one more out the door

We had one of our "original boys" (one of the last two in the house that have been here since before we moved in) leave last Friday.  I know that this is the best for him, and definently Jon.  When this boy was in a good place (which he has not been in for more than a couple of days at a time since Christmas) he could be the biggest helper in the house and so fun to be around.  But when he didn't get what he wanted, everyone paid.  That was not okay...and since Jon and I, but mostly Jon, never backed down...it was rough most of the time.

But now he is gone...and one of the last memories he left with us is this:

The product of his refusal to do his kitchen chore...and here are the two troopers that helped clean up the ridiculous mess.

Needless to say, we have learned a whole lot from our time in this crazy house...but most of all, I feel like we have learned more about ourselves.

Here is what I have learned about Emily Elizabeth:


-I do not like confrontation as much as I thought I did...or at least I'm not as comfortable with it as I thought I was...but with some deeper digging I realize that I feel this way because I have not seen confrontation work well with these boys...it probably would work better if they had harsher consequences...but sadly, this is not the case. Hard shells around hearts make confrontation pointless.


-I need me some shalom...the second someone gets all huffy-puffy about a chore or being helped accountable, I feel my heart start racing and my teeth clinching...like I am preparing myself to be physically hit.  Emotional peace and people talking in respectful voices and words are things I never would have listed as a must for my living arrangement...but now, it is


-I could totally be an enabler...sick, right?  Just to have that shalom (even though it would be superficial) I would let things go that would potentially enable bad behaviors


-My husband can rule with a rod of iron.  I don't know if you know Jon, but he is kind of a goof (in the best way I could ever ask for).  So maybe you would agree with me that this is something to be learned. He has risen to the occasion of being the primary house-parent this year...which is mainly, being the disciplinarian and the one who is responsible for shopping, doctor's appointments, and telling them they are wrong.  


-I could never rule with a rod of iron in this house


-We are going to be solid parents :) That is if Jon will be the disciplinarian 

I'm looking forward to the day when Jon and I will look back on this experience and thank God for it...today is not that day.

Much love,
Emily Elizabeth

5 votes

can we get more?

Who wants to see Jon (pictured here with Rocky) blog more!

Let's take a vote!

I love blogging, short and sweet...but Jon loves telling stories...and if you have the honor of talking to him face to face, you get an entire reenactment.  But I fear this blog is lacking due to the absnce of his animated writing.

Soooooo...if you want to see Jon blog more, comment...and that will could as a vote for more Jon Blogging.

Thanks and much love,
Emily Elizabeth

An interview

Hey friends!  Could you please keep Jon and I in your prayers...we have our first interview/meeting/coffee chat about a possible field placement in Rwanda with Azizi Life (www.azizilife.com)...when I was in Chicago I volunteered doing what they would need me to do with products made by rural Rwandans

This is not for certain...but prayer is always good :)  We are also looking at Haiti...and Jon is pushing for the Bahamas...but I have yet to locate an organization in paradise :)

Much love,
Emily Elizabeth

My forever Valentine

Jon and I will spend Valentine's Day apart...him with our boys in the crazy house on Hedgewood and me at school.  He will spend most of his time in circle about who stole $9 for the third day in a row...not too exciting.  In fact, the Domos above accurately portray what we feel on the inside.

But crazy times like this only remind me of how much my husband loves me...after all, the only reason we are in Philly working at the house of crazy is because of my grad school stop to achieving my dreams :)  I truly know everyday how much my husband loves me by watching him serve and work with these boys with integrity, compassion and love.

Jonathan Newlin...thank you for being my forever Valentine.

Much love,
Emily Elizabeth

dreaming about field semester

Hello friends!

Jon and I would like to ask you all to be praying for God's direction for the field semester that we will be spending abroad to complete my coursework.  SO many choices...and I really feel at this point that whatever we want, we can do.

But in my past experience with these things, I know God will use this experience in what He has in store for us next.  We aren't worried about ending up in a shack in Africa...because NOTHING can be harder than what we are doing now :)

We look forward to our next adventure, but are striving to stay focused on our task at hand:  loving the hard to love boys right in our reach.

Much love,
Emily Elizabeth

p.s. here is our awesome snow cupcake (with candle) we made after the crazy snow storm at the end of January!

things we love {about our boys} part 2

I am only posting this because I am at my breaking point...and I totally just yelled at a boy...

We love when our boys are truly themselves...it always makes us smile.  They can be so sweet and funny at the same time.  They are just children in overgrown bodies...which makes them think they are men, and should have the respect of men.

God help us love them and continue to reflect Your heart.

Much love,
Emily