Hello all! I am starting this GoFundMe to raise funds for a good friend of mine and her family. This is a couple that were in their empty nest years with grown children who suddenly had to take on their two small grandchildren this year. Overnight, they jumped back into life with a 5 and 7 year old. The kids came with little more than the clothes on their backs. They had to scramble to get clothes, foods, beds, school things, all the things! Not only did this change disrupt their lives in all the normal ways that taking care of little children does, but it turns out the kids had also been through quite a lot of trauma. So their emotional needs are greater than most. The kids were with them for almost 3 months before both of them slept through the night. They had been in an unstructured environment. Understandably, they have lots of behavior issues and have been started in intensive counseling.

Here's the deal though. My sweet friend and her husband were struggling financially before they got the kids. They've since had to take on all that is involved with providing for the kids, paying court costs, etc and this has put them in quite a bind. This is a HARD WORKING couple with regular day jobs. They go to church every Sunday and they serve others in many ways both inside and out of the church. They are down to earth, caring, responsible people. They have sacrificed so much for their family over the last several years. I am not sharing too many details because we are keeping their identities anonymous for good reasons. However, trust me that I know them well-they do not spend money on themselves, do not indulge, do not eat out. They live in a modest home. They are trying hard to stay afloat but are under CONSIDERABLE strain emotionally, mentally, relationally, physically, and materially. They need help. The kids are on Tenncare and they are accessing the resources available to them. But they need more support; it is a kinship so they do not get the same resources as foster/adoption parents. They have signed up for the Relative Caregiver Program for more resources but there is a WAITING LIST. They do utilize FFAN for free items.

If you are a praying person, I would ask you to please, please pray for them. They are believers and are leaning on God but they are worn down. And I am begging and pleading that you will give financially if you are able. If you are like me and you have EVER been in that hopeless situation filled with worry about paying your bills and what's coming next, please consider it. Even small donations add up and just can be so encouraging, so please take the time if you can. They don't like to ask for anything anymore than you or me. But please let's show them the love. I know it would mean so much. Thank you for reading. :)

P.S. I will pay the GoFundMe fees so everything donated gets to this family. I chose GoFundMe because it's such a well known platform.