In the midst of my Storm, as a married woman, husband of 13 yrs together 16, finally wants his divorce, and a mother of two previous children from God, gifts He gave me, (amazed since Doctor's in CA told me in 1998 that I could not have children) he's taken them and he and his families hid them from me since September 19 2013. I contacted my Attorney and finally heard from her September 29th so she could find out what was going on. October 1st my Attorney calls me with documentation of twisted manipulative verbiage I never said, he claims that I am verbally and physically abusive to him and my kids. He threw me to the Sharks/Wolves September 19 and again on the 25th and 30th of September. He was granted Emergency Custody 11 days of no word or knowing where my kids were. I am a faithful Christian Woman and mom and I finally went back to church also for my 11 yro dtr who begged me to take her back to church, she and her brother never got to go with me since I started August 11 and been faithful to my Lord and committed to Him in all I do. I became a member of my churcg in September. Counseling since January 2013, on my Hypothyroid medicines since April 2013 (Finally the correct diahnistics) my mom has Hypothyroidism too, been going to Women Conferences thru my Church at Rhema, went to Girls of Grace Event October 19th, on behalf of my daughter, and church groups and mom's were there too. It truly blessed me. 1st court date was October 10th and I was granted Sunday mornings to go pick up my kids in OKC, with Supervior driving time, and back El Reno, 9 to 1:30 & Wednesday nights 5:30-8:45pm. Been doing this and will do this until 2nd court date November 14th @1:30. II was also granted at least one phone call a day with my kids and I am aloud to go to, now both my 11 yr old and 4 yr old son go to school, their dad secretly moved our daughter to on September 30th. I saw their school for the first time November 6th with my 6th grader and Thursday the 7th with my Preschool baby boy. Their was a meeting on November 7th against me with John and his DHS and now Prevention people. I have updated alk to my Attorney and according to Prevention I need more Mental Therapy because of the twisted lies documented September 25th. The state has nor seen or reviewed eith my kids since my new court minutes October 10th. I have the best time with my babies in the car to and fro and at church before they are excused for their Bible Studies. My 4 year old sons class is called "The Worshippers" & my 11 yr old daughters is called "Azusa Street Kids". I am blessed I get to clean their rooms and sanctuary on Saturdays and volunteer to work in their classrooms. I keep praying for their dad and his families and friends and for my children who have been put in the middle of this. He hates me so much well he said he loves me that is why he did what he did he said to protect our kids from me. For the record I never verbally said those words to my children and never physically abused them or anyone in my 20 plus year's (I excluded between 0 and 18 since the words all my life here would not make sense) of my 36 years. Their dad was and is the man I loved and now have a New Love for him in Christ. I forgave him and his people's and I need to let this go and be loving kind and patient on getting my kids back into my life and me in theirs. Too much hate and anger built up between their dad and I. I want them 3 to stop this and in Jesus Name the Truth Set me FREE from false lies so I can be around my wonderful sweet children. They don't know me. I am not who they want to believe I am (hateful and evil) I am Loving Kind Gentle Caring Fun Encouraging Inspiring and Faithful in Him. Please keep us all in your prayers and ask me for the truth first. John promised he would make life H E double hockey sticks for me to keep me away from our kids but it's not for the right reasons. God bless and keep them. Colossians 1:9-12, has been one of my "Life-Changing Prayers". This is my prayer for me and my family and many other people around the globe. God bless and keep you too.
I found out about Calm Waters when my daughter attended her parenting class (for divorce) at their offices. She knew I was looking for volunteer opportunities and told me they needed help. I called, found out what I needed to do and soon found myself interviewing to help facilitate night time groups at their offices. I was very happy when they told me I could go through training and start co-facilitating groups there. But I got much more than I bargained for.
The employees at Calm Waters care for the people they serve. I have worked places where it is just a job so I know what they looks and feels like. The Calm Waters office is different. They want every interaction to be meaningful for the families they serve. I enjoyed helping serve those families and soon was also facilitating support groups in the school system as well. This is my third year there and I have to say the children I work with seem to really benefit from the support Calm Waters provides. They look forward to groups and I am fortunate enough to see some of the transformations as kids learn how to handle their emotions and realize they are not alone. I didn't expect it to be this rewarding so I definitely got much more than I bargained for and for that I am extremely happy!
Calm Waters provides a service that cannot be duplicated and is so important to the many people served there annually. I am so glad I get to be a part of such an awesome agency!
My son and I attended the grief groups following the death of my aunt. My son had developed a "tick" becuase of the stress and grieving that we were experiencing. After a few short weeks attending the support groups his "tick" had completely disappeared and he was happier and emotionally healthier. The volunteers are wonderful and compassionate. Calm Waters has been a great help to me and my family.
My parents divorced when I was 4. Both remarried by the time I was 9, but my dad died unexpectedly when I was 12. I felt like the only kid who has ever lost a parent at that young age. My friends didn't know how to talk to me, what to say. I felt very alone. I ended up making a lot of poor choices in my life not long after my dad died.
