Revisiting Reflections from Addie

I originally introduced you all to Addie back in September of 2013. Since that time a lot has transpired. Addie’s life back at home has had its ups and downs, and she could continue to use your prayers. Here at Intermountain, I have grown in my understanding of what it takes to minister effectively to emotionally disturbed children and have faced my own parenting struggles as one of my own children has RAD (Reactive Attachment Disorder). I can’t imagine going through all that has transpired since Addie and I first talked without having a strong faith to provide some balance. In 2015 we’ll realize the goal of building a permanent home for the Chaplain’s Program—“Van Orsdel Commons.” I am also continuing my efforts to try and build understanding and empathy within faith communities for the struggles of emotionally disturbed children and their families.

Through all this, I am honored to be the chaplain at Intermountain’s residential campus in Helena, Montana. I feel it is of vital importance for there to be a spiritual component to the healing process of building healthier relationships. Addie spoke to this and other issues, so I thought it would be fitting to revisit her reflections on the program.

Here are some of Addie’s thoughts about her response to hearing that there was a chaplain’s program when she arrived at Intermountain:

“I was glad to know that there was a chaplain, even if I didn’t know exactly what that was. I grew up going to church, and even though at first I didn’t want to go to fellowship or chapel services, I was always glad once I got there. At home, I was used to going to church, and I would really miss it if there were no chaplain’s program.”

In regards to the best things about the chaplain’s program, Addie remarked:

“I really like you, Chris. You are fun and laid back… you make it fun and make the kids want to come. The games are a lot of fun, too. And, just a while back something ‘clicked’ for me and I saw the connection between the games we played, what you were talking about with the Bible stories, and the stuff I was working on in the cottage. You come up with cool ways to connect all that. I know you were trying to make it connect all along, but I don’t think it really clicked for me until a few months ago. Then, I could see all the hard work you were doing to make these connections for us, and it made me want to come to chapel times even more!”

I asked Addie if any particular lessons we had done stood out to her:

“Yeah. One you did pretty early on about masks… I think it was around Halloween. It was a really creative way to talk about feelings, and how we can have masks up even when we know that God takes care of us. I remember that one a lot. Also, I liked the songs and the stories and the booklets you made that we worked through talking about Psalm 23. Oh, and I really liked the Bibles you got us to use in chapel… the Action Bibles? Yeah. I know we don’t use them all the time, but I really liked when we got those out for chapel.”

Addie said she would definitely come back and see the new chapel building once it is built, and here are some of her thoughts about what she’d like to see:

“I really like the idea of having a diner or café area. It would be fun to have a place to come and make popcorn or a milkshake or something and just hang out. I am hoping you keep doing stuff mostly in circles like you do… maybe with bean bags or cushions or something. I’m okay with stained glass and stuff, as long as it doesn’t feel too ‘churchy,’ ‘cause it should be a fun place where we can still play games and be a kid like we do now. When we aren’t using it for fellowship times, I like your idea of having movie nights or a dance space. All that stuff sounds really cool.”

In closing, I asked Addie what she would say to churches and people on the fence, who aren’t sure if they want to support the chaplain’s program and its part of the work at Intermountain:

Addie replied, “You should support Intermountain… Think about what God would do—God wants you to help those in need. Kids NEED to know God loves them. Help support the Chaplain’s program so kids can learn about God.”

If you are interested in supporting the Chaplain’s Program, please visit https://www.intermountain.org/securedonate/?rest=chaplain Thank you, and God bless!

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