Simple Blessings
The Official Blog of Coyote Hill
And He took them in His arms and blessed them... Mark 10:16
Apr
20
Jesus and Marriage – A Child’s Perspective
Our Executive Director’s wife, Denise McDaniel, recently spent some time with Danny,* a young boy from The Zimmer Home. They had a very interesting discussion about Jesus’ marital status:
Danny: “Was Jesus married?”
Denise: “No, He wasn’t.”
Danny: “But why not? He was a grown-up man.”
Denise: “That is true. But remember, He was a man, for us. He came here as a man to show us who God is. But inside of his body – He was still God.”
(complete silence for several moments…)
Danny: “Of course. That makes sense. Cause if He had gotten married He would of had to tell His wife, ‘Bye. I have to go now. I will be busy for like 2,000 years.’ And THAT would have made her really mad.”
Don’t you just love the way young minds process their developing faith?
We do! Thanks for your support that allows us to be a part of changing lives, like Danny’s.
*name changed for sake of confidentiality
Mar
29
Note of Gratitude
By karis | In Former Residents, General
Occasionally we hear from our youth and children after they’ve left our care. We love these notes of reassurance and encouragement…reminding us why we do what we do. We hope you’ll also be encouraged. It is because of your continued support that we are able to make this kind of difference. As this young lady states – we’re not just changing lives…together, we are literally saving lives. Thank you for helping us rescue these children and give them “A Place to Be a Child.”
Coyote Hill was the best time of my life, with amazing people…people who give their lives to help children. Many foster kids feel like foster homes are bit like jail, but while at Coyote Hill, I went to water parks, concerts and places that blew my mind. Before coming to Coyote Hill, I had never been to a concert or a hotel. While at Coyote Hill, my Home Parent Mom took me to a Christian concert, and all I could do was cry because I was so thankful for how she was helping me.
The people at Coyote Hill are so kind and understanding. They changed my life and taught me to be a better person. I don’t know how I can ever thank these people that literally saved my life. The direction my life was going before I came to Coyote Hill…I just don’t think I would have made it to adulthood. So, I am very thankful for all of you, and the way you are changing kids’ lives every day. God bless each of you!
–15 year-old former resident
Feb
15
Courageous Parenting
An encouraging word from one of our staff members, Amy Kingery…
“Recently, I listened to a radio broadcast about parenting. One of the many points that stuck out to me was that sometimes parents have to love their kids enough to let them go and let them take chances. It is so easy to want to protect and shield our kids from danger, whatever form it may take. Here at Coyote Hill, that often looks like Home Parents who have a very hard time letting children leave to return to a parent, guardian or move on to an adoptive family. However, as the broadcast explained, we want our children to grow into strong men and women who can stand up for what is right. Hopefully, you as a parent (as well as our Home Parents) have laid a strong foundation ahead of time, allowing children to learn and grow and take small chances along the way. Throughout the parenting journey, parents have to maintain a visual picture of holding their children with open hands – realizing it is the Lord who is truly holding them. The radio host concluded (and I strongly agreed) that it takes courageous parents to raise courageous children.
Parenting is probably one of the toughest jobs God ever designed. But that is just it…God designed it! He gives us some words of wisdom throughout his Word like “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Sometimes I wish He’d written a detailed parenting manual, but then I am reminded that no matter how much teaching and preaching and time we put into our children, God will still be more active and in control of their lives than we could ever be!
When your parenting days seem long and tiring – just remember that your parenting years are short. Yes, you may get tired of carrying that toddler everywhere, or answering yet another homework question; but one day, you’ll answer her final algebra question or carry that little boy for the last time. Enjoy each moment while you can, and pray for the strength to courageously let your children go someday, in God’s timing.”
Jan
27
Faith Really Does Matter
Joel had never really been to church before coming to Coyote Hill.
Yet one evening during the week, he walked into the kitchen and sat down at the table with his Bible and notebook in hand. Most of the children were already in bed, but being one of the older boys, Joel* was allowed to stay up a little bit later. Instead of playing video games or watching TV like other nights, Joel began reading out loud stories about Jesus. He was never asked to get his Bible or even be reminded that it might be a good choice. Joel took the initiative and continued to soak up the knowledge gained. He asked questions to the adults in the room and truly engaged with the material.
During a later conversation, Joel admitted that he would like to grow up and be a Baptist. With further clarification, Joel was able to say what he meant was that he wanted to be a Pastor! Since coming to Coyote Hill, he has been a part of a God-focused house, which has taught him how to incorporate faith in all aspects of his life. The principles and values he is learning at Coyote Hill have really made an impact on him and his future.
