Walking into the Unknown

Today marks 1/3 of the way through the process of becoming licensed foster parents. We have submitted all of the necessary paperwork, seen our doctors, had our finger prints rolled and met with our licensing case worker for the first time. SO many things have had to be done and gathered. This morning, we are taking the next steps. We will have our pre-life safety inspection appointment, where we will walk through the house and check off all of the items that the state required us to do. She will also be doing the kids interviews since they will all be here. Tomorrow, the inspector from the state will come and do the official inspection.

The Life Safety Inspection and the kids interviews have caused nerves on my part. To be point that I've been sick for the better part of 2 weeks. The frenzy of changes and activity has been good preparation for what is to come. It has also been hard. The things that have to be done to each home prior to this inspection are different for everyone, based on what you already have done. For us, the big ticket items were a fence around our hot tub, locked storage items and a large safe. We also had to have a nursery somewhat ready to go and car seats purchased or otherwise ready to go (We had one precious friend, one of my oldest friends since childhood, gift us a car seat, we purchased the other with our stroller).

The last few weeks have been spiritually eye opening. The Devil is real and he loves to attack those who are walking out God's purposes for their life. We knew that when we made the decision to do this, that we were opening ourselves up to his attacks. It has been a month since we took steps to start putting action to our foster care journey. In that month, our oldest dislocated her collar bone and got a black eye from the neighbor's toddler, our middle fractured his ankle and my grandmother has been in the hospital twice. My husband has had an especially busy season at work and is in the midst of a full time job, a part time job and a master's degree program. Two of those three things require travel. I have been battling neck pain and sinus issues that I have not had since 2016. At the moment, all 3 kids are battling some sort of allergy/ sinus issue.

And yet, at the same time the Devil is attacking, God has been so kind. Neither of the kids injuries are serious and our son will only be in a boot for a short time. My grandma is in a rehab center with the goal of going home to my grandpa. We have been gifted cribs, car seats, baby bath tubs, bassinets and so many other needed items. We have had so many encouraging words spoken to us. The paperwork process was honestly, not difficult (except that birth certificate of mind... yeah, I lost that and had to order a replacement. You don't want to know how much that cost). We have seen God's fingerprints all over the process. It has encouraged us and strengthened our resolve. We have worked together to get all of the things done and it has grown our relationships with each other.

Today will be the next steps. Honestly, I will be relieved when today and tomorrow are over. We have done everything we can to get ready for the inspection and I absolutely cannot control what will come out of my babes mouths (any one else's kids say the darnedest things at the most inconvenient times?) I am reminded though, even as I sit here and type, that God is in control. We have already seen Him working behind the scenes and know that He is to be trusted. And so we keep putting one foot in front of the other and walking down this path. Stay tuned... this story and my heart are still in progress.