We have two more weeks of PATH classes. My heart truly breaks for these children in the situations they are in. I think about it all the time. The classes have made me a better mom. Even though they are long and I've had to depend on the whole country to help with our four kids-getting them home from practice, home from work, to dance, home from dance-I've still learned so much through these couple of months.
We had to postpone our next homestudy visit with our social worker due to me not getting all the paper work done and Steve's work schedule. It has been a lot trying to do homestudy paperwork along with student teaching homework. Last night at PATH they had a panel of people that have been through our journey or workers that can answer questions and give information. I left a little more frustrated than when I came. No one seems to be an advocate for just people who want to adopt. Everyone acts like it is so impossible. It's frustrating because we feel so lead in this direction. This has been such a trial of faith for me-just going on faith alone when everyone says it's not a good idea to go through the foster system to adopt. I have had so many people ask me...why are we doing this? I have gotten so many looks when the topic of adoption comes up...statements of don't you have four children already or why in the world would you put yourself through all this! I guess it does sound kind of crazy and it sounds even crazier that I am trying to finish my degree-student teach and complete all this but then I am reminded so many times over and over that this it's not our timing it's the Lord. We are driven with a force that is stronger than any that I have ever experienced. And although we don't have a face that we are praying for it is so humbling to hear my children pray for a child that is being prepared for our family and us for that child.
Family updates: cousin Rachel
We are in a new season of our life...(wouldn't it be funny if we ended up adopting a baby while we are full force into this new season of teenagers! ) My SIL and I use to sit around and talk about when we have teenagers. It is so much fun having teenagers raising them with family close. My brother has 3 children that are very very close in age to my boys. Well actually his daughter that is 12 is the same age of Leah Beth as well! This past weekend they hung out together-one of them drove them around-two of them slept over at Nana's and two of them (rachel and andrew) came to our house. They are all good buds and I love how they are such good friends and help each other out. I love even more that they are good teenagers!
3 comments:
Gretch. I have many thoughts cause i always think i need to be a problem solver! :) anyway, i would liken the looks people give you or comments made as a comparison of someone outside our church with no faith finding out that we are virgins before we marry or the fact we have never drank alcohol. they are dumbfounded and argue with you even (in my experience), that it's not possible. yet, we have a living prophet who recieved revelation that we should live that way. point being, we don't have to explain our 'quirky' idea's to others but maybe knowing it's foreign to them we can giggle that we know "what is what" and be excited about what is asked of us and focus on fullfilling the request. Good luck finding your beautiful child in the way you feel led. you may also be led that way because the Lord knows you will become a trailblazer for others on the same path. YOU CAN DO IT! :) xoxo
cousins post... soOOOooOO cute. :)
Joshua 1:9 (New Living Translation)
This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Gretchen,
I'm so excited that you are almost finished with the PATH classes. I know you will feel a sense of relief when that is complete. Yes, I can completely identify with how hard it is to complete papework while you are teaching!! It is totally time consuming and exhausting with everything else going on in life. You can do it though!!....stay steady...a little bit at a time. Keep your child in your mind and that makes it so much easier to complete. About the questions/comments...try to surround yourself with people who have been there before. Others simply do not understand. I can't explain the looks we have received, crazy questions we have been asked, etc...But just know that God sees your heart and he is looking for those who will diligently seek Him. He loves our future children more than we ever will and will do anything for us to hear His voice and give them an abundant life filled with love, joy, and hope... you know? You really can't explain that. Keep running the race....I'm cheering for you! It's so worth it. Much Love!!
Well, this is your journey and your family's. You are the only people it matters to. It doesn't matter what others think. Just remember that. Perhaps, it is part of the sweet realization that this is to be. Some of the greatest blessings come only after the test of faith, endurance and trial.
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