Wondering if our "adoption story" is finished or still being planned out by God. I can say that I have enjoyed the freedom that comes with my kids getting older. OK, not really freedom; but - not having to do everything for them does give parents of older children a LITTLE bit more time - lol. Of course there are different challenges and different rewards. We are still doing foster care; so that chapter of our life is still open. And I can honestly say that I just can't close that part of my heart yet - we have been praying for a few years now about ending our time as foster parents to focus more on "our" kids; and also because dealing with the "legal", "paperwork", and "business" side of foster care for lack of better terms can and are very frustrating, stressful, and downright exhausting. But... there are just SOOOOO many kids who deserve a loving home; and wow, how my heart longs to help them.
I was at my local Children and Family Services office the other day for a meeting regarding my foster son... they had NINE, let me repeat NINE children that would be spending the night at the OFFICE, because they could not find foster homes for them!!!!!!!!! One of which was a newborn baby.
A caseworker through a medical agency that I have worked closely with for the past 6 years called me today; she was SO upset - one of her kids on her caseload was found dead in his home yesterday - he was 2 years old and had severe medical problems (he was NOT in foster care - don't want to get that rumor started, we foster parents have a bad enough reputation as it is).
A local Children's Home that our church sponsers, and Matt and I have grown very fond of; is trying to raise the funds for cottages in addition to their current dorm style facilities to allow sibling groups of different genders to live together under one roof; and also because of the increasing number of YOUNG children they are getting referrels for. Young, as in under 5 years old. It just breaks my heart.
So.... I don't know. I can honestly say, I want it both ways; and whatever God has planned for me - I know will be the best.
-I have wanted to adopt a child from Africa for a long time.
-I have wanted to adopt a child from India for a long time.
-There are still opportunities for adoption through foster care.
-NOT adopting anymore, but continuing foster care; OR adopting one more and continuing to foster 1 child is also a GREAT possibility.
So.... I guess my adoption/foster care story continues, and I don't know the ending yet ;)
And, as inpatient as I am, I wish I could flip to the back of the book and sneek a peak at the ending - but God makes it SO much more interesting by taking me through it one page, one day at a time :)
