Remembering How to Hear

Electric Riverboat Angela Louise

Go and Do Likewise Hosts the Crittenton Kids

Once again the Holiday Season brought our annual party on Newport Bay with the young residents of Florence Crittenton Services in Fullerton. Our 14th year, and like most, the best so far. Music from our Music Man Sam Parsons, some stories, good food provided by Captain Rick and his crew. Smiles, laughs and fun was the theme and the girls enjoyed the evening. Captain Rick Garcia donates his boat, time and that of his crew for this special evening for our young guests. It is easy in our comfort to forget that life is not easy nor fun for many youth who have experienced abuse of some form in their lives.

This evening is our attempt to change that, at least for a day.

Blessed most of all were those aboard who sang along with and interacted

Above is a piece of our most recent newsletter. In times of reflection, the event and it's origin come to my mind as a remembrance of how easy it can be to miss the voice of the Lord. The story though is, I think, a thought to let sift through us. Life is busy and the time of the year during the Christmas season can be the most busy. My own understanding is that it is easier to miss the voice of the Spirit, that is the voice calling me, you , us out of the wilderness, when we are busy, frustrated or self absorbed in the many ways which manifest in us; all of these take my focus from time to time so the beginning of the Riverboat Night on the bay for the Kids in residence at Crittenton was exceptional in that I heard.

We first became involved with the KIDS through the 'help your neighbor' efforts of Go and Do Likewise. The circumstances of the Crittenton involvement is a story in itself. First though, how the party, how is it that this all began? I think it must have been in late November or early December of 1997 that we were painting a mobile home in Santa Ana. As was the usual case the girls of Crittenton showed up to 'help'. They certainly were as they did get some paint on the home but as was usual they got more on themselves. Even with water based paint it could be difficult to get out of clothes but they had great fun and laughed and worked to help others all of these were . . . good.

As with kids everywhere everyday is not necessarily a good or fun day. So it was with one young (about 11) yr old. She was sitting on the side porch step next to the carport of the home and was in tears, standing next to her was one of the Crittenton staff, who were always present and the most amazing collection of caring people imaginable. As she sat and cried, just as I walked by, I say this because I did not slow down, and did not want to interfere with the counseling going on, just as I was at the closest point of my path, I heard . . . . .from the counselor . . .what would you want if you were going to get something for Christmas? That is all I heard, that is what I could not get out of my mind. A simple statement from a counselor trying to find a way to comfort.

The following Friday our small prayer group met and consistent with our regular practice we prayed and talked and shared the week before. During this time I shared with the others, some of whom had been there the previous Saturday, what I had heard. More than that, I shared that I could not get this out of my mind. The tears, sobbing is maybe more accurate, the compassion of the counselor, the timing . . . .it was all too convenient . . .it would not go away. So one of the others said, "why don't we throw a party for them." Short story, we did; because of the short time of our interaction we had to bring it on campus to them. Even that took a bit of lobbying on the part of the lead staff. But, have a party we did. It was fun and the kids who could attend were singing and had gifts from us, it was a joyful event.

I guess this would be a good story if this was the end, but it is not. A year went by. We worked monthly and most of the time the girls helped out, but we did not even mention the issue or talk about it. Another prayer Friday, much the same group, a year later, as we sat the thought came, what about the girls and the party.

Some miracles may be more earth shattering, but miracle this was. Within about 10 days or so we had all the ingredients of a great party, including permission for the girls to leave the campus (a miracle in itself) donated clothes, and . . .most miraculously a special venue that we could not have imagined. Through a personal connection of one of the prayer regulars Capt Jack of the Electric Riverboat Angela Louise donated the use of his boat for a Saturday afternoon cruise on Newport bay. A highlight was watching the girls walk down the ramp to board the boat and hear so many comments that they had never been on the water let alone a boat such as this. The party went on with few if any hitches and was a huge success. So Started the Christmas Party on Newport Bay for the KIDS of Crittenton.

Two years we sailed on Saturday afternoon and then the Captain said, why don't we do this at night so they can see the lights. Frankly this was a huge step for the staff as the girls are all in secure facility and to get permission for a 'party at night' seemed too daunting, but it happened and so it began, night time on the Bay for the KIDS. It was only a couple, 2 or 3 years after that when we received a note from Captain Jack that he had sold the Angela Louise. He told the new owner about the party but we would have to talk to Captain Rick directly. So we did, and he said wonderful, and so we continue. Fourteen years of parties, fourteen years of watching young girls take an evening off from their difficult circumstance and laugh, sing and play.

Sometime I find this place and peace within that just flows, my eyes are widened that I might see and my ears are opened that I might hear. I know there have times when I missed the voice or the opportunity to hear. But, when i do hear and it is His voice and I am obedient to step out to 'just do it'; then the time, space and place are ripe for the miracle of real Joy to have its time. So for the last fourteen years; thank you Terry for never saying no, Captains Jack and Rick, thank you Angela Louise, thank you gift givers, thank you Sam and all the music makers, thank you Santa and helpers. Thank you staff and residents of the Crittenton campus but most of all, thank you Holy Spirit of God for your love and patience and great heart for these kids.

You have taught a great lesson on the potential of listening as we go through life. Listening as we go about our daily efforts and activities, listening even as we get so busy. I know it is listening that we have to learn, He speaks in many ways. It is not that we are not spoken to that the miracles elude us, it is that we are not listening.