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Dear Friends,
There is something about the transition from summer to fall that always causes me to pause. The days become shorter, the air changes, and the landscape around us begins to take on a different appearance. The vibrant greens of summer give way to brilliant shades of red, orange and gold. Leaves begin to fall, gardens come to an end, and the natural world starts preparing for a season of rest.
There is beauty in this transition, but there is also a certain sadness in watching something familiar come to an end. We know that change is necessary for renewal, yet that doesn’t always make letting go easy.
I have been thinking about this as I watch families transition out of Freedom House and into homes of their own. These are some of the most rewarding moments in our work, and at the same time, some of the most bittersweet.
When a family first arrives at Freedom House, they are often carrying more than their belongings. They bring uncertainty, exhaustion, disappointment, and sometimes fear about what the future holds. Over time, familiar routines begin to take shape. Children make friends. Parents build relationships with staff, volunteers and other families. There are shared meals, conversations in the hallways, celebrations of small victories, and the daily work of figuring out what comes next.
Slowly, what began as a temporary place to stay can become a place of belonging.
And then comes the day when a family is ready to move into their own home.
We celebrate! This is what we have been working toward. A family has found housing, made a plan, and is ready to take the next step toward independence. There are boxes to pack, keys to receive, and new memories waiting to be made. Yet, tucked inside that excitement is often a little sadness. They are leaving behind relationships, familiar surroundings, and the people who have walked alongside them through a difficult chapter of life.
For our staff, too, there is a sense of both joy and loss. We have invested in these families. We have witnessed their struggles, encouraged them through setbacks, and celebrated their progress. We become connected to their stories. Sending them off is a reminder that our work is not about keeping families at Freedom House. It is about preparing them for the day they no longer need us.
In many ways, this is much like the changing seasons.
Nature teaches us that growth does not happen without change. Trees release their leaves, gardens surrender their final harvest, and the landscape becomes quieter. What appears to be an ending is actually part of a necessary process of renewal. The tree is not losing its purpose when it releases its leaves. It is preparing for what comes next. Beneath the surface, roots remain, strength is preserved, and the conditions for new growth are being established.
Our faith offers a similar perspective.
Throughout Scripture, we are reminded that transformation often requires surrender. We cannot always carry yesterday’s version of ourselves into tomorrow’s calling. In Christ, we are continually invited to let go of what no longer serves the life He is growing within us and trust Him with what is ahead.
In John 12:24, Jesus speaks of a grain of wheat falling to the ground and dying so that it can produce many seeds. It is a beautiful picture of how life and growth can come through surrender. What looks like an ending can become the beginning of something new.
I think this is an important lesson for all of us, whether we are navigating a major life change, walking alongside someone through a difficult season, or simply trying to understand what God might be doing in our own lives. Transitions require us to loosen our grip on what is familiar and trust that there is purpose in what lies ahead. Faith does not mean we always know what the next season will look like. It means we trust the One who is already there.
At Freedom House, we have the privilege of witnessing these transformations firsthand. We see parents rediscover their confidence, children experience the security of a stable home, and families begin to imagine a future that once felt out of reach. Their time with us is one chapter in a much larger story. Our hope is that the roots they have established here—the relationships, skills, confidence, and belief in their own ability to move forward—will continue to grow long after they leave our doors.
As we move into this season of gratitude, I am reminded that not every transition is easy, and not every ending feels like a celebration. Sometimes growth requires patience. Sometimes it requires grieving what we are leaving behind. And sometimes it simply requires taking the next step in faith.
I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of these moments in the lives of families. I am equally grateful for the staff, volunteers, donors, churches, and community partners who make this work possible. You help create the safe ground where families can pause, rebuild, and prepare for their next season.
As the leaves fall and the landscape changes around us, may we be reminded that God is always at work, even in seasons that feel uncertain or unfamiliar. There is beauty in what has been, purpose in what is changing, and hope in what is yet to come.
God is good, and His timing is perfect.
With gratitude and blessings,
Jennifer Schmohe
Executive Director
Freedom House Ministries
