Changes

• "S" aged out of foster care and left.
• Jonathan was offered a new job.
• He accepted the new job and so began packing.
• We move up to Canada at the end of April.
• Once I found out where we were moving I started looking for a midwife.
• Found out that they were all full most through December 2012.
• Started looking for a Doctor and so far no one is taking anyone with July due dates.
• I was advised to just go to the ER went I go into labor, not what I wanted to hear so I am still trying to find a Doctor. Pray that God will work a miracle and someone will be willing to take me as a patient. Interesting that it was easier to get medical care in a town of 500 then in a city of 85,000.
• Baby is at 30 weeks and really likes to move around. 
• I pray that God will continue to guide and direct us on our journey of life.

Busy Week!!

This week has been very busy and full. Sunday night our foster son was taken to the hospital by ambulance  as he was having a bad allergic reaction to something and because to have difficulty breathing. Thankfully the medic were able to stabilize his quite quickly.  The doctor talked to him about how to avoid having a repeat reaction. The doctor mentioned to him that smoking, caffeine, and other drugs could excite his reaction and advised him to avoid these substances.

Monday morning we had to in town early for "S" to take his GED test. We were hurrying to get out the door on time and when we got in the car he asked if I would take him to get a coffee. I reminded him that he needed to get to his test and about what the doctor had told him the night before. He would not let up about needing coffee and I told him that I was not going to take him to get any. This made him quite upset but I stood to my decision and refused to argue with him about it. He got to his test and then took the first one. He then called his social worker and told her he didn't feel like taking his other two test and she let him off. By this time I was at work so there was not informed about him not taking his last two test until the test were already over.

Tuesday he had a job helping a lady unpack her moving truck in the morning. And then had two doctors appointment scheduled for the afternoon. He seemed to like helping the lady with her unloading but decided to cancel one of his doctors appointments with let me or my husband know. He the scheduled it for Thursday a day that I do not normally going to town. (Town is about 45 minutes from our house.) I struggle with how to deal with his deciding to change or skip appointment and other things that are schedule without thinking about how his actions are affecting other people. It is really hard for me to have to totally rearrange my schedule just because he won't do the things he is suppose to do, when he is suppose to do them.

Wednesday was busy but had no major bumps. Some friend from church invited us up to their place for supper and then afterward some were able to do some sledding and snowboarding on their very long driveway. We got home late but it was nice to spend some time with friends.

Today I took "S" to his doctors appointment and reminded him to check with us before rescheduling as it  not only affects him what time his appointments are.  He seemed to have at least heard me because he asked he when would work good when the doctor wanted to schedule a follow up appointment. It probably helped that I was sitting right there, but it was still appreciated. He is now working for some neighbors doing some snow shoveling.

Struggling

I want to be able to help our foster son. It is so hard when you want someone to make good choices and take advantage of the opportunities that are being given them and they don't care.
I am asking for prayers that God will give me patience. wisdom, and endurance to deal with the situations that are arising. I was reduced to tears today but a total lack of responsibility and respect. He want to be treated 17, but seems to operate and about the emotion age of 5 or 6. It is really rough dealing with the lying it just seems to eat at me.
Please pray.
Thanks

Better Days

Well we have had a few better days. After taking to "S" last Tuesday night about some of our concerns with his behavior. He seemed to listen better this time around and we have had several days that went really well. He is taking more personal responsibility and being helpful without giving us a huge attitude. He has also started some medicines that seem to be making him very sleepy but if they can help him have an overall better out look on life maybe they are good for him in the long run.

This morning he spent some time talking to me about college and options for after he ages out of the foster care system. He seems to want to make better choices and make something of him life. He has been going to church with us and also participating in some of the youth group activities in our town.

We just pray that we can be vessels through which Christ can work in these kids lives.

Time

We have been staying quite busy with our latest foster placement. We have to be constantly reminding ourselves that we have to teach basic life skills before we expect him to do them. For example it was getting on my nerves when he was spitting on the ground towards people as we were going for a walk yesterday. Jonathan had to remind me that he may not understand that it is rude to do.

Also, it seems impossible to get this guy to understand the concept of time and being on time to things. He thinks that it is crazy that we want to know where he is and when he will be back. From what we have gathered his previous FP allowed him quite a bit of freedom to do exactly as he pleased and he had not had practice at being accountable for where he is and what he is doing. I am sure that this has contributed to some of the trouble that he has gotten himself into.

