As of Monday, the Allens are a state approved foster family. :) In total, from beginning to end, this process has taken 10 months....so in my head, I am a month over due. :) (I promise once we have added some Allens, this blog will stop being about me learning patience.....I will have other issues to ramble about, but for now patience is what it's all about.)
Since Monday I have lived with my cell phone. While that may not be odd for some people, it is odd for me. My phone ringer is rarely on, and usually when people call they have to leave a voice mail because I don't hear my phone, or it isn't even in the same room. However, since Monday, my phone has not left my side and has not been turned off. My heart jumps clear up into my brain every time one of the telemarketing numbers call.
So, other than blocking every 866 or 888 number, I have been meditating on the following scriptures:
Romans 8:18 "The pain that you've been feeling, can't compare to the joy that's coming."
Psalm 62:8 "Trust in Him at all times, pour your hearts out to Him, for God is our refuge."
Romans 12:12 " Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer."
I have excepted that we may have a few more days, weeks of waiting. I have excepted that God is in control, and quite honestly, I'm glad. I'm overjoyed. I'm elated that my God cares enough to choose the perfect child(ren) for us, and that He cares enough about these kiddos to choose the right foster home.
Father I praise you for YOUR promises, and I praise you for YOUR timing. I thank you for having my family and my future family members in YOUR mighty hands. I ask that you build a hedge of protection around our precious children that are out there. I pray you spare them from as much pain and hurt as possible. I pray that you watch over their parents as they struggle and Lord I pray this struggle ultimately brings them to YOU. Lord, please calm my heart and untie the knots in my stomach. I know you are in control and I pray that my physiology catches up to what my heart knows. I ask that you be beside those that make decisions regarding our kiddos and bring them into our home and arms in YOUR time.
It is through YOU this process is possible, and through YOU I will remain patient and strong.
Amen
This blog is to share a journey with those not in the wagon with us, but wanting to be apart of the trail. We are on the way to becoming foster, and Lord willing, adoptive parents.
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
Monday, July 14, 2014
(Please hum the Jeopardy theme song now....)

I often wish my life had a soundtrack. Big speakers to follow me around would be nice too. Then with every moment of my life there could be a moving ballad or some intense chords. Well....if my life DID have a soundtrack, right now you would hear the theme song from Jeopardy. You know...da da da da...da da daaa....da da da da dA da da da da daaaaa.
Papa and I have completed everything on our end. All paperwork is in...house is more than ready, toys are cleaned, clean sheets adorn the bed and crib, a safety rail has been put on the twin bed to accommodate a younger sleeper, and a high chair has even been put into it's spot at our table. However, an emptiness hangs over it all. No one plays with the toys, no one ruffles the covers on the bed, no one pulls the musical toy in the crib, and no one has dropped spaghetti out of the high chair and onto the floor yet. (Much to the dogs' disappointment.) So...the theme for right now is just waiting...twiddling our thumbs and waiting.
As previously blogged....I am not so good at the waiting. I try to fill it with business and attempts at being prepared. Things I've tried to occupy myself with......scouting out all consignment stores in the area for best deals, wandering around Babies R Us for no good reason, I had my hair colored red (yes, I am now a red head), I am reading every blog on foster care I can get my hands on, and I even invested in a book suggested by our agency on helping foster/adoptive children connect to their new families.
One thing Tater and I have been doing is trying to decorate and find art pieces that are both gender and age neutral. Do you know how difficult it is to create a fun space that is both gender and age neutral?? Most of the things I find that are gender neutral also look to baby-ish. Some things that are age neutral aren't very gender neutral. Well, one night at one of my favorite treasure troves I found two canvas pieces similar to the one above. They are full of phrases that are simply instructions for kids. (One even says 'eat cookies'!) While for most kiddos these simple things are part of everyday life, it is what they expect out of childhood, the kiddos that will inhabit this room might need to be reminded what kiddos do.
