Phone call and Fostering

We got a call from CC yesterday! He could see us...we couldn't see him. But he answered questions about what he had for lunch (macaroni and cheese...said with much enthusiasm!) if he had been playing, if he had been playing ball,...he answered all our questions with, "Yesss." When we asked questions requiring answers he wouldn't answer...except for the "macaroni and cheese." He sang "Jesus Loves Me" with us and told us he loved us. Chris, the director, told us that he was a "hit" while on the ship for surgery, bcse he spoke English! Sure wish we could hear some of that! =) He still has a larger than normal belly button, but it's a whole lot better she said.

Later after watching "Bolt" with the kids, our little foster daughter was sitting next to me on the couch. She said, "Mom, you know what I found out about you and Daddy?" I said, "No, what did you find out." She said, "You guys don't fight. Other Mommy's and Daddy's fight, but you don't; that's what makes you a good Mommy and Daddy." I told her that she was right, we don't yell at each other...but we do get frustrated with each other sometimes and that that is normal. But God helps us to love each other and try to figure things out w/o yelling and stuff." It did my heart good to see that she noticed this about our family, yet made me sad that this is something a 7 year old would take notice of.

Tim and I had a day of Foster-parent training this Saturday. We have to have 70 hours of training every 2 years in order to keep our license. The workshop was titled "How Caseworkers Make Decisions." We had a case presented to us and for 6 hours had to disect it and fill out actual evaluation tools that case-workers have to do in order for the family to get the necessary help that's needed. Heart-breaking to say the least...I'm always amazed/saddened at how some families have such turmoil as an everyday occurence. The stories baffle me and wear me out. Tim and I both feel we could NOT be social workers! Way too hard!

On a more positive note, we both never realized going into this that one of the "perks" to all this would be the really cool people we'd meet along the way! Our workshop room was filled with 20 people from all different walks of life, yet most seemed genuinely concerned about kids. One couple was actually foster parenting under the terms of "kinship" care even though they weren't truly kin (no other family could be found)...because funding in their county is so low. If you foster as "kinship placement" you do not get paid. So in order for this boy to stay in their home this is what they're doing. Another couple has been fostering for 33 years! They have 4 teenage girls in their home right now. They said that for the last 10 years they have had a graduation to go to for someone in their home! They were really neat! And still keeping up with all the training! Amazing!

After reading/hearing stories about the awfulness of what some kiddos have to go through, I start to feel a sickening desparity about the human condition, then I get to look around and see some really wonderful families trying to help...and it helps. Still sad, but hopeful. I realize the system is NOT perfect..but it's what we have and there ARE kids being helped and loved on and even taught about God's love, sometimes for the first time!

Psalm 31:24
"Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord."