Waiting...

About 4 weeks ago we became officially licensed foster parents. We were just sure it wouldn't be long until we had a new child or children in our home to pour God's love on. Well we are still waiting.

Ps. 37:7 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him; fret not....

Last night we were blessed again by the Christmas performance at our church. Kailee has been having so much fun and along with many, many others sacrificed a lot of time over the past few weeks to present "The Gift of Christmas" to thousands of people. At one point in the show, they is a video explaining how long the people were waiting on God to send His son. They waited for about 400 years. As I lay in bed this morning thinking, I thought about how our waiting process is just a small glimpse of waiting on God to send His child.
I can't make it happen; I must wait on God to move. The people of Israel probably thought they could make it happen, make a king for themselves, but only God would provide the true King of Kings.

Matthew 25:13 "Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour."

The agency workers keep telling us (we get calls for possible placements and our home-study is submitted, but our family has not been chosen yet) that we just need to be ready. They could call us at anytime, so I always have my phone with me checking to make sure it's on and loud enough. That made me think of if I'm putting that much thought, time, and energy on being ready for God's Son who is coming again. I don't know when I'll hear God's call with the voice of the archangel, but I know it will sound much better than my chosen song/ringtone. It will be louder (although my own ring startles me often) and so much sweeter, beyond comparison.

Colossians 4:2, 5 "Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the best use of the time."

With each phone call I receive about a child needing a home, I am given background information on the situation, sometimes the name of the child. I am blessed that at least I can pray for these kids and their hurting (oh so much hurt) situations and families. I am thankful that I can lift them up to the Father of the Fatherless. Then I am thankful that there are moments like last night's show or the kids birthday parties when I didn't have to worry about new little ones to care for.
I also have to have the house ready. At any time, we could be chosen and then the flow of case workers, lawyers, and other representatives of multiple agencies will be coming through our door. Our house can no longer look like a typical Sunday night when everything is out of place and piled up. I have to be ready making the best use of my time. 5 minutes here sweeping is better than just putting my feet up to play Scrabble on my phone. 10 minutes putting the laundry away is better than checking Facebook for the upteenth time that day. I am enjoying a neat, tidy house. But am I applying the same fervor and energy to being ready for God's call. Am I doing all I can to be prepared for His return? I know I have failed on this part. I have not given the 10 minutes to invest in a relationship that would allow me to point my neighbors or family members to the Word who became flesh and is coming again.

Isaiah 40:28, 31 "Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable...but they who WAIT FOR THE LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."

A Time for Everything - November

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die...." Ecclesiates 3:1-2

The month of November is always a special one for us because both kids celebrate their birthdays in November. This year their birthdays fell on extra special days, for Benjamin that was election day which was the also the special Tuesday he was born. Kailee's birthday was on Thanksgiving for the first time in her eight years of life. It was also the first time we had separate parties for them. Due to soccer and business of life, the parties were on back to back weekends. We had a lot of fun with our all -boy GI Joe party at the park and the all-girl spa sleepover. Here are some pictures of our fun.





The day after Benjamin's birthday, my dad called to say that my grandfather had passed away. He had been ill and through our sadness, we can rejoice that he is in heaven where there is no pain or sorrow. So the day after Benjamin's party the kids and I drove to Arizona for the funeral. Our trip was short as we had to a few days later so we could be home in time for Kailee's sleepover. The business of birthdays surrounding the funeral made me think of the verse above how God has made a time for everything. A time to celebrate the years we've been blessed with the precious lives of our kids and a time to mourn the passing of a dear grandfather. As we also reflect on all we are thankful for, I am most thankful for the blessing of knowing that in all seasons of life my God is in control and His love endures forever!!