Ending one journey and starting another!

This past Tuesday we had our final home study.  It was very surreal as our licensing worker walked through the door that night.  We sat down and had the chance to chat for a few minutes while we waited for Adam to get home.  I have to say, I didn't think this day was ever going to get here.  We have had many bumps in the road and even scheduling our last home study was a task.  Finding the time and then having to reschedule a previously scheduled time due to an emergency in the foster care system and then having issues with our camper that made Adam late this tuesday.  But as we learned in our foster care classes, we tried to be flexible and understanding.  Knowing that God was in control of this whole situation and he knew in advance how everything was going to play out.

Not only are we done with our home study we are also done with our foster care classes.  Last night, Wednesday, was our last class.  It was sad knowing that we will not be seeing these people, our friends, every wednesday.  We had the chance to go around the room and tell everyone what was our favorite part of the class, what we have learned and any closing remarks we had for everyone.  The transformation from the very first class to last night was incredible.  We all came in there scared and unaware that we could do it, but with the help of this amazing teachers and the PRIDE curriculum we have transformed into confident and knowledgeable foster parents.  Am I saying I am not scared anymore?  NO.  I will be scared every time I receive a new placement, but I have the support from first and for most God and the support from all these amazing people that were in my class.

Alivia has this new thing she says while she is watching her favorite, non scary, cartoon involving a little mouse and his friends.  She will say she is scared.  As a parent I can see she has nothing to be scared about.  I can see that everyone in the clubhouse will eventually figure out their problem and be ok.  I can see that the big ole' cat is really just wanting to be loved.  She can not see that and continues to say she is scared.  My mom took the approach of telling her that God loves her and she doesn't have to be scared.  And told her to say, "God loves me, God loves me, God loves me" every time she feels scared.  I began to see the relation with what was happening with Alivia and what was happening to me with foster care.   Many times we are scared because we can not see the ending or how a certain situation will play out, but God knows.  He is watching over us and he sees the whole picture and knows there is nothing to be scared about.  So once again I say trust that God is taking care of you and whenever you feel scared say, "God loves me, God loves me, God loves me!"

So know we wait.  We wait for a placement.  Be praying that we will be wise in our placements and wise in how to love on our placements.  Thank you for walking through this journey with us.  I will be updating as we get some kids in our home or whenever God tells me to :)