Two posts in one month? Insanity!!!

I have no photos ready, no real fun family events to blog about either.  But if I'm going to actually get back into blogging, I need to stop waiting to have something really great to talk about, and just get whatever's on my mind out.

We're hoping to become foster parents by this summer.  We've told a few people, but haven't made any "big official announcements"...mainly because we wanted to make sure that our hearts are truly where God wants them before we allow outside opinions into the mix.  Back in October we attended a Human Services meeting on Foster/Adoption services.  And now we're about to start classes to become licensed.  It's scary to even type.  Are we sure we can hack it as foster parents?  That's a big fat NO!  Are we selfishly nervous about adding anything stressful/hectic/etc to our "normal"?  Yes, yes, YES!  Are we 100% certain that God wants us to take this step, all the while trusting that He will make up for our selfishness, our fears, and our failures?  A million times YES!!!

I think I'm most nervous about how this will affect the girls.  We haven't told them yet.  We'll tell them after our first class this Thursday when we have a bit more information to share, because I know Alyssa is going to have about ten thousand questions for us.  It hurts my heart even now to think of us loving on a child for any length of time, and then having that child taken from our home, and from our lives.  I know it will be hard for me and Ryan, but I worry that it will be even harder on the girls.  Ryan and I have to remember that it's by our example they will see that Christ will heal that ache, and allow us the patience, and love to do it again (and again, and again if He calls us to).  On the flip side, I'm also so very excited to see out girls blossom as we serve Christ together as a family. 

I found this today, and I'm going to put it somewhere where Ry&I will see it often.  I know we have quite a while to go before we will actually have any children to love on, but I want to start memorizing some of these now...

21 Foster Parenting Truths As Seen By a Veteran Foster Parent
from Keith Thompson:
My wife and I have been doing foster care for 17 years. Along the way, we've learned a few things that seem to be givens when working for our children.

1. Love may not be enough, but when you add unlimited patience and a sense of humor, you can usually get through.
2. Things go best when you go by the book - but you have to be using the right book!
3. Having a spirit of contention accomplishes nothing - especially when you are trying to work with the "system".
4. You can't help every child, but you can still cry for them.
5. You can't help every child, but you can still pray for them.
6. Some people know how to fix a broken child, and some people know how to fix a broken system - very few people have the time and talent fix both!
7. You can feel close to God when changing a diaper.
8. Foster Care is the worst paying job in the world.
9. Foster Care is the best paying job in the world.
10. Enjoy the good days when they come - on the bad days, find someone to serve.
11. Kids who've had it rough in life need good, strong parenting.
12. Kids who've had it rough in life need someone to serve them.
13. Knowing when to be a parent, and when to be a servant brings the greatest joy and success.
This is the one I'm most partial to:
14. Abused kids are used to being yelled at - try using funny voices instead!
15. Never let a child go to bed without a "tuck-in".
16. A 10 year old who's never been allowed to be a 10 year old, will not become a 10 year old upon arrival in your home - pick your battles and conquer one behavior at a time.
17. ALWAYS expect that the children will not resemble their "resumes".
18. Children are more important than furniture.
19. Work as if everything depends on you - Pray as if everything depends on the Lord!
20. The greatest lesson the Lord has ever taught me about fostering children came during a church meeting one Sunday. Our newly arrived, nine year old foster son came in during the meeting and asked me to tie his shoes. My first thought was to scold him for not being able to tie the shoes himself. My next thought was to kneel down and tie them for him. My final thought was - I am kneeling at the feet of the Savior!
21. And since I have still not learned everything, my most recent lesson comes from someone I only recently met. When we ask ourselves why a child had to be born to such an abusive parent, remember that the birth of a child is the keeping of a promise made in heaven.

Pray for us this Thursday as we attend our first class!  We can't wait to see what God has in store for us there!!!

Comments

[Nicole Barczak]

Jessica, this is amazing. What a wonderful gift you will be giving to these children as well as your family. Have you by any chance talked to Heather about Fostering? They had went through the process in St. Louis before they moved, and are soon going to be going through the process in TN. Also Katie Mohr just had their first foster child... http://katiemohr.blogspot.com/

(here are her posts on Fostering: http://katiemohr.blogspot.com/search/label/Foster%20Fun)
I can't remember if this is private (I can see it, but I might just be an authorized reader)... their fostering blog http://evenmohrfromthemohrs.blogspot.com

Good Luck!

[Jessica Porter]

Thanks for passing that along. Im trying to find as many blogs on fostering as I can! :-)

[Kristi]

How exciting!! This is an awesome thing you guys are doing!! Congrats and good luck :)

[Lisa Sailors]

wow this is wonderful!! i've been checking your blog often to see if you have updated especially since your move. What a blessing and a great example you will be to your children and proof to yourselves that you are worth every bit of what you put into this endeavor. Good Luck to you! prayers go out to you and your family as you take your first steps :)
-Lisa S