Just for a few days…...

Traveling 65mph down the highway and all I could think about was this horrible discomfort in my eyes and a wide array of diagnosis from two different eye doctors.  The phone rings and the number is unfamiliar.  I answer.   It's a caseworker who got our information asking us if we would be interested in a 6 year old in need of a home.   Maybe it was the timing, maybe it was the distraction of my eyes, but at that moment I agreed to a visit, something completely out of my foster parenting comfort zone.   We were adamant we would only take children under the age of 2.  We had turned down several offers for older children but yet here I was agreeing to a play date with a  child when my house already felt full, and my heart weary from the stress of the current adventure we were on.

Fast forward two weeks and we find ourselves welcoming this little one as a new houseguest into our home that we had no intentions of making long term but due to unforeseen circumstances this little one needed a warm bed and clothes.   We were scared.  We were overwhelmed.  We were tired.   But we made the best of it and said yes, BUT just for a few days.  

This little one came to us with nothing and needed everything.   I find myself at Walmart on a Sunday night with a mission to find clothes and jammies for this new temporary friend.    We find ourselves being blessed abundantly with clothing, underwear, socks, and jammies by dear friends who hear our need.   I come home with bags of new stuff and have never seen a 6 year old so excited about a pair of navy blue sweatpants.   Tears filled my eyes as I watched that little one dance around my laundry room in their brand new navy blue sweatpants.   I can't help but think that God has big plans for this sweet life and for the family that will make them a home.   

So life as a family of 5 begins quite early that Monday morning thanks to our sweet 1 year old friend.   My mini van suddenly goes from being comfy to somewhat crowded but in a good way.   Tuesday comes and goes and before we know it is is Wednesday night and suddenly my heart starts to panic as I realize we have a decision to make.  A big one.   This little one has already bonded with us and we were starting to bond with them.   We sit down with our son and talk and as a family we decide that we might be open to making this current friend long term.   Thursday comes, my heart is heavy and all of a sudden I find myself texting the caseworker and telling her we would be open to keeping this little one. NO worries, I let Dave know about 10pm that night.  

My heart is heavy.   My journey with fostering was supposed to be coming to an end and my life was supposed to be returning to normal only to sign up for a new adventure.   I begin the search for bunk beds and am blessed with two friends who ask to post our need on their Facebook page.   I go to bed feeling numb and crazy.    

It's Friday morning.    Today is going to be a hard day.   We have a big meeting for our 1 year old friend and a crazy weekend ahead of us.    I drop my son off at school and head to work and my phone starts dinging like crazy with Facebook notifications.  I pull into the parking lot at work and read my messages and I wept.   

"Amy, some friends of mine (from across the world I might add) are buying you and Dave bunk beds for the kids and new mattresses."

next message…

"Amy, someone wants to donate money for bedding…"

And the messages continued and I sat speechless.   I felt rude but literally struggled to type the words "Thank you" to the overwhelming response.   Walking from my van into my office was a blur.   I remember texting Dave "someone in another country wants to buy us bunk beds".    I couldn't help but feel an overwhelming response from God showing us that He was taking care of each and every single need we had with this new friend.   A God that was showing us that when we answer His call (not mine), and act in faithfulness, HE WILL PROVIDE.   

Are we tired and overwhelmed?  Absolutely.  Is our house crowded?  Yes!  Does my van look like a happy meal threw up?  Without a doubt.    Has the last week been easy?  Absolutely not.   It's been hard.  We've been discouraged.  We are tired.  This last week as parents of an 8, 6 and 1 year old we've broken up lots of lego wars and dinner time has been interesting with the philosophy of "you just have to try one bite".   

There is nothing easy about fostering.   It isn't beautiful and it most certainly is not comfortable.  But God didn't call us to live comfortable lives in our warm houses in our tiny bubbles.  He called us to step out of our comfort zone and to answer His call, not ours.    It isn't easy and quite frankly, 95% of the time it just hurts.  But through the growing pains, God sends you those reminders that you aren't alone in this.   The Lord hears our cries and sees are faithfulness…

"Amy my friends (across the world) want to buy you bunk beds."

No doubt friends.   No doubt.   Pray for us.   Pray for our journey.  Pray for the foster system as a whole.   Pray for how you can serve.    Pray.