Hey guys! We missed many of you.  We had a great meeting.  5 families were represented, and we were able to share, and pray, and hopefully encourage one another.  Even laughed a bit!  Below is 2 things...Charlotte shared a “Parenting Assessment” tool which you can see below, if you are interested in taking it.  Looks fun! We might discuss it next meeting! Also, there is a trailer below you can click on to see a new movie, based on a true story, that is coming out soon! Can’t wait!
 
Next meeting is Wednesday, May 15th. I’m still working with Amanda to get a strawberry picking date. I’ll send it out soon!!

Love in Him,
Kelly and Charlotte

Parenting Assessment Tool

Possum Trot Movie Trailer

UPDATED 04/22/24:
We are excited to have the State of California and Office of Refugee Resettlement is allowing us to place a limited amount refugee youth in our Southern California area!  At this time we are looking for previous or current foster parents and adoptive parents that would be willing to foster refugee youth. If you know of anyone who are interested please reach out to me.  The commitment would be 6 month to 1 year, getting approved for a foster family.  ICA offers support for the family and a stipend as well for expenses.  Here are the youth we are looking to place ASAP.
 
16-year-old female from Ivory Coast with her two children, 2.5 year old female and 1 year old male.
17-year-old female from DRC with twin children almost 2 years old
12 and 15 year old Rohingya Females from Myanmar
17-year-old female from Eritrea
 
Please contact Charlotte if you are interested! Thank you for help and prayers! 

Hey everyone!  We had a good February meeting, good discussion! Here is the podcast for the topic ,"Take Play Seriously."

https://youtu.be/UKV8iVdStgs?si=yuTz8I2kLByIiG6V 

Mark your calendar for our next meeting on Wednesday, March 20th.  Our topic will be “Responding Thoughtfully.”  We really hope to see many of your smiley faces join us! Please let me know if you want me to take you off the email list…. I HATE bugging people or irritating them, so please let me know. But know we are praying for you all!

Don’t forget the shopping day if you are interested!!!

Love in Him,
Kelly and Charlotte

Hey all! Hope you’re all doing well.  Just a reminder for our next meeting on Wednesday night, Feb. 21st, at 7:00 pm in the Agape Room.  The topic we will be discussing is “Taking Play Seriously” and it will be a good discussion.  We’d LOVE to see you there…. We miss many of you! If you can’t come, please let us know how we can be praying for you!

Also, I received an email from someone who is the donations coordinator for Rhea Lana’s.  It is a pop-up children’s consignment event that occurs three times a year in Murrieta. At the end of their sales, they have 100’s-1000’s of items, mostly kids clothing, left over that were donated by their consignors.  They use those items to meet the needs in the community.  She heard about our group and invited us to come “shop” for free! It’s at 4 pm on March 10th.  She said come early to get in line because it only lasts about an hour.  You can take anything as long as it is for the children in your care at that time! She’ll be giving me some flyers as well for the regular shopping public days that don’t require tickets in case you want to shop then as well.  Also goes for single moms, so if you know any, let them know! I’ll keep you posted as it gets closer but mark your calendar!! See you soon!!!

Love in Jesus,
Kelly and Charlotte

Hey everyone! Looking forward to meeting up again next week, Jan. 17th at 7:00 pm for our foster/adopt group!  I can’t wait to see everyone! Hope you can be there! Just a reminder that we will be discussing “Meeting Needs” as we said before…Part of Connection is Meeting Needs… Emotional, Physical, Relational, Academic, Spiritual and Environmental.  We relate it to how God has provided our needs and that from the beginning of creation, humans were created as “needers”.  As hard as it is to believe we are all “needy”!  God knows that and continues to create dependence on him for our needs as he defines our true “needs”, in a relationship with him.  Just as our kids have needs, our goal should be to help our kids create a need for God and how he provides for us.
 
