Our Foster Care Story...Part 2

I continued to pray, seek God and kept reading the "Created to Be God's Friend" book.

"Either you turn to Him for counsel and obey what He says, or you make your choice in what seems right to you. The latter can be fatal - and almost was for Abram. It is crucial to note that our best thinking - without God - can be fatal to our families and those dear to us who are walking with us!

I read further...

"Abram's obedience would bring great blessing to others, especially his family; but Abram's disobedience would also bring great harm to others, especially his own family. Faith is based on facts - but facts God has granted. When you do not have facts from God, your next step is one not of faith but of presumption!"

We came to the conclusion that we were not disobeying God by continuing with the adoption, but we would be disobeying if we adopted and didn't pursue the foster care. We have a healthy fear of the Lord. You never want to disobey!

Proverbs 9:10 says...

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding."

We know also that if God did not want this adoption to take place, He would close the door. Instead, He opened it back up!

It was a blessing in direct accordance with our obedience.

God is so amazing isn't He?!

Our agency said to get ready and that's what we are doing. Our foster care workshops start shortly also. Paperwork is done and being submitted. We are collecting car seats, bottles, diapers, clothing, etc. The to-do list seems a mile long and we hope to get a few last projects out of the way so that we can concentrate on these precious little ones as God gives them to us. Back to sleepless nights, endless feedings and diaper changes. Back to baby wearing and snuggling in the early-morning hours. Back to needing a diaper bag and stroller in the van.

But, we savor the sweet moments of praying over these wee ones. Praying off the spiritual warfare that each one will bring. Praying off the sinful ways that the Enemy has come in to destroy these families. It is our job to fight it and fight it we shall! For Jesus!

I would ask this. We need others to join up with our family in support. There are so many ways you can do this! You can join up with us through:

1. PRAYER! This is not to be taken lightly. All of the families that have ministered to us as we have sought out the Lord's faith to us in fostering children have said to "get ready for warfare!". We have heard story after story of the real-life warfare happening in these homes. We need the blood of Jesus covering our home, our farm, our hearts, physical bodies and minds. Pray that we would know HOW to pray for these children coming in and out. Pray for the social workers and licensing dept. that we will be working with. Pray that we are patient. Pray that we have peace. Pray for the PARENTS of these children that they may accept Jesus and turn to Him! Pray that on the bad days, we look to the promises and revelations of JESUS and not our feelings or emotions. Pray that we do not grow weary obeying James 1:27...

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."

If you don't have a prayer sheet that you use daily, there are many HERE.

I can't tell you what a BLESSING it has been in my own prayer life and walk with God to JOURNAL the prayer requests that have been answered and the story behind HOW it was answered. So many of you are on my prayer list and are prayed for daily. (If you have a prayer request of your own that you need prayer for, you can comment and put "private prayer request" so that I know not to post your comment. I would love to pray for YOU!)

2. SUPPLIES: We are currently in need of a second crib, diapers and baby girl clothing sizes infant to 3T, toddler shoes (either gender), a gently-used pack-n-play and toddler bed. We will need Bibles to administer to the parents. We are currently looking for thin, short devotional books to also distribute to parents, but we have not decided on one, specific book that would be a best overall fit yet. If you have any suggestions, we are open!

3. SUPPORT: Whether it's a meal or just a quick note in the mail to encourage. A blog comment or phone call/text is always appreciated and a huge booster for us. I am a "Words of Affirmation" girl and Rob is "Service". Aren't love languages cool? Ever since reading that book, it has been neat to find out others' love languages and fill their love tanks as well. Knowing that we have brothers and sisters behind us can make a huge difference in this ministry!

This story is only one that God could write! When the Lord calls, He equips! He has shown this to us over and over again in our walk with Him.

"If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples." (John 15:7-8)

(Above is our birth mother bag in which we put some "goodies" for. I'll do another post on this later, in greater detail.)

Here is a fun video by our new friends, the Carroll family!

"What to Expect as a Foster/Adoptive Parent". Enjoy!