Less than a year ago we made the decision to start fostering. What a year it has been.
As many of you know, we have three children of our own. Plenty would say that is plenty. Before deciding to do this Amy and I prayed for many months and the message was clear that God wanted us to grow our family. Once we said yes (around Halloween) we were certified by Christmas. I’ve learned since then that you’re lucky if this process takes less than a year.
We’ve had three official placements. The first was a reunification, second is with her older sister and soon to be adopted and the third is with me now in my office on my left hand watching me try and type this with my right hand…
The first was just a weekend (albeit a long weekend because we were at CHOA pretty much the whole time), the second was three months and the third came home from the hospital with us has been with us for the last four months. For certain reasons I can share with you in person, we’ve been quiet about our latest placement.
What an impact fostering has had on my family – the children have surrounded each of our new foster siblings with love and they are treated like another cherished member of our family. Amy and I are learning to trust in God’s providence and will for all our lives. We’ve been introduced to a community of other foster parents – these are some of the most incredible people that Amy and I have ever met, and we thank God that we get to go on this journey with them. We’ve had respite support many times and have a care community that brings over dinners all the time to make life easier on us.
When I tell people that my family fosters - the most typical response is… "I could never do that." They typically explain that it would be too hard and would grow attached to the foster child. Well, I can tell you if you don’t grow attached then you’re doing it wrong. The way that we view the foster children that come into our home is that they are and always will be a part of our family (whether they are with us for a weekend, three months or a whole lifetime). This makes sense of the message that we heard from God to grow our family.
As I type this, my little man looks up at me and smiles – and my heart is full of joy. When you become a father, you get a glimpse of God’s love for us…I thank Him for experiencing this once again as a foster father (although I’m not that thankful for the 2am feedings or the reflux) and I hold to the faith that He is in control and cares for us like I care for this little boy.
More to come…