Here we go!

So when we finally got in bed last night (after midnight)...Joey and I really truly deeply talked about foster parenting.  We talked about the people God was putting in our path, and the doors He seems to be opening.  And I reminded him children have always been "my thing".  Just ask anybody who knows me. 

(my sister-in-law was upset to tears when her oldest daughter, Aubrey, my niece said upon Kaylin's moving out..."Mommy, what's Aunt Melissa going to do with Kaylin's old room?" to which her mom responded, "I'm not sure, I think she may be going to make it a studio or something"...and Aubrey says, "Mom, do you think Aunt Melissa would let me move in with her now?" and she went on to try and convince her mom why she should let her.   Now that...made my heart explode with happiness that Aubrey loves me so much, but it made it break for my SIL!  I just relate to, LOVE and play with kids, I always have.

I told Joey, I feel like God is really leading me to my place in His kingdom.  Where He wants me to be used.  And I really want to be obedient because I know I can be a blessing to a child who needs love. We even learned while talking to Mark and Sherri, there is a desperate need for emergency foster care, where if 2 parents or the care giving parent is arrested in the middle of the night, they need somewhere for those kids to go until, grandparents, aunts etc can be contacted (possibly within 24 hours-sometimes at the end of a weekend). I HAD NO IDEA this kind of thing even happened...honestly, I had never thought once about it, ever....but ohhh how my heart broke when they told us of a couple of experiences with kids like this.  (break my heart Lord for what breaks Yours)

So...I can either follow this tug that is soon becoming a constant pull on my heart...Or I can be scared to move.  Scared that I will get hurt and be afraid that I may have my heart ripped out of my chest and sent back to a horrid environment (more than once).  But I know if this is where God wants me, He will give me the strength to face that if/when it comes.  

Or this could truly be something I am gifted at, and possibly make a short term difference in some little lives that need Jesus and loving and playing with and relating to.

I asked Joey his thoughts on all of this and we talked...and after he said, "if this is what you want to do, and if you believe this is from God.  Sign us up for the classes, I am with you 100% where ever we are". (I do adore this man God has blessed me with)

SO..... this morning:

From: Melissa ***

Sent: Friday, February 04, 2011 11:11 AM
To: A***
Subject: RE: foster parenting

Hi A***,

Could you please send the letter?  We are very interested in learning more and signing up for the classes.

The address is:

Joseph & Melissa ******

********

********

Also, you were spoken very highly of by a couple at our church, I don’t know their last name, but it’s Mark and Sherri.

Thanks so much,
Melissa

From: A***
Sent: Friday, February 04, 2011 11:23 AM
To: Melissa ***
Subject: RE: foster parenting

Melissa,

A letter will go out today or Monday. We look forward to you and Joseph coming to the class!

Also—we love Mark and Sherri. They have been foster parents for a long time.

If you have any questions you can call me at ***-****.

Have a good weekend.

A****

I decided to go ahead and sign us up for the classes, WA is not a definite either way, and we are already into the first week of February and we had to let the social worker know if we wanted to sign up for the classes by the middle of this month. 

It could be 3-8 weeks before Joey hears anything about the job he applied for, so we will just sign up and if something changes along the way, I know God will give us the grace and wisdom to handle it the right way.  He knows the plans He has for us. Jer 29:11  And we are trusting Him to take us to them :)