Yes?

    One of my favorite blogs that I follow is the Jason Johnson Blog. His heart for Foster Care and how the church can greatly change the Foster Care system is amazing. I found this from his blog and it is so true! 

    When we first started doing Foster Care it took us several years to get to the point where we were ready to say yes. Now each time we get a new child, we get an opportunity to say yes. Even if it is inconvenient. Each time we say yes, we say yes to a new adventure. We say yes to a child, a child's family and whoever else maybe in there lives. 

    Nothing about Foster Care is convenient! I have visitations 3 days a week, appointments several days a week and still trying to maintain a "normal" life for the kids with church, school and sports. But, I know that saying yes means a child will get to sit at a dinner table, have someone to hug while they are missing their family, someone to hold them and walk with them through this scary process. Saying yes maybe so inconvenient but, saying yes gives everyone so much more!

    

Life Lesson From Foster Care

  

 These last 4 weeks have been a whirl wind at our house! We have gone from a family of 3 to a family of 5 once again. In our home I typically like to stay around 4 kids. That is what works best for us. I have also learned quite a few lessons from my little ones over the last 4 weeks,
Roughly 4 weeks ago we had to make the hard decision about not opening our home up to a little guy that we once had. This was the 2nd call I had received and at the time of the first call, our home was full. That was not the case this time! Both Joe and I love this child very much but, do to other circumstances and looking at all the dynamics we felt it was best to say no.
Saying No, is not always a bad thing! When we said no. We said yes to 2 little boys. These boys where very sweet and rough but, put into a stable home flourished. Yesterday, we got the call that they would be moving with family. This is great! As the boys where getting packed. The oldest said, "I don't want to go. I like here." Even though he knew he was going with family.
   I packed the boys up and helped put them in the car. I gave them both hugs and kisses. They both where smiling and happy. I knew that they would be happy where they were going. It would just take that adjustment time.
   That evening we decided to take our son and our little foster care girl to the movies. When children leave it is not only hard on them but, the ones left behind. The ones left behind don't understand why they do not get to too. We went and saw Zootopia. It was a funny movie but, both my husband and I agreed it had a little to much adult humor in it. The message of the movie was great however.
   On our way home. Our little FC Girl says from the back seat, "I will miss you guys when I am gone." While these last 4 weeks have been a roller coaster of adjustment, life, adjustment. I am reminded of why we do this! Every time they feel safe, loved, cared for and taught something new. We win! Every night when we sit at the table and eat dinner together and say 3 things we are Thankful for, we win! Every Sunday when we attend church and they are taught how loved they are and that, they where created for something so much more then their circumstances. We win!
   Over and over in the Bible we see how much God loves children. Mark 10:13-16 says; "People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a child will never enter it."And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them."
   What a great calling to be a parent, Foster parent, Grandparent, Aunt, Uncle or whatever your role may be. To teach them and truly make an impact on our world.

Hello!

It has been sometime since I have last posted on our blog. Life got very busy with a whole lot of transitions. Even in the craziness and business of everyday life God has shown Himself faithful and true!
So, what has been going on in our lives. Last time I posted we had just done some pictures and where starting the road to adoption. Joe and I made the choice to do Foster Care instead of just adopting. I would never have guessed how crazy this road God called us on would be.
We have had 15 kids in a little over 2 years! Some we are still contact with and some we are not. We currently have 5 in our home. One will be ours very soon! He is a sweet little boy that we have had since he was 1 1/2. I am so thankful that God has placed him in our lives, You will hear much more about him in the future!
Last year we decided to restart our painting company. We have watched God bless it so fast and now have people working for us. I know God has great things planned for our company. Along with starting a business my little sister and her husband moved away. That was another hard transition.
With all the transitions we have had one thing remains. God is so good and faithful!
When we stay close to God, even if it means holding on for dear life. The outcome is so beautiful!
I have learned a lot of things through these last couple of years. One of the greatest things is: The most important thing in my life is my relationship with God. I have found myself on my knees crying and the loneliness I have ever been in my life. Without God's Word and prayer I am incomplete! I am not my best! To be the best Wife, Mom, Foster Mom, Sister and Daughter; I have to have His Word written on my heart and need to communicate what is going on with Him.
I have grown and changed so much since we first started this adventure. I am stronger, more confident in who He has called me to be, more compassionate (for somethings :) and more aware of what is really going on around me.
I hope you enjoy our blog as we share what this amazing life brings us!

LOVE,

Pam