Delightful

One of my favorite verses is

"Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart." 

{Psalm 37:4}

So often I only focus or meditate on the last past of that verse "and He shall give you the desires of your heart" and neglect to understand the first part of it. The past couple of days I have been trying to understand what it means to "delight yourself in the Lord." 

Another blogger stated it as being immersed in His word, finding the blessings around you, praising God for your current blessings, and seeking God daily.(I'm sorry, I don't remember where I found this blogger.)

 Then, I started to find verses talking about singing praises to God and being joyful in Him. This confirmed for me that in order to be delightful in the Lord, I need to focus on the blessings He has already given me. So, this is what I found in my studying... The more I focus on God the more I will be in His will; when I am in His will then His desires will be my desires. Then, I will receive His blessings. BECAUSE even when we have it all planned out on our calendars, God's calendar is BIGGER and BETTER. :)

THEN I came across this verse in 2 Samuel...

It says that God delighted in me! When I read this I realized that my sovereign, omnipotent, awesome, God of the universe chose to delight in a man who was in His will. Even more amazing that God's grace covers us in love and He delights in His people. IF God can delight in me, then surely I can find time to delight in Him.   

(Just a personal reflection I wanted to share) 

Change of course

The funny thing about a journey is that no matter how well planned or organized the trip, sometimes a detour or change of course takes place.

Lance and I have been discussing our options the past couple of months. Our heart is still open to adoption, but we also have the desire to be parents to biological child/children. Since this desire is so great and we haven't exhausted all efforts with the specialist; we have decided to suspend our home from foster care for a little while and pursue seeing the fertility doctor once again.

I write this post to ask for prayers as we go through this process. We don't know what will occur or what will come from these doctor visits.

Living in a Shoe

A month ago I decided to do respite for two brothers; 7 and 5 years old. Whew! That's about all I can say. A friend at church even brought to mind the nursery rhyme:

"There was an old lady who lived in a shoe,

She had so many children she didn't know what to do."

That's what I felt like for 7 days. Don't get me wrong, I brought it upon myself by not saying no. However, I learned two things: 1. I can do it (for a week at least). 2. God is my rock! Lance happened to be working that week, so it was me and God (just like that Josh Turner song).

Now we are back down to 2. And I know a little more of what to do. We have been busy these past two months. I just felt the need to post since November is Adoption Awareness month.

I don't want to go into detail for the privacy of the twins, but please pray for them. Their life has been an emotional roller-coaster for the past month and a half. It not only affects their well being, but other aspects of their lives.

Here are a few pictures of our fall fun (that we manage to squeeze in)!

 Pumpkin Patch games

 Carving Pumpkins

 One for a ninja and one for a gypsy

It's a God thing!

God knows what He's doing (duh!). I just had to "say that out loud".

Three weeks ago our first placement went home to her momma. I just have to keep telling myself that God knows what He's doing. (See I even typed it 2 x's.) Within a week of her leaving we received a call for twins. How overjoyed I was in that phone call!

The reason for my joy:

This summer the twins came to stay with us for a week. At the end of the week we were easily attached. We assured them they would always have a home with us. I continued to pray for them and think about them. Now here they are again.

It's a God thing for sure!

But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You;

Let them ever shout for joy,

because you defend them;

Let those also who love Your name

Be joyful in You.

Psalm 5:11



I am enjoying being a foster parent more than imaginable. The blessings God has bestowed upon Lance and I are eminent. Both of us have been able to testify of His greatness and the need for foster care. If anything comes of our experience it will be to spread the word of the need to provide a safe and loving home for children who have lost everything.

