The Aquarium!

For my birthday I took Ameria to the Georgia Aquarium (one of the world's largest!) As we walked in to the aquarium, Ameria's face lit up. I am pretty sure we shared the same level of excitement, and I have been looking forward to this day ever since I arrived in Atlanta.

On my birthday I was able to share my privilege with a friend I care deeply for. I don't know if Ameria will have another chance to experience the aquarium. As we walked around every few seconds I would hear from Ameria, "Ms. Katherine take a picture of this!" "Ms. Katherine take a picture of me!" We saw jellies, beluga whales, manna rays, whale sharks, eels, beautiful coral, octopus, shrimp, and sea otters among many animals I've never heard of. My camera died half way through our time, because I took so many photos. (check out my facebook page to see them all).

Enjoy the video and commentary below. And if you ever visit Atlanta, make the aquarium part of your experience.

Mary shares her life.

I have been working on a school project with Mary at S.A.Y. Yes! Part of her assignment was to write about her background. Mary gave me permission to share the story she wrote about her life.

"My name is Ameria Kitchen. I am 12 years old and am in the 7^th grade. My birthday is June 30, 1998 that’s the year I was born. I have 6 sisters and 2 brothers. My brother Carlos went here [Kennedy Middle School] last year. I like having fun and being nice. I love my family and my friends. I want to take good care of my family. I have a mom and her name is Mary Kitchen, and my dad’s name is Horace, and he doesn’t have the same name as us. It is a long story.

My mom and dad always fight and I cry, because kids don’t want their mom and dad to fight so that makes me sad. I am always home. I don’t go anywhere because we don’t have a car, and that is hard for us.

I don't have lots of friends, and I am by myself. It is hard to not have friends, but I have my two grandmas, and my family, and my best friend Ms. Katherine that love me."

I became teary eyed after I read what Ameria wrote. I am thankful to be a friend and mentor in her life. I blessed by the life-giving relationship we have. My heart also mourns and breaks for Ameria. I have so many people in my life who love, pray, and care for me daily. Ameria only has a few. My deepest longing and prayer for Ameria is for her to know our Lord's love and delight. Join me in this prayer.

Jesus Loves the Little Children.

At church this last Sunday we sang the song, "Indescribable" The chorus as I'm sure most of you are familiar with goes like this:

Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
All powerful, untameable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God

Later Sunday afternoon, Jarrod showed up at my door. As he worked on our Harry Potter puzzle he began to sing this song. The words are a bit off, but to hear him worship God in this sweet and pure way was a gift to my heart.

As I sat and listened to Jarrod sing I couldn't help but think of the passage in Mark.

¹³ People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. ¹⁴ When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. ¹⁵ Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” ¹⁶ And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.