the 8046 conference

I’ve been mulling over something in my head for about a week now. I’m still processing it all. Wondering where to go from here. Last Sunday afternoon I cut up a bunch of strips of fabric….then loaded them, along with my sewing machine, into my car.

I was meeting up with some of my friends (actually my small group from church) to make a bunch of headbands (tutorial by Cakies). The same headbands I made for myself and my daughter. The daughter I smother in hugs and kisses every day. The daughter that is strong, confident and secure because she has every reason to be. The daughter that knows she can depend on me.

This time I wasn’t making them for my daughter…or my friends’ daughters. We were making them together with girls separated from their parents. Girls that for whatever reason are now living in the local DHS shelter. A couple of my friends are very regular volunteers at the shelter. They are committed to advocating and caring for those children. It was my first time to visit…I just followed their lead.

We spent 2 hours eating pizza and crafting with about 15 girls ages 6-18. Amazing older girls. Innocent young girls. I just did the sewing part and listened to the chatter around me. A couple of girls were completely taken aback by my sewing machine. They were so curious what it was and how it worked. They had never seen or heard of a sewing machine and were so excited to get to make their very own headband. A headband that would go home with them. If they got to go home. A headband that would go with them to a foster care home…or an adoptive home. A headband that was theirs alone. It was a good night.

Every Sunday night different adult groups from my church head over to the shelter to provide dinner and an activity for the kids. My friend Melanie has been one of the individuals to play a big role in all that. Not too long ago her family grew from 5 to 8 when they welcomed their three oldest children home from Swaziland. Shortly after I remember Melanie telling me she was not doing anything related to orphan care…she clearly pointed out that her children were not orphans, but her children. I wanted to argue with her, but I knew she was right. They may have once bore the title of orphan, but those days are over.

Melanie and many others are gearing up for a conference next week, the 8046 Conference. It is all about empowering influencers and leaders in the faith community with the resources and information to be able to serve our Oklahoma children in the foster care system. If you are in Oklahoma and are interested in serving Oklahoma children in the foster care system…look into the 8046 Conference. The event is free, but registration in required.

Here is a video of my friend’s sweet daughter talking about her journey out of foster care and her family’s home….

I’m still considering how I can be involved in the foster care system.  The girls really seemed to enjoy crafting and I really enjoy crafting…future craft nights could be a perfect fit. I would encourage you to contact the local DHS shelter in your area. Consider volunteering. Consider dropping by to watch American Idol with some worthy girls instead of watching it from your home. Being a compassionate adult to a child in foster care is not limited to being a foster parent….be creative. Be involved. Get your craft on 🙂