I even have to remind Tater every once in a while when Papa and I are talking, or we are preparing for something that it may be something she doesn't have to worry about. We, as her parents, will take care of it. The constant, "What's for dinner?" has turned into so much more for me. While Tater is asking because she wants to pre-evaluate how much she will like it, or if it is worth requesting something different, a foster child may be asking because making sure the kiddos in their house had something to eat was their job. Which is something a four and under shouldn't have to be worried about. It should not be their responsibility to make sure they and younger bro or sis are fed. However, sadly, this is a true picture of neglect for some of the kiddos out there.
I feel that is where I am as a Christian. Struggling at my Father's feet between curiosity and the desire for control. As a Christian, there are things I struggle with and worry over, that my Father looks upon me and says "I've got this...you don't have to worry about it. I, your FATHER, will take care of it." Don't we do this with the desires of our hearts?? If the answer or desire isn't coming quick enough, we start to squirm and grapple for control. Check out Psalm 37. I can picture David smiling as if he is trying to convince you of something. He is excited and is trying to tell us how easy it can be when we give it all to God. I specifically like verses 4 and 7. Forgive me for splicing them together. There is much goodness in the middle, however the two together speak to my heart.
4 - Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.
7 - Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for Him
The Message says "Keep company with God" and "Quiet down before God".
So, while the theme to Jeopardy is running it's loop through my head, I am going to strive to keep company with my God. I am going to spend time quieted before Him and focus on His plan and not my own. Now, that doesn't mean I'm not going to continue to prepare because I know the flood of His blessing is coming and I want to be ready like Noah. I want to live assured in my Faith and in my God and His great promises that I am preparing for His blessings.
Maybe like me, you need one of these simple reminders in your room of what a child of God should be doing. I think if I had one it would read:
Spend time in MY creation
Breath in MY words to you
Talk to ME daily, more than once
Tell ME what you fear and what you desire
Enjoy MY people
Smile, for I am watching
and
Love...just love
Monday, June 30, 2014
How can I pray for 'that'?
This weekend, Papa and I completed our training. It is a very exciting step to have behind us. This means we are further than we were last November. We are prayerfully only weeks away from our first placement.
Most of the training was a review for Papa and I. Because of the jobs we have, we are area of issues with children from behavior to the extreme. We are even aware of the abuse that some children face. However, now we are not talking about just statistics and 'any kid', we are talking about OUR kid. Our future baby that someone is mistreating, maybe as I type.
We saw a video at training that follows a foster child from removal, to placement in foster care. It is a very eye opening video. If you have not seen it, I encourage you to watch it now. (ReMoved video) I was also scrolling through Facebook and someone had posted a link of a video of a man brutally punishing a little boy in front of two other children. I don't understand this kind of monster. I don't understand the monster in the ReMoved video. They almost seem un-human...or in the least inhumane.
This is the 'that' I do not know how to pray for. I believe this is going to be the ultimate struggle for me in this journey. As Papa and I not only form a relationship with the new kiddo(s), we will also form a relationship with their family of origin, or biological family. I must decide now what kind of relationship that is going to be. I believe it will set the stage for healing for the kiddo(s), and let's be honest....that is most important.
Is it going to be a relationship of judgement? I can easily judge them for their past actions, their past mistakes. However, I make mistakes everyday. I can't see into the future, but I'm pretty sure I am going to make mistakes tomorrow, and the next day, and the next. Would I do what these parents did, absolutely not. I must remember, though, that when Jesus was hanging on the cross, I am sure my sin didn't weigh less on His shoulders then theirs did. They are hopelessly in need of a Savior, just like me.
Is it going to be a relationship of pity? Compassion and pity are VERY different emotions. Pity implies that I am in someway better than they are. I am somehow on a higher level than they are. Compassion has a hint of understanding. Now, my understanding for them won't come because I've been in their shoes, but my understanding must come in love. I understand that they are hurting, I understand the ONLY way to heal their hurt. I understand that God loves and cares for them, just like me.