On another weeknight at The Hill, Jasmine* had just changed into her pajamas before bedtime. However, there was still a little time for her to play in the playroom with her younger brother before lights out. Jasmine bypassed the dolls, the blocks and the books to stand up on a wooden stool. After she was proudly standing high on her stool, she brought from behind her back a Bible. Jasmine then proceeded to open the Bible and begin to preach to the large crowd before her. (Of course the only other person in the room was her brother, but Jasmine didn’t mind; she felt like she had important things to share about Jesus.) After she finished preaching, Jasmine walked out of the play room and asked when her next Bible study group was, because she was excited to go. She was told that she would be going the following evening. Jasmine flashed a big smile, turned around, and said “Ok I’m ready for bed now.”
If you’ve ever wondered if sending kids to church, praying with them and completing devotionals with them really matters; these are just a snapshot of the stories that take place at Coyote Hill every day.
–Story contributed by: Crystal Rodenbaugh, Intern
If you’d like more information about how our Home Parents are teaching our children about Bible, please feel free to contact any of them here.
*Name changed for sake of confidentiality.
Jan
04
Changed Lives
We have a young lady that has been with us for a few years who will soon be leaving Coyote Hill. One of our staff members, Amy Kingery, reflected on the changes and improvements that we’ve seen in Katie* since she first came to The Hill:
Demonstrating some new skills
“I remember how bitter Katie was when she first arrived at Coyote Hill. She has come a long way and grown so much! She is faithful with the horses and thoroughly enjoys the opportunity she was given with gymnastics. She advanced through several levels of the gymnastics classes. She has learned a lot through the horse program, and even gained enough trust and demonstrated enough responsibility to be able to feed and care for them in the mornings.
I had the privilege of taking Katie to gymnastics last week. On the way home, we were discussing how you know if God is real. Julie*, who hasn’t been at Coyote Hill for very long, was also with us. I heard Katie tell Julie a couple of different times, ‘I’m so glad I went into foster care. Because if I hadn’t gone into foster care, I truly believe I wouldn’t be here anymore.’
Another part of our conversation on the way to gymnastics included Katie telling Julie about how she has managed her anger issues. Katie encouraged Julie to work on dealing with her anger in healthier ways.
That’s when you know you’ve been successful – when the one you’ve been teaching for years has now become the teacher and encourager!”
Nov
29
Thanksgiving Dinner
By loriak | In Family Time, General
Holidays at The Hill sometimes find several of our children leaving to spend some time with their families. For instance, this year one of our teenagers was scheduled to spend Thanksgiving day with her biological family. However, she REALLY wanted to help her Home Parent Mom make Thanksgiving dinner…so they did all of their cooking on the day before. Here’s what her mom had to say about the experience:
Nov
16
Horse Lessons
Towards the end of summer break, our equine specialist, Allison Mather, had this to share about one rainy day’s experience with the kids and the horses:
“We need the rain so badly that we weren’t discouraged. And now that we have a beautiful indoor arena to ride in, rainy days never stop us!
Rainy days don't stop Allison and the kids!
I took advantage of this time indoors to work on everyone’s control, turning, stopping, etc. I set up the arena so they had to go around obstacles, pick up cones, go over poles, and things along those lines. They did fairly well, and mostly just had trouble with cutting corners and steering. As part of the course, I set up what I call a gate. It’s a long rope between two posts. They have to get up next to the post and lift the rope off, walk through the two posts and put the rope back on, all while staying on the horse. The key aspect was to take one step at a time and not get mad at your horse. Sounds easy perhaps, but getting your horse to listen is difficult. Some of them got frustrated and mad at their horse. It was a great teaching opportunity though, to encourage and help them work through those frustrations. And every one of them completed the task, even if it was after multiple tries.
It was really beneficial to ride in the arena and work on refining their skills. It opened my eyes to what I need to spend more time on with them. It was also interesting to have Timothy* back. The kids who have been riding several times over these past two weeks are doing really well. Having Timothy back, who’s been gone for awhile, made me realize how much the other kids have learned over the past month or so. Timothy needed a lot of help, although he did very well, and it was great to see that everyone was willing and wanting to help him. I’m so proud of how much they all have learned, and that they are getting really good at the routine!
After lunch, the rain cleared up so we went riding on the trail. It was a little wet and slippery, but again, I used that to my advantage and showed them how to keep their horses slow and steady while going down a slippery hill. Everyone kept up a great attitude. While doing barn chores, two of the girls got into a little argument because one of them was being overly bossy. I talked to them individually and they worked just fine together after that.
Overall, it was a great day. I’m just sad that summer is ending!”
*name changed for sake of confidentiality
~~Allison Mather
Barn Manager & Equine Specialist
Oct
28
Weekend Getaway – SURPRISE!
