Closed doors, open windows

A little over a year ago we closed the door to ever having biological children. I am not doubting God's miracles, we are just no longer pursuing anything with doctors. The day we made that decision was not easy for either of us, and of course he was on the boat-this made it even more difficult for him. Over the past year we have grown in our marriage and for that I am ever so thankful. God continues to show us it is not our way, but His.

After 10 grueling months of living in a travel trailer- whose idea was that?- we decided to buy instead of build. The main motivation for this was that Lance happened upon a house almost exactly what we wanted to build. (God thing!) Words can not express the feeling of being back in a house again. I know the saying says "home is where the heart is", but that tin can kept getting smaller every month!

We reopened our home for foster care with the intentions of just that, foster care. We know that in the future we want to pursue private adopt. However, we want it to be on God's time and not ours. Over and over again He proves that when we push something to happen before it's suppose to we usually get more heartache brought on by ourselves.

Last night God brought sweet twin girls into our home. People may not understand why we do what we do, and that's okay. If you know me from forever ago, then you know my heart is and has always been for children. Especially those who go without the necessities. About 9 years ago my husband started praying for a wife and I started praying for a husband. (Of course neither one of us knew this until about a year into our relationship.) I know God made us for each other, because Lance has that huge heart for children just like I do. All you have to do is hear it in his voice when I tell him we received another call for a placement. (He will deny, deny, deny, but don't be fooled!)

Who knows how long we will have these twins in our home, but I'm pretty sure they'll forever be in our hearts. One of the blessings of opening our home is hearing, "Will you hang it on the fridge?"

When it seems God has closed the door, remember there are still windows to open!

Ode to 27

On the eve of my 27th birthday I reflect on how much my life has changed in the past 7 years as I went from the "teen" years to being a "real adult". The year I turned 20 is also the year I "screwed my head on straight" according to my Papaw. Why? Because I met the love of  my life! Lance has definitely made the past 7 years of my life amazing! (Technically we met in March of that year.)

The verse comes to mind from Proverbs 22:6

"Train up a child in the way he should go,

And when he is old he will not depart from it."

I'm in no way OLD! I'm only pushing 30 and 30 is NO LONGER "old"! (I don't even think 50 is old anymore!)

 I am celebrating the fact that I have grown in the past 7 years, all thanks to the christian raising from my parents & the love of a husband I never thought was possible.

In this year I am excited, because I am healthier than I have been in the past 7 years, in love more than I could ever imagine, and grasping the understanding that it's not my will, but HIS.

So, here's to 27. May it be a great year and bring many new opportunities!

(My cake that my love made last year) 

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)