Called to Kids

      Last Spring, Stephen and Abbey felt a strong call to serve in the community. They had no reservations as to what, but decided that they should look into needs in the area. After doing some online researh, Catherine's House popped up on the list (To learn more about Catherine's House click here).  After looking into Catherine's House a little more, they both felt their heart strings being tugged at.

"This one touched us both and it really stood out as THE thing we should be doing."

      The couple has been married for about four and a half years now and have spent every Thursday night since March at Catherine's House volunteering as babysitters.  This is the most recent service I was able to attend last week.

     When I got there, I met Stephen and Abbey and headed into the playroom in the House. The mom's were having their budgeting class so babysitting would go from about seven to eight at night. We weren't sure how many kids would come because, as I learned, the number varies every week. Some weeks it is one or two, other weeks it can be up to nine or ten. This past time when I went there were seven kids, ranging from seven months old to thirteen years.

      To be honest, I didn't quite plan to actually babysit with them. I figured I would get in, ask a few questions, and stay out of the way. But as soon as I saw these kids I put my bag down and sat crossed-legged on the carpet and began playing with a noisy lightup truck to entertain one of the babies. I couldn't resist being a part of the fun.

      For the next hour or so, I watched and was thoroughly impressed by Stephen and Abbey. They were able to balance the diverse age range and made time for each kid. They encouraged the kids who had homework to do theirs so that everyone could play together. They held crying babies and played keep away with the boys. Their team work and ease with the kids made me see how they truly were called to Catherine's House.

"It's not always easy," they agreed. "The winter months are much harder because it's dark and we can't go outside with them. When it is warmer, it is so much easier because we can take them outside on the playground for hours and bring popsicles and they can run around and get some energy out. But now, they get really antsy much sooner because this (the playroom) is the only place we can really go, and they see it everyday."

      Regardless of the small space and same toys as always, Stephen and Abbey made good use of the resources, and I like to think I did a good job helping them. I assisted a four year old girl in onesie Dora the Explorer pajamas build a lego tower that would be much taller than her older brothers. I was taught to play Corners, which I was very bad at and kept losing. I held a few sad babies who wanted to be with everyone and everything all at the same time. I listened to an eigth grader sing a Chris Brown song and sing it better than a lot of little girls I know. And the best - I gave life to a stuffed animal dog who's best friend was a caterpillar and together they went to the mall and bought purple shoes. It was great.

      After babysitting was over, I helped Stephen and Abbey clean up the toys and straighten up the room. We were all pretty exhausted but I had an inner joy at playing with these kids, and they felt it too.

"Sometimes we get off work, go home and change, and eat a barely there dinner to come here and there be only one or two kids who have a lot of homework. But even on those nights, we enjoy being here. Sometimes having a bigger group like tonight is great because the kids can play with eachother more. Other times though, it is nice having just one or two, because we can really connect with them and learn about them."

      When leaving for the night, Stephen and Abbey said I was welcome to come back any Thursday I like and help them out. And I think I might just do that.

                                                                           God Bless,
                                                                                    Megan