Going to give this a try...

Okay so I have never been great at keep up on our family blog. I don't even understand how to follow blogs and get updates and then have others follow mine?? Going to work on figuring that out. But I am hoping to keep this blog updated as we go on this journey of foster care. We are getting to close to being done with the LONG process of being licensed and the placed on the list as being ready for placements! We have learned so much in these last several months about what it means to be foster parents. We worked with a great private agency and our case worker has been wonderful. Besides the LOADS of paper work, allowing strangers to come into our lives over turn every rock to try to find a reason why we are not suited foster parents (they just don't want to miss anything and put a child in harm, which I get), the WAITING, the few roadblocks, it has been a GOOD experience. We have learned more about ourselves as parents. Through some behavior and teacher issues we have had with our son, we have also learned that parenting is actually very simple. Consistency and TRUST. Consistency in meeting needs, loving them, showing them Jesus by how we live, and at this age especially, consistency in discipline. Then trusting God with the result of our parenting. SIMPLE right?? I said simple, NOT EASY.

But we are getting VERY excited to start this journey and parent children that are in need of unconditional love and stability until their families can be that for them. Many people ask us WHY or WHAT made us want to do this, so to share that quickly... I feel as though it was placed on my heart when I was pretty young. I have always had a love for children like many do but I especially had a heart and could spot those that needed some extra love. When I was a preteen and into my teen years I loved to take care of my young cousin Brittany, she was the cutest thing and her parents were going through a tough time. So I loved to have her over for sleepovers, buy her new outfits and just love on her. One Christmas when I was in high school Brittany was going to spend the night at Christmas Eve, her parents were not able to do much for her and her brothers for gifts for Christmas so I went and spent my money I had made that week waitressing and bought her gifts to have under the tree. I had to share that story because it is still to this day one of my fondest memories I have ever had and it is when I learned what a blessing it is to be able to sacrifice and give. But its crazy how God works, little did I know that He put her on my heart so heavy is because she would be coming to live with Tony and I eight years later. She lived with us for four years before heading off to college. Tony and I had only been married for three year and our son was 4 months old. So it was interesting for sure to have a teenager living with us but God is so good and it was such a blessing through all the highs and lows. She is such an amazing girl, we are so proud of her! So after that story to sum it up. This is something God has put on both our hearts and we know it breaks Gods heart that there are children out there not being loved, so in turn it breaks ours as well. My favorite lyric from Hosanna, Break my Heart for What Breaks Yours. He has done that and we are being obedient to that call.

I know there is going to be hard times with this, I won't truly know how hard until we get there but I am trying to not be anxious and trust. I know He will see us through. I am trying to learn as much as possible and read every horror story about dealing with difficult birth parents, overworked case worker, the somewhat messed up CPS system, and it could get a person freaked out! But I know that this is in God's hands. We have so many people in our lives that are supporting us and praying for us and we are SO grateful.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7