June 2014 Back to the Unknown

Do you ever have that feeling? The feeling where you just don't know why, but you feel nervous and that feeling that kind of pushes down your joy. It tries to keep a lid on your happiness and keep that smile off your face? It's that not quite butterfly feeling but almost sick to your stomach feeling. The feeling that something bad might happen, that you have no control over. I assume this is what it feels like to be a foster mom sometimes. Because it is sure what it feels like to be a foster Auntie at times! After our family went through so much in the past couple years, the feeling that I talk about is not new to me anymore but obviously it's not one that I like. Some people (maybe you) live with this feeling all the time. I'm so sorry about that. 

Being a foster auntie or a foster grandma or foster anybody who loves that new child in their life not only has this feeling for this foster child, but also for the foster parents. It's tough to see my sister in the familiar state of waiting again. She, and all of us, are continually trusting that the Lord has this Sunshine Baby in his hands. But it's hard. Not knowing if a family member is going and end up taking her in a few weeks or if she's with the F family for a few more months and the mom takes her back. Will she be ok? How confusing it will be for her? These were all calculated risks that the F family took but now dealing with a real life girl is even harder. 

All the not knowing where this situation is going is just like H's pregnancy. It could be this or that. It could be ghastly or it could be a great outcome for everyone... it's just unknown. 

The real prayer request at this point is for a breakthrough in this case. Is it going to be reconciliation or adoption? The F family's prayer is that the courts/ powers that be, would begin start doing what's best for the Sunshine Baby- period. Not what's best for the foster family or the bio parents or the system- what's best for her. It seems like rules and other people's feelings/opinions don't match with what would be best for her.

Another prayers request is that the bio parent will agree to let her go on a couple trips for weddings with the F family instead of having to be placed with ANOTHER foster family while they are gone for the family weddings. My sister is just so stressed to think of her having more change with strangers for a few overnights. This Sunshine Baby has really adjusted so well and they love her being a part of their family. 

Send up some prayers for our 'little' sister Tob who is expecting her first son in July: safe end of her pregnancy and delivery.

Philipians 4:4-9 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.