Here is the website for information for fostering in Louisiana:

http://www.dss.louisiana.gov/index.cfm?md=pagebuilder&tmp=home&pid=120

There are other ways to help children in foster care:

Be a CASA!
http://louisianacasa.org/
 

I want my Issac not an Ishmael

As I was listening to 88.7 FM The Cross a week or so ago I happened to listen during the talk show "It's a Mom Thing". They were sharing the adoption story of a widow. I am not sure how she became a widow, because I  started listening during the middle part of the story. However, she did end up adopting. I loved her story, because she did not have a desire to adopt. Her answer to people was "God hasn't spoken to me about adoption." When people did not understand this response she would tell them, "I want an Issac not an Ishmael."

My heart beamed when she said that! That is exactly how I feel, but I did not know how to put it into words. I can promise you Lance and I want a child of our own more than words can express. However, we know in our hearts that God has a special child for us, just like He did for Abraham and Sarah. In the mean time we are excited to receive the blessings each child brings into our home.

Blessings we have received:

1. We have been able to touch the life of a child who was born 2 months to the date before we were even married.

2. We have been able to touch the life of twins who were born before Lance and I even knew each other existed on this earth.

3. We are learning how to see life through different eyes.

4. We have met some wonderful people through the foster care  system that maybe we would have never crossed paths.

5. We are able to experience parenthood in  unique manner.

Oh! And the lady did end up adopting. Her story was amazing! Readers' Digest Version:

Her and a friend were talking about a possible adoption situation. That night she dreamed that she met someone at a gas station and picked up a curly head boy. A few days later she had a lady come to her front door asking for help. The widow helped the lady and then the lady told her she wanted her (the widow) to adopt her child. They met at a GAS STATION and the BOY had CURLY HAIR. (chill bumps!) God's power is amazing!

And. Then. There. Were. THREE!

When I saw Ms. C's number pop up on my caller ID yesterday my heart fluttered. She's the one who called us about our first placement, so I hoped she was calling for another placement. She asked how things were going and if I had a moment to talk.

First let me explain the word respite. Respite is when a person who is a foster parent needs a break from their current children. They may have planned a vacation or special trip in which they were not expecting a couple of extra people joining them. They may also need time to just take a break.

So, in saying that we are going to provide respite next week (Monday through Sunday) for some fellow foster parents. We will have two extra children with us next week. We are EXCITED! We will have even more fun, because they are twins! I have always heard that twins are fun.

"Pretty in Pink" in pretty excited as well. She told Mr. Lance, after our trip to Aunt Betty's with all the cousins, that we needed to "get more kids". So, she will have her chance for a week.

God continues to bless us. I am overfilled with joy that we are getting to meet so many children through this opportunity and journey!

He gives the childless woman a household,

{making her}the joyful mother of children.

Hallelujah!

Psalm 113:9 (HCSB) 





Meet Joseph: Foster Dad

Tonight as I read from the devotional I recently started I was shown a new side to the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. I never thought of it in this way, but it is amazing!

Take a moment to read Matthew 1: 20-24.

In these verses it tells how the angel of the Lord came to Joseph in a dream and told him to take Mary as his wife. The angel also told him how Jesus would be born and was conceived of the Holy Spirit.

Think about it... Joseph had not even taken Mary to be his wife and she was already "with child". He was taking on the role of loving, caring for, and helping to raise some one else's child, and God's child at that. I have never looked at Joseph in this way. Tonight I gained an even greater respect for the man Joseph chose to become. He did not have to take Mary as his wife. He chose to take a step of faith and follow God's plan. He chose to step outside of his cultural/religious norms.

In the devotional it quoted a foster dad stating that in four years he had seen 7 children come in and out of his home. He had taken the time to care for them and love them while they were in their care. He wondered if he had made a positive impact on their life, what they were doing, and what they would become. I wonder what Joseph was thinking as he saw Jesus dying on the cross? He had taken 33 years of his life and called himself Jesus' earthly father. He cared for someone else's child.

How many men are willing to do that? I'm not bragging on my husband (although in my eyes he is the best), but I am honored to be blessed with him in my life.


Just a midnight snack to chew on! I had to type it while it was fresh on the mind.

