First Placement...

Last Friday we had a really weird day. 

In the morning I got a call from a worker that I don't know asking if we'd take placement for a sibling group of 3 kiddos - all older than my boys.  It was easy to say no to because of their age and the unknowns of them. 

That worker talked with their therapist and called me back with more "info" - I still said no.  

These calls are easy to say no to and just commit to lifting these situations up in extra prayer. 

Then an hour later we got ANOTHER call.  Different set of sibs - 3 of them - the age ranges fit better.  

The need for homes that can take bigger groups of kids is obvious.  The agency (and families) are desperate to keep the kids together.  

While they're not supposed to call us for such things - they did out of urgency.  We paused - and prayed!  Nick and I both felt the overwhelming feeling of our ability to help in this need.  All the pieces seemed to fit, including them waiting to move them to us until after our retreat. 

So, in another week and a half - we're adding 3 kiddos to the mix.  

Check back for updates - and please pray for us and them in the meantime!!

If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the needs of afflicted souls, then your light will rise in darkness, and your night will be like noonday.   Isaiah 58:10

Respite #1

Last weekend we did our first Foster Care Respite.

Respite connects licensed Foster Care Homes (like ours) with other Foster Care families that may need a break.  You can't leave your foster children with a regular babysitter, or even with family members, unless they are fully cleared by the state and your agency.  Even then, usually you can't leave them overnight.  Respite is a much needed break, rest, rejuvenation. 

The family we were connected with has 3 FC kiddos right now, 2 different placements.  We took all 3 for the weekend.  Our home was filled and it felt so good.  Easy.  Busy.  Fun.  Perfect. 

I know we were truly blessed by all those praying for us because the weekend went so smoothly.  Henry and Owen were awesome with the other kids, and the kids responded well to our home and family.  Yes, there were a few minor kid type things as kids will have.  Yes, getting a meal on the table for everyone to eat while it's still warm was challenging.  But doable.

The whole weekend was doable.

And then we gave them back to their FC family.  We offered to take them again sometime.  We offered our prayers for each child and their families. 

The sadness of them leaving is lingering with me ...

Oh man, I'm going to feel this way after every single child we help leaves our home, aren't I?  I'm so in trouble with all these emotions.  But I'll do it again.  And again.  As long as we're called into this hot mess of helping children.

¹⁰ Feed the hungry,
    and help those in trouble.
Then your light will shine out from the darkness,
    and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon.

Isaiah 58:10

 

 

 

 

Henry's 5 year old Questions

I can't believe I forgot to do this!! 

Ok, yes I can.  But seriously!  Here's my not-so-little boy's answers for his 5th birthday ... a mere 2 months late!

Henry Mercer – 5 years – (1/14/15)

1. What is your favorite color?    green
2. What is your favorite toy?      My sticky hand  (one of those throw at the wall toys)

3. What is your favorite fruit?    Apple bites
4. What is your favorite TV show?         Penguins
5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch?  Peanut butter and jelly toast
6. What is your favorite outfit?   My new one right here (dirt bike racing jersey)
7. What is your favorite game?    Trouble
8. What is your favorite snack?   Sprinkled yogurt
9. What is your favorite animal? Rafael (tmnt)
10. What is your favorite song?   Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (theme song)
11. What is your favorite book?   Ninjagos
12. Who is your best friend?       Mason (from school)
13. What is your favorite cereal?           Chocolately! (Reece’s puffs)
14. What is your favorite thing to do outside?  Play on the Pirate Ship (at school)
15. What is your favorite drink? Orange Juice

16. What is your favorite holiday?         Christmas
17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night?         all of my stuffed animals
18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast?       Peanut butter and jelly toast
19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday?    A birthday cake
20. What do you want to be when you grow up?           A police man  



Henry Mercer - 5 years old  

Peace on Earth.

Sitting at the lake - praying asking God what he has for me. Returned to car. Got an email that we are officially a licensed Foster Care home, effective today.

Ok Jesus - what's next?

That's just how we roll...

Oh, where to begin now. 

The best news - our home study has been sent to the state for approval!!  When I messaged our worker with a note on how speedy I thought it all went, she replied with "That's just how we roll!"  

That's going to be my motto this week!  

In a little bit sadder news - we've been notified that they are moving forward with an aunt for a placement for Dude 1 and Dude 2.  While this makes zero sense in my head - since aunt has sister, and sister is set for reunification - how are they going to keep the boys from the confusion of visits with mom - it's not for us to contest at this time.  We did tell them to let us know if something falls through.  We feel sad about this and worried for the boys.  Just keep praying for them and that they'll find the loving home that they need! 

So - without an idea of a placement in our future - we're really just sitting and waiting now.  Once our license comes through (she said before Christmas probably! yikes!) - we'll be working with a F/C case worker and an Adoption worker since our goal is to adopt from Foster Care.  We have decided to only take permanent wards right now, which means it could possibly take a long time for children in the age range we're capable of caring for become "available" for adoption. 

Saying Yes

Did you know that Dude 1 and Dude 2 have a little sister?  

Probably not - because I haven't really been telling anyone.  

But last night - when we were at our last training class (woot woot!!) - our licenser was putting some finishing touches on our paperwork and asked again what age range we want it to say.  

First, we decided 3-9 (to cover Dude 1 getting older).  

Then I stopped her.  I looked at husband.  He looked at me.  And we said ... 

"Welllll... there is sister." 

"Do you want me to put infant-9?  You'd need to set up a crib."

"Sure okay, we'll put it in our bedroom." 

What?!?  We can't take baby girl too.  We wouldn't even be able to pay for daycare - I'm certain of it.  When we first read their 17 page life and it mentioned her, we talked about it and said, "Maybe when she gets older like 2 or 3..."    (side note:  she is not even available right now, her goal is currently reunification) 

But we just couldn't exclude her from our license age range. 

Which means I guess we're putting the crib back up. 

I'm telling ya ... when you're stepping out into the work God is calling you to do - don't put stipulations on it. 

Example:  Sure God, we'll look into adopting from foster care.  But we only want kids younger than our own kids.  And only one child.  Maayyybe two. 

Ha. 

Keep praying for us!!  We are trusting that HIS plans are greater than our plans!! 

Forward in Faith...

Yesterday was a roller coaster day.

I got an email that gave us seventeen pages about a sibling group we've inquired about.  Let's call them Dude 1 and Dude 2.  Seventeen pages of their lives.  And this is supposed to help us decide if we'd like to pursue further. 

I left school with anxious and excited knots in my stomach.  I was talking like a crazy person in the car all the way home.  "I'm scared I'm scared I'm scared"

In perfect timing, on comes this song:



(first line hint:  "Jesus, my soul is fearless ... for You are with us, fighting for us"

I also notice on the way home that Owen is falling asleep in the car, which is odd.
Then we get home and he starts acting sick, not eating, not moving, and oh yeah - he has a fever of 102.  So I start gearing up to take another sick day and plan for a sub - again.  This is the third time this year already that I've had to stay home with a sick child.  Nick has also already taken 3 days.

Then.  We get a call that our well water test came back positive for coliform bacteria.  Again.  He recommends another smaller treatment.  Which is fine - no one wants bacteria in their water (though I'm guessing it's always been like this, from what I read online it's pretty common for private wells to have a trace of this) But we just spend over $200 on the first treatment.  And more than that on getting our septic pumped.  Did I mention Owen needs a new window in his bedroom?  Or the car repairs we just did?  Or how I got a ticket for expired registration for our car?

And so begins the debate ... are these signs for us to slow down?  Or are they road blocks from the enemy trying to stop us from doing God's work that He's called us to do?  Or BOTH?