By loriak | In Family Time, General
All children should get to experience the richness of visiting grandparents and going on outings together as a family. At Coyote Hill, taking and making the most of those opportunities is just one more way that we strive to create a wonderful “Place to Be a Child.” Listen to our Home Parent Dad at the Zimmer Home, Charlie Marshman, talk about their recent outing…
My wife Jaimee and I came to Coyote Hill from Wisconsin. We decided recently that it would be fun to use one of our 3 day weekends to make a surprise visit to our parents back home. We drove and drove after the kids got out of school on Friday. Late that evening, after telling all the kids in the van to be VERY quiet so as not to ruin the surprise, Jaimee nonchalantly called her mom (who had just gotten off work.) The kids almost blew it, as we drove by a Green Bay exit sign right at that moment and they all started shouting, “Charlie – that’s your Green Bay Packers!” When we finally did arrive at Jaimee’s moms’ place…she was so surprised and excited to see us, even though it was 2 AM and she only has a two bedroom apartment to host all 12 of us! We received a similar reception at my mom’s when we arrived at her place Sunday. We had one of our young girls walk in first, and my mom just looked at her and said, “Hello…” and then, as realization hit her, with much more exuberance she shouted, “Wow – Hello!!!” She was laughing and crying…so surprised and happy to see us all.
Without really planning to, we turned the visit into a typical, fall Wisconsin experience for the children – with everything from eating cheese curds, venison and cheesy potatoes, to watching the Green Bay Packers. We played in the leaves, visited Lake Michigan and a lighthouse, and drove through Milwaukee. Also while there, I took the opportunity to show the kids where I proposed to Jaimee a few years ago.
The kids were amazed at the vastness of Lake Michigan. After we had been driving for 45 minutes along its coast, they were totally floored when I told them we could keep driving another hour and a half to Chicago, and Lake Michigan would STILL be there. They couldn’t believe that a lake could be so big – they thought surely it was an ocean!
A fun (and funny) experience while at Lake Michigan was walking out along a VERY long pier, to get to a lighthouse. It was freezing cold, but the kids were troopers and walked and walked without complaining – but the moment we got out there to the lighthouse, one young boy promptly declared, “I have to go to the bathroom.” Yup…a quick, long walk all the way back from where we’d just come…that’s kids for you!
It was a great trip, with lots of family & grandparent time, plus fun experiences for all of the kids. ~~Charlie Marshman
Oct
26
A Life Saving Experience
By loriak | In Former Residents, General
A recent note from one of our former youth…it speaks for itself:
Coyote Hill was the best time of my life, with amazing people…people who give their lives to help children. Many foster kids feel like foster homes are a bit like jail, but while at Coyote Hill, I went to water parks, concerts and places that blew my mind. Before coming to Coyote Hill, I had never been to a concert or a hotel. While at Coyote Hill, my Home Parent Mom took me to a Christian concert, and all I could do was cry because I was so thankful for how she was helping me.
The people at Coyote Hill are so kind and understanding. They changed my life and taught me to be a better person. I don’t know how I can ever thank these people that literally saved my life. The direction my life was going before I came to Coyote Hill…I just don’t think I would have made it to adulthood. So, I am very thankful for all of you, and the way you are changing kids’ lives every day. God bless each of you!
Oct
12
Growth of a Teenage Girl
By loriak | In Parenting, Volunteering
Parenting a teenage girl can be challenging for any mother. However, when you’re a Home Parent in your early 20‘s…it can be especially daunting. Our Mom in Cathy’s Home, Amy Martel, is handling it well. We wanted to share with you some of what she’s been doing to help a blossoming young lady in her home:
‘Katie’ was given the opportunity to attend Kanakuk Kamp before school started this fall. It was a huge step for her, as she went into it being overly concerned about what the other girls in her cabin would think of her, etc. But as the days went by, she grew into loving Christ and not worrying about being cool or popular. That is a HUGE step for Katie. She has since asked me to do a Bible study with her, so we are exploring together the ramifications of what it truly means to be a Christian. We are super excited to see where that takes her!
She is slowly but surely gaining confidence by striving to accomplish things and experiencing the gratification of succeeding. She made student council AND the cheerleading squad this semester! She’s also taking pride in being more organized and taking care of her room. It’s been great to see her growing in self-confidence and how it’s reflected in the way she presents herself.
Recently, I was able to give Katie a “hands on” lesson in serving others. We spent a Saturday helping out at a respite event sponsored by Hope Chest for Kids. They sponsored this six hour respite so local foster parents could have a few hours off to relax, shop or whatever they needed to do, while we took care of their foster children. Katie and I were able to help with all ages of children that day – from infant to teenager. We served them food and snacks, played video and board games, made crafts and painted faces! The day ended with a Christian puppet show put on by middle schoolers. It was neat opportunity for both of us to serve the community. –Amy Martel, Home Parent Mom