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...