I don't know where to start. Things here the last few months have just been crazy like I suspected they would be. Football, baseball, volleyball. These are the sports my children participated in for September and October. As a mom, I say my children did a GREAT job at their sports.
If you give God your life, fully expect him to take over every aspect of it. I have personally seen God move mountains when he wants them moved. When Rick and I went through our marriage problems and we told God to take over I never expected him to move and change us the way He has. One thing you must know, a contention in our marriage was foster care and adoption. Rick said from the very beginning that our next child would be brought to us and someone would be looking for us. Honestly, I didn't think this would happen. So when we were approved for respite care I thought that was the end of it. I had no clue my life and the life of my family would be changed quite rapidly after that.
On October 7, Rick received a phone call from one of the pastors at our church. Mind you, this was a Monday and Rick was off work. I was out for a walk with the daycare kiddos. He was asking if we would be interested in foster care for a young girl. Without consulting me, Rick said yes. He told me as soon as I got home what had happened. I asked several questions but he didn't know the answers as he hadn't asked. Several days passed before we would hear anymore about this child. On Friday of that week, we had several calls between myself, the child's caseworker, a teacher, and the place this child was staying. It was set. We, as a family, would meet with this child on Monday, October 14 for a "pre-placement" visit. That Monday, I received a call from the "facility" saying this child had poison ivy and was quarantined for 24 hours. So we made plans for the next day. Due to conflicting schedules, Rick had to meet with this girl before the rest of us. He called me and said we would love her. She was shy and would take a while to warm up to us. Later that evening, the kids and I went and met this girl. She did take quite a while to warm up to us but once she did, she talked nonstop.
Friday, October 18th at 6:00 pm, we brought "L" home to our family for a weekend. With no major episodes, we enjoyed the weekend. We went to church, came home and prepared to take her back to her placement. Let me just tell you, that was the hardest thing in the world to do. Rick & Zech stayed home while Amber and I took L back. As we said our goodbyes I had this overwhelming feeling it wasn't right. L cried and wasn't ready to go back. We could hear her behind a door getting upset. She was crying because we had given her something and she wasn't allowed to take it to her room until it had been approved by the supervisor on duty. The supervisor wasn't available as she had been called into another meeting as we arrived. After her therapist got her calmed down, Amber & I left. Upon leaving, both of us made it to the car and just broke down. I hated leaving her knowing she was upset.
I spoke with the therapist the day after. All of us had returned to somewhat normal. Rick & I decided this child would be good for us to do foster care for. On October 25, 2013 L came to stay with us. For three weeks now, we have added a 12 year old girl into our family. We have had good days and bad days. Fortunately, the good have outnumbered the bad. We are all still adjusting to our different family dynamics. I won't say this has been an easy road. I sometimes feel like I'm crazy for doing this. I also have felt like I couldn't do it another day or hour.
Rick & I have talked about whether or not we are doing the right thing. Is this right for our children? Is this right for L? Is it right for us? Where do we draw the line? How do you adjust to having a third child? How do we continue to take care of our family and not leave someone out? All of our conclusions have come back to the same answer. We keep persevering towards what God is leading us into. We have prayed about it. We have talked to Amber & Zech about it. God is stretching us. He is changing us. We are growing closer as a family. I don't know if this will lead to adoption or not. I do know that I will listen to God. I will stand in my faith that He is in control. I will praise him during the storm, thank him when I get a rainbow and sing glory to his name when I can. Not only is God changing my life and my family's life, He's changing hers too!
This Thanksgiving season, take a few seconds everyday to thank God for all you have. If you are going through a storm, know God is just stretching you. He is close. He holds you in His hands. If you are seeing a rainbow, praise Him for the insight you have gained. On Thanksgiving Day, sing glory to God. He has you here for a reason. Take the time to thank him for it!
