But most of all HOPE

Yesterday we had a birthday party at Dakota House, for this little girl on the left: Alexandria. That is her name though most people call her 'Monkey.' I don't call her that. She told me once, quietly, secretly, that she doesn't really like that name, but even her mother calls her that. "It's because I look like a monkey," she said in a whisper.

Alexandria's mother has stomach cancer, and her father is nowhere to be found. Things in her home are a bit rocky, and it seemed there was no one in sound enough condition to give her a birthday party. So we threw one at Dakota House, complete with streamers everywhere, a big fat cake, sodas, and a huge bowl of Flaming Hot Cheetos and Goldfish crackers.

There were about 23 kids at the party. Above are pictures of only two of them. We know so little about what goes on in their homes, but what we know breaks our hearts. Continuously.

Yesterday was a grand time for the kids, and I stood there on that patio with a whirlpool of emotions within me: gratitude, sorrow, joy, sadness.... but most of all: hope. Because Jesus has given all these kids another chance. And me too. And that right there is reason to celebrate.