Sunday, November 7, 2010

foster care?

Today we went to a meeting about Foster Care and Adoption, hosted by a couple at our church that adopted from Guatemala. It had been on their hearts for a couple of years to connect all of us at our church that our interested in any kind of adoption, whether international, domestic or through the foster care system. Charlie and I thought it was a good idea to attend, and we did.

It was an interesting hodgepodge of information, testimonies, and information from a couple of women in the adoption industry. One from an adoption agency, one from an agency that licenses couples to foster or foster/adopt. There was even one speech from a teenage girl currently in the foster system who was encouraging couples to look at adopting teens. We all wanted to instantly take her home.

It was an emotional lunch and the lady who spoke about fostering is thinking about offering 30 hour course at our church in the new year, that we can take over 10 weeks. I think we are going to do it, not because we are certain we are going to go the foster care route, but because we feel God pushing our hearts to expand. Who knows where it will lead, and I haven't really had time to process all of this with Charlie yet. I came home after the meeting, but he had to stay and work. I went home and curled up with my nook. And some cold medicine. And my doggies.

So, just pray that we will know the will of the Lord and it will be clear to us.

8 comments:

Amy @ This Cross I Embrace said...

I think this is wonderful! I will be praying for your discernment on this path.

Sew said...

Agreeing with TCIE-I think it's great too! So excited for you and will pray for your discernment as well....

I say just go until the door shuts....and if it doesn't keep on going. :)

Sew said...

Agreeing with TCIE-I think it's great too! So excited for you and will pray for your discernment as well....

I say just go until the door shuts....and if it doesn't keep on going. :)

Sami Jo said...

I sure will be praying for you and your husband regarding the foster care -
Hearing and listening to God is something I've been really trying to work on lately.
My husband is do soon for putting his name in at his job to move to a different location and my heart SOOO just wants something new - ya know? New house, new start, new parks :) Just new. So he comes home telling me about options of where we could go and I get on Craigslist. Mapquest. find a rental and make sure it would be close to his work. Locate grocery stores, churches, etc. etc. I was being such an idiot about it, I got myself worked up for about a week and finally God spoke to my heart and said... it's not even now - it's like FIVE months away... You are not evening trying to hear me... I have plans for you... I know what is best. Slow down, Sami Jo.

Now, I'm not saying this is you but this was me. So I thought I would share what I've been going through. Listening... I'm working on it. So tough. :) Hearts, SJ

Frizzy said...

I just love your heart! I will be praying that you find the answers you are praying for together. It's good to take a day or two to let all that information sink in and really process it before talking about it. I recall our first several talks with people from foster care and how much information there was to process.

I can't even imagine being that young lady who shared about her own her own experience in adoption and waiting. Will be praying for her and the other chidren waiting to find their forever families.

the misfit said...

What an awesome opportunity. This is what discernment really is, right? Keep listening and opening doors.

JellyBelly said...

Praying for your discernment!

KT said...

Sissy...

I have been a part of a mentor group now for the past two years; I am matched with an 11 year old girl. While these kids are not in foster care, their stories are a bit more complex that yours or mine.

You might consider looking into possible programs in your community. I am finding it is a good way to get oriented with a bit "older" age group and some of the struggles and successes they have.

I don't only learn from my match, but the other kids in the program as well.

One of the things I struggle with most is my mentee's family; I get very frustrated with some of their decisions. The foster programs by us primarily have the goal to (if possible) place back with the birth family. This is where I get hung up... How hard would it be to put a child back into a home that is so chaotic? It would potentially break my heart.