Pre-fostering thoughts and feelings

We're getting ready to become foster parents. It could be 3 weeks from now, 1 month, 3 months from now... it's all so uncertain yet over-the-top exciting! There are so many reasons why we long to become foster parents, and honestly, it's so difficult to explain in words. I remember when I came back from living overseas and people would ask me the big question, "So, how was it?" You really can't sum up months of experiences, all of the ups and downs, acculturation, and new annoyances and joys of returning to the US. It's much easier to say, "Great!" And those who really care will likely go for coffee with you and listen to the details. It's so similar to this kind of situation. We have so many reasons, so many joys and apprehensive feelings, that I am almost caught off guard when someone wants to hear them. Thank you to those who have listened to us!

I found some really great videos that show our heart pretty clearly. This video is about the Rosati family and Jim Daly. Jim is the president of Focus on the Family and he was actually in foster care as a child.

http://www.icareaboutorphans.org/RosatiFamily.aspx

http://www.icareaboutorphans.org/jimdaly.aspx

We know that there could be some bumps in the road as we move forward, but we trust that the Lord will use those challenges to help us to grow. We are just humans, so it's not like we know what to do in every situation-- but we know the One who does. Thank the Lord, we wouldn't be able to do this without Him. I would be going against the Lord if I ignored His word, because God commands us to take care of the widows and the orphans (James 1:27). Not everyone can take in foster children, but I do think that more people should. There are a lot of state programs available to help children in foster care. In Kansas City, you can volunteer with Operation Breakthrough, become an Adoptive Resource (a stable and healthy relationship with a child in foster care, but they don't live with you), Big Brothers, Big Sisters volunteer, etc. There are a number of ways.