Fridge Over Troubled Water

Several weeks ago while dining with our awesome friends, Annie and Mark Goodson, they persisted in having us answer the question "what do you really need for your cottage?" We told them honestly about the poor condition of the old refrigerator there (and the pools of water which seemed to grow bigger every day), and were overwhelmed when they said that's what they wanted to give us. Within a week, Lowes of Newberry SC called to say a brand new fridge was on its way to us! How happy does Sara look with the delivery men, Ron and Mike?! (sorry if you can't see the fridge itself but it's a beaut!) We love this generous gesture, and the fact that it will be with us for many, many years and bring comfort (and comfort food!) to the boys we'll eventually be caring for. It even has an ICEMAKER!
We have also received a 4-slice toaster from Hank's old work colleagues, monetary gifts to the Thornwell Home for Children in our honor as well as designated memorials for others, and, most recently, dear friends who own Hickory Springs Manufacturing Company from Sara's hometown church (First Presbyterian in Hickory NC) purchased eight new beautiful mattresses and box springs for the boys' bedrooms. Our cup runneth over.
So many of you have asked what you can do for us. Your gifts (whether financial or in kind) and prayerful support are essential to the life of our ministry to these children and are always greatly appreciated. It will help if you designate any gifts for the "Georgia-Beatie Cottage" so that they will come directly to our boys. On behalf of these children, God bless you!

Location, Location, Location

For as long as I can remember, I've had my heart set on doing some sort of mission work. (my favorite bumper sticker of all time is STILL: "Jesus is coming. Look busy.") As I grew older and retirement loomed ever closer, Hank and I undertook serious discussions on what this would mean. I envisioned the Peace Corps somewhere in Africa, or maybe even Habitat for Humanity. Hank stood firm that there was plenty of work to do here at home, and sold me on the idea of staying "local." We learned about Family Teachers, and the great need for married couples to fill this role in children's homes across the country. One such home, The Thornwell Home for Children, immediately caught our attention and we came down in August for an interview. It's hard to describe the sense of peace we felt as we pulled on to the campus, remarking on all that beautiful and solid stone used in the buildings and cottages. The history of this place is indeed remarkable (a subject for another post), but suffice it to say we never doubted our prayers had been answered. We learned that we would eventually open the thirteenth cottage at Thornwell, the stately Georgia-Beatie House (pictured above), and have worked diligently cleaning and organizing as we wait for the day when we get our boys.

Setting the Stage

Sara and I had "regular" jobs, I guess you could say. She worked for a major breast cancer research study and I worked as a civilian contractor for the Military. Nothing in her medical research background or my 22 years in the Military even remotely prepared us for the path we had decided to take. Put our house on the market? Move to a different state? Work for a children's home as Family Teachers for up to eight elementary school-aged boys?

On September 21st, 2007, Sara and I turned out the lights on our careers and waited for October the 8th, our official first day as Family Teachers at the Thornwell Home for Children in Clinton, South Carolina. Leaving our home in Mebane NC with Sara's car in the lead and my pickup truck filled to the brim following behind, we started our trek southward down I-85 and left for something much different. Really really different!