Well, I made it through the holidays... again.
I always feel that I am not ready for them to begin, then they are over. Life seems to snap back into place, and we go about our business as usual.
I know, I know it is suppose to all be new and bright. Somehow by the end of January we tend to be back into who we were created to be. Yes, that is a good thing. Why do we try to be any more than that. Seems like an evil set up to me.
We can expand on trying to enhance who we are, but really, why are we not able to accept all that is already good in us? It is wonderful to want to learn new things, meet new people, discover new places. But all in all, it is "us" that is doing those things. Not the new and improved us doing it, right?
Well, in honor of all that jibber, I am taking the same 'ol Paige and reaching out to discover new things. To lend myself to others. Usually I go on my annual journey in the mission field to Nicaragua in July, for two weeks. I pray I will do that again this summer. But, my new venture is right here in my own county, state, and country. I have decided to join Clark County CASAs, Court Appointed Special Advocates - for Children.
This is for children who need a voice in the Courts, an advocate that keeps the child's best interest in mind during the tough process of family issues that have been reported to the child welfare department.
There are roughly 570 children that are appointed to the CASA Program for representation, but there are only about 179 active CASA volunteers to represent them. These are children involved in reports and investigations in the allegations of child abuse, child neglect and child abandonment. You can only imagine how they may feel the world is out to hurt them, how they feel disconnected, how they just want to feel safe and cared for.
My training began last week with "Domestic Violence 101". That was a tough class. The instructor was a victim of domestic violence. She shared so much about the psychology of the victim; the power and control the abuser has over the victim. It was truly a hard subject to talk about.
The next class is defining my role as a CASA. I hope to keep sharing my journey and the things I am learning.
Maybe your New Year's Resolution is to read more of your friend's blogs, I am glad you are reading mine.
I also hope I can inspire someone else to become involved. I hope.
