A SONG OF GLORY

I'm at a loss for poetic words.  

The other day I imagined how I would continue the story of  Finding Grace and my imagination took me to a place that didn't quite envision the outcome we're facing now.   

I reread my story over and over.  Processing the past two years of coping and I find myself again at the foot of the Cross.  So when people label me weak.  Unstable.  Not ready.  I thank Jesus that He's allowing the ME in me to be stripped so that all might see the HIM through it all.  

So this next chapter set ahead of me, continues with heartbreak, the unknown, and a God who's Glory reigns despite my inability to see His Presence directly in front of me.  So I'll write.  I'll write Part 6 of my story in hopes that the bigger picture of the life I live SINGS OF HIS GLORY.    

Little Patience & A Reality Check

My sweet one has been patient with us the past couple of weeks.  We moved to a new home that although is just exactly what we needed, lacked many of the actual essentials a home needed.  Like a kitchen.  We renovated.  Painted.  Renovated.  Painted some more.  And our little one remained giggly eyed and helpful through the whole process.

And through all our interviews for Fostering/Adoption, she remained patient.  

We've chosen to go through an agency instead of the County (we will still get County children, if any of you were wondering).  It was a choice that was challenging, but for us, rewarding in the end.  I've been so thankful for a liaison, representing our family, not only for our benefit, but to specifically place a child in our home that would be a best match for the child, and not just us. *I ultimately hope to establish a relationship with the County and possibly one day go through the County, so I do not think the County is any less of a way to go.  

We've chosen to be as open as possible with the selection of those we can accommodate in our home.  It was incredibly hard to select the appropriate boxes for the "kind of children we could care for".  And I really didn't want to limit us based off of security and comfortability, but when I reminded myself that ultimately this is for the child and not for our home, I was able to put it into perspective of selecting what we have to offer to the benefit of a child.  But we're open.  As open as we're allowed to be.    

We're only at the beginning of the process and we've already invested hours into training and interviews and all those hours, Jossie has taken with stride.  

And so far, so have we.  Not without our occasional doubts, inadequacy, and ultimately our fear of risks.  And there will plenty of them, I'm sure.  I was recently putting in some training hours by reading a recommended book, that squashed many of my expectations of our future experience, and revealed many of the possible realities of fostering a child.  I honestly thought that our experience in a group home setting was reality enough.  HA!  

In case any of you were curious about our current home reno, here's a few instagram shots of the process.  We're almost finished, so this is an older set.

Plowing Through

I wasn't really much of a fan of having to put a logo or stamp across my images.  But I must do what I gotta do.  And instead of quitting blogging all together.  A stamping I shall do.  I'm so glad so many of you commented on my last post.  It was exciting to see new names, new pictures, and new commenters.  So I decided to keep blogging.  

I really do have a beautiful little girl.  A natural stunner with eye lashes that pierce straight through this mama's heart.  They get me every time.

We've been a busy little family.  Moving into a larger home.  Remodeling that home.  Rocking some serious weddings (check out Stark Love Photography Blog for specific posts on our Wedding Photography).  Continuing the Foster Care process.  Working Youth Ministry at our church.  And pioneering an Orphan Care ministry as well.

We aren't amazing people.  Really.  We over work ourselves.  Make ourselves cranky because of it.  And often push priorities aside.  But we love what we do because we love Our God that we do it for.  We don't do it because we think we're anyone great.  We do it because we believe that this is what we've been called to do, so to best love, we obey.

The crankiness needs to change.  Our hearts need to constantly be reminded of the why.  And often, my own pride of control gets humbled in the seat across of my boss as he reminds me of more effective ways of doing things.  

So we're back to late night work hours.  Messy house.  A lot of coffee.  And possibly squeezing in some late work night distractions with blog reads.  We'll see.