April 2016 is a month that we will always remember
By definition a full quiver is one with five arrows...
I am blessed to say that this month our quiver is FULL!
In modern times a 'full quiver' looks more like this!
How can that be?
Frank and I welcomed two precious foster children into our family...
Back up 5 years...
Frank and I have always felt called toward local adoption and started our journey back in 2011 with Life Choices. After starting and stopping the process a couple of times due to becoming pregnant we were ready to update our profile in 2015 however Life Choices had a wait list for their infant adoption.
As we continued to pray and seek direction God unexpectantly turned our hearts toward foster care. We attended the training classes last summer to find out more information and by the end of the eight weeks God had confirmed our path.
This past February our home was approved through the Tennessee Baptist Children's Home. We put our "yes" on the table and stepped out in faith that God would equip us for what he had in store.
As we reflect back on 10 years of marriage God has been so faithful and has met our needs at every turn! We have these rocks in our front entry as a constant reminder of His faithfulness. Even though the journey of foster care is hard and often messy we fully trust that God will provide for all our family's needs.
All seven of us!
**A special thanks to Ashley and Justin Veneman who graciously took our family pictures**
We obviously cannot post information about our children or their situation but I still wanted to document our journey in a special way. May is National Foster Care Awareness Month and it was one year ago that God started to stir my heart after reading about these precious children who need a loving home.
Week 1:
I'm not going to lie - the first week of having five kids was kinda crazy. Laundry and dishes piled up and my house...and brain...were all out of sorts. Thankfully my parents came in town and helped get our life back on track (or a new track you could say). My Mom was amazing at helping me around the house and running all my errands to get our home set up. My Dad was such a blessing and finished the guest house for us (more on that at the end of the blog).
Clothes still a mess but at least they are clean : )
Our friends, neighbors, and Life Group have been amazing at providing delicious meals for us. Just like after having a baby, shopping and cooking is hard to manage when learning how to juggle five kids.
Hello 1st Grade!
Although school is winding down for most people...I just started : )
Week Two:
I made an extra effort to take care of myself which included drinking LOTS of water, increasing my protein, waking up early, and more Jesus time : ) I know that until Jesus fills MY cup I will not have anything to offer these little people who look to me to meet their needs.
I also took time to set up some organizational systems that has helped our home flow better. Above is our morning/after school/night schedule - this has helped everyone know what's coming next. Elizabeth Elliot said, "Do the next thing."
That one statement has helped me through many days!
Frank gave me blocks of time without kids so I could clean and organize the house. I realized that cleaning for me is actually calming. I literally can't think when the house is out of order. My favorite thing to do is listen to a podcast (inspired2action or family life) and enjoy the process.
Wow- That's a lot of shoes!
Just wait till Judah is wearing shoes too - ha
Week 3:
We transitioned the kids into a girls room...
...and boys room.
This move has made our nap/bedtime routine a lot easier as we are more on the same schedule. All the kids have done well adapting and have enjoyed each other. The boys love to make up silly games and build towers. The girls are almost like twins - whatever one is doing the other wants to do at the same time. Judah is in the nursery and is just going with the flow.
I am starting to get a handle on what it takes to feed an army. We are still receiving meals from our life group and I cannot thank them enough! They have truly been the hands and feet of Jesus for us these past few weeks.
Assembly line for packing lunches
I've never had so much milk in my fridge at one time.
We are going through about a gallon of milk a day!
Although I have taken a short break from the kids' era study as we adjust into our new normal we have become even more intentional about teach Jesus and show the love of God to our children. We have never experienced a more real 'life on life' discipleship opportunity as this one. We have the amazing privilege and opportunity to love on, teach, and pray over these precious kids who are in our home. It was the Gospel and Jesus that were the driving force behind our decision to become foster parents and we desire for Him to continually guide us every step of the way.
A common concern and question we get.
Our thoughts exactly...Even more true with five children : )
Our new little girl drew this picture.
When I asked her to tell me about it she said, "It's me and my brother in our new home." I love the BIG smiles!
The past three weeks have been FULL. Full of the sweetest moments that our family has ever experienced as well as the hardest. Although foster care is hard and sometimes messy process I wouldn't trade this time with them for anything. We are praying that our time with these little ones would count for the Kingdom.
In other news:
Frank finished the guest house!
We had help from friends and my Dad to complete the final punch list since Frank had his hands a little full (understatement of the year)!
Done!
We are thrilled beyond belief to have this project complete and our tenant moved in!
I am not sure what May will bring...
I have trusted the Lord to save me for Eternity and I will trust him to lead me through today.
