Newest Endeavor.

Candy Cane told me if I wanted to be a true blogger I needed to blog more often...(I think she just got bored at work and wanted something to do...) I told her I wish I could, but soon realized this week that these postings would only happen every few days.  A legal memo, internship searching, Guardian Ad Litem training, and class preparation seemed to quickly fill up my week...and filled to the brim.  I say this with a smile though. Although sometimes (ok, often) in the midst of my crazy, busy life I get frustrated and wish I could just slow down....I am always reminded how blessed I am and how thankful I should be for this life I've been given.  On that note....I'm going to write about one of the newest additions to my crazy agenda.

Guardian ad Litem.

"Guardian at Law"

An advocate for the child.

A voice for the child.

This is the latest thing I feel God is calling me to be a part of, not only as a law student, but to experience things outside my little bubble.  

Training just started this week and I am so excited to be a part of such a great program. 

For those of you that don't know what it is, Guardian Ad Litem is a volunteer based program in which you are appointed by the court to an abused and/or neglected child who has been taken into custody of Social Services.  You develop a relationship with the child and act as a voice for the child in the court process.

Through your interactions with the child you try to determine what you believe is in the best interest of the child and try to voice what the child wants. 

Clearly, due to confidentiality, I won't be able to share a lot.

But I ask that you be praying for me as I begin this and pray for all the children that are involved.

Just from the first two sessions of training I have gained a better understanding of the impact you can have on a child's life. I LOVE children. I want them to know they are loved and give them hope for a better future. 

I feel adults so often believe they know best.  

Just like in Matilda, we take the Harry Wormwood approach: " I'm smart; you're dumb; I'm big, you're little; I'm right, you're wrong, and there's nothing you can do about it."

I don't believe it should be this way.  Children have feelings, they have dreams, they have needs.  We should take the time to listen to them every now and then.  (We might even learn a thing or two.)

So on that note I'll wrap it up and just say...take the time to talk to a kid.  Embrace their innocence.  Listen to them. And show them someone cares.

Jesus said, "let the little children come to me!"Matt 19:14---clearly, he took the time. 

I can't wait to begin serving a child as their GAL.  I pray they are open to me and we can work as a team to ensure their safety and basic needs are met, so that one day their dreams can come true.