A Gentle Reminder

I haven't really intended on most of my posts since starting to blog again to be of such a serious note, but this is where I am right now. And it is the real me. So here we go.

The pile of paperwork in the last post is a couple of sheets smaller. I got a few done, but the big autobiography is daunting. And articulating answers to "Tell some pleasant and unpleasant memories from your childhood" is not exactly an easy thing to do.  My goal is to do a question or two a night. It's not going well so far...

But I had a gentle reminder of my desire to do this on Friday night.  One of my favorite families is currently fostering. They already had a sweet boy (in addition to their own two sons.).  They felt like they might would be ready to take another placement. They said yes to their agency and on Friday came to our weekly Friday Night Fun dinner with an new little one. A sweet, beautiful 2 month old baby girl.  She started to get fussy and they let me get her out of her car seat and cuddle her. My. Heart. Melted.

I'm getting tears in my eyes right now when I think about this little baby. God has used her to remind me of why I have to fill out the pile of paperwork. Of why I have to go through all of my stuff to get rid of things to make room for a baby in this apartment. I'm ready. Ready to have one in my house who needs love. And a parent who knows things like, don't put baby food in a 2 month old's bottle. Heck, don't give two month old babies baby food at all.  A little munchkin to snuggle and love on.

Life would be so much easier to just continue as is. But it's time to be done with easy. It's time to walk these steps. And so I am thankful. Thankful for the gentle reminder of why this is where I am supposed to walk. And though the road may not be easy, He is faithful. And thankful for a little girl, who with her new foster family will get the care and attention she needs. And who will probably never know just how much she affected me. She will just know that Miss Joanna loves her. A Lot.

A Big Day Indeed

Well friends, it turned out to be a wonderful big day.  We had some crazy weather that we thought would make us miss our big meeting, but the roads were clear and my sickness manageable. We had a group orientation which was wonderful. There were a lot of families there and they asked some great questions that I don't think I would have though of. So we are one step closer on our journey. We have a half day of training at the end of January.  I am beyond excited. I want to get everything done and a kid in my house NOW, but I know before the end of may would be unwise. So here we go:

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21

Snow!

Some observations of a snow day:

1) One of the benefits of living on the second story of the apartment complex is how beautiful the snow looks from my window.

2) It is a lot more fun to listen to "Let it Snow" and "Winter Wonderland" when it's actually snowing. (I made an exception to my Thanksgiving-Christmas rule for today)

3) Snow is way more fun when you don't have to go anywhere and it isn't interfering with anything that needs to get done. (Yet - we'll see how tomorrow goes.)

4) It's really fun to watch your neighbors from India see snow for the first time.  I walked over to my window to watch the snow and had the fun of watching them take pictures with the snow. (In shorts and sandals none the less).  Fun times.

5) (There are more verses if you wish to google them. :))

1. Lord Jesus, I long to be perfectly whole;
   I want Thee forever to live in my soul;
   Break down every idol, cast out every foe—
   Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
   • Refrain:
     Whiter than snow, yes, whiter than snow,
     Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
2. Lord Jesus, let nothing unholy remain,
   Apply Thine own blood and extract every stain;
   To get this blest cleansing, I all things forego—
   Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
3. Amen and Amen

Big Day

I can't think about big days without thinking of my dear friend, Suzanne. Suzanne is currently living out her dream overseas with the journeyman program. She walked through a crazy time while she was living with me (and a rotating crew of other roommates) for two years. I got to see her pursue her dream and she saw me pursue mine. I love you Suzanne!

On to the big day mentioned in the title... Monday is a big day. Elizabeth and I are going to our orientation meeting to get the wheels really rolling on our foster parenting plan. I am overwhelmed and overjoyed at the same time.  I am ready to move forward in the process, but I feel like I hit a wall on Friday. A wall of sickness that is. I have junk in my lungs and my head is full of crud. My voice disappeared by the time 4th block was over.

I'm just praying that two days of rest, movies, the first season of Glee, and TONS of water will keep from having to reschedule.  I'm ready to get the ball rolling. To see action towards the goal that God has placed so clearly on my heart.  But if not, He is in control. He is faithful and trust Him is what I will do.

"But I trust in your unfailing love, my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing unto the Lord for He has been good to me." Psalm 13:5-6

As a side note - Monday was our first day back at school. A kid walked up to my last period (and hardest class) and said "It's my favorite class and I've had to wait ALL day!" Small moments of joy, my friends. Small moments. :)