Aaron and I have gone back and forth over wanting to have another child, and we’ve seriously considered adopting, just to have the chance to give a child who might have otherwise lived a pained life a home of love instead.

I can’t believe I didn’t even mention CASA Volunteers: http://www.nationalcasa.org/

Working as a CASA volunteer makes a huge – HUGE impact. Normal people that are willing to give some time every month to make a true difference, are trained to serve as actual officers of the court. I’ve seen even the best of case workers let kids slip through the cracks, because everything about their job just sucks. CASA volunteers get to really pour themselves into what is best for a child and fight for them!

It was a CASA volunteer that was in touch with this adoptive family, that connected us with them and got these kids here – to their first safe landing ever. She did it all on her own time (not even as an assignment), just out of love and compassion for hurting kids.

I’ll shoot you more stuff as I think about it!

I love your ideas, and am emailing you now to be more specific so we can share with everyone the most effective ways to get involved.

This, coming from a woman currently parenting two children that were adopted from Haiti into an abusive home … abuse that makes your skin crawl … things said to them that no child anywhere should ever have to hear so much that they start to believe it … for two straight years (WHILE THEY ATTENDED CHURCH TWICE A WEEK AND PUBLIC SCHOOL EVERY SINGLE DAY!) Abusers don’t have to hide their kids at home – in fact, they enjoy the break and are just very masterful at threatening and scaring the crap out of them. My kids were removed for a short time, and went right back! You can only imagine the backlash they received from telling the truth while in foster care.

Now, to parent these kids is the absolute hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life – ever. They are hurt. They are broken. They are really, really tough to parent. But, it’s my calling. It’s my gift, of sorts. But there are a million things that others can do. You can mentor kids or parents. You can train to give respite care to foster families for an afternoon or an overnight or a week. You can volunteer at an after-school program, making a huge difference in the lives of a few kids. You can do lots and lots and lots of things to help support those who are doing the blood, sweat and tears within their homes.

The opportunities are endless.