I'm Still Here!

So... I haven't dropped off the face of the earth, and yes we are still becoming Foster Parents.

We are stuck in the minutia of the process.

Just shy of a week ago, I sat down to check my email after a LONG weekend of breaking down rooms and steam cleaning carpets. The house was absolutely trashed --- everything from the 3 bedrooms was piled ontop of beds, in the living room... just a mess. In addition - I decided we should pull everything out of storage since we pulled out the crib to do the recall process. Everything is about 10 big boxes of baby clothes, blankets, etc.

And that is when I saw the email from our case manager... she would be at our house on Tuesday, March 1.

POOP. We have spent the past week cleaning, organizing, throwing stuff away (gasp), etc.

I took a day off of work, my parents entertained Bee all day Saturday, and hubbie will be taking Tuesday off to do the final touches.

I'm exhausted.

As I look around I think the same thing I always do... man we need to stay on top of it this time... our house ain't half that bad!

(oy!)

I feel esp. convicted as I have been reading some great blogs about the ministry of hospitality. Another great one by my friend... she got to guest blog...

So... small world who reads this... thanks for the prayers and keep them coming.

I can't believe in less than 48 hours our first home study will occur!

Failure?

As I prepare for MAPP class tomorrow, topic - behavior, the news catches my eye.

A child has been killed by her adoptive family, not to far from where I live. By now the news has spread, and many are aware.

My mind is reeling and I am still processing. How did this happen? How did these people sit through the same classes I sit through, hear and see what I have heard and STILL DECIDE to do this?

We have had people "selected out" (not return b/c they are deemed not ready). They haven't told us this out right - but I'm pretty sure that's what happened.

Where is the failure?

Praying for everyone involved at this point, especially the children and the workers involved.

the idol of sleep and sloth

Exodus 20:
2 I am the Lord your God, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery;

3 Do not have any other gods before me.
4 You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.
5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, punishing children for the iniquity of parents, to the third and the fourth generation of those who reject me,
6 but showing steadfast love to the thousandth generation of those who love me and keep my commandments.


So... what does this has to do with sleep??? The sin of sloth... it is my constant battle... I would rather nap, or lay on the couch, etc. than work.... how does this reflect as a sin and idol??? When I can not get the things done that need to be done to serve Christ. When I allow sleep to replace Christ and work for HIM... it has become an idol and something I worship.

I AM NOT SAYING it's WORKS THAT SAVES... but Christ calls us to action. And it's hard to act when sleeping...

I felt especially convicted of this sin as I read a friend's blog To Show Them Jesus.
A great post that reminded me that even w/ our small space (which will be a little bigger soon) we can be hosptitable. I need to focus on getting the house somewhat presentable (so kids can play) and keep it up. Our home is a great location for church friends b/c it's VERY close!
 
Thanks Vixen for the great post!

shoulda, coulda, woulda

kicking myself... hard

i had heard there were FEW things you could do prior to becoming a foster parent and taking the courses...

but... remember that l-a-z-y genetic disorder i just complained about??????

yup... didn't do it...

SO... what SHOULD we have gotten done in advance (as in the month or two prior to classes)

1. getting animals' shots updated

2. infant and child CPR/First Aid classes

they aren't huge... but with a schedule already packed to the gills... had to cancel out on my bible study group in order to take the animals (cat and dog) to the vet...

wasn't as bad as i thought it would be... then on the way home... cat pee'ed. yuck yuck yuck. it STUNK to high heaven.

the other twist in the schedules... WHEN will we attend a 3 night class??? oy vey! i have a feeling it'll have to wait until the end of the MAPP course -> hopefully it won't prolong our license!