See you a week from tomorrow! God bless you all!
Love in Him,
Kelly and Charlotte

Hey everyone! was unable to attend the meeting last week myself but heard it was great. Below is the link to the video they discussed. It’s short, take a look! Hope and pray you’re all doing well.  Time is flying by and everyone is so busy. Praying we all can stop, take a breath, remember what’s important during this season and what isn’t, and prioritize so our busyness doesn’t consume us.

Please let us know if there are prayer requests that you’d like me to share with the group. Rachel Dixon’s mom is very sick so prayers for her wojld be appreciated. Go ahead and reply all if you want us to pray. Please know that whether or not you are here at the meetings, we are praying for you and are here for you! Also, I mentioned this before but just to remind you, we are cancelling our December meeting as it’s so close to Christmas, but will resume on Wednesday, Jan. 17th. Our topic will be on “meeting needs” so mark your calendars and join us. May you have a wonderful and happy Thanksgiving. We are thankful for each of you, and how you’ve responded to the call from God to either foster or adopt. You are all amazing.

Watch the video!

Hey all!

Mark your calendar for our next Foster/Adopt Support group meeting on Wednesday, November15th in the Agape Room at 7:00 pm. Hope you can join us.  Last month we talked about the importance of “Being Present” and if you’d like to watch the you tube video that talks about it, click on the link below.  I hope you can watch it!
 
https://youtu.be/Ua283PJr6vQ?si=WFYMMsb0OZBqWLqS
 
This week we’ll be talking about navigating the balance between nurture and structure! Hope to see you there.  We miss you all!! Any questions, prayer requests, or concerns, please let us know!
 
In His love,
Kelly and Charlotte

Hey all!
Mark your calendars for our next meeting on October 18th at 7:00 pm!  We will be talking about the importance of “Being Present” with our kids… the why and how’s of it! Can’t wait to see you there!

Last month we talked about “Being Curious” and Charlotte told us she would send the link to the podcast on it, etc.  It’s really good!  Hope you can take a listen! All the info below is from Charlotte so if there’s any questions on it, contact her at [email protected]  Also, if you’d like to be removed from our email list, please email me at [email protected] and let me know.  I don’t want to keep bugging you if you don’t want me too! One other thing! My son Zach works For Calif. Family Life Center. He found a woman in Hemet who runs a Foster Closet and gives out clothes to foster kids for free!  Her name is Katie Harbin, her number is 951-249-6782.  Her email is [email protected]. Foster Closet is located in the Home Instead Senior Care Business at 414 S. Palm Ave., Hemet.  But it’s not part of that business! She said the best thing to do if you're interested in looking is to text Katie to set up a meeting time! If you have more questions, give her a call or send her an email.
 
Here are the link for the podcast for last weeks Connecting Practice: Be Curious.
 https://youtu.be/8a3exPVfjfs?si=JV_sRBcOAxG7KRtb
 
Also, as an introduction to Connection Parenting through Empowered to Connect.  Here is the intro podcast series on Connection Parenting too:
 https://youtu.be/9wxUFs43re8?si=aK8m271xk3kEl-pV
 
Last week we learned about why it's important to be mindful of how we connect with our kids, especially from hard places and with a history of trauma.  The first step is to Be Curious.  Being curious doesn’t mean you ask lots of interrogating questions or expect answers from your kid.  It can often be more introspective, it causes us to question, why they might be having a certain behavior, or why they might be drawing back from us.  We should be asking ourselves what might have happened in the past that is causing a reaction or behavior we don’t understand or that isn’t making sense.  Are our kids feeling like we are on their side and want to help?  Could our own trauma or past be causing us to react in ways that are not helpful to connecting and working through problems?  These questions are meant for us to pause, think, and most of all pray.  One of the biggest impacts that I took away from our meeting and our discussion was and except that from the biblical basis on why to Be Curious...
 
“Scripture shows that God “does not look at the things people look at.  People look at the outward appearance.” But God sees what is beyond the surface of a person or situation, to the heart of the matter.  (1 Samuel 16:7)”

Jesus asked questions, even though He knew the answers, to help us reflect, confess and see past what is in our way, often our own pride.  Next time you feel challenged by a situation, either with your child, spouse, a co-worker, friend or family member, sit back, be quiet and try to reflect on what might be going on, what would Jesus ask you in this situation.
 
