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Charlee's Story
by my amazing sister Beth and her gifted husband Torrence
Mark Twain said there are but two of the most important days in our life: The day we were born and the day we discover why we were born. If you have had the privilege of being a parent, the “why we were born” becomes apparent the moment God gives you your children. I say when God gives them to you because that is exactly what they are… GIFTS.
One of our gifts? Charlize Morgan Jackson, a.k.a. Charlee/Char/Char Char. She was born February 4, 2005, just 317 days after the passing of our first son Trace. After experiencing a loss so dark, so deep, you wonder if you will ever love again. Let alone love another child. But seeing her face and looking into those bottomless brown eyes seconds after Charlee was born, we never wondered again about our capacity to love another child. We were hooked for life. She, just moments after her birth, brought people together and gave a community a reason to love and celebrate once again.
Our Charlee is a strong personality who can light up a room with her smile, dancing, funny antics and desire to entertain anyone. She was and is a fighter who never wanted to go to bed, loved to be in the know on every conversation and was always scheming a strategy and defense. While fearless in standing her ground, she has a huge heart and has no problem caring for anyone in need.
Because of her big heart, our family’s tumultuous and difficult journey the last few years has deeply affected her. She has begun to shut down the best of herself and has withdrawn her heart to shield herself from any more pain. We have worked with Charlee to help her become free of fear and anxiety, but we are at a crossroads. We need to plant Charlee in an atmosphere and environment for her to heal, develop the various life tools she needs and learn to see herself for the incredible young woman she is.
After months of praying, crying, and counseling, God has opened a door for Charlee to enroll in a 15-month program at the Lakeland Girls Academy in Florida –1,900 miles from us in Colorado. Charlee will be challenged to complete three semesters of rigorous academics while focusing on key social and emotional tools. Through specific programs, group and family counseling, Charlee will learn how to lead a disciplined life that will equip her to flourish like never before.
We have always chosen to do life with others and in doing so we have invited many into the hardest, ugliest and most vulnerable places of our story. This is another invitation -- a chance to stack hands and say ‘yes’ to seeing a young woman become who she has always meant to be. Today we find ourselves in a place where we are humbled and need to ask for your help.
The total cost that our family will incur for the duration of Charlee’s program is approximately $3,000 a month for a grand total of $45,000. This is an overwhelming sum for us as we have worked mostly in the ministry and educational fields for most of our careers. However, we are trusting and believing that this will be a great story of what can happen when you take a step of faith! In addition to monetary donations, miles, hotel points, rental car donations would also be huge gifts. We will travel to Florida every 8 weeks to visit Charlee.
Perhaps you are like us and God has led you to pray and give into specific ministries or Kingdom ideas in specific seasons. Our prayer is that He would make that obvious to you as you reflect upon this opportunity before you. We are asking that you would prayerfully ask the questions, “God, what would you want me to do to help Charlee?” “What gift could I give that would bring joy to your heart?” “How can I be a part of the miracle story you are writing for the Jacksons?”
We are honored and humbled to share this with you and invite you on the journey with us to see Charlee come home. Home to her destiny and purpose. Home to her place of belonging, joy and a new-found freedom. Home to us.
Thank you from the depths of our hearts.
With Much Love,
Beth and Torrence
P.S. If you would like more information on how to give directly to the Jacksons or to the Lakeland Girls Academy, please contact me directly. Thanks, Victoria
by my amazing sister Beth and her gifted husband Torrence
Mark Twain said there are but two of the most important days in our life: The day we were born and the day we discover why we were born. If you have had the privilege of being a parent, the “why we were born” becomes apparent the moment God gives you your children. I say when God gives them to you because that is exactly what they are… GIFTS.
One of our gifts? Charlize Morgan Jackson, a.k.a. Charlee/Char/Char Char. She was born February 4, 2005, just 317 days after the passing of our first son Trace. After experiencing a loss so dark, so deep, you wonder if you will ever love again. Let alone love another child. But seeing her face and looking into those bottomless brown eyes seconds after Charlee was born, we never wondered again about our capacity to love another child. We were hooked for life. She, just moments after her birth, brought people together and gave a community a reason to love and celebrate once again.
Our Charlee is a strong personality who can light up a room with her smile, dancing, funny antics and desire to entertain anyone. She was and is a fighter who never wanted to go to bed, loved to be in the know on every conversation and was always scheming a strategy and defense. While fearless in standing her ground, she has a huge heart and has no problem caring for anyone in need.
Because of her big heart, our family’s tumultuous and difficult journey the last few years has deeply affected her. She has begun to shut down the best of herself and has withdrawn her heart to shield herself from any more pain. We have worked with Charlee to help her become free of fear and anxiety, but we are at a crossroads. We need to plant Charlee in an atmosphere and environment for her to heal, develop the various life tools she needs and learn to see herself for the incredible young woman she is.
After months of praying, crying, and counseling, God has opened a door for Charlee to enroll in a 15-month program at the Lakeland Girls Academy in Florida –1,900 miles from us in Colorado. Charlee will be challenged to complete three semesters of rigorous academics while focusing on key social and emotional tools. Through specific programs, group and family counseling, Charlee will learn how to lead a disciplined life that will equip her to flourish like never before.
We have always chosen to do life with others and in doing so we have invited many into the hardest, ugliest and most vulnerable places of our story. This is another invitation -- a chance to stack hands and say ‘yes’ to seeing a young woman become who she has always meant to be. Today we find ourselves in a place where we are humbled and need to ask for your help.
The total cost that our family will incur for the duration of Charlee’s program is approximately $3,000 a month for a grand total of $45,000. This is an overwhelming sum for us as we have worked mostly in the ministry and educational fields for most of our careers. However, we are trusting and believing that this will be a great story of what can happen when you take a step of faith! In addition to monetary donations, miles, hotel points, rental car donations would also be huge gifts. We will travel to Florida every 8 weeks to visit Charlee.
Perhaps you are like us and God has led you to pray and give into specific ministries or Kingdom ideas in specific seasons. Our prayer is that He would make that obvious to you as you reflect upon this opportunity before you. We are asking that you would prayerfully ask the questions, “God, what would you want me to do to help Charlee?” “What gift could I give that would bring joy to your heart?” “How can I be a part of the miracle story you are writing for the Jacksons?”
We are honored and humbled to share this with you and invite you on the journey with us to see Charlee come home. Home to her destiny and purpose. Home to her place of belonging, joy and a new-found freedom. Home to us.
Thank you from the depths of our hearts.
With Much Love,
Beth and Torrence
P.S. If you would like more information on how to give directly to the Jacksons or to the Lakeland Girls Academy, please contact me directly. Thanks, Victoria
Organizer and beneficiary
BethandTorrence Jackson
Beneficiary