It's been a good day for some of those not so fun jobs like cleaning the garage and sorting tools and boxes of junk. Steve is home so everybody is busy. Lawns are being mowed. Weed whacking is happening. Quart jars stored in the garage are getting their turn in the dish washer.The trees were fertilized, the garden watered, the edges of the flower beds trimmed, and the bees are waiting their turn for attention.
Steve and I are nearly done the foster care classes. It's been an interesting experience. We have learned a lot. Washington and Oregon are over-flowing with children in need of care. The need is very serious and to embark on trying to fulfill the need is a serious undertaking. We continue to pray and ask for wisdom. We feel God is leading, but it isn't real easy for me to talk to most people about it because I don't think that a lot of people will think positively about such an undertaking. I guess I don't know why I should worry about whether or not people understand. Christ gave His life for even the broken, hurt and discarded children, it seems right to be willing to help. I think that we have a lot to offer. My prayer is that if there is even one life that we could make a difference in, one life that we could lead to God, that He would put us together. If there isn't truly anyone we could benefit then we ask that He will close the door.
I Would Gather Children
Some would gather money
Along the path of life,
Some would gather roses,
And rest from worldly strife.
But I would gather children
From among the thorns of sin,
I would seek a golden curl,
And a freckled, toothless grin.
For money cannot enter
In that land of endless day,
And roses that are gathered
Soon will wilt along the way.
But oh, the laughing children,
As I cross the sunset sea,
And the gates swing wide to heaven
I can take them in with me!
Untitled Comment
Posted by Handmaiden on Sunday, April 26, 2009 at 06:13 - Link
I love the poem, did you write it?. I have been a foster mother of 5 children ( along with my own 10) I was a widow when I went into foster care, with 7 of my children still at home. I had just adopted my first foster baby who was severely mentally handicapped. The SS called me and ask if I could take in one or two of four siblings. I said "NO" I will take all four. I just couldn't bear the thought of them being split up. I had been their mother for about 6 months when I began feeling that I couldn't keep it up alone. I concluded that I needed to give them up. Not more that two weeks later a neighbor came over with a man to test my well water. Well about 4 months later we were married and 4 months later we were able to adopt "our" 4 children. Oh yes he had 3 children. We had your, mine and theirs. If the Lord leads you to it, you will never rest until you follow His leading. It is not all roses. Be sure that you get all the information you can about the childs background so that you will be better equipped to help them and seek outside help is they need it. May God be with you. Anne
Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, May 8, 2009 at 10:34 - Link
Found your blog through Gloria's and just wanted to tell you that I was so afraid to tell people when we were adopting our 7th child. I was worried about what others would think. I was worried about how my parents would react, who are very old school. Everything went fine, no judgments that I know of. Then when number 8 came around, I had more confidence than ever before and could careless what people thought including my parents.
We know that another child is waiting for us in China. I am not worried at all this time. I know that my husband and I are doing what we are doing all for the glory of our Father in heaven. We truly believe that God has called us to do this and we are just being obedient to His call. Doing so brings peace to the whole process.
Good luck any may you follow what God calls you to do!
Sally
