It's A Hard Knock Life

I visited the Thomasville orphanage Sunday.
I had a few pre-concieved notions about what to expect.
And had worked myself into a fit, only to tell myself I was exaggerating and it wouldn't be that bad.
It will be that bad.
I was placed in a group home when I was 16 and developed PostTraumaticStressDisorder because of my stay there. This may tell you something about the emotional toll the experience had on me. It may also explain a little about me if you've ever wondered about my Exaggerated Startle Response or inability to get really close to people.
This "orphanage" is not an "orphanage" it's an upscale group home. They still have everything I hated about my stay, and I'll likely be living with the group of girls that are in the place because they've done something illegal- just like I was before.
But- I KNOW that God has great things in store for me this summer. I'm being placed in this position for a reason. I went through my experience so that I can reach out to these children better and handle the situations that are about to be presented to me.
Most of these kids don't know Christ. I pray that they will see how God handled my situation and got me through it with His love, and want to experience it. I pray that I will be able to properly show them the love He can give.
Most importantly, I want these kids to learn the lesson I've been telling myself all these years- Don't tell God how big your storm is, tell the storm how big your God is.
There are kids there who should be in jail, kids that have been abused in many different ways, kids who have family that refuse to take them back, and kids that will be going home soon, they just need to work through a few things.
I know that there is a special place for me in each of these children's lives.
My biggest concern is emotional right now. Please, God, don't let my own experiences resurface and pull me down. Let this summer be dedicated to You and let me remain strong through You.

To everyone reading this: stop now and say a little prayer. Not only for me but for these kids. I don't know what the plan is, but it's gonna be big. Please keep us in your prayers throughout the summer.
I really hope to update frequently on here, but if you want updates continuously, I plan on sending ou weekly e-mails. If you'll comment with your e-mail address, I'll add you to the list going out with updates from these kids including what's going on, prayer requests, info about these kids and the way God is shaping their lives, and the devotions I'll be leading them in along with requests for ideas of devotions based on the info I'll be sending out.
Thanks be to God.