Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
~Galations 6:2

January 29, 2012 "Dear God, my heart is so heavy this morning," is the way I began each day this past week. I believe this is the result of my fervent prayer to see needs through God's eyes. This week has put that prayer to test as I have had the opportunity to carry the burdens of others. Some know that I am sharing their pain and some don't and that is okay. I want to take a moment to reflect.

Due to my code of ethics as a school counselor, I am not allowed or would I want to reveal an identity so I will be have to be vague, but just this week I listened to desparate parents cry out for help with their children, talked to students about their less than desirable living circumstances, prayed for yet another failing marriage, witnessed my husband administer CPR to an ederly man with heart problems and watched the painful expressions on faces at the funeral of Mr. Charles Murphy, our mayor who fell victim to a senseless act of violence earlier this week.

My heart has never been as heavy as it has been for my friends, the Murphy's this week.  As I was talking with my husband about our friends at lunch today, something occurred to me. It is not original, but was profound to me at that moment. Mr. Murphy's daughter-in-law, Ellen, has been so touched by the kind things people have said about him to the media and has commented that she wants him to be remembered by the kind things he did for people. So, the thought that God brought to my mind is this...What if we talked about  the good things people do while they are living and treat them as if they they have value? I believe Mr. Murphy did. A retired teacher described him as "unassuming". Other than being a woman after God's own heart, I can't think of a nicer thing I would like for people say about me when I die.

Today is March 7, and I don't really know why I haven't posted the above before now, except that  tomorrow I would want Mr. Murphy's family to know that I am praying for them and trying to help carry the burden as the trial begins for the young man that changed so many lives on that early morning in January. God says to turn our worries into prayers. I pray for them to turn to Him in this great time of need.

Now, We Wait

The idea for this came as I was driving home from our last court session (1/13) for the  kiddos ...

Just as a reminder, we are in our first experience as foster parents and this case has been a roller coaster ride (physically and emotionally), to say the least! To make a long (long) story short, the judge basically gave the parent six months to accompolish what is necessary to be reunified with his children. I don't know what we expected, but when he said we would reconvene on July 6, 2012 my heart sank just a little. It just seems like so long for these children to wait for a permenant home and for someone to call "Mom and Dad". Once that day arrives, I'm almost certain there will be more waiting.

As I was beginning to become weary and beaten down thinking of the time we would have to wait to see if Dad is going to get his goals accompolished, a very kind note I received just a few days prior came to mind. The cover of the card has a soaring eagle on the front. Keep in mind these birds are highly protected and folks get in big trouble for killing them and for even disturbing the nests. The scripture under the large bird of prey read, "Those that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles." Isaiah 40:31 Ahhhh....instant relief. At the time all I could think of was..."those that wait on the Lord," but that was enough for me. I knew there was a great promise that followed. Once home, I ran right to my bag where my card is stored to read the rest of the verse. While waiting is difficult, I have peace that the children will be protected and if my "nest" is disturbed, the Lord will renew my strength!

I wonder if my dear friend even really paid much attention to the card she chose to send to me that day, but I know Someone that did!

My First Ever Blog - A Ramble About Us and 2011

I delight greatly in the Lord; my sould rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garmets of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness,...Isaiah 61:10

If ever I loose track of who/what I was created to praise I think of Isaiah 61:10. This scripture came to me during a quiet time in 2011 (before July 24, that is). 2011 has been a year of transformation in our family and I hope that 2012 is too. Anytime, we find ourselves serving the King and being obedient to His calling, I assure you there will be transformation.

In late 2010 Chad and I took the plunge into foster parenting. After much debate and prayer we could no longer ignore that God wanted us to act on James 1:27. He says, "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." In January 2011 we began the 10 weeks (one day per week) of training. We were approved mid-June and received our first placement on July 24, the 35 year of my birth. (Hence, the notation that my quiet times were prior to July 24!) We still have those three beautiful children to whom we have grown to love, but hesitate to adore being uncertain about the future. We have never questioned God's will or doubted that He is in control of this adventure. Due to privacy policies I am unable to reveal much information about the kiddos or publish pictures, but I would ask you to pray for the children as what will happen in the days to come is unknown.

Aside from that major happening, 2011 brought other opportunities to be obedient to God's voice. Early in the spring Chad made his first public speaking appearance for Christ at a wild game supper for a church in our assocation and then spoke at our home church in May.  We were both asked by the nominating committee to take adult Sunday School classes. That has been a challenge for me, but I know God is tired of me keeping his lessons for me a secret. Chad will also be delievering the Sunday morning message on January 1, 2012. He has worked hard and I can't wait to see what God has to say through him. I know he will do an excellent job. He always does. In college, his frat brothers would say, "When Fatmeat (another blog) speaks, people listen!" I am confident God wants to use him to speak truth to people because I believe they will listen. Hmmm, I bet Chad wishes this were true for me and the kids! :)

Our daughter Katilyn (Kate), made the transition to middle school. She is a 6th grader. I really thought the awlful things that I had learned and heard about adolescents would not happen in my house...HA! She and I have had more than one conversation about the condition of her heart. One minute she is so great and the next minute she is biting someone's head off - including mine! This kid is something special though...she is gifted with mercy and gererosity. She can let stuff go like no one I have ever seen and would give you the shirt off her back...no kidding! A year ago she gave a kid the insert of her coat (she had one of those 3-stlye deals) so the girl could go outside for recess. She whispered to me recently, "Momma she is still wearing that jacket I gave her last year." I didn't even know anything about it. Nothing is ever too serious for her and she is always up for a good laugh (or to make someone else laugh) and she NEVER backs down from an argument - I mean NEVER! I give this child credit for bringing me back to The Cross. It's amazing the way God uses kids to teach us.

Our son Carson, is 6 and currently in first grade. He is our serious one. He is a no fluff, no nonsense kind of guy. He's sort of like is momma, I guess. I hope he will learn how to find joy in the small stuff someday. He loves playing outside and being with other kids his age (not too many at once, though). He and sister both love Grandmomma's house (Chad's parents are just down the street.) He tries very hard to achieve excellence at school. He loves drawing and coloring. I haven't quiet figured out his gift, but I do see a soft heart for the unfortunate at times. We are praying for his salvation.

That just about brings me to today. First, I do not consider myself a writer. I do like to journal, but until now have kept it private so haven't been concerned about spelling or grammer. I have really never thought of blogging, but then again I never thought of myself as a foster parent either. I really don't know what to tell you to expect from my blog. I pray that is is God-honoring and perhaps inspiring at times.

As I write, I am sitting at a beautiful B & B with my most amazing husband. I truly believe that he loves me like Christ loved the church. He is constantly thinking of my happiness first. He is the most unselfish man I know. We fight for our marriage. (Taking in the "triplets" has been an added struggle to our already imperftness.) One way we like to rejuvenate is to get away from our blessed lives in small town Kentucky for a few days to enjoy God's creations and each other. This has been a dream...I am pinching myself thinking about what he planned for us. In a couple of hours...a massage for both of us!