It must be a relationship of 'Carpe Aeternitatem'. My principal sent this in a devotion once and I put it in my phone immediately. I really like its meaning. We have all heard 'Carpe Diem', or 'seize the day'. Carpe Aeternitatem means 'to seize ETERNITY'. The relationships and focus of our foster care ministry cannot be on the here and now, or it won't be possible. Our focus has to be on eternity and on Christ's commission to us. God tells us in Acts chapter 26 to start with those that are the closest to us. How sad it was when the angels arrived in Sodom and Gomorrah to find that Lot hadn't even reached his own family with the good news, let alone his neighbors and his city.
So.....Carpe Aeternitatem! Seize eternity today for those you come in contact with. Pray for your family and the families that you and your children come into contact with everyday, that your witness and your light may shine brighter than ever!!
Most of the training was a review for Papa and I. Because of the jobs we have, we are area of issues with children from behavior to the extreme. We are even aware of the abuse that some children face. However, now we are not talking about just statistics and 'any kid', we are talking about OUR kid. Our future baby that someone is mistreating, maybe as I type.
We saw a video at training that follows a foster child from removal, to placement in foster care. It is a very eye opening video. If you have not seen it, I encourage you to watch it now. (ReMoved video) I was also scrolling through Facebook and someone had posted a link of a video of a man brutally punishing a little boy in front of two other children. I don't understand this kind of monster. I don't understand the monster in the ReMoved video. They almost seem un-human...or in the least inhumane.
This is the 'that' I do not know how to pray for. I believe this is going to be the ultimate struggle for me in this journey. As Papa and I not only form a relationship with the new kiddo(s), we will also form a relationship with their family of origin, or biological family. I must decide now what kind of relationship that is going to be. I believe it will set the stage for healing for the kiddo(s), and let's be honest....that is most important.
Is it going to be a relationship of judgement? I can easily judge them for their past actions, their past mistakes. However, I make mistakes everyday. I can't see into the future, but I'm pretty sure I am going to make mistakes tomorrow, and the next day, and the next. Would I do what these parents did, absolutely not. I must remember, though, that when Jesus was hanging on the cross, I am sure my sin didn't weigh less on His shoulders then theirs did. They are hopelessly in need of a Savior, just like me.
Is it going to be a relationship of pity? Compassion and pity are VERY different emotions. Pity implies that I am in someway better than they are. I am somehow on a higher level than they are. Compassion has a hint of understanding. Now, my understanding for them won't come because I've been in their shoes, but my understanding must come in love. I understand that they are hurting, I understand the ONLY way to heal their hurt. I understand that God loves and cares for them, just like me.
It must be a relationship of 'Carpe Aeternitatem'. My principal sent this in a devotion once and I put it in my phone immediately. I really like its meaning. We have all heard 'Carpe Diem', or 'seize the day'. Carpe Aeternitatem means 'to seize ETERNITY'. The relationships and focus of our foster care ministry cannot be on the here and now, or it won't be possible. Our focus has to be on eternity and on Christ's commission to us. God tells us in Acts chapter 26 to start with those that are the closest to us. How sad it was when the angels arrived in Sodom and Gomorrah to find that Lot hadn't even reached his own family with the good news, let alone his neighbors and his city.
So.....Carpe Aeternitatem! Seize eternity today for those you come in contact with. Pray for your family and the families that you and your children come into contact with everyday, that your witness and your light may shine brighter than ever!!
Thursday, June 19, 2014
While I'm waiting........
Patience is not a virtue that I have been blessed with. I believe there are many types of patience. I have patience with E (daughter), patience with kiddos in my class at school and at church, I have patience for Papa Allen, however WAITING PATIENCE is not something I have.
When I was pregnant with E, I dealt with the waiting in lots of different ways. I read books about babies and raising children, I rearranged the nursery at least a dozen times, I reorganized her closet and clothes at least once a week, and I just tried to stay busy.
Well, as we wait for #2 and/or #3 I find myself in that same bind. I've read blogs about what to do while you wait for the call. PRAY is the biggest advice to fill the time. Pray for you and your spouse. Pray for the child(ren) that will be placed in your home. Pray for their families and parents. Pray for the social workers and people that will be part of the 'team' you will work with. I think this is really good advice because a strong prayer life is what is going to help get you through. I feel it is also a way to form a bond with the biological parents before you even meet. God can start working in their hearts even before your paths cross.
