Last year I took a video of Fo driving on private property and she was still learning how to steer and had to consciously remember the difference between the gas pedal and brake.
Then last week, a couple of days after she got her permit, I took another video because I wanted her to see how much progress she made. Fo is wonderful!
This summer, (2020) I’ve been telling Fo and Claire they need to grow up faster than their peers because as immigrants, they will be the first in their family to graduate from an American high school and attend college. And, more than Jackson and Justine, they will be the future breadwinners for their whole family because they have a much better grasp on American culture and language.
So, to that end, I’ve been teaching both of them how to drive. They at least have to have the basics of turning, backing and lane discipline before attending drivers’ training. So far, our driving has been limited to church parking lots, but yesterday, I let Fo drive from the apartment to Eastern Ave.
To commemorate this event, I recorded a video. You hear Fo telling me I’m making her nervous. I was about to say, “Making you nervous?… what about me?… this is my car.” But you notice in the background, another car passed us and you hear Claire saying that’s disrespect which gave me the best laugh in quite some time.
Last week marked the one year mark that I first met Claire and Fo at Jansen’s cottage. And this has been the most rewarding year in my life in a long time. God brought this whole family into my life in His time for His purpose. I know I stand on the shoulders of giants: Carolyn, Shar, Lyn, and a lot of others who were in on the ground floor of this mission. And I appreciate and find inspiration in your love for this family.
I love spending time with the whole family.
July 7, 2020
July 17, 2021
In the last couple weeks, it seems Fo is going through a noticeable transition into adulthood. After we left the bank last Monday, I asked her if she felt more grown-up. She asked what I meant by that.
“Well, in the last couple weeks, you got a driving permit, your first real job and today, a checking account.”
She said, “Maybe a little more grown-up.”
But I see a huge leap in maturity. Fo is growing into a beautiful woman and that makes me so proud. You notice in the second video how confident and attentive she is.
My prayer of thanksgiving: for all the time and emotional investment Carolyn, Lyn and Shar have put into Fo. And thanksgiving to God for the blessing that Fo is.
And my prayer of petition: that God continues to protect her from cynicism, rebellion, and poor self-esteem, and that she realizes what a blessing from God she truly is. And that she always knows how loved and respected she is.