For our family, I know it has been hard to not hear from Hailey as she has started her new Christian boarding school. Starting on her birthday April 16th when she will be turning 15 is about the time if you are a grandparent, you can start to write her as many letters as you like and send her any photos you have of her when she was young or with you as she is making a big scrapbook. You can not send gifts but photos and letters are really great. Please call me before you write so I can share the rules with you regarding letters. If you are not a grandparent you can write her any letters you like and save them for her for when she comes home for a visit this winter in preparation for her return in Spring of 2013. Juan and I are flying down for her birthday week and will get to take her out on pass for Saturday where we are hoping for good weather so we can take her zip lining and on a rope course in the trees not too far away from her campus.
We talked to her on our regular phone call recently and she told us she is happier than she has ever been in her whole life and that she is growing so much emotionally, spiritually and socially. We are so thankful for all of the help our family and friends and church have provided to help Hailey get on the right path in life and find her strong foundation in God who never changes and is unmovable and there for her always.
Here is a letter she wrote to me this week that I wanted to share with you so that you can see that she is more than okay and really growing into a lovely young woman.
Dear Mommy,
March 6th 6:35pm Lodge
I'm so sorry I almost never write. I honestly feel really guilty, but I'm going to try really hard now to write you more. So many things have happened since you left. I've been praying so hard for so long about things that don't even matter, but now i feel I've reached a breaking point in my prayer life. I finally truly with all my heart have forgiven those who have wronged me not through my own strength but through God's alone. I'm actually seeing and feeling the change in my life for once. Not only that, I've had so much joy and finally have begun opening up to others, but not in a bad, co-dependent way.
March 7, 6:42am Dorm
Good morning Mommy! :) Today is Wednesday which means youth group tonight today, yay! Did you know that I'm surrendering to God's will now? Well, at least as most as I can. You see, I've decided to stop planning and "boasting about tomorrow" (says not to do it in the bible somewhere, I forget where, I read it but I'm sure it's somewhere in the New Testament) and to hand it over to God's will. Even in prayer I ask for his will to be done, whether what awaits me is times of rest or times of trial because I trust Him not to give me something I can't handle with Him on my side. I've learned not to beg for myself or others to be taken out of bad situations, because often enough God allows these things in our lives to learn and grow from them. Besides, who am Ito argue with God?
March 9 7:42am Dorm
Today is Friday which means Chapel, yay! All the girls get a lot crazier in chapel rather than church. Last week we finished up a series by Ed Young called "Snapshots of a Savior" that was really good. Apparently he's from Dallas, do Auntie Pam or Uncle Dave know about him? This Saturday we are apparently watching Ice age 3. One of my favorite staff gave away the secret, she's not very good at keeping them. I've been on a high since we switched sides and I worked through unforgiveness issues. Next step, according to God yesterday, is insecurity and learning to be my self without worrying about others opinions (except for when it comes to representing Christ). Did I tell you I switched sides? Now I'm on the other side of the dorm, even though now I have a really squeaky bed I'm grateful for it because it's assisting me in not only breaking off negative relationships but also being in a positive atmosphere.
March 9 6:36 pm Dorm
I just talked to you on phone call, so now I don't know what to say. I miss you a lot and I can't wait to see you on pass. See you son, I love you!
Love,
Hailey
Here is a letter she wrote to Connor recently as well:
Dear Connor,
Hey Buddy!
I was just rereading the postcard you sent me, and Ifelt bad because Inever got to sed that letter Iwrote you and by now it's old news anyways so I decided that Iwould write you again to make up for it. Last night we watched Ice Age 2, it was really funny and I heard next Saturday we're going to watch Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs. We had a really good service at church today, some people rededicated themselves to the Lord and I''m really happy for them. We have another Church service tonight, Ihope it's just as good or may be even better. We had Choir practice yesterday. I forget the names of the songs, but I had fun. I was placed in the Soprano section so I'm adjusting to that since I'm used to being stuck as an alto. Last night for dinner we had taco salad and it was AMAZING. It had lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, beans, salsa, meat and some kind of unknown sauce. How have things been going for you? Please write me I'd love to hear about it. I miss you so much!
Love,
Hailey
(Then she drew a cute cartoon character of a dog waving hello and saying "I love you" with hearts.
So that is all for now, I just wanted to give our family a chance to hear from Hailey directly about how she is doing. For our next phone call I will record it so that I can put it up online and you can listen in to hear from her. If you have any questions you would like us to ask her for you we would be happy to do so. Just facebook or e-mail me.
Thanks again to our family and friends who are helping us to help our daughter by allowing her to go to this fantastic school where she is now making straight A's and catching up on all of her classes that she had to re-take this year.