 Roasting marshmallows for s'mores

 Taking the training wheels off



I love him! 

(I am following a devo plan "Fostering Hope" from www.fosteringhopeproject.org)

Tied Off

Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. (Hebrews 13:2 NKJV)


There are days when I wonder where is God leading us next. And just like a child I also ask "Why?" Over a month ago we allowed a stranger, an angel into our home. We have shown her love and planted a seed which we may never see the fruits until our meeting place in heaven.

This angel is still here with us, but we don't know how much longer. There's a term Lance uses on the boat: "Tied off". This usually happens when they have come upon bad weather or rough winds. They have to shove into the nearest bank and wait it out. During this time him and I get to talk more often than other times, because, well, basically he's bored. Lol.

This thought came to me today. Maybe God gives us times in our lives to "tie off" to the nearest tree trunk or piling. During this time we should take the opportunity of being "bored" to talk to our heavenly father more frequently. I stumbled across this verse in Hebrews (see above) as I started a new devotional today focused towards foster care. I know I didn't stumble across it accidentally, but am "tied off" to it for the next 31 days. God continuously reveals and reminds me of why Lance and I are called to be foyer parents. I just need to take the time to listen.

WHY?

A three letter word that I am sure I have heard at least 200 times since June 1st and will hear it a hundred times more:

Why do we do that, Ms. Becka?

Why is that house broken?

Why does she look like that?

Why are we going there?

Why is that green?

Why is it raining?

Why can't I go?

Why do I have to wear these shoes?

Why do I eat this?

Why does it get dark?

Why, why, why?

My answer to many of the "whys" is "because God wants it to" or "because I said so." As I was thinking about all the "whys" it made me think about our relationship with God. For 2 years we asked "why,God?"

Why do others around us get to be blessed to be parents?

Why can't we get pregnant?

Why can't someone ask us to adopt their child they don't want?

Why do we have to go through this trial?

Why do we have to cry these tears?

Why can't we be parents?

Why, why, why?

And the entire time, God was telling us in a still small voice "because I have a plan for you." Yes, we were listening to God. Yes, we were praying. Yes, we were reading His word. But, being a "child of God" we still asked "why". Just like this child in our home and hearts is now asking us "why".

As parents (and I proudly admit we are NEW at this!) we want to think that "because we said so" is enough, but yet we ask the same "why" to our heavenly father. When He says "because I said so, and it's in My word" He wants that to be enough for us, but we struggle with understanding that it is enough.

So, the next time your child asks "why",

remember you're walking in the same shoes (or running in your "fast" shoes)...

12:52 P.M., May 29, 2012

It was at 12:52 P.M. on May 29, 2012 that we received a call and found out we were certified as foster parents!

I give praise to our heavenly Father! I praise Him, because He changed our hearts and in turn our prayers changed. I praise Him, because he has opened doors when we thought doors would never open. I praise Him, because He has chosen us for a child at an appointed time we do not yet know. I praise Him, because He knows the plans and they are not of evil, but of HOPE!

I am thankful for our family and friends who have been with us through this journey and will continue to walk the miles with us.

My heart is overfilled with joy!

I get to be a momma :)

Exciting things are already taking place... some we know, some we don't know. Please keep in mind that I will only be able to share certain information due to the confidentiality of the children who will come in our home. Please continue to pray for us and for the children. We want to give them a chance when they have no chance. We want to give them hope when they have lost all hope.

"Then Hannah prayed and said: "My heart rejoices in the Lord; in the Lord my horn is lifted high..."

 (1 Samuel 2:1a)  

It takes a village...

I am a very lucky woman... I have several women in my life who have helped to raise and continue to influence me. First and foremost, I begin with my own mother, Momma a.k.a. Ma. God knew what He was doing when He brought me into her life as her first born child. (Yes, I am bragging about myself!) He gave her the opportunity to raise a girl into a young woman and He chose the BEST role model. She is the most kind hearted, loving, selfless, Christ loving woman I know.