“When we practice curiosity as caregivers, we reflect the heart of God, asking the Holy Spirit to help us discern beyond what we see. As we begin to gain insight, we meet our children’s true needs.  In turn, our children can experience the felt safety and connection God offers as He attunes to His children.” – Empowered To Connect: Theology of Connection
 
Our next meeting on October 18th, we look forward to talking about the next principal of connection: BE PRESENT.  Be Physically Present, Be Emotionally Present and Be Attuned.  We love learning with you all and having great discussion.
 
Sincerely,
Kelly and Charlotte!
(Charlotte sounds much more official than me… that’s how you know when it’s her.  HA!

Hey All!
Mark your calendar for our next meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 20th, at 7:00pm during the Church service.  We are still meeting in the Agape Room and you can drop your kids off at Calvary kids! At our August meeting, we talked about different topics that would be beneficial for us to discuss as a group, and Charlotte introduced a program through The Empowered to Connect TBRI work book. We decided to choose some topics that would relate directly to connecting with your child and how it relates to our faith. So the next few months, along with our discussions, we will introduce some practical ways to connect with your child through conversation and/or games that you can practice at home as well. Here is a preview of the series we will be exploring together:
 
“Connected caregiving is an approach to adult-child relationships that focus on building and maintaining a secure, positive relationship over time.  Adults provide appropriate boundaries and expectations, along with the appropriate support and empathy.  This approach supports children though attachment-rich interventions that can strengthen their ability to develop a healthy sense of self, independence, and strong socio-emotional skills.  Ultimately this can empower children to meet the demands of their environment with support, encouragement, and guidance.”

That’s a lot of words! But basically, we’ll be walking through the Theology of Connection, as well as reflecting on God’s interaction with humanity described in Scripture.  And …. We’ll have some snacks and pray for each other!  Hope to see you there!!! And invite anyone you think would appreciate this type of support group!

Love in Him,
Kelly and Charlotte

Hey all! Just a quick note to say we missed you, if you weren’t there, at the strawberry picking!  So fun! Also coming up… mark your calendar for our summer pool party on Saturday, August 5th at Kevin and Judy Terry’s house.  More details to come, but make sure you save the date!! We can’t wait to see everyone!

One other thing, our next scheduled meeting on Wednesday, June 21st, is during a family night at church.  It’s VBS week, so there’s no childcare cuz all kids are in sanctuary.  There’s a group game, worship, short VBS kinda message, ice cream sandwiches…. So that’s all fun.  But me and Charlotte will still be in the Agape Room if you want to come by, if you need prayer, if your kids are old enough to be in there alone.  We both plan to be there more for prayer, touch base, etc.  Feels like forever since we’ve been together!
             
Have a great day! Love you all!
Kelly and Charlotte

Hey everyone! We had a great meeting in March discussing sleep issues that kiddos can have.  This month’s meeting, on April 19th,  we will be talking about food issues, which seems to be a common problem.  We plan to have a great discussion and time to pray over specific issues. Hope to see you all there! Also, ICA is having a Family Fun Day at Kenny’s Strawberry Farm on April 1st from 10:00am-6:00 pm.  They’ll be a Bunny, crafts, face painting, photo booth, strawberry picking, and more! Come celebrate Easter and raise awareness about foster youth at the same time! It’s at 953 Rainbow Valley Blvd, Fallbrook, Ca,  92028! Hope to see you there!

Hope to see you soon!
Kelly and Charlotte

Hey everyone! Just wanted to remind you about our next meeting on Wednesday night, January 18th at 7:00 pm in the Agape Room. We’re excited to see everyone! We hope you can be there. I also wanted to remind you that Cameron and our High School group has offered to babysit everyone’s kids here at church on Friday night, January 20th from 6:00pm-8:30 pm. If you want to take advantage of that for a night out, please email me and let me know!  

