Salute to Foster Families

As we have been selling t-shirts, I get super mushy because we are SO appreciative of the support.  You don't realize what a treasure support from others can be. . . until you need it, or you have needed it in the past!  :)  In our first adoption, we recorded all those who assisted our family in one way or another.  We will do the same this time.  I am hoping to get a snapshot of everyone who buys a shirt (wearing their shirt) to put in the scrapbook!  What a cool tapestry of faces that will be!!  Anyway, as I was perusing little man's scrapbook, looking over names of some of the most generous people we have ever encountered, I was reading the page about the beginning of our process.  I had forgotten we researched over 20 different countries!! 

There was something else I had forgotten.  At the time, through family and friends, we had seen just one adoption finalized through the foster care system out of six attempted.  I knew I could not handle such an emotional roller coaster - getting attached only to find the child would not be our own - unless we were positive it was what God was calling us to do (I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  Philippians 4:13).  So I truly, wholeheartedly admire the families who wade through the ups and downs of the foster care system, holding on with all their might and fighting for the best interests of the child for which they are caring.  No matter the outcome, whether the child is reunited with their birth family or joins their new forever family, these foster moms and dads are a true representation of unconditional love.  It's not that they don't get heartbroken or frustrated; they just advocate for the children regardless of their own emotions.  We have some new friends through our homeschool group who I deeply admire.  They have 5 children altogether, and are just inspiring.  The kids are well-adjusted, well-behaved, and obviously loved.  They help give us the courage to grow our family!

We have some other friends who are fostering infants.  A blessedly tough job!  Imagine, they are getting all the precious snuggling and sweet newborn moments, but also taking all the sleepless nights, fussy tummies, and developing diaper movements!  I think God puts a special strength in families like this, to go through the physical demands of a newborn never knowing how long they will be in your arms.

Other family friends work as respite care providers, caring for children in the system when their main foster family needs time off.  I can only imagine the stresses of adjusting to a new child or children in the home in just a few days, only to have them leave and the dynamics be reset each time.

So this is our salute to all you foster parents (and grandparents) out there - I can only imagine the smile on God's face as He sees you care for His children!!

Smiles!