Highs, sighs and cries.

from Jeffrey Golby
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Hope for Young Parents

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Hope for Young Parents from Jeffrey Golby on Vimeo.

Heavy pain.

There are some days when the intensity of what our young families are facing feels like just too much to carry. I can't stop the pain. I can't erase the trauma. I can't repair the brokeness. My heart aches. It is so heavy. Today is one of those days.

It is especially heavy when moms have shared that they can't find hope. They are not sure life is worth living.

All I can do is pray. I pray that hope is found in some way. I pray that God will breakthrough in their lives. He is the only Answer, the only Hope.

On days like today it is as if the stories have permeated me... I am experiencing a glimpse of their pain. I am more aware of my own brokenness and my inability to offer anything useful in my own strength.

All I can do is rest in knowing that God loves each of these moms, dads, and children more then I could ever possibly comprehend.

I will pray. God above please heal the brokenness and restore hope.

All I can do is be with them. I'll continue to walk with these young families through the brokenness, loving them the way they are.

I will keep loving, not on my own, but out of the overflow of love that God has poured into me.

-Krista

Maplewood Farm!

We had a wonderful outing to the Maplewood Farm with fifty five moms, children, volunteers and staff. It was a fun way to celebrate the end of another great year of Muffin Morning. The kids were enthralled with all the animals, lunch shared together was a great success (Thank you Twyla!) and God held the rain off until we were walking to our cars! Thank you God! Petting zoos are very fun with this age group of kids - especially when you can feed the animals!

Sharing bird seed to feed the ducks! So sweet!

Adoring the newest baby in our Stepping Stones "family"!

Sisterly love. So precious.

Annika LOVED the bunnies!

Goats!!!

Too cute. 

Chowing down. Mmmmm... Yummy. Delicious lunch for all prepared by our wonderful volunteer Twyla.

Chatting time. 

Hugs.

-Krista

Moms are heros

Moms are heros: at home, in the community and around the world. This was the theme for the annual mother's day event we hosted yesterday. The heroic moms of Stepping Stones were honoured and celebrated as we served them a three course breakfast and reflected on some powerful stories.

Moms - Not all superheros wear capes!

The amazing food and service team.

Superhero games!

A few of the superhero moms!

-Krista

Beautifully Full

I have come home from Monday Drop-ins the past few weeks surging, well into the night, with adrenalin energy. Drop-ins have been beautifully full. There is so much life and energy teeming through the space.
I desire to have a meaningful connection with each mom and child that enters the drop-in, however this is a challenge and not always possible. Some families drop-in for a few moments while others stay the full three hours. Some families we've never met before and some are regulars. In the midst of trying to connect with each mom and child we are also answering knocks on the door, handing out diapers and wipes, ensuring children aren't running out of the gated play area, serving coffee and tea, and answering texts from moms. I love the beauty of the community that is created in this space.

-Krista

The art of relationships

Relationships. We are created for relationship.

Developing relationships is, in essence, a form of art. It's a creative connecting process between people. No one person is the same, therefore every relationship is unique.

Developing relationships with the moms is at the core of what I do at Stepping Stones. It is an art, there is no formula or specific process. Each mom comes with her own experience of relationships. Some of us have mostly experienced harmful and destructive relationships. Some of us have experienced the amazing power of loving and caring relationships. My dream is that every mom that is part of the Stepping Stones community would learn about and experience healthy, supportive and loving relationships.

-Krista

Glimpses of Drop-in

Stroller parking

Busy day!

Coffee or tea... choose your favourite mug. 

Play time! These two siblings set up quite the adventure.

Conversations over coffee.

-Krista

We retreated, connected and laughed!

Last week was our Western Canada Regional Youth Unlimited Staff Retreat. We retreated, connected with God and eachother, and we laughed! My favourite part of the retreat was developing relationships and connecting with other staff. The wisdom, passion, and love in the staff I connected with was beautiful. It is a honour to work alongside them. I was truly blessed by the deep intellectually and spiritually challenging conversations. And the Karaoke at Corky's was hilarious! So much fun!

A pic of the beauty on my peaceful connecting with God walk.

Corky's Karaoke craziness!

-Krista

Muffin morning

Muffin making, team building exercises, and a safe places discussion was the schedule for our last Muffin Morning.
The discussion about safe places was inspiring. The moms created an intensive list describing a "safe place". Our discussion covered the following questions:
What is a safe space?
Is your home a safe space? How are you creating a safe place for your children?
Was your childhood home a safe space or an unsafe space? What is an unsafe space?
Where do you go to find a safe space?
See the photo below to learn some of our discoveries.

Our wonderful muffin morning kitchen team!

Magic carpet - the goal was to flip the carpet over without anyone stepping off of it!

 The moms reported the best way to complete the task was to get close, laugh a lot, and communicate! 

Our safe spaces discussion board. 

-Krista

Chalkboard thoughts

It's a new year! What are your goals for 2013? We have chalkboard at Drop-in for moms, staff or volunteers to share some of their thoughts. Here are a few of our chalkboard thoughts... Enjoy!





-Krista