They come to me one by one. Some of them I turn away, just to see them return another day. Like Jewel, she has long brown hair. With freckles on her face, her skin is clear. She is 14 years old now. I have watched her transformation, as she has grown over the last two years. Her brown eyes sparkle. Her white teeth shine. She is approximately 5 "2" in height. She wears jeans and a t-shirt. Her baby will be one year old this month. A thick brown haired, healthy looking 1 year old. I never dreamed that two years ago Jewel would come and go through my life. Just like Jimmy, she came and left again. There seems to be a pattern here with chidlren. I once told an old boy friend of mine, that my house would always be full of children. I scared that boy friend away, not knowing  that yes, my house has been full of children. I lost count of the number of children who have came through our house. This house has always had the laughter and love of chidlren. Times in my life I have grown tired and allowed myself to be overworked. People have came to me asking for help. Their children needed help. There have been times, when I have had to say no because, my load has been heavy. There have been times, when I stopped and prayed for guidance. I have always needed a special measure of God's peace and love at certain times in my life. These children who have passed through these doors add peace to my life. They are like empty vessels waiting to be filled. Filled up with knowledge of God and school work. As the empty space is filled, their lives light up. 

                                                                 Lee Hartsell  2008