Book Review...

I found out recently, from a friend, that I can receive free books from Thomas Nelson publishers if I am willing to post a blog review, via www.booksneeze.com. You bet I'm on board with that. It combines two of my favorites...books and free/cheap things!

I read the book "Love on a Dime", by a new author named Cara Lynn James. The book would be considered Christian Romance/Fiction. Its about a young woman of wealth, Lilly, in the late 1800's, who begins writing dime novels. She writes under a "nom de plume" as its considered improper for ladies of her class to write fiction. Her first love comes back in her life as the new owner of her publishing company, disrupting her current beau. Her secret identity is in jeopardy, as is her family's reputation, not to mention her relationship with her current beau.

This book kept my interest, even if it moved a bit slow for my taste. At times, things seemed a bit drawn out. The characters were well developed. The plot did hold my interest to the end, and had me wondering how things would be resolved. I think I would have appreciated a bit more interaction between Lilly and her first love, Jack. It seemed as if every conversation they had, she ran off. Overall, it was a decent first book for Ms. James. I'm curious to see how her future books compare to this one.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Thomas Nelson publishing company.

Now that we are on our journey...

Blogging took a backseat to life. Sadly, Facebook is also to blame...too much immediate gratification, LOL! Three months ago we welcomed our first foster children into our home. I have been hesitant to blog about them as I feel its important to keep any details about them or their family from cyberspace. I can certainly speak about them in less personal ways, without divulging personal info. Sweet little "J", who is 2 1/2 and his fun older sister, "R", who is 4 1/2, have joined our family and adjusted beautifully.

They will be with us for several more months, minimum. We have a great, albeit unusual relationship with their parents. At times, we even drive the parents to their bi-weekly visits with the kids. We exchange letters, and I call on occasion. They are very nice and gracious folks who just need some time to work on some issues. To say that I feel God's hand on this whole case would be an understatement. Not only were we assigned a Christian case worker, but even the family mentor assigned to the family is also a Christian.

Just a few hours after "R" and "J" were dropped off at our house, Matt and I turned to each other and said, "This is exactly what we are called to do...no doubt! There is such a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction." Sometimes there are times in your life when you just *know* in your *knower* that something was "meant to be". This is one of those times...

My delayed response...

When Matt and I first decided this past summer to pursue becoming foster parents and eventually adopt through the foster care system, we received tons of feedback from people. I would say about 75% of the people we shared our information with were genuinely excited for us and thought it was a good thing. About another 15% said, "well, God bless ya...". You could tell they were happy about it only because we were excited, yet at the same time it was obvious they were scratching their heads trying to figure us out. The remaining 10% think we are certifiably insane. We've had responses like, "why would you want to do that?" or, "aren't 3 kids enough?". One such person drilled us with questions (which is actually OK, because we are friends with this person and I would rather have the chance to answer questions rather than have people continue on with their misconceptions). He said, "why in the world would you ever want to do that and invite those type of kids into your home?". I tried my best at the time to share our reasoning. How do you share your heart with someone like that? How do you explain to a non believer that you feel like this is what God called you to do and He has given you the peace to carry it out? For months I have thought back to that day. If I had been given a while to form my true answer, this is what I would have said....

"If I know I have the chance to make a difference in someone's life, especially a child, and I choose instead to remain "comfortable", then SHAME ON ME! How do you look at a need, know that you can help fill that need, then walk away because, after all, the "problem" is not yours?"

Does that mean I think every person who call themselves Christian should be doing something about the orphan problem that exists in the world today? ABSOLUTELY!! Does that mean every Christian should adopt? No, sadly there are circumstances that make adoption not a good option for some people. That being said, I think that the majority of Christians have become blind to the orphan situation. If you cannot adopt, then support those who can. Whether that be financially, emotionally, or with just plain old help.

The Bible says that "to him who knows to do right and does it not, to him it is sin". To know that I can do something positive for a child, and not do it, would be nothing short of sin. If God calls you to do something, he gives you the strength and peace to carry it out.

