#1 Family That Inspires: Rick and Lynn Moore, FL

Inspiring Family: Rick and Lynn Moore, Florida

(with nominator, Heather)

Imagine driving down the road, when your vehicle suddenly catches fire. Not long ago, this happened to a mother and her handicapped daughter while driving in their van. Fortunately, the mother and daughter escaped unharmed. But the fire left the single mother with the difficult challenge of caring for her handicapped child with no transportation.

Rick and Lynn Moore heard about this, and immediately got to work. They organized a BBQ fundraiser to get this mother a new van with a wheelchair lift (not easy to come by). They passed out fliers all over the county, and Rick cooked up some smokin’ good BBQ. They raised $4,000 dollars.

They didn't stop there. Lynn petitioned an organization, the Harper Family Foundation, to donate the rest of the money needed for this mom in need. She went to the Foundation's headquarters, and gave her pitch. Within a few weeks, what was impossible for this single mom, with no money, became a reality. She received a new van with a wheelchair lift, for her daughter.

This is EXACTLY the kind of thing Rick and Lynn Moore do. That was just one of MANY stories that I, or anyone else who knows them, could share about this inspirational couple.

I met the Moore's when I was 12 at a church I attended. I was a bussed-in kid. I attended alone. I loved church, but always felt a bit awkward, seeing families sitting together, and me riding solo in the pews, without mine.

The Moore's took me in as their own. I soon became friends with their daughters, and I joined the family on all their family outings and special times. Over time, their home became an oasis for me. I had never known this kind of family togetherness and warmth--this kind of happiness. My own home life was cold, negative and just emotionally and verbally abusive--a sad place.

As I grew up, I always knew my "second family" was there for me. I could always show up at their house, and expect be greeted by a pleasant middle-aged woman waving to me from the front door. I always knew there would be a spot at the family dinner table for me.

When it came time for me to go to college, I didn't have enough money to go. My own parents said "You'll never make it!" and "I guess your 'God' isn't big enough to meet your needs." Rick and Lynn, on the other hand, stood by my side, and encouraged me that God would make a way for me.

I'll never forget the night when I almost let go of my college dream. I drove up onto the Moore's small, grassy front yard, and Lynn prayed with me and counseled me until midnight about the issue.

Energized, with my dream revived, I worked and worked. The Moore's donated the little bit of money they had, and off I went to my first semester of Christian college. I went on to realize my dream, and graduated from college.

I am in my 20's now. Throughout the years, the Moore's have loved, encouraged, supported, and instructed me. They were the role models I so desperately needed when I was growing up. I call Lynn "Momma Moore", because she's not just another friendly face--she represents "family" to me.

Sometimes the people we consider "family" the most are not by blood, but people whose love and care for us, and their acts of kindness, change our lives forever.

It's hard enough being a great parent to your own kids nowadays, but this couple chose to love and “parent" a child that was not even theirs. It was their love, influence, and service which has shaped me into who I am today.

For you parents who always seem to find yourselves feeding "ALL the children in the neighborhood"--don't fret when you see your food bill going through the roof!--there is a reason why they are there. Children have an innate ability to know where love is.

When you find yourself caring and mentoring these random kids that show up at your doorstep, know this--your love and influence is reaching farther than you could ever imagine. You mean the world to them.

To every family that expresses selfless love such as this. YOU are a family that inspires and I am just one of the many who celebrates you!

Thanks, Parentconsensus for the opportunity to share with others how truly amazing the Moore's really are!

--Heather

In COMMENTS, leave notes below for the Moores or leave ideas you use in your family to love, serve, and give exceptionally.


See this blog for: Things Good Parents Do


Build a serving, loving, "reach out" attitude in your family with these resources:
77 Ways Your Family Can Make a Difference: Ideas and Activities for Serving Others (Please note this is a Christian resource.)
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families


A good resource for recognizing and dealing with verbal abuse:
The Verbally Abusive Relationship: How to Recognize it and How to Respond