Monday, May 23, 2011
I love to see God working!
Just a quick note, so that I can document this moment! Just a brief explanation, So we have friends/neighbors who are also adopting, in the early part of the process as well. In speaking with them tonight, I believe God was speaking to both of us through each other! I believe I helped confirm something about their journey, which I totally know is right for them, and a door may have been opened for our journey. I have been really trying to strengthen my relationship with my heavenly Father, through His word and prayer, because I want to hear Him speak more clearly in my life. I have to say, tonight I heard Him loud and clear AND I got to be used by Him to speak to someone else! Now that is good stuff! Sorry I can't give more details, but hopefully soon! Please just say some prayers for us and all of those who are in the process of adopting. Thanks!
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
I don't have anything exciting to say, just felt like writing today. We have part 2 of our home study next week, needless to say I am much less nervous about this one. Besides, I don't have time to be nervous-we have had so much stuff going on with the kids, from field trips, to talent show, to Confirmation-this last month of school is going to fly by!
Well speaking of field trips, I went with Bailey's class of 6th graders on a kayaking field trip today-a lot of work, but great fun-they are a great group of kids! But I was thinking how Bailey is going to be 13 this year, and how I was 13 when I started high school ( one of the youngest in my class), but more, how she is now in the years that I had the hardest time in growing up. I just remember struggling through my days, most of the time miserable and hating my family. I never did drugs or any other "bad" stuff, but inside I was a mess. I was trying to figure out who I was, and that changed on a weekly basis, or depending on who I hung around. I had no self-confidence and I just wanted to disappear most days. I try to figure out why, was it the school I attended, the kids I hung around, a lack of attention from my parents, hormones, who knows really- maybe all of that. But for a long time I have had a soft spot for middle schoolers. I guess because I remember those years and the way I felt. Yeah, middle schoolers are awkward and goofy, mature one minute and throwing a fit the next, responsible one day and irresponsible the rest, but this world wants them to be little adults and throws so much at them, can you blame them really? They are still kids, still trying to figure our who they are and more importantly, who they are going to be. I was reminded of a dream that I had a few years ago that I awoke from and knew it was a message from God. I was arriving at a stadium or conference center of some sort. Later, I was giving a speech to thousands of teens, although I'm not sure what about. But I was very passionate about whatever it was and I remember feeling very emotional as I was speaking. Now, I don't know what it means, but I just knew it was a message from God. Maybe it's a glimpse of the future, or a push in a certain direction for some sort of decision I will need to make, but I'm starting to think it's related to my love of middle schoolers, and maybe even adopting. No, I'm not going to give a home to thousands of teens, but maybe I need to help find a home for them. Maybe adopting gives me a window into their world and I can't help but try to help them. Being a teen is hard enough, but being a teen in foster care seems unbearable. It breaks my heart really. I recently read a book, Three Little Words, written by a girl from our area who grew up in the foster care system, although she was adopted when she was 11. It was a real picture of what kids in foster care are going through, and how they feel, and it's awful. I just want to find a way to help them, comfort them, guide them, like I wish someone would have done for me. So, I am pretty much thinking that the Lord is going to match us with a teen at this point, lol. I'm just praying for the opportunity and courage to be used to do whatever it is God is trying to lead me to. I'm also so thankful that Bailey has not seemed to have been cursed with whatever middle school madness I went through, and that she is such a blessing to us. Thanks for reading-just needed to share!
Well speaking of field trips, I went with Bailey's class of 6th graders on a kayaking field trip today-a lot of work, but great fun-they are a great group of kids! But I was thinking how Bailey is going to be 13 this year, and how I was 13 when I started high school ( one of the youngest in my class), but more, how she is now in the years that I had the hardest time in growing up. I just remember struggling through my days, most of the time miserable and hating my family. I never did drugs or any other "bad" stuff, but inside I was a mess. I was trying to figure out who I was, and that changed on a weekly basis, or depending on who I hung around. I had no self-confidence and I just wanted to disappear most days. I try to figure out why, was it the school I attended, the kids I hung around, a lack of attention from my parents, hormones, who knows really- maybe all of that. But for a long time I have had a soft spot for middle schoolers. I guess because I remember those years and the way I felt. Yeah, middle schoolers are awkward and goofy, mature one minute and throwing a fit the next, responsible one day and irresponsible the rest, but this world wants them to be little adults and throws so much at them, can you blame them really? They are still kids, still trying to figure our who they are and more importantly, who they are going to be. I was reminded of a dream that I had a few years ago that I awoke from and knew it was a message from God. I was arriving at a stadium or conference center of some sort. Later, I was giving a speech to thousands of teens, although I'm not sure what about. But I was very passionate about whatever it was and I remember feeling very emotional as I was speaking. Now, I don't know what it means, but I just knew it was a message from God. Maybe it's a glimpse of the future, or a push in a certain direction for some sort of decision I will need to make, but I'm starting to think it's related to my love of middle schoolers, and maybe even adopting. No, I'm not going to give a home to thousands of teens, but maybe I need to help find a home for them. Maybe adopting gives me a window into their world and I can't help but try to help them. Being a teen is hard enough, but being a teen in foster care seems unbearable. It breaks my heart really. I recently read a book, Three Little Words, written by a girl from our area who grew up in the foster care system, although she was adopted when she was 11. It was a real picture of what kids in foster care are going through, and how they feel, and it's awful. I just want to find a way to help them, comfort them, guide them, like I wish someone would have done for me. So, I am pretty much thinking that the Lord is going to match us with a teen at this point, lol. I'm just praying for the opportunity and courage to be used to do whatever it is God is trying to lead me to. I'm also so thankful that Bailey has not seemed to have been cursed with whatever middle school madness I went through, and that she is such a blessing to us. Thanks for reading-just needed to share!