E and I recently visited family in IN and went to the Children's Museum up there. (Which is FABULOUS by the way.) They have a HUGE new exhibit on the Terracotta Army of Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China. This Terracotta Army was built to guard the tomb of Qin Shi Huang so that he was protected in the afterlife. There were over 8,000 soldiers all of which had different faces carved into the terracotta clay. Qin Shi Huang not only prepared his defense for the afterlife, but he also prepared to be entertained with an under ground stream and garden that held all different types of birds, also carved from the terracotta clay. As we explored this exhibit, I was amazed at the extent of preparation Qin Shi Huang went to. He began constructing his army when he was 13 years old. Imagine preparing to die from the age of 13.
God tells us in a very familiar scripture in Philippians; "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
I imagine that the parents we are going to come in contact with are hurting. I imagine they are going to be struggling with all sorts of 'demons', be they of this world or not. Their hearts need guarding. OUR hearts need guarding. Just like Qin Shi Huang's terracotta clay, I believe prayer is what is going to hold us together through this next adventure.
So, I have taken the advice of the experienced foster bloggers out there, and I have began to pray. Much more than I was previously doing and specifically for this situation. I am even considering a prayer journal where I can record my petitions and see how God answers them through the next few months and beyond. It's crazy to think that the kiddo(s) that we may be a safe haven for, may be out there right now. I pray that God is putting people in their lives and in the lives of their family that guide them not only to us, but to Him.
When I was pregnant with E, I dealt with the waiting in lots of different ways. I read books about babies and raising children, I rearranged the nursery at least a dozen times, I reorganized her closet and clothes at least once a week, and I just tried to stay busy.
Well, as we wait for #2 and/or #3 I find myself in that same bind. I've read blogs about what to do while you wait for the call. PRAY is the biggest advice to fill the time. Pray for you and your spouse. Pray for the child(ren) that will be placed in your home. Pray for their families and parents. Pray for the social workers and people that will be part of the 'team' you will work with. I think this is really good advice because a strong prayer life is what is going to help get you through. I feel it is also a way to form a bond with the biological parents before you even meet. God can start working in their hearts even before your paths cross.
E and I recently visited family in IN and went to the Children's Museum up there. (Which is FABULOUS by the way.) They have a HUGE new exhibit on the Terracotta Army of Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China. This Terracotta Army was built to guard the tomb of Qin Shi Huang so that he was protected in the afterlife. There were over 8,000 soldiers all of which had different faces carved into the terracotta clay. Qin Shi Huang not only prepared his defense for the afterlife, but he also prepared to be entertained with an under ground stream and garden that held all different types of birds, also carved from the terracotta clay. As we explored this exhibit, I was amazed at the extent of preparation Qin Shi Huang went to. He began constructing his army when he was 13 years old. Imagine preparing to die from the age of 13.
God tells us in a very familiar scripture in Philippians; "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
I imagine that the parents we are going to come in contact with are hurting. I imagine they are going to be struggling with all sorts of 'demons', be they of this world or not. Their hearts need guarding. OUR hearts need guarding. Just like Qin Shi Huang's terracotta clay, I believe prayer is what is going to hold us together through this next adventure.
So, I have taken the advice of the experienced foster bloggers out there, and I have began to pray. Much more than I was previously doing and specifically for this situation. I am even considering a prayer journal where I can record my petitions and see how God answers them through the next few months and beyond. It's crazy to think that the kiddo(s) that we may be a safe haven for, may be out there right now. I pray that God is putting people in their lives and in the lives of their family that guide them not only to us, but to Him.
Monday, June 2, 2014
When God rules your life......change is good!!
Change is good. Not a statement I thought I would ever make. I don't like change. I like my little part of the world to stay the same. Had we not moved to GA, I would have been content to teach the same thing in the same little room in Knoxville for the rest of my life. However, change happens. When God sees a hole for you to fill, you must change. You must roll with the punches and change right along side God's plan for you. Sometimes we....well I....think that once God's called you to something.....that's what you do. However, He calls you to somethings for a season, and then changes your calling to fill the need in His Creation.
