Life at Seminole Cottage......
Benjamin and Traci Cummings
Seminole Cottage
Benjamin and Traci Cummings are the house parents of Seminole Cottage. Benjamin and Traci are native to Northeastern Oklahoma and have lived in the Oaks Community all of their lives. They have been house parents at Oaks Indian Mission since August, 2011. Ben and Traci have been married since September 9, 1998. They have three girls and one boy. Both knew the need of the Mission for dedicated house parents to love and care for these children as their own. So in August of 2011 when they heard the Mission needed full-time house parents, they both felt a huge desire to give back to their community. The Cummings' have based their family foundation on spending quality time together. They all enjoy ballgames, movies, and playing board games. With the boys involved in so many different activities they're always having fun and on the go. Traci knows all too well how easy a busy day can fly by here at the Oaks between doctor’s appointments, grocery shopping, laundry, dinner, house work, and homework. Understanding the unique backgrounds each of the boys come from, Traci instills love and plants the seeds of faith and let's God do the rest. One of the most treasured times for the Cummings is the Christmas party. “Seeing the joy on those kids’ faces when they received a gift was priceless,” Traci said. Even with some long days, there are always priceless moments to cherish. The Cummings' attend church with the boys every week at the Ebenezer Lutheran Church and value faith and prayer in their home and have hope that each one of the boys will become a positive, productive member of society. They both are learning to be patient and understanding. Both Ben and Traci love spending time with the boys and helping them learn to respect themselves and each other. The Cummings' love and care for their family at the Seminole Cottage every day and have hope that each day they have the opportunity to show the love of God to each boy.