  
"Ted,
Thank you so much for your encouraging e-mail! Please excuse me for not writing back sooner. I am glad you liked the postcard. There is a story about that scene with the lightning bugs that I would like to share with you.
Each of the students at White Rock, of course, has their own special story. You may be aware that my daughter, Olivia, was missing for almost six weeks before I admitted her to White Rock in May. For that reason, the time we spent together during the July 4 Parent Weekend was such a gift for me. I was amazed to see the positive changes in my daughter's thinking and behavior. But most surprising to me was her change of heart, the spiritual journey she was voluntarily embarking on.
That night when I left her at school and headed for the hotel, I stopped to watch the lightning bugs dancing over the fields. I realized I was feeling something that I had not felt for a very long time--I felt joy! This was the first time in months that I was aware of being hopeful my daughter and I would enjoy watching a scene like this together again someday. I felt at peace, knowing we really would have a future life together. I was reminded with confidence how faithful God is to His promises. I must have gazed at that field for half an hour, memorizing the details of that quiet, beautiful night so that I could try to draw it later.
The next morning, being able to attend Church with Olivia was a tremendous blessing for me. Thanks to Todd thinking outside the box, he must have sensed how important and influential this privilege would be for my daughter, too. Since that Sunday, Olivia has been able to go to Mass frequently with White Rock staff, and she writes in her letters how much strength she gains from it. She also comments how close she feels to God and to me during that time. How sweet and encouraging this is to hear from my child who only a few months ago was traveling down a dark road in the opposite direction.
So, the scene of the road lit by lightning bugs became quite symbolic to me. Once I returned home, it was a very special experience for me to sketch this scene and reflect on the choice of roads my daughter is taking. Her time at White Rock is truly restoring her in ways that only God could have orchestrated. />
I truly believe you when you say that God has blessed me above my comprehension. I am very aware that I could have lost Olivia. The fact that she is still alive today and turning her heart towards Him shows me that she still has some very important work to do for Him in her life! Over time, we will come to see why these trials were for her good and the good of our family.
It has been such an added blessing to be introduced to the readings from the Arbinger Institute. Now that I've almost finished Leadership and Self-Deception, I want to go back and read both books over again! I'm really looking forward to discussing them with a Parent Coach soon.
Thank you again for taking your time to write, and for your spiritual leadership over White Rock Academy. May God bless you for your efforts!"
Mary
Read More Testimonials |