Last November, we had one of those changes. Jason loosing his job shut the door on so many things. Our journey into foster care was one of them. Jason and I had prayed that if this wasn't what we were supposed to be doing, that God would slam the door hard......and He did. While so much hurt and anger surrounded this change...I look back just eight months later and see God's design, and MAN is it magnificent.
As I have posted before, we have began the process again to become foster parents. We had picked up right where we left off with our agency. However, through a VBX teaching meeting for church (aka VBS) God brought a wonderful new friend and person into my life that also happens to have experience and a heart for foster care. A two minute conversation that included the typical "get to know you" info also included a comment made by her...'I would love to get a foster care ministry going at our church.' Really?? (Insert heart flutter, goose bumps, and all the other physical signs of the Holy Spirit moving)
Now, rewind a few years. A dear couple from our previous church had fostered and adopted through an organization that partners with churches. I would not have known about this agency had we not been at our previous church.....I would not have been at this VBX meeting had Jason not lost his job at said previous church.
So, T (the wonderful new friend) and I began meeting and praying. Jason and I began praying. Jason and I decided to switch agencies, so we could be 'the pilot family' for our church. T and I presented a partnership ministry to our church, that they loved.
Change stinks. However, God uses/causes change so that His Kingdom can grow. Our church has a goal to bring 300 far from Christ people into the love and a relationship with our Lord and Savior this year. Who is more hurting than parents that are in danger of loosing their children. Faithbridge Fostercare partners with churches so that when/if reunification is possible, biological families have a place to reach out for support and love as they rebuild their lives. Our church already has AMAZING community resources available such as a food pantry, career clothes closest, mental health counseling, job training, preschool, and computer skills training. We hope and pray that this fostercare partnership will be an extension of that.
As far as our personal journey.....we get fingerprinted on Wednesday which is the last piece of our paperwork. Lord willing our home study will be sometimes between June 16th and June 26th. We have our training weekend on June 27th-June 29th......and then we are ready to roll!! We have our spare bedroom set up with a twin bed and we are working on a crib. Bring 'em on!!!! :)
If you are curious or interested in foster care please check out the following agencies...I also put our churches website in case you are looking. Our church is beyond AWESOME!!
www.gcacofgeorgia.com
www.faithbridgefostercare.org
www.cumberlandchurch.org
Last November, we had one of those changes. Jason loosing his job shut the door on so many things. Our journey into foster care was one of them. Jason and I had prayed that if this wasn't what we were supposed to be doing, that God would slam the door hard......and He did. While so much hurt and anger surrounded this change...I look back just eight months later and see God's design, and MAN is it magnificent.
As I have posted before, we have began the process again to become foster parents. We had picked up right where we left off with our agency. However, through a VBX teaching meeting for church (aka VBS) God brought a wonderful new friend and person into my life that also happens to have experience and a heart for foster care. A two minute conversation that included the typical "get to know you" info also included a comment made by her...'I would love to get a foster care ministry going at our church.' Really?? (Insert heart flutter, goose bumps, and all the other physical signs of the Holy Spirit moving)
Now, rewind a few years. A dear couple from our previous church had fostered and adopted through an organization that partners with churches. I would not have known about this agency had we not been at our previous church.....I would not have been at this VBX meeting had Jason not lost his job at said previous church.
So, T (the wonderful new friend) and I began meeting and praying. Jason and I began praying. Jason and I decided to switch agencies, so we could be 'the pilot family' for our church. T and I presented a partnership ministry to our church, that they loved.
Change stinks. However, God uses/causes change so that His Kingdom can grow. Our church has a goal to bring 300 far from Christ people into the love and a relationship with our Lord and Savior this year. Who is more hurting than parents that are in danger of loosing their children. Faithbridge Fostercare partners with churches so that when/if reunification is possible, biological families have a place to reach out for support and love as they rebuild their lives. Our church already has AMAZING community resources available such as a food pantry, career clothes closest, mental health counseling, job training, preschool, and computer skills training. We hope and pray that this fostercare partnership will be an extension of that.
