Nesting for the Foster/Adoptive Mama

We have been busy getting things ready for our future kiddo(s). We have given Charlie & Jake the boot out of the spare bedroom, painted and have started decorating. I can't begin to tell you how much fun it has been to prepare a space for our child. We have waited a very long time to do this and it has been as wonderful as I always imagined it to be. Below are some pictures of the room. I still have some touches I want to add but this gives you the general idea.

We are pretty happy with the way it has turned out. Next we are going to paint and redecorate their bathroom. Having their room ready has made this seem all the more real. Just today I looked at Micah and told him "I'm ready for our child to come home." I have to confess that this is so exciting for us but can also have its emotional moments as well. Today I had one of those moments. This Tuesday night is our orientation for our GPS classes and then September 9th is our 1st official class. Please be in prayer for us as we start this part of our journey and continue to ready our home for our future child.

Memorization Monday: Jeremiah 1:5

When you read this weeks verse you may think to yourself ummm....I've known this verse forever. It's a verse we see pretty often especially in reference to new babies. But I think its important to think about what this verse means to us as adults and the season of life we are in right now. This weeks verse is:

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart." Jeremiah 1:5

The fact that God knew me before I was even created is so amazing to me. He knew me before my own mother knew I was ever going to exist. I think that's pretty special. I also think its pretty special that for a moment in time the only two people that knew of my existence was God and my mother.

 Sometimes in life as an adult we get caught up in doing life. We are working, caring for children, husbands, furbabies ;) and endless list of things that sometimes we may feel like who is caring for us? That's where I think this verse can be so vital to our lives. This verse reminds us that God cares. He always has...He loved us way before anyone even knew to expect our arrival here on earth. He also set us apart. We were created for a purpose. Before we were born God already knew His plan for our life. Sometimes we may be unsure of what that plan is and that's another way this verse can help us. It reminds us that even when we are unsure of the plan God never is. We just have to trust in Him and He will show us the way.

*Memorization Tip*: Say this verse out loud every time your in your car!

* In your prayer time thank God for setting you apart before you were even born. If your not sure of your purpose right now ask God to show you. * 

Memorization Monday : James 1:19-20

Every time I start to think that I've finally got it all together God always shows me just how wrong I am. I am thankful for this because I will never reach the day that I don't need the love and forgiveness of my Savior and for Him to show me the areas in my life that need improvement. I believe He does this because of His great love for us. Like the new Casting Crown's song says: We are meant to thrive. Not just survive. I am ashamed  to admit that one of those areas that we (me & Jesus) are working on right now is my temper. Let's just say that I can be a tad bit hot headed. Enough said. He has shown me that this is a sin and that is why I picked the following verse to memorize this week.

"Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires." James 1:19-20

God desires for us to live a righteous life. I want this. I can only get there with the loving help of my Jesus.

*Memorization Tip* : Read it 10 times. Write it 10 times. Say it 10 times.

*A Challenge* : Think of 5 ways the Lord has blessed you and write these on a note card. Carry this with you this week and at anytime you start to feel a little angry/upset pull it out and read those blessings until that moment passes!

Not a means to an end.

Over the past several years that word got out that we were wanting to adopt a common theme began to develop. Very frequently and even just this week I'm told "Oh, once you adopt you'll get pregnant." or "We started that/did that but then I found out I was pregnant." While I know these people mean well this always feels like a punch to the gut. I want so badly to say " that's not why we are doing this." But that would be rude because I don't believe they mean it to come out as flippant as it sounds to my ears and I realize that I am sensitive to the subject. What I really want people to know is that yes we want to be parents. Always have. Before we were married we would have long conversations naming our future kids and daydreaming about what it would be like to have babies. 8 years into this journey our desires have shifted. Yes we still want to be parents but its a little different. Since we felt like God was leading us towards foster care our idea of parenting has changed a bit. Our eyes and our hearts have been opened to adopting an older child. We no longer feel like we have to parent a child from infancy. Our desire with becoming foster parents is ultimately to adopt but we also know that there is a chance that this may not happen. God has a plan and we have no idea how that is going to play out. The amazing thing is how he has changed our hearts. Just last night Micah told me that Gods plan may be for us to always be foster parents and never to adopt. That maybe we will just be a moment in a child's life but a moment that we provide all the love that we have to give. I have to admit that this scares me because I want to adopt. I want forever. But this is not about me. This is about the child/children that God has already planned to come into my life and what they need. 

Memorization Monday: Proverbs 31:26

This weeks verse comes from Proverbs 31 the description of a wife of noble character. This verse causes me to pause and think. Think about the things I say. The things I say when I'm busy and stressed or just plain frustrated with a situation. The things I say when I don't agree with someone or how something is being handled. How often do we think before we speak? When we don't we have regret over words we wish we could take back. Our words hold power. Power to bring someone up and bring someone down. The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman is a great book and I highly recommend it if you haven't read it. After reading this book and taking the quiz I learned that my primary love language is "words of affirmation". I'm super sensitive to words that are spoken to me and at the same time words that are left unsaid. While I may be sensitive to this I still need help with keeping my mouth shut at times. This is something I need God to help me with. To teach me there is honor in keeping my lips sealed. To not talk unless my words are for the good and lift someone up. I realize that there are times that we will have to say unpleasant things but I also think that with Gods help He will help us to be graceful when those situations arise. This weeks verse is:

"She opens her mouth with wisdom and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue." Proverbs 31:26

*Memorization Tip* Tape this verse to you bathroom mirror. Say it out loud while you are getting ready for the day and remember that true beauty comes from Jesus that shines from within us.

*A Challenge* Go out of your way this week to say something kind to someone. Be intentional about this!

So Excited.....We just can't hide it!

On my way home from work today the hubby called and was so excited to tell me that we had recieved a letter in the mail from DHR. Our GPS classes are officially scheduled! We will start September 9th! The classes will last 10 weeks and God willing at the end of those 10 weeks we will be ready to welcome a child into our hearts and our home. We are so excited to start this part of the journey that God set us on almost a year ago! 

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called  according to His purpose."  Romans 8:28

Memorization Monday: Matthew 6:27

Happy Monday!! So often Mondays are not what we would refer to as happy. Sundays are such good days spent worshiping God with fellow believers. I always feel light and happy on Sundays. Enter Monday morning. Mondays bring work, bills to be paid, tasks to complete, stress. Gods word is full of verses telling us not to be anxious, to worry for nothing. I fail at this everyday. How do we overcome this? We hide his words deep in our hearts. This weeks verse is:

"Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" Matthew 6:27

Those are Jesus's words friends. I don't know about y'all but every time I read this verse I feel convicted. Jesus told us not to worry. Why? Because He is with us always. He has a plan for our lives, even those crazy Mondays.

*Memorization Tip*  Tape it to your refrigerator door & say it out loud every time you open the fridge this week!