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In December of 2000, 4KIDS opened SafePlace--a shelter for all of Broward County’s abused, abandoned, and neglected children when they are removed from their families and they begin their emotional journey into the foster care system. 

SafePlace4KIDS provides trained, qualified, and screened staff members and volunteers who provide compassion and hope along with warm meals, beds, a shower facility, toys, books and every amenity available to help the child learn to trust and laugh again. One of the only programs of its kind in the state of Florida, SafePlace 4KIDS welcomes children, newborn to 17 years of age, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. SafePlace has cared for 13,000 children over the past 12 years. 

But all that is about to change.

The state of Florida has just cut ALL funding to SafePlace-- effective July 1, 2012. Without the $400,000 it takes to run SafePlace each year—the doors are going to close and the kids will pay the price as they are left emotionally vulnerable in their time of crisis.

These are our kids…and this is our community. We can’t just stand by and not help them.

The need is now. As we've shared this story - two foundations have stepped up and offered a 2 for 1 match. The result is a triple match -- for every dollar you give, $3 will go towards helping save SafePlace! Please consider a sacrificial gift at this time to protect kids in crisis and provide a SafePlace haven for them. Thank you! 

CLICK TO DONATE HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here are my final 3 things I miss about home to conclude my countdown to “Finally Home” starting to play on radio.

#3 Sunday mornings

Growing up, as a family we were at church Sunday morning, Sunday night, Wed night and most days in between just being with the parents as they get work done.

But there was something always so special about Sunday mornings. We were there early… a quiet sanctuary, empty pews, everything fresh and clean and ready for the people to arrive. The silence was quickly broken though by singing…warming up, last minute practicing and before you know it, the service has begun. Daddy ALWAYS starts ON TIME.

And Sunday morning rolls along with Mom at the piano, my sister and I singing and my brother playing an instrument. I can look out at the congregation and tell who is there and who isn’t by taken attendance by looking at the pews. There are no assigned seats, but everyone has picked their favorite spot that they occupy every week.

We sing. Dad preaches. It’s a family thing. We love each other. We love the church. We love our God. We love the people. And it’s a good day.

It’s amazing to have grown up that way. And now as I travel, I get to see congregations all over this country worshiping God. One of the biggest blessings of the Love Come to Life tour was the worship at the end of the night…getting to watch the people love and sing and surrender with smiles or tears on their faces. It’s a beautiful thing and just a glimpse I think of what heaven will be…lots of people from all over the world with very different cultures and ways of worship, all in one place for one purpose.

#2 Sunday afternoons

Now when I was younger, Sunday afternoon was the family at home, dinner and then nap time. Lovely!

Now with nephews and the family ever larger and louder, Sunday afternoons are a bit chaotic. My oldest nephew calls Sundays “Marmi’s house day” (the boys call my mom and dad Marmi and Pop).

Sundays are one of the hardest days for me to be away. I know everyone is all together and I’m missing church time, I’m missing the madness of  Marmi’s house time and missing laying on the couch with the family puppy, Bogie, curled up in the bend of my legs. Being away also makes you aware of how precious moments are when you are lucky enough to be there.

#1 EVERYTHING!!!!!!

What I miss the most about home, is everything… from my mom’s orchids, to the smell of my dad’s cologne, the sound of his footsteps coming done the stairs, the rugs on the floor, the piano in the living room, knowing my brother and sister are just a drive away with their incredibly loving spouses and irresistible boys that I love so much that it aches.

With life so good, honestly it’s hard to imagine what ultimate love will be in an eternal setting… until we’re finally home, let’s make the most of every moment and show his love, show his mercy, show his heart every chance we get.

So as I left the studio tonight after starting to record a Christmas song, I complained that it felt like winter. I’m in constant need of a sweater. I started my suburban, aka “The Beast” and looked at the outside thermostat… 73 degrees. It doesn’t sound cold, but to a South Fl girl, that’s winter time weather. I miss super uber hot weather!!!!!!!!

I miss this:

And this:

Palm trees, water and the feeling of humidity wrapping me up from head to toe in a  warm comfortable blanket, are all synonymous with home for me. As far as our ultimate home goes, I know most of you are cringing at the thought of eternity being spent in high humidity, but for me, that thought puts a smile on my face. (I wanted to write “Bring on that soggy air Jesus!” but my roommate, Danielle, says that’s just weird.)

Anyway, writing these blogs are making me miss everything about home!!! And I’m getting more excited to go there and visit! And I’m getting excited about this single going to radio!!!

Haven’t heard it yet? Click here to listen to “Finally Home.”

And remember to listen for it on your local station on May 10^th, and tell them you love it if you hear it, and tell them you want to hear it if you don’t!

That’s just a small glimpse of what I meant when I wrote, “I miss the feeling that I belong, surrounded by the love that I know at home.”

A bigger picture, would be just the knowledge of being unconditionally loved. There is literally nothing I could do, decide, or mess up that would change the level of love and acceptance that I have experienced every day of my life. I know this is rare and there aren’t words to express how grateful I am for it. I also know that this is a result of a family operating under the love and grace of Jesus Christ.

Here are the lyrics of the song… they describe my personal missing of home and how our ultimate home in heaven will be a place of love, rest and knowing our God in a more complete way than we ever have before.

