Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 7 May 2009 — Page 45

The Muncie Times • May 7, 2009 • Page 45

continued from page 3 when even my wits end were frazzled, tossing me the thumbs-up sign. Latchkey teachers Miss Perk and Miss Sharon took care of business in the afterschool program and DeRonda Alexander would often have kind words when Charles or Layton had a bad day; parents never forget when people are good to their kids. Northside and Burris deserve numerous shoutouts, too. Former Northside principal Robert Jones surely remembers the day I made Charles wear a sandwich board in front of the school which said “I was fairly suspended from school today, but will return tomorrow ready, willing and able to learn.” He came out to the sidewalk in the rain to talk to both me and Charles, halfsmiling at my extreme attempts to keep my boy in line. “I think he has the point, Mrs. Lake,” he said, winking at me. “Charles, you've got it, right? Now, move on.” The good folks at Burris had CL for the longest time, and with Aaron working at the Indiana Academy, he could often see our children interacting with their teachers when they would occasionally venture outside. To say that Burris teachers are “advocates for children” does not do justice to the phrase “advocates for children.” These people gave time, energy, and unending support to make sure our kids were given every avenue to succeed

Charles, Jeannine and Layton Lake

academically; the idea that both are now in college is a true testament to the dedication, love and concern expressed by the Burris family to ours. Ball State, too, put out the same welcome mat as well; when Charles got into college in 2006, admission employees Crystal Davis and Melody Serf rejoiced right along with us, telling Layton, he could come in a few years, too. More than anything, we've found a spiritual covering for our sons in Muncie, a city which Christ Temple Global Ministries Pastor Mike Millben calls “the center of the universe.” Scripture says there is safety in the multitude of (good) counsel, and Lord, knows we've needed it when the enemy came in like a flood. Co-pastor Denise Millben and parishioners Harry Pickett, Doris Hutchinson, and Tony and Talena Watkins deserve 'anger

wings for talking to God about the Lakes, as do David Taylor, Frank Scott Jr. and Keenan Davis. Other “ fill-in-family” include the loving congregation at Greater Grace Church, Jo and Chuck Tuite, Rev. Jeff and Cheryl Veatch, Mrs.

Beatrice Foster, George and Teresa Huggins, Robert Sciafe, Mary and Cornelius Dollison, Dee and Dorothy Harris, Josh Curtis, Kendra Wright, Lauren Wilcox and Ken and Sylvia Hudson. Aaron and I ask ourselves sometimes whether

we could have done things differently as parents, and, of course, there are some regrets. Sometimes our words and discipline have both been too harsh, although Lord knows we tried to parent with love and compassion, erring on the part of keeping them away from felonies and fatherhood (neither of both, thanks). We do wish at times we hadn't fellowshipped with a few troubled souls who sought to destroy our family, but even then, our boys learned what we did through those relationships: no weapon formed against God's people will prosper and every lie will be brought to judgment. As Charles and Layton prepare to leave college and come home for the summer, I'm thankful for this village we call home. Happy Mother's Day, Muncie.

THE BOTTOM LINE TAX & ACCOUNTING SERVICES

THE BOTTOM UNE TAMARA « CiARfc

‘'■i ■ HT4T

Trj.ASK Cv«

*CO‘R r PO'R r A r r’(E *'T^O‘T- TO'R- ‘P'RO'FI'T" * r R.‘E‘ASO'W‘7(‘BL‘E •K'A’T’^ES

FOR FAST AND EFFICIENT SERVICE: CALL TAMARA CLARK (765) 741-8747 or email at [email protected] ^MENTION THIS AD AND GET A 10% DISCOUNT*