SO EXCITED for this new ministry at our church!

Foster Care, the forgotten child, and orphans have always been an issue that has stirred something inside of me, hurt my heart and just something I am passionate about. As we became more serious about becoming foster parents we heard from other people in our classes that their home church was huge part of their support system. And it was hard for me to understand how our amazing church had not taken on this huge issue of foster care or at least have a support group or something for those families that fostered. But so cool how God answered that prayer for me and probably so many others but He did not just answer that prayer He multiplied it. CCV has decided that one of the goals of 2013 is to start a large foster care ministry, to help families get through the process of considering being foster/adoptive parents to actually doing it. And then ultimately, eventually clear out the foster care shelters, group homes, and have a home for each child in need. The numbers just keep increasing and there is such a shortage of homes to where these children can go. I am praying that Tony and I can find time in our busy lives to help in any way we can to help get this ministry going, help families that are new to fostering feel supported, or help them through the process. Prayers that this ministry will change foster care in Phoenix forever!

Back to School!

The kids were so excited to help R get on the preschool bus and wave goodbye to him. His year has started off a little rough. He seems to really test his teachers there and struggle with listening. And its really hard on the days following his visits. Its so hard that he has to still go on visits twice a week. He is transported all over town and so confused and tired when he gets home. He almost always has diarrhea from stress and has been getting sick a lot. I will be so glad to have some answers and for R to have some consistency.  

Will you adopt?

So as the trial date for severance gets closer and grandma in Massachusetts ended up not being able to take the kids, they have asked us if we would be willing to adopt R. Woah what a big decision but not a hard decision. We would love to have him as a permanent part of our family. Forever a family of FIVE. Crazy to think of. His oldest sister actually recently was able to go and live with the grandmother on the other side of the family, dad's mom. She is not able to take all three kids because she is getting older, she is single, and financially unable to care for all of them. So they came to us and asked if we would take R and they asked R's little sisters foster mom if she would adapt. CPS does not like to separate the siblings but is going to present to the judge that they all three have forever homes and plan on letting the siblings keep in touch. Its going to hard to wait and see how this will play out but going to keep praying that Gods will is the result and R is exactly where he is suppose to be.

He's a FOUR YEAR OLD!

We are so excited to be able to celebrate R's 4th birthday with him. We did a party at the mall with friends, pizza, cupcake cake, and train rides. I have never seen a happier kid. He is obsessed with trains so this was a great party for him, his smile says it all.