WOW! What a week it has been. Our caseworker called last week to let us know we were officially licensed, while on the phone with her she gave me a list of six different sibling groups that were in a children’s shelter. As she was telling me what she knew about each group I felt an immediate connection to one of the groups and I felt that God was putting them on my heart. I couldn’t explain the feeling and I still can’t, but I knew we were supposed to bring these kids home.
Eric and I had agreed that we would take up to two kids if it meant keeping siblings together. Well, the group I felt so strongly about was a group of three. At first Eric was reluctant and who can blame him. We would be going from 0 to 3 kids in what seemed like a matter of seconds. Oh, and did I mention they are all under the age of 3? Yep, two and a half year old twins and a nine week old baby boy. We talked about it for a couple of days and decided to go for it. April 11th would be the day we would be getting them so we started preparing the best we knew how, which included a lot of shopping! Our agency called on Friday, April 1st to ask if we could take them any sooner, if not they would probably have to go somewhere else. Without hesitation we said, absolutely! They would be here Monday, April 4th. We were excited, anxious, and extremely overwhelmed.
Yesterday evening we met the twins for the first time. Unfortunately, the baby is in the hospital so we have not met him yet. Our first night was very smooth, they settled in very quickly, and it almost seemed like we had all been together for months. They are absolutely precious and we can’t wait to see what God’s plan is for them. We don’t know how long we will have them but we will love them and do anything we can for them for however long God wants us to.
My mother-in-law sent this to us and it sums up why we feel called to do what we are doing:
Gracious and Loving God,
You are the Great Foster Parent,
When we were lost, orphaned, and alone,
You found a way to make us your children.
Thank You.
Each and every day, You “foster” us into being a people
who reflect your Spirit to the world.
Thank You.
Foster in us those qualities that You so richly
pour out on us;
You are loving.
Help us to show unconditional love
to the children You have placed in our care.
You are patient.
Help us to be patient even when we despair
of seeing progress.
God,
You are kind.
Help us to always be full of kindness with a
gentle and firm hand.
Most of all, God,
You are faithful.
You never give up on us,
even when we blow it.
When we are hurting You are always there.
Help us to be like You;
May we never give up on our children.
God,
You showed how much You honor foster parents
by giving your only Son into the care of Mary and Joseph
who helped raise him to be the man You wished him to be.
Thank You.
And thank You for allowing us to be a part of helping
children discover your purpose for their lives.
We ask for your blessing upon the food.
When so many the world over are hungry,
help us to be grateful and generous.
As we celebrate together today,
we look forward to the day when all
of your children will be safe, healthy, and
can truly live in that wonderful place
all of us long for, that is known simply as “Home.”
In your precious and holy Name, we pray.
Amen
