The Power of Love

Our aim is to love without conditions; to show people that they carry value, and that we recognize it. As a team we are growing in how we show this to each other, and how we show this to our residents. Whether their behavior earns our respect or trust, they are still valuable; they still need to be loved.

The word “love” is not as specific as it should be, we can tell someone we love them, and also say we love tacos. Same word but very different depth. What does it mean to truly love someone?

HuffPost published a thought provoking article that details the characteristics of love. The characteristics are listed below. During this season of celebrating love, consider what you can do to practice this kind of true, selfless love.

1. Love means saying goodbye to expectations.

   Sure, we all want people to behave the way we want them to…Expectations are just your requirements for "acceptability" of loving someone. But true love has no expectations. It simply loves "as is."

2. Love doesn't play the victim role or blame others.
   Love doesn't think others are "out to get them." Love doesn't think their loved ones are wrong. Love works together. It takes responsibility. It forgives and allows other people's actions to be their journey. Love doesn't take things personally.

3. Love includes letting go.
   Love doesn't equal possession. Just as the saying goes, "If you love something, set it free. If it comes back, it's yours. If it doesn't, then it never was." There is truth to that. Love allows people their freedom. It doesn't hold tightly and crush their wings in an attempt to keep them. True love doesn't want to possess. It is willing to set you free if you want to be.

4. Love has no room for jealousy.
   Like possession, jealousy doesn't equal love.

5. Love is the absence of fear.
   You can put all emotions on a continuum. On one end, you have love. Then appreciation. After that, it's joy, happiness, contentment and satisfaction. On the opposite end of the continuum is fear. Other fear-based emotions include, hatred, insecurity, jealousy or greed.

6. Love is not needing, but wanting.
   One of the things we try to teach kids is that there is a clear difference between a want and a need. Needing someone is a feeling based in fear. You fear that you can't live without them, so you need them. And remember, fear is the opposite of love. Wanting someone in your life gives them the freedom to leave, but still shows them you love them.

7. Love is an action, not just a feeling.

   (kind of speaks for itself)

8. Love is unconditional.
   The word "unconditional" means that there are no expectations or limitations set. To love unconditionally is a difficult thing, and most humans aren't good at that. But true love really does love without trying to change the other person.

9. Love means putting other people's needs equal to -- or before -- your own.

   (“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.

   Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:3-4)

(For the full article go to https://www.huffpost.com/entry/16-characteristics-of-real-love_b_6237802 )

The Source Office Valentine’s Party

Spokane Youth Homes

Hilltop

Hilltop is currently caring for 5 boys, including our newest resident, who has been with us just 2 weeks. Last month the Hilltop team said goodbye to one of our long-time boys who was reunited with his family. It was a time of celebration, but also sorrow. ‘Letting go’ is one of the characteristics of love that this team has practiced. Well done Hilltop, you are making such an impact in these young men’s lives!

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Grace House

Our Grace House team has experienced a lot of changes in the past months, and their current management team has done a great job bringing a sense of security & stability to the girls in the midst of it all. We enjoyed having them attend our Office Valentine’s party, and they even brought little valentine’s goodies to share with the admin team and residents from other homes! Their heart of kindness & generosity was much appreciated.

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Birch Meadows

Our Birch home has the older teen boys, as our former Riverbluff residents were moved up to Birch, making it five residents in all. These boys have found a good groove and are enjoying skateboarding, art classes & better communication with one another.

We are also starting a fundraising campaign for a concrete basketball court to be installed on the property. Our hope is to encourage active and healthy ways to get their energy out. For more info keep scrolling!

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Riverbluff

Our Riverbluff home has experienced a complete renovation in the past several weeks, and we are on the brink of a new and exciting announcement about the future home that is about to open. Stay tuned for details!

Malawi Sticker Fundraiser!

We have 4 different styles available, all are adhesive vinyl. See below for the 4 options. The stickers are $3 a piece. All proceeds go to The Source Malawi work! Make your order today by stopping in at our office, or emailing naphtali.morden@thesourcespokane.org.

Meet Our Staff

”I really connect with the culture to serve others. I think it’s really important to serve others out of love. These kids have been neglected especially in this area and I feel they deserve it the most.

“Since working at The Source, I have really learned the quality of resilience. Some days at the home are really rough, however, these kids need me to be there and be present for them. So I continue to show up with love, compassion, and a smile on my face to be there for them.”

We are very thankful for Julia, and the resilient love she continues to show to our residents & staff at Birch Meadows!

The Source Malawi

We invite you to contribute to the ongoing work that our Malawi team is doing across the globe!

• Feeding Programs

• Orphan Homes

• Property Development

Click the button below to donate directly to this cause.

Basketball Court Fundraiser

The boys and staff have been dreaming of having a court right outside their front door. We’d love to pour concrete and install a permanent hoop when the weather improves. Help our Birch Meadows boys get a basketball court put in on the property!

Click the button below to donate directly to this cause.

Thank you for your support and contributions to our work. We value each one of you and pray God’s blessings over you and the dreams and goals you are working towards…and here are just a few final words on love;

Love is patient and kind

Love does not envy or boast

It is not arrogant or rude

It does not insist on its own way

It is not irritable or resentful

It does not rejoice at wrongdoing

But rejoices with the truth

Love bears all things

Believes all things, hopes all things

Endures all things