tales of joy and frustration
I’m really excited about this coming Sunday because I have the opportunity to join with some amazing friends (including Hope and Faith’s parents) to share our experience with foster care and adoption with folks at our church. We feel called to share our experience and allow God to use that in whatever way He has [...]
When I talk about the fact that I am a foster parent, one of the most common questions I am asked is “how do you let them go?” I’ve only ever done this twice, so I am no expert at this, but I don’t think the letting go part is ever easy. It wasn’t intended [...]
It’s hard to believe that these two precious girls came into my life over two years ago and that as of this week, Hope is five years old. They bring me so much joy. Faith (10) and Hope (5)
When I was six, I wrote a letter to the “Police Chef” to complain about having to pay taxes. I then wrote to the mayor and eventually the president. Each time, I used the same argument about why I shouldn’t have to pay taxes—I needed to keep my money so I could buy things—like a [...]
Hope, Faith, and their mother invited Samuel and I to join them for the local high school’s production of Beauty and Beast. I was very excited to go because many members of the cast were the same students I have worked with through Bible studies and various ministries at church. I knew it would be [...]
Last night, I spent some time with Hope and Faith. It’s amazing how much they have both grown up since the time when I first met them. In many ways, I think Faith has grown up and matured even more than Hope. She will turn “double digits” next month on her tenth birthday. Hope delivered [...]
Today is adoption day. Hope and Faith were officially adopted into their forever family. Everything is now official, legal, and final. The girls are even registered at their new school with their new last names. Faith will start 4th grade in just a few days, and Hope will begin pre-kindergarten. I can’t think of many—if [...]
This is probably the most beautiful story I will ever have the privilege to tell. Forgive me if this is a long entry, but there is so much to tell and I don’t want you to miss any of the details—especially for those of you who have traveled on this journey with me for so [...]
When I selected the clothes the girls would wear this morning, it struck me that I was quite possibly selecting the last outfit their mother would ever see them wear. It’s a small thing that doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things, but it mattered to me this morning and I tried to choose [...]
Tomorrow afternoon (Wednesday), Hope and Faith will see their parents for one last visit, during which they will be told that their parents are going to relinquish their parental rights and put the girls up for adoption. I can’t imagine being 3 and 8 (almost 9) years old and being told that, and I can’t [...]