At DJJ With Bill Glass Ministries

Having had a little time to digest a packed weekend with Bill Glass Prision Ministries...I'd like to share a few things. Over 400 volunteers went to correctional facilities all over South Carolina to share the Gospel. My group went to the Department of Juvenille Justice.

I had the chance to talk with some of the kids individually and in smaller groups. It was interesting to me how many of them already had knowledge of the gospel. They had grown up in or around the church. Yet they still ended up at DJJ. They answered the questions the "right" way and many had said the sinner's prayer more than once before. I think this may have played into the fact that I did not lead anyone into one of those dramatic conversion experiences you hear about.

And yet...sometimes we're not there to havest. There's no question in my mind that what I was able to do was plant seeds. When I look back at my own experience in becoming a follower of Christ, I remember countless conversations over a number of years that in hindsight I can see planted seeds and tilled the ground. I dont' know anything about farming so I hope that metaphor made sense! :) Honestly what seemed to be the most powerful thing to do was listen to the kids -- and pray with them. Some of them are already in Bible studies. It was a great chance to affirm that they were spending their time well.

We went in on two separate days. There was one kid I talked to on both days. On the second day he shared with me that he had struggled with anger and had had an incident just that morning. He knew he was wrong - actually realized while the altercation was going on. And he regretted it. Another guy - who had kind of a tough exterior - came to me and showed the the autographs he had gotten of two of the guest speakers. He had a huge smile on his face as he showed me what they had written. Underneath it all there was still a childlikness. I could see that God is at work at DJJ through these kids.

But here's the challenge. There are some amazing people who work with kids behind bars. But not enough of them. One of the greatest tragedies is when a kid gets out of DJJ and goes home to a dysfunctional family, bad influences in the neighborhood, and no support system. Even though its tough at DJJ, the kids are actually nurtured in a way. They are learning artwork, writing and craftmanship. And some of them are very talented. Take a tour sometime and see their work! They are getting a high school education and having their values challenged. Some of them are even learning God's Word. But when they get out, all of that disappears. The DJJ folks tell me one of the things the kids need most is mentors. Someone to build a long term relationship with a kid. To encourage, challenge, and build up. I'm just taking a shot in the dark here - but if you think God may be leading you to be a mentor, I just happen to have a link for you right here.

Brandon Heath Video

We talked about Brandon's amazing video for his song Give Me Your Eyes. Click here to see it.

Mercy Me/Casting Crowns Weight Loss Challenge

A lot of us think about our weight this time of year. Being a music star doesn't make you immune. I thought you'd enjoy this video featuring Bart Millard from MercyMe and Mark Hall from Casting Crowns. Click here.

I'm Watching You Dad

I thought you might like this video I found on God Tube. Just imagine your own son or daughter talking to you. When you listen, just don't be anywhere you wouldn't mind people seeing you cry! Hugs. ~Amy

Hug Your Kids A Little Tighter

I can't imagine what it must of felt like at the time. Check this video out. I can't imagine the relief. What a great reminder to be thankful for every moment God has given us with those we love!

Family Man

If you were touched by Andrew Peterson's song Family Man on our morning show -- check out this video to go with it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIOczph6nQE

We're ALL Home!!

Thanks for all the prayers and notes of encouragement as my family and I have gone through our journey to bring Meyer our adopted son home from Haiti. We got back earlier this week and there is so much to tell you about I don't even know how to unpack it all. So I will at least get started with this post and then try to follow up with others later on. Meyer has done very well. The director of the orphanage described him as an "even keel kind of guy." That's really turned out to be true. Not much has phased him -- except when he first met our pets. He was terrified for the first day. We literally had to carry him around the house. But by the next morning he was feeling much better about it - and now he loves our dog and cats. One of my projects right now is to help him learn to ride a bike. He has seen a bike before - he knew what it was - but I don't know if he'd ever been on one before. He wasn't sure which way to pedal and he had no idea how to steer. The steering thing was a problem for me. At six years old once he gets the hang of pedaling he is capable of going fast enough to do some damage! So I've been working with him on steering and yesterday he started getting the hang of it!

Meyer and Camille have really bonded. She was the first name he said and she was the first of us to make him laugh. One of my favorite memories from our trip was on the first day we had him, Gaye and I were walking behind the two kids. And Camille reached over and took his hand. It was very sweet. (Not that it affected me emotionally or anything like that!) ;)