It seems I've shot consistency in the ass. Ouch.
Let's see, we wrapped up our foster care training this weekend. It was LONG, but well worth it. We should have our home assessment in the next couple of weeks, and other than a few minor pieces of paperwork, I think we're ready to go! I'm excited to see what God has planned for us.
On the career front, I took one of those free Myers-Briggs tests online for funsies. I can't believe I just used that word. I cringe. Anywho, the results of the test were spot on. My top two test results were social work and education. The million dollar question is how to turn that into meaningful work that pays without having to acquire another degree. Suggestions are appreciated.
Monday, November 25, 2013
Thursday, November 7, 2013
Why Not Now
In my last post, I referred to the Wait No More event I attended regarding foster care and adoption. You see, I've been involved on a volunteer basis with foster care since 2009.
It all started with Foster Care awareness month. The founders of Anna's House, Greg & Beth Harkins, gave a presentation on foster care and their foundation. What I learned that night changed my heart. I had no idea the staggering number of children in foster care, just in our state(10,000+). And I had no idea how many times these children and newborn babies were shuffled from shelter to foster home to foster home to shelter. If my memory serves me right, it was upwards of 9 times in a single year. How is that possible? How scary must that be for a small child who has been taken away from their parents and possibly separated from their siblings? It's heartbreaking. My husband and I talked about fostering, but the timing wasn't right; so I spent the next few years volunteering.
Fast forward to a few weeks ago, I'm apart of our foster care team at church, and we're growing our ministry. Last night, we had a meeting for those that want to get more involved, in whatever capacity, and for those who have a heart to foster or adopt. At the end of the meeting, the program director for Anna's House, Angela Parsons, mentioned she had a new class getting ready to start. I felt that internal nudge telling me, it's time. So, I asked when the class was starting, to which she replied Friday. I thought of 100 reasons why that was too soon and then I thought of 10,000 more why the timing was perfect. Tomorrow night, our foster care adventure begins. I'm excited and scared and hopeful.
I'd like to use this blog to document our journey. Hopefully, I'll inspire one of you to join me too.
It all started with Foster Care awareness month. The founders of Anna's House, Greg & Beth Harkins, gave a presentation on foster care and their foundation. What I learned that night changed my heart. I had no idea the staggering number of children in foster care, just in our state(10,000+). And I had no idea how many times these children and newborn babies were shuffled from shelter to foster home to foster home to shelter. If my memory serves me right, it was upwards of 9 times in a single year. How is that possible? How scary must that be for a small child who has been taken away from their parents and possibly separated from their siblings? It's heartbreaking. My husband and I talked about fostering, but the timing wasn't right; so I spent the next few years volunteering.
Fast forward to a few weeks ago, I'm apart of our foster care team at church, and we're growing our ministry. Last night, we had a meeting for those that want to get more involved, in whatever capacity, and for those who have a heart to foster or adopt. At the end of the meeting, the program director for Anna's House, Angela Parsons, mentioned she had a new class getting ready to start. I felt that internal nudge telling me, it's time. So, I asked when the class was starting, to which she replied Friday. I thought of 100 reasons why that was too soon and then I thought of 10,000 more why the timing was perfect. Tomorrow night, our foster care adventure begins. I'm excited and scared and hopeful.
I'd like to use this blog to document our journey. Hopefully, I'll inspire one of you to join me too.
Monday, November 4, 2013
Do Your Part
By nature, I am a very passionate person. I am passionate about many things, but there are two that receive most of my attention. The first being education. I've written on that before; and the second being foster care.
For those of you who weren't aware, yesterday was Orphan Sunday.
Did you know, there are half a million children in the foster care system in the United States. Here in Oklahoma, there are over 10,100 children in foster care. And of those 10,100, there are 350 whose parents' rights have been terminated. Yes, these kids need to be adopted. They need forever homes. This breaks my heart. It breaks my heart that for whatever reason there are parents who can't, or won't, do what they need to reunite with their kids. Even more, it breaks my heart that there aren't more people willing to take a stand and give these kids a safe, healthy place to call home. Every year, 25,000 kids age out of the foster care system. What do you think becomes of these fatherless children? The statistics aren't good; and often times they continue the cycle by having children of their own who become a statistic of foster care, as well.
Now, you can look at this from a religious perspective, God calls us to set the lonely and to defend the orphans and widows. But religion aside, as human beings, we should feel compassion and love towards these children, who need someone to step up and say, "You belong with me. I'll keep you safe. You're a part of this family." Don't get me wrong, not everyone is called to adopt or foster; however, everyone can play a supporting role. For every foster family, it takes 3-4 other families to fully support them. This could mean cooking dinner for the family once a week, offering to clean their home, watching the kids for a few hours, so the parents can have a date night. It could be as simple, and powerful, as prayer. The point is no matter how small, you can make a difference.
I encourage you to visit the Heart Gallery of America. You can meet children who are waiting adoption in your state. If you are able to attend a Heart Gallery, or Wait No More event in your area, please go. It will change your heart forever.
For those of you who weren't aware, yesterday was Orphan Sunday.
Did you know, there are half a million children in the foster care system in the United States. Here in Oklahoma, there are over 10,100 children in foster care. And of those 10,100, there are 350 whose parents' rights have been terminated. Yes, these kids need to be adopted. They need forever homes. This breaks my heart. It breaks my heart that for whatever reason there are parents who can't, or won't, do what they need to reunite with their kids. Even more, it breaks my heart that there aren't more people willing to take a stand and give these kids a safe, healthy place to call home. Every year, 25,000 kids age out of the foster care system. What do you think becomes of these fatherless children? The statistics aren't good; and often times they continue the cycle by having children of their own who become a statistic of foster care, as well.
Now, you can look at this from a religious perspective, God calls us to set the lonely and to defend the orphans and widows. But religion aside, as human beings, we should feel compassion and love towards these children, who need someone to step up and say, "You belong with me. I'll keep you safe. You're a part of this family." Don't get me wrong, not everyone is called to adopt or foster; however, everyone can play a supporting role. For every foster family, it takes 3-4 other families to fully support them. This could mean cooking dinner for the family once a week, offering to clean their home, watching the kids for a few hours, so the parents can have a date night. It could be as simple, and powerful, as prayer. The point is no matter how small, you can make a difference.
I encourage you to visit the Heart Gallery of America. You can meet children who are waiting adoption in your state. If you are able to attend a Heart Gallery, or Wait No More event in your area, please go. It will change your heart forever.
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