I could go off on another tangent about how God did not grant us life so that we could be surrounded by every luxury and live "comfortably". Sometimes I think comfort is our enemy because it makes us lazy and complacent. God did not put me on this earth so I could live comfortably with my 2.2 children, in a large home with more money than I know what to do with (note to those who do not know me personally: I have three children, a small house, and definitely NOT more money than I know what to do with!). He called me to love and serve. Yup, love and serve. Not acquire a huge 401K. Not travel the world. Those things would be great, but they are not the truly important things.

Ok, I'll step down off my soapbox and stop "preaching", but since so many have asked us about our choice to foster and adopt, I felt it was high time I gave my true opinions. Feedback and criticism are certainly welcome...

Things I am learning...

We have sat through 6 of the 10 classes required to become certified foster parents. They started off rather slow and have become more and more insightful and helpful in understanding the needs of the children in the system and how to deal with those children in the most effective manner. At times, the classes have been downright sad and disturbing; talking about giving back children to their birth family that have been with you for years, or talking about sexual abuse and protecting your own biological children. This is what I know now:

~ This (being a foster parent) will likely be the hardest thing we ever do.

~ It will require much time, energy and fortitude to be successful.

~ Foster children deserve so much more than the life they have been dealt thus far.

~ We are ABSOLUTELY meant to do this! Everything in me tells me that this is right time and the right thing.

After a great meeting with our case worker a week ago, we learned that we may be certified earlier than we originally thought. Perhaps as early as December, but definitely by January. Its even possible that we could have children in our home by Christmas.

Is it springtime?

It almost feels like it should be spring. You know, a time of new beginnings. Monday we will begin our foster care training classes. I could not be happier or more excited about the path that God has led us down. Did I ever expect in a million years to be doing foster care? I thought we would only walk that path for the necessary few months in order to foster "our kids" until their adoption was legal. However, when God does a huge work on your heart and the heart of your husband, simultaneously whispering to you both that this is the path He would like you to walk...you don't argue. You scratch your head and wonder at the new way of thinking. You marvel at it, but then you just revel in the peace that comes with knowing God's will for your life and doing it.

Today, I'm busy organizing and cleaning. So far I have yet to make it out of the living room, but I've dusted the ceiling (trust me, it really needed it), made a few spiders homeless, and just gave the room a very necessary cleaning. I'm not done yet. I couldn't help but think of the symbolism. Out with the old, in with the new. Get rid of the stuff that slows you down, the old stuff, the broken. Make way for the functional and fresh. Make way for a different type of "broken". Children. Broken children who are starving for love and affection. Shake off what slows you down, so that you can do what you need to do. Literally and figuratively.

I am on the edge of major change in my life. But its a wonderful, God breathed change. I'm sure there will be hurts and tears along the way, but I also know that God does not call us to do anything that He does not equip us to do. God has poured into my life so many blessings, and I think its the time that he is placing a demand on those blessings. To whom much has been given, much is required...

Blessings

You know its been a long time since you last blogged when you have to try over and over to remember your own blog address...no kidding! I'm here, and alive and doing great. Time slips through my hands faster than you can imagine and it boggles my mind. I must also admit that Facebook is just way too easy to get addicted to. There is a lot more instantaneous gratification available there, also. You post your status update, and within minutes people have commented. It can spoil you.

But, I have also felt like this blog has been neglected as well. Not that there are many readers...all 5 of you, perhaps? And yet, this serves as a journal of sorts. I look back and remember when I first started blogging while pregnant with our third child. Life has changed a lot in the last 17 months since she was born. That brings me to the title of my post.

I was sitting on my couch a minute ago. Just sitting and thinking about how blessed I am. I had just caught up reading several blogs I follow. Blogs written by people who have sick children. One blogger just lost her daughter to cancer. She was just a baby...less than a year. The heartbreaking twist to this story is that she is the second child this family has lost to cancer. I sit here and think about my super healthy children. My warm home. My full refrigerator. My clean clothes. My bed. My faithful husband. My working vehicle. My hot water. The children (ours and others) who are filling up our yard and living room, playing together so nicely. Does it mean I am without "troubles"? No. But, my troubles are so small in comparison to many. And so small to my BIG GOD. I'm blessed beyond measure.

Awww....

Yesterday, Gracyn sneezed and "sprayed" Noah a bit as he was sitting next to her. Noah turned to me and said, rather indignantly, "Mama, Gracie just blessed all over me!!"
Tee hee...too cute!