Dearest Christopher,
Today you are headed to camp at Hidden Acres. You are going to be doing the basketball camp. I have to tell you how proud I am of you. You dont know it but you going to basketball camp is very exciting to your mother. I fell in love with basketball when I was about 11 years old. A lot of life changes were happening to me at this time. I moved from my foster home to my new home with prospective forever family. I found out I had two brothers. One was very nice. The other a little bit hateful to me. He didnt necessarily like me, want me. I always reminded myself...no one probably asked him if he wanted a sister. I sympathized with him...cuz honestly no one asked me either. I had lost my family, and I guess I assumed I would just stay in foster care the rest of my childhood. My foster mom took me to the middle school to check it out. I would be entering 7th grade. Middle school was different. I would be switching classes. Sixth grade in Ferndale was still elementary. I found out in middle school I could play sports. I had only had a little bit of exposure to sports but I really like running and would play basketball at the local boys and girls club. I was actually good but I noticed mostly boys played that sport. It was fun though. Anyways, when I moved across country with my new family, my brother Lawren was nice to me....we went biking and sometimes played a little basketball. Our new house was right across the street from a school so I would play bball everyday. It was therapy to me. I met lots of kids doing this and it was really fun. I was lucky to be able to play basketball now in middle school at my new school. It was fun. I wasnt as good as the other kids, they had been playing since fourth grade or earlier. I learned that parents could actually enroll their kids in sports at the YMCA or local city teams. (This was an reminder to me that I was "strange" and didnt grow up like other kids.) Why am I telling you all this randomness. Christopher over the next few years you might go through some awkward years....as a preteen and teenager, I dont know why but kids start to compare themselves to others. I want to encourage you to try everything...as your mother I want to give you opportunities I didnt have...i hope you find the things that make you happy and you will improve your skills in sports and robotics and anything you want. Please tell me what you want to pursue and I will help you find those opportunities.
Wisdom is understanding future consequences of our present decisions.
So I want to share with you some wisdom.
1. You identity is best found in Christ. As a pre teen and teenager, you can form your identity by comparing yourself to others looks talents and smarts....or you can develop all the things that you are naturally talented in and MOST importantly you can grow your relationship with Christ and find your identity in HIM.
A lot of us learn this late and waste a lot of time in our thoughts thinking we are not good enough, smart enough, cute enough, fast enough, talented enough ect. Christopher you are so talented and amazing. Please dont compare yourself to anyone.
2. The best way to make friends is to be a friend. I am praying for you this week as you are at camp. I hope you learn alot about God and basketball. Mostly I hope you make friends.
NOW here is something a little deeper. This is wisdom and advice that may not apply now but maybe later.
What does God teach about how to handle drinking and others who drink. When you are a teenager you will be faced with this temptation/ situation. Its my gut instinct as a parent to just keep you away from all these bade things but also if you are never given the opportunity....how will you ever make choices and develop convictions and develop your faith.
So let me give you some thoughts, then pray about it and ask God to give you guidance in this area for your self and how you will handle this.
Ephesians 5:18 Do not get drunk which leads to debauchery.
When you get drunk you will allow yourself to do things that are not wise. It is important to protect your heart and mind. If you are drunk you will not have control of either. You might make a choice you will regret.
Can you decide now what you will do if you are in a situation of temptation to drink.
Draw the line before you are in a hard situation. Because if you do not draw the line early...you will adjust the line to fit your debauchery....debauchery is any sensual pleasure....a sensual pleasure is something that makes you feel good in a moment but is hurtful to your future self.
The rest of Ephesians 5:18 - states: Instead by filled with the SPIRIT.
Let Jesus fill you up. Not beer. Make this commitment to God not just yourself.
I pray you continue to grow Christopher. I ask god to help me train you in gods ways. I pray you will love Him and seek Him. Protect you from bad mistakes....you will make mistakes in life...but I pray you will learn from them and you will be stronger in Him because of it.
I love you will all my heart. You are an amazing brother and son.
Always and Forever Mommy
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