{"id":5946,"date":"2021-12-13T15:32:11","date_gmt":"2021-12-13T23:32:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/abbotsfordchristian.com\/insideout\/?p=5946"},"modified":"2021-12-14T11:41:04","modified_gmt":"2021-12-14T19:41:04","slug":"have-faith","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/abbotsfordchristian.com\/insideout\/2021\/12\/13\/have-faith\/","title":{"rendered":"HAVE FAITH"},"content":{"rendered":"

The events of the last few weeks have left us feeling shaken and vulnerable. Many of our school families were horribly impacted by the flooding. We have family, friends, coworkers, and classmates who are trying to recover from devastating losses. All of us, including our children, are trying to find a sense of security amidst such destruction and upheaval.<\/p>\n

Oma’s Safety Plan<\/h2>\n

In between the first and second atmospheric river events of the last few weeks my five-year-old and I were driving in the car while it was raining when he asked,<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen it floods again, will Oma drown?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

I was quick to reassure him that she was safe, but I could tell he wasn\u2019t convinced. He knew we couldn\u2019t go visit her in Greendale because of the flooding. We quickly asked Siri to call my mom so we could check in.<\/p>\n

Once he heard her voice, he immediately asked, \u201cOma, are you going to drown?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

It took some explaining on my part to fill in the details but like all good Omas, she knew what was going on.<\/p>\n

\"\"\u201cOf course not!\u201d<\/em> She exclaimed. \u201cThere is no flood at Oma\u2019s house. Remember, there are even people staying at Oma\u2019s house because it\u2019s safe here.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Oma, but what if the flood comes to your house?\u201d<\/em>\u00a0he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell then,\u201d <\/em>said Oma confidently, \u201cI am a good swimmer, and I will put on my nice blue swimsuit and swim to your house.<\/strong><\/span> Is that okay?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThat sounds good, Oma. You can stay with us.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Thankfully this time, for my dear five-year-old boy, it was all he needed to hear to feel like it was going to be okay. He needed to know that in the middle of all kinds of \u201cwhat-ifs,\u201d someone he loved and trusted had a plan and that it would be alright.<\/p>\n

As the people of Abbotsford, and in particular our farming community, begin to pick up the pieces, may you walk in faith and experience peace as you trust God to love you and care for you through the \u201cwhat-ifs\u201d of this season.<\/p>\n

Supporting Our Students<\/h2>\n

I am thankful for the members of the ACS Social Emotional Spiritual (SES) team who have worked countless extra hours providing teachers with resources to support students and developed the following information for you as you help your children process the events of the last few weeks.<\/p>\n

Helping Children After a Natural Disaster: Tips for Parents\/Guardians<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

It is common for elementary age children to exhibit some of the following behaviours even if your family may not be directly impacted by the flooding:<\/p>\n