A calling

It's crazy the way God works, no matter how hard I try I've never been able to read His mind, know His next move, see His plan for my life in advance so that I can do what I think I need in order to prepare.  Nope, hasn't happened yet, especially not this time.  

We go to a wonderful church, spirit-filled we like to call it.  Lively, diverse, welcoming, warm and inviting.  We attend regularly where our pastor faithfully preaches the Word of God, where our children's pastor and many amazing volunteers regularly teach the children things of the scripture.  There in that place our kids made some friends.  You see a godly foster mom brought her four foster boys regularly to church to hear about Jesus.  There our kids became friends with these four boys.  We invited them over after church, sometimes for the weekend, sometimes just for an afternoon, to play basketball, pool, carpetball, jump on the trampoline...whatever boys like to do.  That all started a couple years ago, just kids playing with friends.  

This fall we went to Yellowstone, took the family for a 3 week trip, had a blast.  Enjoyed some time away and looked forward to home and getting back into routine.  We were just cruising along in life enjoying life as it was.  Shortly after our return we were told that the four boys would be leaving their foster mom and would be separated in preparation for adoption, the next Sunday would be the last time we would see them so we needed to say goodbye.  Joe and I sat side by side in the living room with only one thought going through each of our heads.  We must do something.  But what on earth does a family with 8 kids do?????   We were pretty sure that Indiana Law states that you can only foster in a home with 5 kids or less.  We decided to do what we could and trust that if God wanted this to happen He would provide a way.  We talked with our kids, who were strongly in agreement with us, and we plunged forward.

We started making calls.  First to the former foster mom, which led us to a foster agency. The agency walked in our front door and the first thing out of her mouth was "how many kids do you have?"...followed by "I'm sorry I wish someone would've told you...".  You see the funny thing is we did tell people.  Every person we called actually.  We knew that could be an issue so we made a point of it. But if anyone would've actually heard that maybe that woman would've never come to our house.

So as this lady stood in my entryway she said "I just feel like this is where the boys need to be, let me make a call".  So she called another lady and asked if there was ANY possible way we could have them in our home, maybe if we skipped the licensing thing and went straight to adoption.  Neither was sure so she left promising to call us soon.  The next day I received a call from the lady saying to call their DCS care coordinator and see if it was possible because they couldn't find anything in Indiana law saying that you can't adopt if you have more than 5 kids, just that you can't be licensed to foster.  So I hung up with her and immediately called the DCS care coordinator.  This was on a Friday.  Once again Joe and I were pretty close to saying "well we tried", but we continued to say if God wants this to happen He will make a way.  Monday morning I receive a call from their DCS worker who informs me that two of the boys needed to be moved immediately and that I "couldn't have called at a better time."  She came out to the house that afternoon, did a quick walkthrough, and said "I'm not sure how fast I can make this happen, maybe a month, you need to get background checks and fingerprints, I'll keep you posted."  

She kept us posted, we did what we needed to and by Wednesday I picked them up at their former foster agency and moved them to live with us.  It took less than 2 weeks from the first day we started calling, and just 48 hours after meeting with DCS.  She was able to place them with us under a "kinship placement" because we knew the boys.  

This left the two other brothers.  The DCS worker promised to work on it but they were in a living situation that was working out and no changes were needed at that time.  Well that lasted about 2 weeks before we met with a large group of their team to find out that they would be moving in ASAP, and they moved in just 2 weeks after their brothers.  

I now have 6 bunk beds in one very large room, that smells of sweaty boys and AXE body spray.  I can't even believe I'm sitting here writing this...I never saw it coming.  As we told the DCS and foster people, we weren't looking to adopt or foster anyone, but we wanted to help these boys.  They held a special place in our hearts.  They are not up for adoption yet.  Their parents still have "rights" to them.  So we wait.  It has drastically changed our lives and is at times exhausting.  But there is no doubt in our minds that God's hand is in this and He made it happen, where there seemed to be NO way.   Thank you to all the people in our lives and theirs who have been faithful as without you this couldn't have happened.  If their foster mom hadn't been faithful in bringing them we wouldn't be here now.  If we hadn't been faithful in attending, then we wouldn't be here now...the list goes on of how one person affected another.  It's a calling.  Your calling is not my calling and mine is not yours.  Thank goodness right? God prepares us for things in our lives that HE has planned for us because He knows best, not us.  

I remember sitting at a banquet 5+ years ago across from a couple who had raised their children and was now fostering several special needs children.  I sat there thinking "I could NEVER do that!"...God didn't call me to do that.  And maybe you're saying "I could never do that"about my situation...but maybe God hasn't called you to that..but what has He called you to?  As you can see we don't always know, or suspect what that may be.  Sometimes He likes to "surprise" us.  Maybe it's because He knows if He were to give us too much of a heads up we'd back out or run for our lives.  

So that is what God is doing in our lives currently.  When you get our Christmas picture and you see 4 beautiful faces that your don't recognize...pray.  When you get our Christmas picture and you think "Boy Elizabeth and Joe look tired"...pray.  Pray for our family and the changes going on.  It's a wonderful thing, but of course it has it's moments.  We covet your prayers as we embark on this new adventure in our lives.  I know God will give me the strength and wisdom that I need, because without Him I can not do this.  There is no doubt in my mind that He will faithfully provide for our family is we faithfully follow Him.