"Momma and Me at my shower in Flowood"



" Momma fixing my hair for my wedding"



 "Memaw, Me, and Momma (Circa '96)"

Second, there was my Memaw (my mother's mother). I was so blessed to be called her granddaughter (and her only granddaughter for 21 years!). She gave everything she could for her children, her grandchildren, and even those she did not know. She set the bar high for all of her "girls". She even told my momma, in what happened to be the last year of her life, that I had become like one of her daughters. That is as close as you can get to your grandmother, in my eyes anyways. I spent many, many nights on the phone outside my dorm room at NSU planning for my future. Everytime we ended the phone call she would say "Well, I guess we have it figured out now". I could always call her and she was always there, unless of course she had "some interest in this movie" on Lifetime. :)

"Memaw and Me:September 2007"



Third, there are my aunts, Stephanie and Sharon. They gave me many fond memories growing up and have always supported me in everything I do. I can always count on them to have my back! And I always thought it was so cool to hear the cashiers say "Is she your daughter? She looks just like you!"

 "Stephanie (+Preslee), Me, and Sharon (a.k.a. Sissy): September 2007"

(They hosted one of my wedding showers)

There have been and continue to be other women in my life as well. I could not be more blessed to say that I have been reared in a Christian home and surrounded by Christian women. My prayer is that I can one day be the mother example that my mother and these women were for me!

Love you all!

Happy Mothers Day to ALL the mothers in my life!



The Power of Prayer

I am witness to the power of prayers. I have to say the most influential body of believers were those at FBC Gueydan. That group of believers BELIEVED in some prayer. I saw the affect of their faith. I have seen my own momma healed by prayers and I have seen families changed by prayers.

As I reflect over the past 2 years of our marriage I can see how prayer has helped us to grow. At first our prayer was to be blessed with our own biological children. Now our prayer is to be blessed with the opportunity to have children in our home. Some, no, most people don't understand our prayer and that's OK. Something I don't share with many people is that according to the fertility specialist invitro is our closest step to biological children. I am not completly comfortable with this idea, so it's one reason we haven't taken that route. I know my God is greater than any doctor and can perform miracles, but I also know he prepares us for things we do not know.. just like he did the Israelites. I just know that I don't want to miss his blessings, no matter what form they come to us in.

I think the knowing we wanted "noise" in our home happened when we hosted the Junior High girls for a D-NOW weekend. We had SO much fun with them in our home! After the fumes of the hairspray, the smell perfume, and they actually left our house we missed them. (I know, who misses teen girls in their home?) I think it was just the fact of having "noise" in our home, besides the 2 of us. Don't get me wrong we are enough for each other,but it was nice having others to share with.

Lance and I are truly blessed in more ways than we ever thought imaginable. This is one of the main reasons we feel lead to be foster parents. There are many children out there who are dealt a bad hand in life based on other peoples choices. We want to be the safe haven for them. We want to show them and share with them the love of Christ. Yes, we hope to adopt in the process... but as a co-teacher described a foster home she once knew... we hope to be a home with a revolving door.

The power of prayer can bring people a long way. Prayer is our way of communicating with the Most High. When we pray we need to remember that it is communication... as I tell my students: communication takes place when one person listens and one person talks and then the roles are turned. Sometimes I think we confuse communication with us being the only ones to talk and God to be the only one to listen. He speaks... we need to take the time to listen.

Cold Water and Microwaves

Good news from far away is like cold water to the thirsty

 Proverbs 25:25

We received a little note from our worker, Ms. B a couple of weeks ago:

We were told that everything was in place... well, that was not the case. As of today, we now have all paper work turned in! She was suppose to staff with her supervisor this morning and then turn it in to the state office for certification. From people I have talked with, once our home study goes to the state it shouldn't be long.

