Updates ...

Where do I start? Olivia and I finished school and mailed in her grades yesterday!! She earned all A's just as she did at Spartanburg Christian Academy. I think she has gotten two B+'s before, but otherwise all A's. She is super smart and very creative. I tell her all the time that she is going to make a wonderful architect ( she builds the most unique structure's with tape and cardboard :)

Chris left Monday at 5:00 to go to the Southern Baptist Convention in Orlando, Florida with a group of men from our church. We picked him up at the church at 7:15 last night (it's good to have him back home). While he was away Olivia and I painted the old office/new foster child room ... we picked a nice, calming green color. It looks great! Chris was so surprised to come home and see all of the hard work we had done. We have a bed set up in the room and will also add a crib. We are going to foster birth to age 4 so we have to be prepared for those ages. I went out to our storage building and brought up some of Olivia's baby clothes and toys ( her Barney doll still talks and play music). I posted on facebook some of the items we'll need like a high chair and stroller and a friend already donated those two items for free ( what a huge blessing). Others are donating items as well. We've started buying toothbrushes and hygiene items and I am collecting shoes (a fellow foster mom told me these kids usually don't come with shoes :( We had to buy all new mini blinds to pass our home inspection so we just took care of that. We passed our fire inspection this week !! Now to complete our medical records and have our home study. I know it will all come together. I realize I don't have to have everything now, but those of you who know me know that I like to be prepared. We feel like the Lord has called us to minister to these children and we feel so very blessed. Pray for us on this journey. It is not going to be easy. I cried when I gave my kittens to new homes. Our goal is to give these children a safe and loving home until their families can get back on their feet and in a position to care for them. When our mothers and a good friend of mine became widows we began then to learn how to care for the widow as the Bible says. Now we are taking the next step to care for the orphans. James 1:27

God be with you ...