And then your life changes.

This is going to come out disorganized and a little like word vomit.  That’s how my thoughts are right now, but I wanted to get this all down for memory’s sake.

 

To start at the beginning…

Brian and I have always had a heart for fostering and adoption, but we’ve always just pursued fostering to foster, with the idea that if the opportunity to adopt came up with one of our kids that we’d cross that bridge when we came to it.  In four years of fostering, that opportunity has never presented itself (which I think is pretty rare, really.) and God has grown in us the desire to adopt.  More specifically to adopt a child or children who would otherwise be difficult to find a home for (sibling groups, “older children”, etc.).

There are a number of things regarding our plans, life stage, etc, that lead us to a place where we feel like now(ish) would be a good time for us to adopt.  So, back in August of last year, we casually talked to our worker about our interest in actually pursuing adoption (while still fostering) (obviously.).

Here we are, seven months later, not having heard anything, I was beginning to think that maybe fostering is just what God has for us, and that would be ok.

 

Then…

 

On February 28th our family worker texted me…

“Would four be too many?”

Quickly followed up by…

“If three are school aged and there are no significant behaviors?”

 

Our immediate response was something similar to, “Are you nuts?”  Followed by prayer and conversation.  We decided to look into it.  Our hearts long to be obedient to Jesus.  We’ve been praying to adopt.  This is where we find ourselves. 

 

I should throw in there that we trust our worker very much.  She is even more protective of our family than we are, and I know she wouldn’t have asked us if she didn’t think it was a good match.

 

 

We really hadn’t heard anything about the kids since the initial question from our worker.  They were still looking into one last relative possibility, and nothing was for sure.

Fast forward to Monday, when I got a call from our family worker.

The last relative is being denied an ICPC.  The caseworker is petitioning to get a court hearing sooner than later for a permanency hearing (upon which they could officially start working on an adoption.).

 

 

 

She wanted to know if we want to meet the kids on Sunday.

 

 

 

Ummm…yes.  (?!?!?!)

It will be very casual.  Their foster parents will just introduce us as some of their friends, we’ll hang out for a while and play, and then we’ll leave.

Having maybe just met our children.

our children.

They are ages 3, 4, 8, and 11.  Girl, girl, girl, boy.

 

Holy. Cow.

We would really covet your prayers.  For discernment, for trust, for courage.  But most importantly for hearts like Jesus’ and for Him to plant love in our hearts for our children before we have even met them. 

 

My last thoughts are only,

Wow.  What a beautiful life that God has allowed us.  What a privilege to follow Him.  What an adventure he has us on.  Thank you Jesus.