This past week has been so fun & exciting! We were able to watch our friends 11 month old son for almost a week. It was a little bit of an adjustment, but really not too much. More adjustments of things that you need to move out of reach or needing that baby gate that you don't have any more, and then remembering the diaper bag when we get up and go somewhere! Our schedule really didn't change any, for we are normally at home, but when we did go out, it was like getting right back on that bike. It really has been an enjoyable week. I think that we will all miss him greatly when he goes home! The girls were a great help, happily, and also enjoyed every minute! This is what I am calling our "trial period" or should I say "remembering period".
For those who don't know, we are planning on foster caring children with the intent of adoption, whether the adoption comes through the children we are fostering, or not, it just depends on what the Lord brings our way, and what His plan is for us. But, before we are able to foster children we have to jump through many hoops, and fill out lots of paperwork, and then attend a 10 week class in which you will learn how to care for children that are not yours, as well as how to parent and care for them knowing that the full intent is to reunite the children with their rightful parents if at all possible. During this 10 weeks, we will also be partaking in a home study where someone comes to your home, talks to your children, and pretty much investigates you and your home to see if you are "qualified" to take care of them.
This is pretty weird and intense. I mean no one did all of these things and asked all these questions when we were having our own children, so it is a little intimidating! (Your prayers would be greatly appreciated.) We have accomplished all that is required thus far, and now will begin our 10 week class this coming Tuesday! The class will end in July & the only thing left to do is wait for our "Approval" letter from the state confirming our worthiness. We have not been stressed nor frustrated, but I have to say that the closer we get, the more excited I become. It was such a joy to have our friends son here, and I can't wait to have a little one again in our family full time!
We will move forward with adoption while partaking in foster caring. Sometimes, an infant or young child becomes available for adoption and since the state knows of specific families that are ready (read: have done all the paperwork & attended classes required) they are sometimes offered the chance to adopt said child. Again, I don't know what the Lords plan is for us, but I have to say that we are all very excited to be growing our family and adopting a child(ren) that is without a loving family or home!
Brad and I began this journey in 2007 I think it was, and then decided to open up the coffee shop instead. (That was silly!) And so to say the least, it's taken a while to get back on track and here we finally are! God is so faithful and merciful to get us back to where we needed to be! Some friends of ours were going to be adopting from the Congo and we began to go down that path as well, but while at a meeting with their agency, we heard the Lord clearly say, "There are plenty of children right here abandoned on the streets, so why are you going all the way to the Congo to care for the abandoned child?" We left that meeting talking about the clear message that the Lord spoke to both of us and so we began down a different path, still adoption, but from the states and here we are! So your up to date for now anyhow! I can't wait for July to get here though! LOL As if time doesn't fly by fast enough! However I just can't help it. We will adopt as many as the Lord wills us to & are excited about the thought! I am thinking 2 more, but we will see. I pray that He indeed does want to grow our family and allow us to adopt little children just has He has adopted us as His little children!
Well this post is two days before Mother's Day, and I wish for all the mothers' out there a blessed day, knowing that it is us that are truly blessed, to have the beautiful gift of child(ren), not that we should expect "gifts" from them, because they ARE the gift and we should be ever grateful to the Creator who created (our childrens) inmost being; who knit (our children) together in their mothers womb! Be purposeful to train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward!
May you have a blessed Mother's Day with not only your children but also with your mothers telling them, and loving on them letting them know how much you do truly love and appreciate them, especially for putting up with you!!! No, just kidding, that was just for my mothers ears! LOL
Love to you all! Til next time~