When he first moved in with us we make it quite clear that we need to know where he is, who he is with (if it is not a structured activity), and when he will be back. He doesn't seem to respect us on this and has taken off without telling us where he is going and when he will be back. Like today, I dropped him off for an appointment on my way to work and told him that his IL would be picking him up. When she got there to pick him up he wasn't there. I get a frantic call from Jonathan asking if I still have him, which I didn't. They did find him. But to me it seem very reasonable for him to call if things change and let someone know what is going on. Are we expecting to much? He is 17 and will be transitioning into an independent living situation in about 3 months. Any ideas of how to help him understand why this is important and get his to take some initiative.

There are so many things that this guy need to learn, but this one is the one that is bothering me the most. I was taught to ask for permission not tell what I was going to do. And I think that at least letting us know what he is up to is a reasonable request.

Another Placement

Yesterday, Jonathan went to a large city a couple hours away for a court case and ended up bringing a teenage boy home with us. This guy has a lot of potential and I hope that he will make good choices. When we got the call we knew he had been in some trouble but we decided to accept the placement. Since the call came we have been praying that God would open or close door according to his will and if we were the right place for this guy that everything would work out.
I just ask for prayers that we can not only be a safe place, but that we can open "S" eyes up to another way of life. I just pray that we can be the hand and feet of Christ in his life and most importantly that we can introduce his to a life long friend that will never leave him.

Court

The shelter hearing for our foster boy was yesterday. The social worker told us she would be shocked if he got sent home and was defiantly advising against it. But low and behold the judge sent him home and because he was at school at the time we didn't even get to say good-bye. The judge and the social worker have both thanked us though for being willing to take a teenage boy in. I guess they are really hard to place.

Another 12 Year Old Boy (Or Not)

Yesterday I went to the foster parent training and support group in our area. Our social worker from our first placement needed me to fill our some paper work and I asked if she had anymore kids she was looking for a placement for. She told me that there was another 12 year old boy that she was going to be investigating the situation of right away. Our worker said she would let us know what happened. So about five hours later I get a call from my husband asking me if we want to take 12 year old boy and letting me know what the situation is.

After talking about it we call the social worker back and let her know that if she cannot find someone in a closer proximity to his school that we would be willing to take him. She says that sounds good and she will let us know what she finds out. She also adds that she just found out he is 15 and not twelve. Are we still willing? I tell her we are still willing and about an hour later I get the call that they are coming out to our place as nobody else that she had called as a possible placement has called back.

So at about 7:30 pm we got our second placement. So far he is doing well I am sure that as he gets more comfortable here there will be things to work through. He is a really good eater and is very appreciative of any and ever thing we are doing for him.

Gone Home

Our first foster boy went home to Oregon today. He was really excited about that. There was court this morning and then his mom took him home with her.

Whiter than snow.

The snow is making it way down the mountains. Each morning when we wake up and look out the snow level is lower.  All day yesterday "Q" would ask when we would be getting snow, like every 5 minutes. The snow covers the land and gives it a fresh clean look. Just like the snow serves to cover the death brush and barren ground so Jesus blood will cover the dirt in our lives.

Today in the children's class at church they were learning about the two roads one leading to eternal life and the other to eternal death. The teacher had the children decide to which path different behaviors, habits, and choices belonged. But ultimately we need Jesus blood to cover us making us whiter than snow, like the snow covers the mountainside.

Our foster boy "Q" seemed to really be soaking the idea of the two paths. This evening he commented that he really liked church this morning. My goal is that he will learn about Jesus while with us and go away with a better picture of who Jesus is from his time here.

First Placement

We picked up our first foster placement. A twelve year old boy. Keep us in your prayers as he talks incessantly. I have been asked the same questions more times then I can remember today. He says he likes us but thinks we need a TV.

Prayer Request and a Sibling Group!!

We have been licensed as foster parent for almost four months now and have yet to get a placement. But earlier this week I was on an the Northwest Adoption Exchange website and came across a sibling group of four. The children range in age from two to eight. There are two boys and two girls. I felt impressed to inquire about them and we have now submitted our home-study to the children's social worker to be considered as an adoptive family for these children.

We are praying for God's will in this situation. I am praying specifically that the right adoptive home will be found for these children, be that us or another place.

Please pray with us for these children and for the ones in charge of choosing which family they will go to.

Two Calls, One day!

Today we got two different calls for foster care placements. One for a four year old boy and the other for a twelve year old boy. Not sure what God's plan is but am looking forward to following where he leads. The four year old needs a place starting next week and the twelve year old needs a place in a couple of weeks. Pray that God will direct us to the right placement.