This first journey is winding down

Wow, what a journey. This time last year foster care was not in my radar and now it has become my daily life. The Lord sure has a way of changing us. After having one child, who I love very much, I still desired to have more. When I realized I wouldn't birth any more babies, of my own, the thought of adopting came to mind. I have to admit as my friends were birthing their second and third babies; I was a little mad at God for not letting me birth anymore. I would pray and ask the Lord why 'so n so' was blessed with all those children and why He didn't trust me with more? I hated it when people would comment "oh you are lucky you only have one child to deal with". I've never thought of children as something to "deal with". I wanted more to raise, love and cherish. It wasn't until April of 2010 on a Turkey hunting trip to Waterloo, SC that the Lord revealed fostering to my sweet husband Chris. Donna, a long time foster parent to over 130 foster children enlightened Chris on what foster care was all about. Sure we had been to David & Donna's home before and we had met many of their foster children ( 2 that they had adopted and raised as their own), but this time something was different. This time we fell in love with "Bobbie" a little boy in their care. I told Donna I would love to raise him and she told us about foster care. We had many conversations and emails on the subject. Chris and I felt the call to begin the paper work to be foster parents like David and Donna. For the first time I finally had an answer to that "Why" question I had asked the Lord. Why didn't He bless me with more children? I think so I would open my heart to foster. We saw the need first hand and couldn't wait to begin the journey. So ... a year later here we are. Our first foster child, a 5 year old little girl came to our home back on August 30, 2010. Since that time we have experienced signing her up for K-5, taking her to the zoo, throwing her a Tinker Bell birthday party, buying her first Halloween outfit and taking her on her first trick or treat adventure. We enjoyed having her with our family for Thanksgiving, playing Santa at Christmas, we have taken her to our 5 year old Sunday school class each Sunday, school events, and we just took her on her first trip to the beach WHERE she prayed to ask Jesus into her heart !!!! Words cannot describe the joy that she has brought our family. I love her as my own. Now don't get me wrong it's not all fun and games. She is a normal child who tests me, yells at her sister, talks back, gets mad and all the normal things any child does. But when the Lord calls you to a task, He will give you the love, strength and patience to handle that task. As I type this I don't really know how much longer she will be with us. It is possible she could go home any day or be with us through April. I can't really talk about the details of the case. I will tell you that I love her mom and I know her mom loves her. I don't have a problem with her going home and I can't thank the Lord enough for that, because I am hoping it will make this separation easier on me :( I'll let you know when I get there. For now I am still her "mom", Olivia still has a little sister and Chris is spoiling two little girls. Prayerfully consider what you can do to help foster children. You may not want to foster ... that is okay. Donate to foster care or your local children's shelter. They are always in need of socks, underwear, tooth brushes, tooth paste, hair brushes, combs ... your basic hygiene items. They need the little things that we all use daily and don't think about until we are out. You can make a difference.

Go be a blessing ....