In 1997, I had the worst year of my life. To make this shorter, I had two major surgeries...one on my heart and one on my brain. after the second surgery, I had a very strong feeling to do something to benefit others. I needed to live my life no longer for just the benefit of ME. I heard an ad on the radio for Calm Waters Center for Children and Families and thought how amazing an organization this must be. I wished something like it was around when I was 12...I sure could have used it. A week later, I heard an ad for them saying they were in need of caring volunteers. I called immediately and said I want to help but am not a therapist, counselor, or even have a background in that. They told me, "Don't worry, we will train you as a facilitator and you will be with an experienced facilitator in your groups".
I went through training in February 1998 and started my first groups in August 1998. I only work with teens, because I believe they have the toughest decisions at this point in their lives that affect who they become. I know...I went through that!
I have been facilitating teen groups in both grief and divorce since 1998. Calm Waters Center for Children and Families is an incredible organization, and I am truly blessed to be a part of it.
Stuart
I am currently a practicum student at Calm Waters and I can't imagine having a better experience anywhere else. What Calm Waters does really changes people's lives and I have had the pleasure to see it for myself. I quickly found myself becoming attached with this organization and plan to volunteer form many years to come. Each staff member and volunteer that I've gotten to know has been unimaginably kind and knowledgeable. I am so incredibly blessed that I get to volunteer here because Calm Waters has shown me that I am on the right career path.
I was one of the founders of Calm Waters over 21 years ago after the death of my husband. At the time I was looking for help for my son after his Dad died. We were part of the first grief group and after that I facilitated the adult grief groups for 10 years until my job changed to evenings. It is a program I believe in and is certainly needed. I am in awe of the continual growth of Calm Waters to meet the ever changing needs of the children of the Oklahoma City area whether its due to recent tornadoes, the Murrah Building Bombing to children of deployment or incarceration . The staff at Calm Waters sees a need and figures out how to meet that need. They help a tremendous number of families each year with the dedication of the staff and volunteers. I loved my years as a volunteer and continue to support them financially and when ever they ask. I have referred many families there and all have later told me how much Calm Waters has helped .
I attended Calm Waters Divorce Program as a 5 year old when my parents divorced. Divorce has changed my life and through everything I learned and gained from Calm Waters I knew I wanted to volunteer. I started volunteering in college during the summers. Once I graduated I was hired as the Development Coordinator. I cannot express what it feels like to be able to raise money for children just like me. I have the most rewarding job because I get to see the smiles on the faces of grieving children everyday. Calm Waters is an amazing life changing program and I am blessed to be able to part of such a wonderful organization.
I started volunteering with Calm Waters as part of a school requirement, but quickly fell in love with the organization and its mission. I have been blessed by the other facilitators, the employees, and the clients at Calm Waters. I love helping kids deal with the loss of a loved one or cope with divorce. Volunteering at Calm Waters is fun and fulfilling!
I have had the honor of serving on the board of Calm Waters for over 5 years. When I was first introduced to this organization, I was amazed at the impact that Calm Waters had on the OKC community. Soon after joining the organization, a business partner and his family had need for CW's services. He said CW gave his family healing and was a critical resource in helping his family recover from a trajic situation. Several months ago, we lost one of our co-workers in a tragic incident. She had three young children and CW quickly stepped in and helped the family to begin the healing process. Although these are personal examples I experienced, Calm Waters helps families in the community like this every day.
I have the pleasure of serving at Calm Waters as a volunteer, but I also was fortunate enough as a young boy to attend Calm Waters after my parents went through a divorce. As a kid I remember the level of compassion I felt from the facilitators and how amazing it was to meet other kids who were just like me (at the time, divorce wasn't as prevalent as it is today). As a volunteer, I look forward to passing on that same level of compassion that I received on to other kids who need it badly. Calm Waters makes it possible through excellent training and support, shows incredible appreciation towards its volunteers and is willing to go above and beyond for the children and families that come seeking help...
What do you need when you've experienced loss...whatever that loss may be? You need a way to a new beginning because things will never be the same again. You need tools to help you deal with the loss and a compassionate, caring group of people who are going through the same thing to help you along the way. That's what I found at Calm Waters and what I believe anyone who has experienced a loss will find if they will allow the healing to happen. It isn't easy but it is definitely worth it. I've gone through the training and been a volunteer as well as experiencing the healing of being part of the group (my dad had died two years earlier and my sister died while I was volunteering). In addition, one of the greatest things about Calm Waters is that it caters to all age groups and has age-specific curriculum for each. It really is the total package.
Calm Waters is a great organization. I work here part-time and also volunteer my time to serve the children and families in our community that are grieving.
I love what we do. I see the impact on the children. We provide a safe-haven for them during their storm---- whether it is from death, divorce, tornado disasters or other catastrophic events / losses.
We make-a-difference. I see it in the children's faces and hear it in their voices----just to see a little smile that says: 'I'm feeling a little bit better because of Calm Waters'......That's why I do what I do----I just want to help and make-a-difference with some children.