As far as our personal journey.....we get fingerprinted on Wednesday which is the last piece of our paperwork. Lord willing our home study will be sometimes between June 16th and June 26th. We have our training weekend on June 27th-June 29th......and then we are ready to roll!! We have our spare bedroom set up with a twin bed and we are working on a crib. Bring 'em on!!!! :)
If you are curious or interested in foster care please check out the following agencies...I also put our churches website in case you are looking. Our church is beyond AWESOME!!
www.gcacofgeorgia.com
www.faithbridgefostercare.org
www.cumberlandchurch.org
Monday, May 5, 2014
Get ready to shine!
Happy Monday everyone!! One amazing thing that has happened out of all the chaos and loss was that Papa, Tater, and I found a new church. While our other GA church has amazing people inside, I don't think we realized how much of going through the motions our family was doing. It was part of Papa's job. Sundays became very repetitive and mundane. However, now that Papa isn't working for a church we were free to find where we felt the Holy Spirit leading us.
Through a friend, we stumbled upon where we are now. And from day one we have felt the presence of the Lord in the worship, the people, and the sermons. Sometimes they feel like they were planned or directed just for me.
Our current series is over the first 11 chapters in Genesis. I was all settled in for a run down of creation. I feel pretty confident in my knowledge of creation. Heck I teach it every year. I have a song, several finger plays, and lots of books on the seven days of creation. Needless to say, I was ready to let my mind wonder and check out during the sermon.
However, with new life and fervor, our preacher has been bringing connections I have never heard of before. (And remember, Papa and I went to Bible College.) Learning to focus on the 'who' not the 'how' and learning the story of hope that is these songs from Moses.
Sundays sermon focused on the creation of the sun, moon, and stars. Many other places in scripture, we are told that WE should shine like stars. (Check out Psalm 8:3-4 in the Message - I LOVE the language used there!!)
One thing that amazes me about our church is how outwardly focused they are. Our challenge from Sunday was how can we shine like stars, holding up and supporting God's Word for all to see? I have been on fire lately for the foster care situation for us personally and our call to minister in that way. And I was challenged Sunday to see if anyone else in our church feels that call. Maybe our timing was changed for the greatest impact in the name of our Heavenly Father.
Just some food for thought......
Through a friend, we stumbled upon where we are now. And from day one we have felt the presence of the Lord in the worship, the people, and the sermons. Sometimes they feel like they were planned or directed just for me.
Our current series is over the first 11 chapters in Genesis. I was all settled in for a run down of creation. I feel pretty confident in my knowledge of creation. Heck I teach it every year. I have a song, several finger plays, and lots of books on the seven days of creation. Needless to say, I was ready to let my mind wonder and check out during the sermon.
However, with new life and fervor, our preacher has been bringing connections I have never heard of before. (And remember, Papa and I went to Bible College.) Learning to focus on the 'who' not the 'how' and learning the story of hope that is these songs from Moses.
Sundays sermon focused on the creation of the sun, moon, and stars. Many other places in scripture, we are told that WE should shine like stars. (Check out Psalm 8:3-4 in the Message - I LOVE the language used there!!)
One thing that amazes me about our church is how outwardly focused they are. Our challenge from Sunday was how can we shine like stars, holding up and supporting God's Word for all to see? I have been on fire lately for the foster care situation for us personally and our call to minister in that way. And I was challenged Sunday to see if anyone else in our church feels that call. Maybe our timing was changed for the greatest impact in the name of our Heavenly Father.
Just some food for thought......
Saturday, May 3, 2014
On the trail again
Momma Allen here, and after a time of being quiet, we are ready to get back in the trenches. Our fam of three has spent some time moving, reflecting, and rejoicing in what God has planned for us. That is the hardest to do in the dark, but when you are in the dark, you MUST follow the Light. God has led us down a path I don't know that we would have walked on our own. We relocated the clan, downsized in the 'stuff' category, and have found a new church family to worship with. In a lot of ways, it feels like years since we were on our way to adding Allens, when in reality it was only 6 months ago.