However; God speaks in a still, small voice... He is continuously reminding me in His word that it's all about His timing. AMEN! There is a child out there just for us and I don't want to miss that blessing. So my prayer is that everything works in accordance to His timing.

Thank you to everyone who has supported us and continues to support us! We love you all and are blessed to have you as family and friends.

From Our Daily Bread today...

"Maybe we need to be reminded that some things take time-God's time. ... During that time He prepared them (Israelites), taught them, and challenged them. (Ex. 13-17-18)."

"In our microwave world, we want everything done instantaneously. But sometimes that's not God's plan. Let's seek God's help and learn to accept His timing." 

What's in a name?

Juliet:

"What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet."

This quote came to me today as family members were discussing why they chose baby names for their children/future children. Where do names come from? Family names, biblical names, favorite actor/actress...

I have names picked out and they are the hope I cling to...  Only God knows our future and what will happen; God knows the children who will be placed in our home as their forever home. These children may not have been born in my womb, but they were definitely born into my heart. God has placed a special longing in my heart to be a mother to child. The most amazing thing is that God has a plan for that child and He is going to allow Lance and I to raise it in His ways.

By any other name the child will still be ours. Even if it's a name another family picked out, that child will still be ours. That child will still "smell as sweet" to our family, because the Lord gives his people a promise.

 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,

before you were born I set you apart;"

Jeremiah 1:5 (NIV)

He still Rises (even when we don't )

I am thankful that I serve a mighty and awesome God who continues to rise even when I don't! This a.m. was sunrise service @ 6 @ church... Needless to say I did not rise for the rising of the Son. Here lately I have been feeling drained of energy. (Therefore, I'm making an appointment to have my levels checked... Once again my body is deciding to act up.) I just keep in mind Jesus has risen and helps me to rise even when I think I can't.

It was also brought to my attention this week that we need to ask to be placed on the adoption list at Seller's Maternity Home in Baton Rouge. The question is always asked of me if we want a new baby or an older child. And honestly we will take in any child that God sees fit, because He is the performer of miracles and knows our plans (Jeremiah 29:11). Still the human nature in me, the mother in me wants to have the opportunity to mother a newborn baby and experience all the late nights and not knowing why they are crying. So... this week I'm calling for us to be placed on that list. I know that it could be 2 years or more before any chance of adopting through them... I just feel blessed and find peace in knowing that God has something amazing in store for Lance and mine's life.

The Lord will give strength to

His people; The Lord will bless His

people with peace.

{Psalm 29:11}

Let's do the "A" dance!

One of the many reasons I teach is to see joy in my students' faces when they achieve! Today that happened...

A student made all A's on his tests so far this week! He commenced to dance around the room. I asked him if he wanted to call his mom, and of course he did. After he told her his good news she asked to speak to me. She thanked me for letting him call, because she was glad to hear a good report. It made her day!

Moments like this make teaching worth every late night and early morning!

Hurry up and Wait...

Now we have passed our "final" home study... and Now we wait! 

We are still shooting for the middle of May to be ceritified as foster parents for the state. They are in the process of preparing a report on our home study and gathering our references (so, be nice if you're on our list!) :) 

Once all of that is finished we should be certified and awaiting children.

Some of the questions friends and family have asked are:

* What age kids will you take in? (We are saying 0-10, we will take in siblings who are older if it means not splitting them up)

* Where will the children come from? (It could be from any parish)

* Will you adopt or just foster? (We want to be a home that is loving and a safe haven for children who need a place while their parents work things out... If God opens the door to adoption (baby or older) then we will know, because it will "feel" right. We have been praying for children for 2 years now... if they are in our lives for 3 days, 3 weeks, 3 months, or forever... we know we will be blessed to have served them and to have shown God's love)

Questions from my students:

* So, you're taking kids from their parents? (NO! We are just opening our home to help families with the goal of reunification in mind)

* Will you adopt me? I'm gonna ask my momma! (No, you're momma loves you and I'm not taking you from her)


We are excited about this new journey in our life... 6 years ago when I met Mr. Huff I never would have imagined we would have grown to love each other this much that we want to share our love with children. I am thankful God has brought us through all of this and we have grown closer to Him and each other.

