March Thank You 2018

We talk to parents often about the importance of other voices in the lives of their kids.  It’s not necessarily that those other voices say anything different than the parents…but, because they’re a different voice, their words often have a different impact.  And, hopefully, an added power.  At Daystar, one of our great privileges is being other voices in the lives of over 1500 families. 

Basically, we’re like automatic backup.  Particularly so, in situations where parents feel lost or alone.  Recently, a family came in who were going through a divorce.  The father was not ver involved in the lives of his boys.  She needed help.  And so, this mom brought her sons in for two of our counselors to be another voice in their lives.

Recently, the oldest son told his counselor about something that happened at home.  He heard his little brother using a curse word.  As we know oldest children can do, he went directly to his mom to tell her about the incident.  She reassured him she was going to take care of it.  He waited for what he considered a good amount of time, and circled back to make sure his little brother would get punished.  And maybe, he’d even get a more severe consequence if the incident was reported twice. 

His mother’s words to her oldest and trying-to-be-in-charge son were, “I want to tell you again that you’re his brother and you’re not the parent.  I am-and I’ve got this.  And Mr. Alex has got this, too.”

Mr. Alex, the younger brother’s counselor, was her automatic backup.  He was her other voice.  We are grateful to stand alongside this mom, as well as thousands of others who are a part of our Daystar, offering hope and help for their journey…particularly on those backup needing kinds of days. 

Thank you for your part in helping us to do be another voice.  You are making a profound difference in the lives of children, adolescents, and their parents.

Gratefully,

The Daystar Staff

February Thank You 2018

Kids impact kids.  We talk about it a lot around here.  We, as adults, can say the same thing over and over to a child or teenager that we love…but, when one of their peers says it, it’s as if they hear it so much louder.

A high school girl came to group for her second time this past week.  She’s coming to Daystar because she’s been sad and anxious over a lot of different things in her life-from family situations to friend troubles at school.  She’s sad and stuck and has felt powerless to change anything going on around her.  She recently said to her counselor, “It just feels like everything is hard right now and there’s nothing I can do about it.  Even the little things feel huge and insurmountable.  How could I ever make a difference?”

For weeks, her counselor has been trying to remind her of how strong she is…and what a unique perspective and voice she has at home and at school.  She’s been trying to help her discover the difference she can make.  And, honestly, it wasn’t seeming to get through—until she came to group.

Last week, this girl started to share about her week.  “Well, I’ve had a lot of little things going on that I want to tell y’all about.  They’re not a huge deal.  But, what I really want to say is that you all are the most resilient, amazing, powerful, empowering people I’ve ever met.  I have learned so much from you in the two short weeks I’ve been in group.  Thank you.”  As she said these words, she sat a little taller and smiled a little wider…as did each of the girls around her in group.

Kids impact kids.  It’s one of the reasons we have groups at Daystar.  In fact, it’s one of the reasons we have Daystar.  And, just one of the many reasons we’re profoundly grateful for you.  You impact each of the kids and families who walk through our doors with your generosity.

Gratefully,

The Daystar Staff

A New Years Thank You 2018

See, I am doing a new thing! 
   

Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? 


I am making a way in the wilderness wasteland. 

   

and streams in the desert.

Isaiah 43:19 

Happy New Year from the Daystar house to yours!  This verse brims over with hope and reminds us of the newness of God’s mercies…every year, every month, every day.  He is doing a new thing.  He is doing a new thing in the life of each child, each teen, each parent who walks through our doors.

 Those kids and families, however, often feel more of the wasteland than the hope.  The streams feel far off.  That’s why we’re here.  That’s why we offer individual counseling, groups, camps, and even parenting seminars for families.  As one teenage girl said to another recently in one of our groups, “We’re here to remind you that you don’t have to be alone.  We want to walk beside you in all that you’re going through.” 

God is making all things new.  He’s making a way in the wilderness and streams in the desert.  He brings hope—through, as one child called it, “the little yellow house that helps people.”  And through you. 

We’re grateful for your belief in the ongoing work and mission of Daystar.  We are grateful that you walk beside us in encouraging parents, in offering families hope, and in being reminders that our great God is doing a new thing in each of their (and our) lives. 

With warm appreciation,

The Daystar Staff