uglyreal

Dear readers,

It has been a while since I have posted. I am now 6 months pregnant with baby #2, and I’m hoping s/he will be brilliant as s/he is stealing all of my brain cells! Trying to keep it simple has meant focusing on my family and work, with very little room for much else, as I don’t feel like I’m getting much accomplished in those areas. Therefore, my blog has taken a backseat.

However, I woke up this morning to an email from our friend Melanie Ford. It has been almost one year since I discovered sweet James in the People magazine article  that made me aware of his story and his mother’s quest for safety for her children, as well as good schools and a true home. I have not heard from her in a while, and she has been on my heart. I am going to post her message her so that y’all might put your collective heads together with the hopes that one of you out there has any sort of resource in Florida. I was disheartened and saddened to hear that she may be going right back to the place from which she came. Surely, my dear readers, we can find a way to keep that from happening.

Here is Melanie’s note:

Hi my friend its been awhile we are looking to move in 10 days not sure if we are gonna stay here or go back to orlando hard to find a place here that I can afford on 9.00 hour with 6 kids I need some resources if you have any im looking for a based on your income place or either some shelters I have checked in orlando and the shelters are full there with a waiting list I am very stressed and concerned we are gonna end up right back in the same place its extremely hard to tell my boys we have no place to go they love it here they dont know how serious it is but they been through enough so its my job to deal with it without letting them know James made principals list all A’s and he got V’s for very excellent soooo proud he still my rock still take care of Caleb all my boys did awesome in school they have made friends James has became close with the neighbors its awesome well my friend its late you been on my mind so I wanted to update you that we are moving in 10 dats lease is up here dont know where we are going yet but God does he always makes away out of noway I want to thank you for all your kind words and all your prayers and support my number is xxx-xxx-xxxx would love love to hear from you my friend…Melanie Ford and the boys…..blessings

You know, a lot of people questioned me when I began to write about and try to help Melanie and her kids. Why this family? Aren’t their people closer to home that need an advocate? What if it is all a scam? You don’t know these people? Etc…etc….etc….

I wish I had an explanation. All I can tell you is that I believe the holy spirit tugged at my heart when I read the article mentioned above, prodding me not just to pray for them, but to do something. I don’t know why the Fords. I just know they have crawled into my heart and settled there, and though I am not based in Florida and don’t have resources there, and though I don’t know this family personally, sometimes it takes going out on a limb to attempt to be the hands and feet of Jesus in this world. I may not be able to do much more than write about them, but that, my friends, I can do.

So my dear readers, if YOU have any solutions, resources, ideas, or contacts in Pinellas Park or Orlando, Florida, this sweet family can use your help. Feel free to post here or message me: I will get any information you send to Melanie.

As always, thanks for reading, and please…..feel free to tell anyone you know.

It is a message worth spreading.