In that 6 months the Allens have decided we DEFINITELY hear the call of the Lord to grow our clan. Since the door to fostering was slammed shut with the events of November, we even wondered for a season if that was what we were supposed to be doing. However, God constantly reminded us of His calling through sermons, friends, and the ever popular Facebook post. My favorite one was posted by our church: "Are you willing to have your life interrupted? Are you flexible enough to allow a miracle to break into your perfectly scheduled life in the form of an interruption? Don't miss out on the chance to see God move. You may even be blessed to be part of someone else's miracle."
That last part is what I think sticks with me the most. As foster parents, our main prayer will be for the families of the child we are loving and pouring our hearts into. And the ultimate answer to that prayer will be the most devastating for us. So, we are preparing to be 'someone else's miracle'. That's definitely different. Maybe, just maybe, before I was going into it expecting OUR miracle. A little bundle of joy that would be ours. But really, we will be welcoming and loving someone else's child with the prayer for their healing which will ultimately take that child away.
Dear friends of ours have been fostering twin boys for 7 months, and recently the boys have returned to their biological father. I was talking to the momma and a case worker last weekend and I was expressing how hard that has to be when you are in it with the hope to adopt one day. The case worker said something amazing. She said "you may be an angel for four or five kids before you find yours." What a powerful ministry to these families we have the opportunity to be.
So.....with that long monologue out of the way :) We have started back where we left off. Papa Allen has a new job starting in July, and the Lord has provided some amazing work opportunities for him in the mean time that are keeping us a float. I have been one happy Momma because I have gotten to re-do some of our paperwork to include our new address and Papa's new work info. (You can read previous post to fully understand my love for the paperwork.) Once school is over (two more weeks!!!) we will have another home study in our new house, and our IMPACT training in June. Lord willing we will have our first placement before the summer break is over and be able to settle into a new routine before school starts back up. If not.....bring it on! Bring on the chaos and unplanned scheduled events! I'm ready!! :)
"Faith in God includes Faith in His Timing." - Neal A. Maxwell
In that 6 months the Allens have decided we DEFINITELY hear the call of the Lord to grow our clan. Since the door to fostering was slammed shut with the events of November, we even wondered for a season if that was what we were supposed to be doing. However, God constantly reminded us of His calling through sermons, friends, and the ever popular Facebook post. My favorite one was posted by our church: "Are you willing to have your life interrupted? Are you flexible enough to allow a miracle to break into your perfectly scheduled life in the form of an interruption? Don't miss out on the chance to see God move. You may even be blessed to be part of someone else's miracle."
That last part is what I think sticks with me the most. As foster parents, our main prayer will be for the families of the child we are loving and pouring our hearts into. And the ultimate answer to that prayer will be the most devastating for us. So, we are preparing to be 'someone else's miracle'. That's definitely different. Maybe, just maybe, before I was going into it expecting OUR miracle. A little bundle of joy that would be ours. But really, we will be welcoming and loving someone else's child with the prayer for their healing which will ultimately take that child away.
Dear friends of ours have been fostering twin boys for 7 months, and recently the boys have returned to their biological father. I was talking to the momma and a case worker last weekend and I was expressing how hard that has to be when you are in it with the hope to adopt one day. The case worker said something amazing. She said "you may be an angel for four or five kids before you find yours." What a powerful ministry to these families we have the opportunity to be.
So.....with that long monologue out of the way :) We have started back where we left off. Papa Allen has a new job starting in July, and the Lord has provided some amazing work opportunities for him in the mean time that are keeping us a float. I have been one happy Momma because I have gotten to re-do some of our paperwork to include our new address and Papa's new work info. (You can read previous post to fully understand my love for the paperwork.) Once school is over (two more weeks!!!) we will have another home study in our new house, and our IMPACT training in June. Lord willing we will have our first placement before the summer break is over and be able to settle into a new routine before school starts back up. If not.....bring it on! Bring on the chaos and unplanned scheduled events! I'm ready!! :)
"Faith in God includes Faith in His Timing." - Neal A. Maxwell
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