I want to preface this post with something I wanted to mention in my last one. In no way, at any time do Jim and I think we are just super  swell for doing what we do. We get pats on the back and compliments. However, ALL the glory must go to GOD. He called us to this ministry. It is He who sustains us, comforts us, protects us. Left up to our own devices Jim and I would likely be on a cruise to some place warm right now. Indulging ourselves at the buffetts and not giving a thought to anyone else. We may even be  lounging around our pool in Sunny Southern Cal. Like so many of our generation, lost to greed and consumption of the bigger and better. That is our nature that we fight.  Oh we may even attend a Church on Sundays and sit through weekly Bible studies, never truly understanding the need that is out there and the meaning of "What so ever you do for the least of these..."

We are 2 selfish people that the Lord has dragged kicking and screaming into this ministry. Now we would not leave it for the world. When and if the Lord closes the door on Foster-Adoption we will be fine. Our ministry will continue to the children we now call our own.

Part 2

We've heard all the negative that comes from choosing this narrow road. Well meaning friends and relatives think we've lost our mind to keep adopting and caring for infants and toddlers well into our 40's. Truth be told we sometimes wish our calling would end. There are days I've dealt with enough bad attitudes, tantrums, squabbles and unecessary demands that I want to burn my Liscense. That is just from the Social Workers. At home my own selfish nature wants quiet and peace and cooperation.  I want one room to stay clean longer than  15 minutes. My sink to be empty longer than 5 minutes. We will not even discuss the laundry room.

Jim and I long for a quiet weekend alone. We do get to do  that for our 10th Anniversary next weekend. More than once every 10 years would be nice!Our oldest Daughter and her husband will play mommy and daddy. Likely b/c of that it will be a while before I'm a Grandma.  Sometimes when I am out at the store or Dr's offices I see women with nails done, hair in  the latest smart cut. I realize I do not blend in.  I am round and fluffy and have long hair and look like I have 10 children. While my contemporaries are sweating it out at the Gym,  I am doing Aerobic Toddler Chasing and Deep Toilet Plunges.  I have no clue what Nouveau Cuisine is, in our house however, it is store bought Jam when the home canned runs out, Macaroni and Cheese with hot dogs in in instead of plain.  We are not looking at rare breeds of dog  to parade around on a leash. We are looking for a fair priced Calf that we can raise, breed and use her offspring for meat. Or as my 8yo Josh tells stunned people. "We are gonna get a Mama Cow and when she has a baby we are gonna eat it." Ahh a true farm boy!  

It is clear we do not fit in with our 40 something, Me Generation. The end of the baby boomers, those of us that grew up in the 60's and 70's and came of age in the 80's can be a self indulgent lot.  Wanting now what it took our parents decades to achieve. The lost, the hungry, the poor are forgotten in this generations zeal to consume. To impress, to over-educate ourselves an our children. I will not even touch Political Correctness. I don't want to ruin my key board by getting sick all over it. In this endeavor our culture has lost it's sense of responsibility.  "Those orphans are not my problem". Because Abortion is the modern day birth control the solution is as easy as murder. Ugh this society is sounding like Germany in the 30's and 40's.  BUT! I 'm getting off on a rabbit trail. I will get to my point.

Why in the world then do we keep doing this? First and foremost the answer is obedience. We were strongly clearly called to this by the Lord. Though we have free will, I have no desire to ignore God. Secondly we love children. All children. Shortly after our wedding we realized we likely would not be blessed the 'old fashioned" way. Yet, we longed for children. We prayed a simple prayer. "Lord fill our home with children,  however many You choose for however long You choose".

Our liscense was not dry when we got the call for new-born twin boys. Every year for the last 9 we have had either a new baby or a toddler or a sibling group. He heard  our prayers. Why would we ever consider not obeing such a giving Father.  My days are long and hard. Up at 5:30am and bed at 11pm. Jim works 6 days a week.  For what? The Joy of course. Everything is miniscule. Joy at seeing a toddler walk when you were told he never likely would. At hearing my 7yo Molly read at her grade level.  The Public School Psychologist said she was so delayed she may never read. That was the week we pulled them from Public School and never looked back.  The twins were thought so damaged they would need to be placed in an institution. The twins. Bright, articulate, creative little boys. Josh taught himself multiplication. Jimmy is reading well above grade level and both play any song they hear by ear. Because of Jim and I? No, because of a gracious God that led us to Homeschooling and obedience while they were still tinyand heard our prayers as we prayed over those tiny little boys every night. .  We have seen such miracles in our adopted children and even in the children that pass through. To God be the glory!

Oh my goodness yes it is hard. Yes you do give up some freedoms and personal time. BUT Oh my! What you get back in look of love and appreciation from a child. Nothing anywhere is comparible. Nothing matters. Jackie Kennedy once said it did not matter what she achieved, or how much she was worth, if she did not do a good job as a Mother she had done nothing.  I believe that.  It is in serving we find true freedom. Dying to oursleves we find such abundant life.

That is why we do it. The moments of pure joy in between the diapers, plugged toilets, dishes, tantrums, bills, and daily life.  Hamburger instead of steak. Camping instead of  Disneyland. It works, it is an abundant joyfull life. 

Should you see a slightly middle aged, round woman wandering the grocery aisles with 2 carts, one full of groceries the other full of toddlers, and you ask if it is hard to do Foster-Adopt, I will tell you YES! BUT is is worth every single second!