High school sweethearts, Melani and Colton have lived in Pleasanton all their lives. It’s home in the most meaningful of ways because they are connected to the community through extended family, former classmates, and the neighbors they’ve known since they were kids. Theirs is not an unusual story in that regard. But shortly after their marriage five years ago, it became plain that their lives would be anything but usual.
If you’ve followed Saint Francis Ministries’ social media activity at all this month, you may have noticed several stories about foster and kinship parents. They form the foundation of everything we do here – providing healing and hope to children and families. So, during Foster Care Month, we like to share their stories, as well as their thoughts about how fostering has changed their lives. And it does change lives.
Meet TIM! He’s the new mascot for our Trauma Informed Matters initiative, highlighting our focus on understanding the impacts of trauma and how we provide support and services to those affected.
Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room’s only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back. The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation.
“Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised, as he said.” Matthew 28: 5-6. I find it interesting that in each of the four Gospels, followers of Jesus are told in one way or another to fear not, that they have no reason to feel afraid or alarmed. They quickly learn that all is well … that all has been made new.
