"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." 

Ephesians 2:10

This month, another one of LLM's beloved families invited us into their lives. Lin and Katie Hale have been with the ministry since September of 2010. When we spoke with this mother daughter team, we noticed a few characteristics immediately: they are always smiling, they always have a kind word for another, and they love each other deeply. 

Their conversation ebbed and flowed with both humor and seriousness. Lin took us back to the beginning to when Katie had just been born. At the time, the doctors did their best to prepare Katie's parents for what to expect. "Katie will never walk. She'll never be potty-trained. She'll never ride a bike." To that last one, Lin laughed and said, "Well, she still can't ride a bike." Lin did not get stuck in the "nevers." "Never believe the doctors," she said, "They are full of doom and gloom."  

Lin talked about raising Katie. Her light-hearted mix of picking-fun at herself, at Katie, and at life was contagious. She said if she had to rate Katie from 1-10 based on who she is it would be a 12. "She's always been a twelve in my book. She's my Katie. She's my blessing." Lin never treated Katie any different than her son. A reminder to us that we are not defined by the labels that are placed on us. 

There were days, after Katie's dad's passed away, when Lin looked up and could only say uncle. "How anyone can go through this journey...you can't do it without our Lord. God has shown us what blessings are. I've always believe you won't get more than you can handle." 

She went on to talk about how life is different now that Katie is an adult and her father is gone. It is important for Katie to have her own life, friends, and activities. "I'm not going to be here forever and I don't want her tied down. There will always be a level of dependency. I am thankful Katie has a home away from home. We are all family. This," she held out her hands to indicate LLM, "is what I believe will keep her going. It's not just the participants, it's the staff, that's where the bond is. This is my plan for when I am no longer here." 

When asked what advice Lin and Katie would give families Katie said confidently, "It's a battle no matter what." 

"Follow your hearts and never give up. If one door closes, fight for another to open," Linn adds. 

A couple of resources that have assisted Lin and Katie along the way have been Special Olympics and Jessamine Connection. Jessamine Connection allowed Katie to take classes with Asbury students. There was a drastic improvement in Katie's vocabulary and conversational skills as a result of the classes. Special Olympic has helped build Katie's confidence, independence, and character. Linn also emphasized the supports that great friends bring. 

Towards the end of the conversation, Linn said," Someone asked me once, if I could make her typical, would I?" She didn't answer the question, but smiled. 

We see Jesus pray more often than we hear him talk about prayer. Talking about prayer is hardly effective, yet, knowing God through prayer doesn't change who God is, it changes us as His followers. 

Often we are caught up in how to pray or the "right" religious words to say to a god who is way up in heaven. The Bible shares that Jesus is closer than a brother, and that God is the Father of all nations! We do not have to formulate a religious etiquette or a perfect prayer to get His attention. God is alive on the inside of us. We decide how we allow him to flow through us. 

As a teenager, I would push God's voice away when I felt him prompting me. I didn't want to submit to a life I couldn't control and trust someone fully with my world. Now, knowing him as Father, I realize I wasn't the only one struggling with this thought. Surprised? ;) The truth is, God chooses not to go beyond what we give him access to. He is gentle, kind, and willing to let us call the shots through our free will. God is absolutely sovereign, but he gives us the right to choose Him. The best way for us as believers to communicate with an all powerful, all knowing God is simple, we have to quit. Quit trying to be someone we aren't in prayer and get raw and real with Him. He knows how we are feeling. Being transparent opens the ears for greater intimacy and takes the pressure off of us to try and be perfect. This sets us free to enjoy this life on earth, by enjoying Him more fully. 

Let's be encouraged not to focus on the how-tos of prayer, but instead on who you are praying to! The more we read His words to us in the Bible, the less we will doubt that He hears us in prayer. 

Much Love, 

Meg 

When we last gave an update on JR he was just finishing his fall semester at Kentucky Christian College. He had been balancing a hefty 18 credit hours while gaining quite the reputation on the soccer field. In the fall, JR will be transitioning to Transylvania University after much prayer to continue his education. It is our goal to continue walking alongside JR as he relentlessly pursues his dream. We ask that our LLM family comes together to give him the support he needs to finish his education and take his knowledge with him back home to Haiti to effect social change.