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Home study Part I
I'm a little behind on blogging, we've had a busy week. We spent the first part of this week (Spring Break) at a resort in Orlando, well Davenport actually. The resort is privately owned town homes, and there is a wonderful pool with a lazy river and water slide. The town home we stayed in was nothing special, 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, kitchen, etc, but it really needed some updates-so that made it so-so in our book. But we spent lots of time at the pool, the kids loved it, and we had a nice time-not too long, not too short.
We had the first part of our home study on Thursday, so we came home and cleaned the house on Wednesday. Our Family Adoption Specialist, Lindsay, came at 11 on Thursday. We were nervous( ok, I was), not really knowing what to expect, but it was really easy. She just sat and talked with us, and asked us questions-things like: why we want to adopt, the specifics of the child we are looking for (age, gender, race), and what types of "issues" we are willing to consider in a child: ADHD, physical handicaps, mental handicaps, fetal alcohol syndrome, even "verbally defiant"-lol-what kid isn't?, just stuff like that. So, we discussed all of those things and decided what would work for us, so she can get an idea of who would be a good fit with us. She also asked for a brief description of each of our children. We were just open and honest, as usual, and felt really comfortable. We also gave her a tour of our home, showed her the kids rooms and discussed where the new kid will go. We will have another appointment in a few weeks, and then we should be done with all of the "application process"! The agency has "match meetings" once a week, a group of people including Lindsay, meet to discuss possible family matches for the kids. If they agree we are a good match, then we will get some info about the child and we can decide if we would like to get more detailed information and meet the child. From there it's just a period of getting to know the child and letting them get to know us, and once we are comfortable, the child moves in. After they move in there is a minimum of a 90 day period, to make sure everything is going well, if the case workers think all is well then we finalize! So, we're moving into a very exciting time in this process and I will try to keep you up to date on all of it.
Besides our vacation and the home study, I went with Bailey on her confirmation retreat this weekend. It was at St. Leo's University, a very pretty place. We had a great time just hanging out together, and with friends, and I think it really helped the kids to understand how important it is to be confirmed into their faith. I just really have a heart for middle schoolers and am glad I got to share this experience with them. It was a great weekend and it reminded me of God's purposes for me and gave me a renewed spirit to "go and make disciples"!
We had the first part of our home study on Thursday, so we came home and cleaned the house on Wednesday. Our Family Adoption Specialist, Lindsay, came at 11 on Thursday. We were nervous( ok, I was), not really knowing what to expect, but it was really easy. She just sat and talked with us, and asked us questions-things like: why we want to adopt, the specifics of the child we are looking for (age, gender, race), and what types of "issues" we are willing to consider in a child: ADHD, physical handicaps, mental handicaps, fetal alcohol syndrome, even "verbally defiant"-lol-what kid isn't?, just stuff like that. So, we discussed all of those things and decided what would work for us, so she can get an idea of who would be a good fit with us. She also asked for a brief description of each of our children. We were just open and honest, as usual, and felt really comfortable. We also gave her a tour of our home, showed her the kids rooms and discussed where the new kid will go. We will have another appointment in a few weeks, and then we should be done with all of the "application process"! The agency has "match meetings" once a week, a group of people including Lindsay, meet to discuss possible family matches for the kids. If they agree we are a good match, then we will get some info about the child and we can decide if we would like to get more detailed information and meet the child. From there it's just a period of getting to know the child and letting them get to know us, and once we are comfortable, the child moves in. After they move in there is a minimum of a 90 day period, to make sure everything is going well, if the case workers think all is well then we finalize! So, we're moving into a very exciting time in this process and I will try to keep you up to date on all of it.
Besides our vacation and the home study, I went with Bailey on her confirmation retreat this weekend. It was at St. Leo's University, a very pretty place. We had a great time just hanging out together, and with friends, and I think it really helped the kids to understand how important it is to be confirmed into their faith. I just really have a heart for middle schoolers and am glad I got to share this experience with them. It was a great weekend and it reminded me of God's purposes for me and gave me a renewed spirit to "go and make disciples"!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)