Andy and I have decided to become foster parents! If you are receiving this then you probably already know about our decision to do so. I've decided that I would like to keep up a blog so that the people we love and those who support us will be able to stay updated. We are excited about God growing our family in this way and really want you all to be on this journey with us.
In order to become foster parents we had to enroll and what is called GPS classes. That stands for group preparation and selection class. This is given by the state of Alabama. Since we live in Lee County we have been traveling to Auburn every Monday for these classes and have 4 classes behind us. There are a total of ten 3 hour classes.
Since we have started these classes we have been reviewing typical child development and how abuse and neglect leaves cracks in the foundations of development. We have learned how to identify children's needs and strengths that will be coming into care. We have been talking about how to meet those needs. We have also been learning a lot about attachments. The bond between parent and child is a strong one that we will have to respect and handle with care as we love on these children who are hurting.
We have also completed family profile which will help our social worker learn all about us - what our strengths and needs are and which children will do well placed in our home. That was a nice 20-30 page packet at least. It was fun to interview Andy and for me to get to brag on how a great husband he is. :) We also submitted quite a few references. We are assuming they may be contacting you all to check us out. Today I worked on a fire escape plan that we are required to have charted out for the children. Check it out...
We also have lots of projects we are wanting to get done before the children come...little things around the house and requirements that have to be met. We will have three home visits before we are licensed. I've started an amazon wish list of all the things I want to remember to bring home for our kids that will stay with us.
Probably the project that meant the most to me so far has been writing a letter to the bio parents. This letter is to be a communication between us and the bio parents about where their children will be staying while they work towards meeting the requirements to have their children back. I wrote about the type of home we have, introduced them to Andy and I, and we pledged to them our commitment to love their children, never try to take their place, and to support their family being whole again. I feel really passionate about families staying together that are able to. I want these parents to know that. I know that may bring up some questions for some of you. I will write more about that another day.
In all of this God is sovereign. In all of the uncertainty of foster care, we can trust Him. God has given Andy and I the ability, means, and resolve to be a "kinsman redeemer" for these children. If it were not for our kinsman redeemer, Jesus, were would any of us be? It's been quite a journey for us to get to this point but it feels like this is right were we were supposed to be all along. We wouldn't have arrived to this moment without the experiences and lessons that are behind us. I have never been much of a writer, but its really important to us that we have the support of those who love us. For that reason we will share here on this blog. We hope it will answer some of your questions. We love you all. Thank you for taking the time to read these excited and jumbled thoughts :)
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