Hope to see you soon!
Kelly and Charlotte

Hey everyone! Woke up with you all on my heart today! Praying you are all doing great! I wanted to remind you to mark your calendars for our April meeting on Wednesday night, April 20th, at 7:00 pm. Charlotte will be leading a discussion on the development of children with trauma. Should be great! I hope the babysitting night went good … love to hear some feedback on it.

I plan to have a date nailed down for our next potluck when we get together on the 20th. Really want to spend time with you all in a more casual, relaxed setting. This morning, as I was thinking about kids with trauma, the Holy Spirit put it on my heart to pray specifically for those, children and parents, who are dealing with depression, anxiety, and other mental health struggles … for them, as well as for their families to have patience, compassion, and a greater understanding for their issues. Will you pray with me!

I pray you have a blessed Easter next week! He is our Reason to Rejoice… can I get an Amen?!!
Love you all,
Kelly

Hey everyone! Looking forward to seeing you all next Wednesday, February 16th, for our next group meeting. I’ve been praying for you all. I can’t wait to hear updates on how everyone is doing, what’s new in your lives, and how we can pray for you. I hope you all know that you can always email us with your prayer needs, call for prayer, etc.  Also, I wanted to talk to you all about something. The High School Ministry is wanting to do something to bless you all. They were thinking of hosting a night where they watch all our kids and parents can go out, or something like that. They are open to ideas.  So, think and pray on that, and maybe bring your ideas and thoughts to the meeting! Maybe we could all go out together? Hmmmmmm ….
See you soon!

In His love
Kelly (and Charlotte!)
 
“Let’s humbly come before the God of the Universe and ask Him to guide and strengthen every person involved in the life of a child in foster care. Let’s pray that the children in this community would know they are loved by God and would also experience a sense of belonging in their foster/adoptive families and their church community. And let’s pray that God would lead them as they work through hurt they have experienced in their past and their present.” (CAFO)

Hey everyone! Just wanted to remind you about the potluck we are having Saturday, November 6th at 11:00am. If you are new with us and would like more details, please contact me at [email protected] and I’ll share the details. We’d love to meet you and your kids!

We had a sweet time last month celebrating the Stiff’s final adoption of Bugsy, and a tearful time praying for another precious one as they left the Denny’s home. Please continue to pray for both these families. I read a quote this week that reminds me to pray for many of you. “One of the hardest things you’ll ever have to do, my dear, is to grieve the loss of a person who is still alive.”  

Please mark your calendar for our next meeting on Wednesday night, November 17th in the Agape Room.  We will briefly be looking at the topic of “Sensory Issues” in our children, as well as praying for one another. Look forward to seeing you there!

Much love,
Kelly Bell

“Family is not defined by our genes.  It is built and maintained through love.”
“Every child deserves to know the love of a forever family. Every family deserves the chance to thrive.

Hey all! Just a reminder of our meeting on Wednesday night, September 15th at 7:00 pm.  We liked our discussion last month, so this week we’ll be doing something similar. We will be facilitating a discussion on “fear,” how it manifests, ways to recognize it in our kids, and hopefully, some tools to deal with it. So much of their behavior comes from past and present fears.  Sometimes we know the root cause, and other times it’s not so apparent. I’m excited to be able to be together and discuss this, as well as encourage each other in our journeys. See you soon! I’ll probably remind you a few days before to let you know where we’ll be meeting. (Pending bathroom construction!)

Love to you all!
In Him,
Kelly

Morning everyone! Hope you’re well! I just wanted to remind you that this month we are meeting on Wednesday night, June 23rd instead of June 16th, so mark your calendars! I’ve been praying for each one of you guys! Can’t wait to meet up again. This next meeting we plan to talk about trauma.  We seem to spend much more time trying to identify our kid’s trauma and ignore how their trauma affects us.  We’d love to help support each other by helping to identify how trauma affects us, what triggers certain behavior, and how we can deal with it more appropriately.  We also plan to break up in groups and spend time not only getting to know each other but praying for each other and our role as parents! We can’t wait to get together again!  See you soon!

In His love,
Kelly