I pray every day God gives me the right words to say to the children who come into our home. I don't know where they're coming from or what situations they have faced or will face. But I do know that God has a plan for everything!

Thank you for all the support and prayers!

Homey and welcoming...

These were the words at the end of our first home study today... No we have to do 2 more individual meetings and then a final inspection. From what they are saying we will be ready to have children in our home in the middle of May. It's all in God's timing, because that would work out good with it being the end of the school year for me and more avialable.

I had a good time visiting with Ms. B. We discussed different types of behavior modification I would use and different ways to help children who come into our home. We also discussed various things as far as safety in the home.

I am still praying God will have us ready for the children who will come into our home. They will come from all different types of backgrounds. My prayer is that I am able to show them Jesus...

March 2nd!

This is the day we will have our first home study! During this visit I will meet our case worker (Lance met her last time he was home.) I will have my individual interview with her as well. She will do a walk through of our home and explain what they will expect to see to pass for certification at the final home study.

I am excited, but nervous as well. I pray things go according to God's will and I pray I don't babble from excitement :) Please pray for our case worker as well. This is all new to her, because she just recently started. So, we are walking through it all together with her superivisor Ms. G.

Keep the prayers coming!

A Whole New World

Got a call today to set up a time for my interview... Lance had his the last time he was home. I am excited to meet (let's call her) Ms. B our case worker! I didn't get to really talk to her today. Our call was dropped and my kids came in from recess... I left her a message letting her know my schedule and she's going to talk to Ms. G (the Superivisor) about scheduling an appointment.

It all seems surreal right now. Today I bought the fire extinguisher, plug-protector thingies, and drawer/cabinet child proof locks. Thinking about everything that is needed to finish "getting ready" for children to come into our home seems a bit overwhelming. However; I know in my heart it is God's plan for us and He takes care of us.

So, our world is changing and for the better! We are excited to see the children who will enter our home and pray that we are able to make a positive impact in their lives. Whether it's for 72 hours, 2 weeks, 6 months, or 3+ years.

Quoting Aladdin...

"A whole new world

That's where we'll be

A thrilling chase

A wondrous place

For you and me"

In the FBC 'Boro Newsletter this week....

To everything there is a season, To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: Ecclesiastes 3:1

This letter will appear to our church family this week in the bi-weekly newsletter.....

Dear Church Family,

Allow me to share with you my story. When I was 7 years old attending a church in Clinton, MS I walked the aisle for the first time to profess my faith in Jesus as my Lord and savior. Never in my life would I have thought that God was preparing my heart then for the ministry to come. I first heard the call to ministry when I was a teenager.  I will never forget that Sunday when I felt the Holy Spirit leading me down the aisle to make it public to my previous church, in Gueydan, LA.  I knew I was going to serve in a ministry in some form in the years to come. It is an experience that one can only understand on a personal and spiritual level.

Over the past 19 years God has allowed me to work with children in some form or fashion. He still continues to allow me to work with them today as He has lead me into a profession that I get to see them 5 days a week, 9 months a year. He has also allowed me to serve the children of this awesome church family over the past year and a half (give or take a little).

During His ministry on earth Jesus took a time of 40 days in the desert. He was alone, he was fasting, and he was praying in preparation for His ministry. Many times God calls His servants to do the same.  It is at this time that God has called me to resign from the position as Children’s Minister here at FBC Winnsboro.  Through prayer and meditation Lance and I have decided this is the way God is leading our family. We ask that you keep us in your prayers as we continue to seek God’s will in our life.

