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!!  

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 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

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......

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

a different journey….

This is Papa Allen's first time being able to blog and I wished I had some new words in the process of fostering to adopt however it is time to let you all know that we have had to put the fostering to adoption plans on hold for a season.  This is a hard day for the Allen family.  Today, Papa Allen had to say goodbye to his ministry of 5 years at church due to NWCC going down a different path that they decided that Papa Allen did not have the qualities to fill the new ministry role in the model they are going towards.  He found out almost 2 weeks ago of the Elders decision and we as a family have been processing it since.  The congregation found out through a letter beginning this past Friday.  Today was Papa Allen's last day as the Student Minister there (he preached the gospel message to the teens and baptized one at the end of second service - Praise God!) and now the Allen's are on a different journey, one they did not see coming.  We ask that you keep us in your prayers right now as we transition into the next phase of our family's journey.  God is all powerful, all knowing and every where at all times!  He knows what our future is.  He knows what our future holds!  And we know who holds our future!  Even though these are going to be tough times, it will also be time of praising God (Psalm 149) because he does hold the things we do not know.  Our FAITH will be made stronger!!

Home study visit.....check!!

So, last night was our home study visit. I think it went pretty well. Ms. L talked to Papa, Mama, and Tator about day to day life and what we are looking for.  Of course Tator wants a play mate, Mama wouldn't mind a baby to snuggle, and Papa is just hoping for a boy. Really, any'thing' God blesses us with will be a welcomed addition to the fam.
I do have to go down a little bit of a ranting road for a moment....please indulge me.
We have spent the last few weeks gathering information, seeing doctors, preparing our home, and digging out old baby stuff.  Bottom line, we have been working pretty hard toward this goal.  While talking to Ms. L last night we learned that we could have a child(ren) placed with us, have them in our home for years, and when adoption time comes, they could leave us to go and live with some relative that the courts drag out of who knows where. Does the relative have to go through the checks and screening process we have been through.....nope.  All they require is matching DNA.  Isn't that a little messed up?  I do not often engage in political conversations, but I think that is just one of the ways our government is not family friendly,nor does it have the best interest of children at heart.  (Of course this is because my view if pro-foster, pro-adoption.)
Any-who.....Now we just have one more meeting and that is our training class mid-November and then.....we wait :)  Prayers for patience....here we come!!!