Voices of Love and Appreciation
We pulled another excerpt from our newsletter archives as we celebrate our 40 years serving the community and our children.
Have you ever considered how children that go through so much in their early childhood can trust and love non-biological adults in their life? How do they feel in the Collins Home environment? Are the connections truly like a family?
Today, we are sharing the feelings and love a few of the girls expressed about their houseparents, Jamie and Crystal back in 2016.
You are both amazing parents, workers, even role models, and you both make an amazing family that I am blessed to say I am a part of. You've shown me the family love I have never seen...
"You’ve shown me I have another opportunity at life, and I can succeed in it."
First, I just want to say thank you for being the parents I have never had. I know I won’t be here long with you guys, but even after I leave, I hope both of you will continue to be my family.
You are both amazing parents, workers, even role models, and you both make an amazing family that I am blessed to say I am a part of. You've shown me the family love I have never seen, you teach me how to forgive, how to be an adult, you’ve shown me how to love God’s word, you let me know it is okay to be different.
I am blessed to have someone like you both who work so incredibly hard to give all of us an amazing family. You’ve shown me I have another opportunity at life, and I can succeed in it. Love, M!
"I walked into school with a sort of confidence that I haven't felt..."
Mrs. Crystal, words cannot express how I feel about you. Recently, I talked to you about Joel’s sermon about racism and how I felt about it. I told you about how I felt lonely and left out in school, and that it is hard for me to make friends.
When I finished telling you this, you comforted me and told me that I am beautiful, clever and many other characteristics. After you told me this, I walked into school with a sort of confidence that I haven’t felt in a while.
Not only do you say you love me, but you show it day to day. That’s enough to brighten anyone's day. A verse that you should always remember is “God’s love is beyond our understanding” Ephesians 3:18. I know you and Mr. Jamie are tired of hearing this but, God loves you very, very much! So do I Love, S!
"...when you express how you feel it can make you feel about ten times better."
Mrs. Crystal, I cannot tell you how much I appreciate you. I love how when you have had a bad day and I could have gotten off the bus and asked you how your day was and you would express how it was then you would say “ Thank you for asking, it made me feel much better.”
Those days were days that I will never forget because I got a lesson out of that. That lesson was no matter how bad my day was you taught me that when you express how you feel it can make you feel about ten times better.
I also love the fact that when I came home in a bad mood you told me to forget what happened and say that incident should not define how you will live life that day. That saying can also apply to events in your life that could affect how you live if you let it.
One thing I know I will hate is saying good bye. I know when I go home I will be happy but I am going to hate to say good bye because I will miss getting to go outside after dinner and playing outside for hours at a time. When I go home I will not be able to play outside.
I also wanted to tell you I’m sorry for anything I have done wrong in the past year I have been here. I decided that it would be the best thing to apologize before I leave. I also want you to know that your love resembles a mother’s.
Speaking of love, I wanted to give you a verse that reminded me of you. That verse is 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. Love, L
"...you taught me that I don't need to act like someone I am not."
I just wanted you to know I appreciate that you do so much for me. I am so glad I met you about 3-4 years ago and that I just wanted you to know that I really consider you my Aunt. And that you and Mr. Jamie are the best Aunt and Uncle ever!!!!
I just enjoy seeing you guys every single day and that you taught me that I don’t need to act like someone I am not. And that there is going to be ups and downs in life but I know I can get through them. I can trust you with almost anything and I believe that you can just be there for anyone.
You guys do a lot for us and most of the days we barely tell you that we appreciate it. So thank you for considering me as your child!!!!! P.S. I love you. P.S.S I loooovveee yooouu! P.S.S.S I don’t think I’ve said this enough…….IIIIIIIIIIIII LOOOOVVVVEEE YOOU! Love, S!
Strong Family Bonds are Created at the Collins Home
As you read those four touching notes from the Collins girls to Jamie and Crystal, you can feel the strong family bonds created here at the Collins Children's Home.
We are thankful for our dedicated houseparents, staff, volunteers, and our community that help the children feel loved and supported.