Thursday, July 4, 2013

Journey's End. { Foster Care }

As I wrote on Facebook yesterday:

There's a time and a place for everything. And my time as a foster mom is officially over, God willing.

I believe our time was for a specific purpose and a special family and The Lord seen them through! Praise His Name! The little boys are officially reunited with their family. I could not be more happy for them.

Foster care is about reuniting families that have been healed, or given the tools and resources to rebuild and restructure their homes. I pray these improvements last a life time.

We'll still babysit - probably quite a bit, and we'll be the family support as always. We won't have time to miss the kiddos much. They live just down the road.

So yes, I'm done - God willing. We're open to His plan and purpose for our family---------------------- but I'm feeling convicted that for right now it means stepping back, reorganizing, and restructuring our own home on a little bit less hectic schedule.

We are entering a new phase in the life of our older girls. I can see that we have but a few short years left with them all at home together.

The twins are in need of more of me. I expect to homeschool James by next year full time.  Their therapy is pretty intensive. I need to give it my best shot! 

Personally, I need more time with God. I'm looking for more than 4 - 5 hours of sleep at night. I'm anxious to see what kind of garden I have still ( thanks to Brianna for keeping it going). It seems all my favorite hobbies are dead and gone away... I don't play the piano anymore. My houseplants have pretty much all died. I haven't had time to make Missy a dress on ages.

In the grand scheme of things, these little things are not so important as the life of a child, but they do make a house a home and I do have 5 kids and a husband to keep a home for ******** a home built on the pattern in heaven full of love and joy-- serene and peaceful - centered on Christ is our goal.

There's a time to share the family and to help shoulder the burden's of others ... And there's a time to regroup.... I think this is our time.


A Time for Everything
1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
2 a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
3 a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 a time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7 a time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8 a time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
9 What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboreth?








6 comments:

Sean and Lisa said...

Well said and beautiful as always and full of much wisdom.

Sean and Lisa said...

Well said and full of much wisdom as always.

Jennifer P said...

Well said. It's bittersweet, no? I miss being a foster parent, making a difference, pouring into the lives of others, being a bridge for that time and place in a child's life. Then I think of the hectic schedule, visitations, disappointments, highs and lows, and can't imagine fitting those in right now. Clearly you have been spirit led in this decision. And it doesn't mean you can't be used for His glory in the future!

Kelly said...

I had thoughts that our time as foster parents had come to an end as well...and as you know God had other plans.

Glad for you that you have come to a place of peace about your decision. You have given so very much to this family and I agree it is your family's turn.

So happy they still have you and your ministry may be over as foster parents but not as their mentor and friend. God will still use you in a mighty way with this family.

Laurel said...

So glad that you may get a little more peace and a bit more sleep, but I am sure your twins will continue to keep you on your toes. :)

Blessings to each of you. You have done a GREAT job in being available for the little guys and their family.


Laurel

Oldqueen44 said...

Good decision making. Blessings to you. So happy for the family reunion.