Every Family Has a Story
I believe an organization like Cleft of the Rock Foundation is vital in our society. I'm thankful that the founder, Latina Newsome, uses her passion to encourage and empower men and women to come together and learn to live as families and teach us how we can be better parents to the generations to come.
I met Latina in January 2016. Little did I know that my life was going to change so dramatically that year. I was a wife, heavily involved in my church. My husband and I were a bit out of balance when it came with our family time. As I shared with Latina, she gave me words of wisdom regarding being more balanced with my family time especially my time with my husband. I think sometimes we can get so involved with life that we lose perspective. Each morning I would get encouraged and coached on how I could be a better wife and employee. Latina even took the time to pray with me.
I remember each week yet she would joke around with me and ask are we pregnant yet?? I would say no. She would say well what are you waiting for!! LOL! I was finally able to share with her on May 5, 2016 when I came to work and she asked me are we pregnant yet, that I wasn't sure, but I have a test and I went to the bathroom, came back to report that the test said "Error". We laughed and I went back to test again after drinking more water. This time I came back and I waved to her to come to one of the private rooms. I showed Latina the positive test and we cried and she prayed over me.
She played a pivotal role for me in that time of my life because there was such imbalance. I didn't know how to really prioritize the basic things of life because I hadn't had a mother for over 20 years. So what many would think is normal, for me, was new. Learning about ovulation, and being intentional with my time alone with my husband and putting him first instead of ministry, my sister, whom I raised, and even my friends.
I didn't have the best pregnancy, and Latina remained with me through it all. She would remind me to pray with my husband and not to allow the stress of my job to hinder my pregnancy. Thankfully she spoke wisdom to me at that time, and I eventually had to take a leave of absence from work, which was all worth it to bring my daughter, Victoria Kathleen King, into the world healthy on 12/26/2016.
When Latina started the foundation I was extremely happy because I realized it would be pivotal to us as we try to raise our daughter in the right way.
In May of 2017 she extended an invitation to be apart of Cleft of the Rock Foundation. Our first meeting was August 12, 2017. I can honestly say my husband and I are still glad that we attended and were and are still open to learning and sharing.
We have learned to learn to parent intentionally with our daughter.
To put aside slots of time for her and our family whether it's at dinner time or in the morning.
How to speak with Victoria and allow her to speak in her own little language teaching her how to communicate and how to express herself.
I know we have ways to go but the milestones our daughter is reaching is due to us parenting intentionally. My husband and I honestly didn't know anything about this until we started attending the Cleft of the Rock Foundation, Conversations on Parenting meetings.
This organization is vital for parents and communities so we can raise strong pillars for our society the next generation. We are preparing to attend the 9 week Parenting on Purpose series with Cleft of the Rock Foundation, and we cannot wait.
Earl and Carmelisa King