Just like God stirred in my heart over 2 years ago to be open for a place to serve at First Baptist Winnsboro He is stirring in the heart of someone right now. It may be someone already in the church or it may be someone He is leading to join the church. Only He knows. Pray this person will step up and be a person of courage to take the place as leader over the children’s ministry here.

You are an amazing church family! We wish to continue to worship and fellowship with you on a weekly basis. We have grown to love you as our church family. You are our church family.

In Christ’s Love,

Becka Huff

 CentriKid 2010

Prairie Street Prowl 2010

One step closer...

As I'm sitting in the dr's office on this fine rainy morning I can't help buy be excited to be one step closer! I'm waiting in getting a physical for foster care certification. I only have 3 more classes left and Lance will make his up while he's home this time. We will hopefully turn our packet in on Tuesday and await for our home study to begin. For those not familiar with it all a home study is when our worker will come to our home to talk to us and check to make sure everything is in place for children.

I pray every day that God will continue to prepare or hearts and home for whoever He has in mind for us. I want to make an impact on each child whether it's for a day, month, or years!

Everything Has Its Time

This year's Winter bible study is out of the book of Ecclesiates... tonight it was on chapter 3. I needed to hear this tonight. It reaffirmed the purpose God has set forth for Lance and mine's life. We've been in the time of breaking down, weeping, mourning, and losing. Now is our time to dance, build, laugh, speak, and heal! I will embrace this time just as I did the time we came from.

God puts us in places in the time we are suppose to be there. He brings up to it and through it. While I was going through that season I will admit my faith was shaken, however I believe it only drew be closer to Him and to Lance. I have learned to appreciate all God has given us. He has blessed us in more ways than we can imagine.

My prayer is that when these children come to us broken, scared, angry, confused that we will teach them to dance in the rain.

Thank you to our families (of all shapes and sizes) for being there to remind us to dance when it was raining... and for being there for us now as we can dance in the sun!

I'll keep dancing anyway- Mercy Me

Accepting His Will...

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord,

Plans of peace and not of evil,

 plans to give you a future and a hope.  

Jeremiah 29:11 

Over the past 2+ years Lance and I have been trying to have children. We have prayed, cried, been to doctors, talked, been angered, confused, shocked, frustrated, excited, hopeful.

And she was bitter in soul, and prayed to the Lord and wept in anguish. 1 Samuel 1:10

 Now we have chosen to accept God's will for our life together. It's not that we have not been seeking His will the past 2+ years, but we hoped that we would have children of our own. Many peope would say and have said "Just give it time", "It will happen when you're not thinking about it". At first I was bitter towards those words... what did people know they have children of their own. Now, I see they were trying in their own way to help with words of kindness. No one meant any harm by their words. I appreciate all the words and I appreciate all the prayers. Lance and I have great family (relatives, close friends, and church family) who have been there for us and we are grateful. Now we are starting a new chapter in our life... in our journey...

But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. Galations 4:4-5

We have chosen to become foster parents. We are excited about this new chapter in our journey. I have to say God has a timing for everything, because we are able to take the certification classes with my parents. It helps having support in the classes when Lance is not able to make it due to work. I am learning many things in these classes. The best thing is that my eyes are being open to a whole new world.

This is to mainly inform our church family and close friends we will be fostering. These children will become a constance in our life... which includes all of you!

Right now I can see that God is going to use us through many children to come. I can also see that I have allowed God to change my attitude, because I started focusing on Him and not our problem. Once I saw that God is able to work through us in more ways than we can imagine, then I became ready for Him to use me.

 pray without ceasing      

1 Thessalonians 5:17

Pray for us that we will make good decisions in this journey.

Pray that we will set the example of God's love for the children who come into our home.

Pray for the children who will become a part of our lives, whether it's for a day, week, month, year, or the rest of their lives.

Pray God sends us the child/children who will find their forever home with us through adoption.

Thank you for all the prayers the past 2+ years. Even though you may not have known exactly what you were praying for thank you for praying!

Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.   

Ephesians 5:1-2