Finally Home

I miss the feeling that I belong

 Surrounded by the love that I know at home

I never get to stay long

I might stop, but I then I gotta move on

When I’m not there, there’s a craving in me

An ache so strong that I can’t believe

There’s a place that’s better

Where I’ll spend forever

When I’m finally home

And I finally know

What it really means to praise his name

What it feels like to know amazing grace

And there’s no more road

Nowhere else to go

Nothing left to miss

Nothing left for this wandering soul

When I’m finally home

I’m reminded again and again

I live in this world as a stranger and

As good as it’s been

Or as bad as it gets, it all will end

I want to stand where hope and faith and love

All meet in one face

Oh, I wanna be where I can see

What I now believe

The ultimate healing

Where hurt can’t reach me

I won’t need to find every answer

All I need will be found within your presence

Listen to Finally Home! Click here

So if my brother sees this, I’m already prepared to get into “trouble” for writing about my sister first, but I’m ok with that. Big brothers are good at giving little sisters a hard time, except my relationship with my brother has been mostly sweet and not so much teasing. He’s 10 years older than me and I’ve always looked up to him. I remember him teaching me the formula for the speed of light when I was in elementary school. I prided myself in being able to recite it. (I can’t remember it anymore though.) When he moved an hour away to go to college, I would be so excited when he would come home for the weekends. (He would tell a different story of me immediately taking over his bedroom when he left.)

As I’ve grown up, my brother has always been a place to find wisdom and loooooong conversations. I love it when I’m home and I’m able to be at his house and we share our weird humor and no one else is laughing in the room and eventually everyone is asleep but us (both major night owls) and we just talk forever. He’s the type that only says something he thinks is worth saying, never just making noise to break the silence. And while he’s extremely supportive, there have been some pivotal moments in life when he’s told me to get my head out of the clouds and put my feet on the ground. There is no lack of reality checks with the Roberts men.

I love my brother. I miss him. I love the way he loves me and the honesty we’ve always shared. Maybe when I’m home this time, we’ll actually make it to the range, or to the lake, and enjoy some of his favorite things (besides being with me).

Recently, both my brother and my sis had new babies! Here are the 3 of us with the little ones.

It’s kind of interesting how these blogs have turned out. I didn’t plan ahead, just had a spur of the moment idea to count down to the single being released to radio, but I’m enjoying reminiscing, sharing with you, and also getting more and more excited about being home some this summer!!

Listen to Finally Home! Click Here.

Right now I’m backstage at the Love Come to Life tour and I’m on the phone with my sister. She is the most amazing friend anyone could imagine having. I remember when I was younger, how I was literally attached to her at the hip. I would be so upset when she would go on dates, so I would just go with her! We would sing and dance in our room, outside…everywhere… that hasn’t changed much actually.

Through moves and her getting married and living in different places, we have always remained incredibly close. I can tell that girl anything and know she’ll laugh with me, cry with me and whatever I need her to do with me… my sister will show up, I never doubt that.

At the end of the month, I’m going home. I can’t wait to just be in the same room with her and feel the calm that’s there when you are certain you are known and fully loved. 

Listen to Finally Home! Click Here.

Finally Home Countdown #10 and #9

Safety and rest.

On the road, on my own, I pretty much always have this feeling of being on the look out. I’m never completely relaxed and there’s ALWAYS SOMETHING I NEED TO BE DOING. I have a hard time unplugging, my mind is racing and it’s really hard to just make being calm a priority. That’s called life. I’m sure everyone can relate to that.

But when I’m home, at my parents' house, suddenly there is nothing to worry about. If something happens, I already know there is someone stronger than me around. I actually even find myself just falling asleep on the couch because my body slips into such a peaceful state. This is one of my favorite things about being home. I know I’m safe. I know I’m taken care of. It’s so precious to me. 

 Heaven is called a final resting place. And while I’m sure a lot of what we imagine heaven to be (especially in popular culture) might differentiate from actual reality, we do know that our Holy Father will be there. We do know that in his presence, nothing else will matter and we will be completely safe to rest in his love.  

Listen to Finally Home! Click Here.

This song was born out of my feelings of homesickness. I’ve been away from home for a while now, but somehow, being on the road, a different city every day, began a stronger ache in me than ever before to experience the rest and safety of home. I then also started to think about what heaven, our ultimate home means to all of us in that we will finally be in a place where we will no longer need to wander and we will no longer be missing out on anything. I can't wait for you to hear this song!

So in exactly 11 days (on May 11^th), "Finally Home" starts playing on radio. I would love it if you could show support in contacting stations if you hear the song and want to hear it again, or if you don’t hear the song and would like to, then contact your local station and request it!!!

In leading up to the song hitting the radio, I’m going to post one thing every day that I miss/love about home. Would love to hear your stories about what you love about home as well!

Finally Home: Countdown day 11

Mama’s biscuits and gravy. She makes them from scratch. Breakfast has always been one of my favorite meals and I prefer to NOT eat it in the morning (or do anything else in the morning). A lot of times when I’m visiting home, mom will make a huge breakfast for dinner and the whole family will come over. Such an amazing thing. I never take those moments, or bites for granted.

The South Florida show for the Love Come to Life tour on April 1st, is now in Boca Raton at Mizner Park. It's a free show! It starts at 7pm.

And I want to see you there!!!