Zoe

Zoe.  Dear Zoe.  There is so much that can be said about my darling sister in law.  It's been about a year since she has made contact and has been apart of our lives since.  It's interesting to think back on the year... what has gone by, and all the different things that changes ones life.

I would say that having Zoe back in our lives has been good.  It's nice to finally meet and start to get to know my sister in law, and I know that Gaetan likes having his sister back.  Unfortunately, she carries a lot of baggage, understandable baggage, that she is working through, and I'm glad that we can offer her support through these tough transitions.

I would say that the thing I admire most about her is her ability to see the good in people.  In a way she still acts pretty innocent on how she views people, but I know that life circumstances has taught her anything but.  But, she still continues to chooses to see the good in people... people who most certainly don't deserve it.

At Lucy's birthday party we some what tricked her into going to church with us.  She had to come with us because she didn't have a car, and we weren't coming back in between church and the birthday party so she had to come.  Later, she admitted to being a bit put out on the ride there, but as soon as we got there she instantly fell in love.  So much that she has started listening to the podcasts and has even sought out a church of her own in Jersey.  That takes a pair.  To seek out something by yourself... and not only that, but go by yourself.  Not only that, but to go to something that your entire life you've hated and would even say you where against.  It gets better.  To invite your Dad... inviting strangers to things is easier in a way because you aren't really invested in them yet.  If they get offended or mad, then whatever, you'll probably never see them again.  But family?  People you care about, and you know how they feel about certain things.  I think that's amazing.

Zoe shared with us that going to church has changed her and is helping her deal with the things in her life.  It's helping her open up, and I know that's good for her.  I know it sounds silly but she even publicly changed her facebook status to being a Christian.  She has a long road ahead, and I know that God is going to be with her every step of the way... He always was, but now she is acknowledging it.  She told us that she never got it, until now.  She couldn't understand what we were so excited about all the time, but now she gets it.  Funny huh.  Don't know what you are missing until YOU want it.

The hardest part I think was getting over that idea of what a Christian was.  She told me that in her mind a Christian is what her Mom was.  Wilfreda claiming to be a Christian, (Roman Catholic) and being so hypocritcal about everything, Zoe said that was something she didn't want.  Its hard to to swallow that she is the reason she wrote off Christianity.  People really are watching.

We love Zoe dearly, and we are excited to see what the future holds for her.  She has great potential, and I know that God is opening her eyes every second.  :)  And it just goes to show that it's all in His timing and He will make the changes happen within a persons heart when it's the right time.

JVG