No news....

Well three weeks later after hearing about the possibility of going from a family of 4 to a family of 7, we are still a family of  4.   As I described in the post, it was an intense time of processing and uncertainty.  We hadn't heard anything and I was eventually able to be at rest in assuming it wasn't going to happen.  I did finally email our case worker the other day, just for definite closure and she said she normally hears back either way, but didn't hear anything.  I'm glad we had the opportunity to pray and to encourage others to pray for that family. It is my hope that this young mom is able to receive the support and resources she needs to provide for those precious kids.

So now we are back to just waiting.  I was warned this was going to be difficult and it is.  I am trying to not get frustrated when I hear about other families who have gotten young children placed in their homes rather quickly. I have to remind myself that we've only been fully approved for three months.  It just seems like longer because we started the process over a year ago.  I just have to trust in knowing God's perfect timing for our family.  There are things behind the scenes that God is orchestrating  that I don't know and may never fully know.  My heart is resting in His sovereignty...my head just takes a little more convincing:)

Enjoying Christmas

Here's a post from over a month ago that I realized I hadn't posted...

It was a hope of mine that we'd have an extra little one around to share the joys of Christmas with, but it is not God's timing.  I will check in with Brenda after the new year to find out if it is normal to not hear anything at all for six weeks.
In the meanwhile, we've had a jammed pack month, which is both a blessing and a curse!  I want to remember it all, but it's late and I'm tired, so I'm going to go the timeline route.

First a recap of some December traditions: Souderton Christmas parade with Forbes and Wesleys, Christmas breakfast at Auntie Cheryl's, Decorating, Christmas in the Valley Concert, Andrew's preschool Christmas program, Christmas Program at UPCC, Christmas cookie painting at Mom-mom and Pop-pops, Annual Kiddo Christmas party at our house, Christmas shopping, Christmas Eve Veggie soup, and of course BASKETBALL.
Each day with the kids we would do an Advent activity.  Certain days it was one of the events listed above, but other days it could be Christmas books, or gingerbread snacks, or the manger play set, acting out Jesus' birth story, PJ Christmas lights walk, a craft or cards...Julia especially looked forward to "What is our advent today?"  She homemade a chart and sometimes remembered to color the days in.

It is tricky not "doing Santa," but it is so important that we instill the "Jesus' birthday" counter-cultural view of Christmas.  Julia will talk about the  "real Christmas story," which is our goal.  Andrew was unfortunately confused by it all, and it was a little sticky.  It is not to say we are on a big "anti-Santa" mission-we recognize it as a fun element of the Christmas season. But hopefully the birth of Christ will resonate as the real reason for the celebration in their hearts.  I know for me I too often get wrapped up in the craziness and have to consciously reflect on the magnitude of what happened in that manager so long ago and how my life is dependent on Christ's humility.

It was a great month of celebrations!

How do we make a Life-changing Decision?

On Friday afternoon  I received a call from our case worker about a possible placement.  Not one, not two, but THREE children...ages 3, 2, and 8 months.  A teenage mother from a somewhat local county, it is considered foster-to-adopt (although that doesn't mean adoption is guaranteed...they could return home at anytime), and some other details involved.

"So if you are able to call Jeff...," she continued

""Wait, you need to know TODAY!?!?!"

"Uhm, no...Monday morning would be fine."

Sweet relief.  A decision of this proportion would be near impossible to make within hours.  I finished receiving some details and knowing I wouldn't be able to get a hold of Jeff for a couple of hours, on three-way, I called two of my super-amazing friends who know me so well and are constantly my voices of reason.  They never just jump in and throw-up their immediate opinions in my ear and they never judge.  They listen and allow me to process, they support, they make me laugh, and they ask great questions....including, "So what's the next step?" 

Be willing to follow God, trusting that He is going to open and close doors.  

1.  Jeff's response would be the number one gauge.  I know that he is always seeking God's will, especially with big decisions.  I was able to spill out the details in about 5 minutes while he was driving home knowing we weren't going to be able to process things fully together until Saturday night after the kids were in bed.  It was such a sweet time of honest discussion. I am so blessed to have such a secure husband.  We decided it would be a good decision to share with our church body during testimony time during the Sunday morning service.  

2.  Prayers of other believers and Godly counsel and encouragement would be necessary.  

~We did share vaguely during our church service and  were able to talk to a few families that have gone through the foster-adoption process.  They were honest about the difficulties, but we could see the stream of excitement of what God has done in their lives through the process.

~We shared our situation with other friends and family. We are beyond blessed with having wonderful relationships with so many wonderful people.  We would not have started this process if we were not positive that we would have the abundance of support that we would need.

3.  Reading the Word and personal prayers... I love having "discussions" with God. I love how the seemingly silent God speaks.  He speaks to my heart, especially through His Word (He lead me to Psalm 51 this morning, with verse after verse of encouragement and affirmation), and through music (there are so many songs out there that are filled with His Truths), and even through nature (clear blue skies and beautiful sunrises).

4.  Julia's response:  We weren't intending on telling her until it was a sure deal, but she was in the service when we shared.  We hadn't shared the details in church, but then of course she was asking about it when we got home.  Jeff held her on his lap and she was really happy when we first told her about the possibility of having 3 more siblings.  Then a couple of minutes later we heard her crying  because it set in and she was anxious and upset more so about the uncertainty of it all.   But with talking and reassurance, she was fine and later that night she was still fine about it.  It is a great lesson in faith as we explain to her how we are trusting in God's direction.  We will definitely wait on telling Andrew.  We just have to trust that if it is an experience that would be detrimental to him, that doors will close.  

5. Practicality.  Well, the list of practical challenges are loooooong.  But we decided, to choose to trust that God would provide for every need.  Jeff said we can't go into this with a romantic perspective that this would be easy.  I am aware of the many sacrifices it would entail...and I'm sure there will be many more sacrifices that I'm not able to foresee.  Managing 5 kids under the age 6 would seriously take supernatural help.  One of my biggest concerns would be my emotional stability and sanity!!! But, if they are supposed to be here, as a part of our family for a week or for life...He will provide everything.  Including financial security, which of course would be another concern.  

6.  Stay level-headed.  We could get ulcers thinking about all of the practical logistics...but the fact of the matter is that we could call our case worker back (I'm calling her in one hour!!!) and she could say they are no longer available.  So why waste time and energy on unnecessary anxiety?  It was in the back of my mind all weekend, but it wasn't crippling.  There is a family out there that needs help, love and support.  God has put this ministry very strongly on our hearts.  If it wasn't His will, I've repetitively asked Him to take the desire to adopt away in either of us.  It hasn't gone away, it has gotten stronger.  This may be the family He has prepared for us, it may not be. Regardless, it has been a growing experience and I praise Him for His goodness.

 This is what I posted on Facebook and it is my strength:

So glad that my I can fully trust that my Savior has my family's future in the palm of His hand. What a blessing that I can rest in His sovereignty, knowing that His love for us is immeasurable

Update:
I called our case worker this morning.  She let the county of the mom know that we are interested in pursuing things.  There is a court case tomorrow and we will know more after that.  There is no certainty as to if we would be chosen immediately to take the kids or if there are other available families and we would have to go through an interview-type process.  Most likely we will not hear anything tomorrow.  So we just wait on the edge of our seats.................