Hope this is comforting to those in our family and close friend circle who are praying for Hailey. Please continue to pray for her as I know that her transformation is a direct result of your prayers.
We talked to her on our regular phone call recently and she told us she is happier than she has ever been in her whole life and that she is growing so much emotionally, spiritually and socially. We are so thankful for all of the help our family and friends and church have provided to help Hailey get on the right path in life and find her strong foundation in God who never changes and is unmovable and there for her always.
Here is a letter she wrote to me this week that I wanted to share with you so that you can see that she is more than okay and really growing into a lovely young woman.
Dear Mommy,
March 6th 6:35pm Lodge
I'm so sorry I almost never write. I honestly feel really guilty, but I'm going to try really hard now to write you more. So many things have happened since you left. I've been praying so hard for so long about things that don't even matter, but now i feel I've reached a breaking point in my prayer life. I finally truly with all my heart have forgiven those who have wronged me not through my own strength but through God's alone. I'm actually seeing and feeling the change in my life for once. Not only that, I've had so much joy and finally have begun opening up to others, but not in a bad, co-dependent way.
March 7, 6:42am Dorm
Good morning Mommy! :) Today is Wednesday which means youth group tonight today, yay! Did you know that I'm surrendering to God's will now? Well, at least as most as I can. You see, I've decided to stop planning and "boasting about tomorrow" (says not to do it in the bible somewhere, I forget where, I read it but I'm sure it's somewhere in the New Testament) and to hand it over to God's will. Even in prayer I ask for his will to be done, whether what awaits me is times of rest or times of trial because I trust Him not to give me something I can't handle with Him on my side. I've learned not to beg for myself or others to be taken out of bad situations, because often enough God allows these things in our lives to learn and grow from them. Besides, who am Ito argue with God?
March 9 7:42am Dorm
Today is Friday which means Chapel, yay! All the girls get a lot crazier in chapel rather than church. Last week we finished up a series by Ed Young called "Snapshots of a Savior" that was really good. Apparently he's from Dallas, do Auntie Pam or Uncle Dave know about him? This Saturday we are apparently watching Ice age 3. One of my favorite staff gave away the secret, she's not very good at keeping them. I've been on a high since we switched sides and I worked through unforgiveness issues. Next step, according to God yesterday, is insecurity and learning to be my self without worrying about others opinions (except for when it comes to representing Christ). Did I tell you I switched sides? Now I'm on the other side of the dorm, even though now I have a really squeaky bed I'm grateful for it because it's assisting me in not only breaking off negative relationships but also being in a positive atmosphere.
March 9 6:36 pm Dorm
I just talked to you on phone call, so now I don't know what to say. I miss you a lot and I can't wait to see you on pass. See you son, I love you!
Love,
Hailey
Here is a letter she wrote to Connor recently as well:
Dear Connor,
Hey Buddy!
I was just rereading the postcard you sent me, and Ifelt bad because Inever got to sed that letter Iwrote you and by now it's old news anyways so I decided that Iwould write you again to make up for it. Last night we watched Ice Age 2, it was really funny and I heard next Saturday we're going to watch Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs. We had a really good service at church today, some people rededicated themselves to the Lord and I''m really happy for them. We have another Church service tonight, Ihope it's just as good or may be even better. We had Choir practice yesterday. I forget the names of the songs, but I had fun. I was placed in the Soprano section so I'm adjusting to that since I'm used to being stuck as an alto. Last night for dinner we had taco salad and it was AMAZING. It had lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, beans, salsa, meat and some kind of unknown sauce. How have things been going for you? Please write me I'd love to hear about it. I miss you so much!
Love,
Hailey
(Then she drew a cute cartoon character of a dog waving hello and saying "I love you" with hearts.
So that is all for now, I just wanted to give our family a chance to hear from Hailey directly about how she is doing. For our next phone call I will record it so that I can put it up online and you can listen in to hear from her. If you have any questions you would like us to ask her for you we would be happy to do so. Just facebook or e-mail me.
Thanks again to our family and friends who are helping us to help our daughter by allowing her to go to this fantastic school where she is now making straight A's and catching up on all of her classes that she had to re-take this year.
Hope this is comforting to those in our family and close friend circle who are praying for Hailey. Please continue to pray for her as I know that her transformation is a direct result of your prayers.
That's a powerful photo, Tracy. It brought tears to my eyes. I'm so glad things are going so well for not only Hailey, but for you as her mother. I can't imagine the difficulty involved. What an amazing, strong family you have. I'll be thinking and praying for Hailey. Hugs to everyone!
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