We've been foster parents for 6 months- half a year!! The time has flown by- most days I'm still trying to figure out how to succeed in the foster care world, but it's been an amazing time overall and it feels like just yesterday we got the call about our sisters needing a home.
I did want to take a moment to share a few things we've learned over the last six months.
1. We are stronger than we ever thought possible. We really didn't know what we were getting into when we said "Yes!" to our two girls. Some days have brought me to my knees. Some days I used up all the energy and strength I had left. Thankfully, we aren't on our own in this journey. God has sustained us through it all and our friends have come around us to help when we needed it.
Isaiah 41:10 "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
2. Patience is extremely important. There are many parties involved in making decisions in this case. That means a lot of waiting for answers or knowing something will happen, just not sure when it will actually take place. Don't get into foster care if you aren't patient or aren't willing to learn patience. Ha! I'm still working on being patient, but these girls make it worth it.
Romans 12:12 "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."
3. Flexiblity is more important. Remember when I said there are a lot of parties involved in the decision process? I've found myself having to let go of my "Type A" personality and just go-with-the-flow. Don't get me wrong- I still have baby girl on a schedule, my groceries are being ordered online each week and my house is usually in order. But when it comes to visits with the girls, appointments with CPS, court and all the other things, sometimes it just doesn't go as planned. I'm learning that it'll be okay if it doesn't go according to my plan, because there's a God who's sovereign and in control.
Proverbs 16:9 "The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps."
4. We would have said "Yes" all over again. Despite knowing everything we know now, all the hard we've had to handle, the drama that happens, the control we don't have and the heartbreak we know will come, we would say "Yes" again and again. Even if we don't get to have them in our home forever, they will always be a part of our family. Call us crazy, but we are attached and love our girls so much.
1 Thessalonaisn 5:23-24 "May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through . . . The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it."