YIKES, another child. As I sit at my computer, typing with her in my arms, the decision was perfect (ever so scary) but perfect. Another adoption in 2015! Of course with adding her to our daily lives, our 2001 Ford Excursion became what seemed like a tiny, clown car hauling around a bunch of circus clowns. I never EVER thought it would seem small. Change. We’ve heard all the jokes about “driving a bus” or “adding a side car” but we roll with it. If having these dear ones in my care means I must drive a school bus then watch out, we’ll be stopping at railroad tracks from now on. Hold tight, no need for that just yet- we found a van that works perfectly for us! It does seat 12 but that is just in case we bring along a girlfriend (yes, we are in that stage of life too) OR a friend or two. Change. 

We can roll with change. We can fight change. We can kick and scream along the way or put our yoga pants on dust those DVD’s off! Either way, change is coming. Life is not predictable, at least our lives have no resemblance of the word. That’s a-okay with me. I’m choosing to roll with it. I’m choosing to rejoice in the fact that we can now have a seat between the kids that do not do well sitting next to each other while riding in a vehicle instead of being distraught about driving an extra large vehicle. 

Children’s Lantern is taking on some changes as it grows and gathers and moves as well. Change can be a good thing if we choose to see it that way. Holding on to the past does nothing for us. The future is what lies ahead. We are absolutely, the ut-most grateful for each of you who have stepped along side of Adam and I on this journey. The countless, faithful volunteers. Our group of SWAT team members and Coordinators are the heart and soul of what gets done. Things would not get done without them. Without YOU. Our monthly givers are what make the earth go round for kids in our area that need help. Raffle ticket purchasers to blanket makers to underwear and sock donators and everyone in between. It’s simply inspiring to see what an amazing community and six county area we have here. People that rally together and care deeply about one another’s needs and well-being. Well done ya’ll. Well done. 

We sign off the last three years and look at all of the amazing things we’ve all accomplished TOGETHER. You’ve paid for and made over 130,000 meals! You’ve helped 18 families with money to adopt a child (or in a few cases- CHILDREN) who needed a forever family. (A FAMILY FOREVER. Check that out one more time. FOR-EVER.) You have helped over 80 foster families with needed daily items to make their lives a little easier. At least 5 different, local trafficking survivors have had direct assistance from your giving- from YOU! Those are just the highlights. Change. 

That is done (and so much more)… but what lies AHEAD?! What will 2015 bring for changing our world? What can we do as a group of well meaning citizens? We can change the world. Indeed. It’s the only thing that ever has. (My favorite Margaret Mead quote.) 

Stay-tuned. Stick with us. Partnerships. Fundraisers. Feeding. Freeing. Funding and Fostering… all changing in one way or another. We must constantly be thriving to do better. To do MORE. Let’s change  the world!