Comments on Chapters: Cold Sweat...

Amy, I'm always praying for you guys. I will c...

2012-01-26T16:12:23.925-06:00

Amy, I'm always praying for you guys. I will continue to do so..for strength and for answers. I wish you guys a wonderful year together with lot of happiness!

Your posts like this are my favorite. Honest, ope...

2012-01-24T19:31:25.994-06:00

Your posts like this are my favorite. Honest, open, straight to the point, completely naked (or nekkid in our neck of the woods). I am so worried about fostering for these same reasons. It's so scary, Amy. I have honestly even thought, "What if I think the kid is hateful or ugly or mean? Then what kind of person am I?!" Those are horrible things, but they are normal, I think on some level. It's your psyche playing tricks on you because you try to rationalize and project everything that's going to happen, JUST IN CASE it does. I'm so proud of you for putting yourself out there. I'm proud of you and DW for doing something so amazing. Taking a child out of a mostly corrupt system and keeping them safe, giving them love and making a difference in their lives EVEN IF you can't do that forever. If God calls you to that, i think it's one of the hardest, most honorable things in the world that HE could call you to do given our situation. I love you and I'm praying for you.

I read this and thought of you! http://destinyinbl...

2012-01-24T13:05:00.791-06:00

I read this and thought of you!
http://destinyinbloom.com/and-his-name-shall-be-called/

Amy, Best wishes as you and DW move through this ...

2012-01-23T17:58:26.366-06:00

Amy,

Best wishes as you and DW move through this difficult decision. My husband and I also discussed this as an option, but after a few conversations with friends, we have decided unless we cannot adopt without it, we will likely not foster. (Our state apparently makes fostering a really difficult process, but requires it for adoptions that are not private.)

That said, I find a lot of encouragement in your "Can-Do" attitude. You can't know until you know, right?

I too have struggled with infertility for years. M...

2012-01-22T20:43:24.597-06:00

I too have struggled with infertility for years. My husband and I finally had our prayers answered when we adopted our angel through a private adoption. Although, we never attended any classes on foster care, we inquired about it. Reading your post was like someone had crawled in my brain and pulled my thoughts out. We received the paper work, but never completed it because of the worries and struggles I had with the entire process. I will be praying for strength and clarity as you continue these classes.
~Danielle

Praying for wisdom, peace, and guidance for every ...

2012-01-22T06:20:30.303-06:00

Praying for wisdom, peace, and guidance for every step of this journey...

Love to you...

Praying for you friend! We finished our classes la...

2012-01-21T17:57:18.563-06:00

Praying for you friend! We finished our classes last weekend, and I totally agree that it is a bit overwhelming.

Praying for you and DW :)

2012-01-21T09:05:52.104-06:00

Praying for you and DW :)

Hey, Amy! I have read your blog for a while and fr...

2012-01-21T08:48:29.911-06:00

Hey, Amy! I have read your blog for a while and from what I have read I think you and DW would be AWESOME foster parents!I recently graduated with my Bachelor's in Social Work and am very familiar with "the system" and worked with youth who aged out of foster care...they need awesome people like you and your husband.

I will be praying for you two. A good read about an experience in foster care is Three Little Words by Ashley Rhodes-Courter as a result of her experiences you will be inspired to be the best foster parent ever!

lots of prayers for you & DW!

2012-01-21T06:46:07.636-06:00

lots of prayers for you & DW!

Praying for you and DW during this journey. Prayin...

2012-01-20T22:42:27.084-06:00

Praying for you and DW during this journey. Praying God's peace and for a clear direction!!!

Hello! I came across your blog and have been readi...

2012-01-20T21:11:31.636-06:00

Hello! I came across your blog and have been reading it for quite some time. I admire you for going alone. My husband and I are foster parents (almost 4 yrs now) and I know exactly what you are going through. We are unable to have children and we went this route. If you would love to know more about our situation, email me at Ridgley51405@aol.com. I'd love to chat with you!! Hang in there! You will be feel better!
Melissa

My sister has had over 5 foster children in her ho...

2012-01-20T20:16:02.855-06:00

My sister has had over 5 foster children in her home and finally adopted my sweet niece that she has had custody of since she was 5 days old (she was three at the time of adoption) It has been hard, but the reward is amazing. THe other children come into her and her husband's lives for a reason and the same would be true for you. If this is meant to be for you (I don't think I could ever have the selflessness or self control) it will. I applaud you for considering such a thing and, personally, think you have so much to offer these children!

Wow! I love reading your honest heart. Praying God...

2012-01-20T18:49:59.256-06:00

Wow! I love reading your honest heart. Praying God shines His light and guides y'all where He needs y'all to be in the situation. It takes VERY special people to even get to where yall are now and I KNOW yall have it in yourselves...not only to do it, but to LOVE it!

You are so honest about what you consider your fau...

2012-01-20T17:23:00.501-06:00

You are so honest about what you consider your faults. I think most of us are a little selfish and self-centered, but will not always admit it. The concerns you raised about being a foster parent are very legitimate, in my opinion. I have no advice for you except to follow your heart.

Wow, what a big step - lots to think about for sur...

2012-01-20T15:48:13.296-06:00

Wow, what a big step - lots to think about for sure. I'm curious to see where your heart and your faith will lead you on this journey.

Random side question - how did you protect your content from copy/pasting like that? I accidentally right clicked and got your message - that is so cool!

Amy, I will be definitely praying for you and DW d...

2012-01-20T14:14:04.959-06:00

Amy, I will be definitely praying for you and DW during this training time. My husband and I actually met with a couple from our church this week and they asked us what their first step should be. We told them that they should look at taking the training offered by the foster care system in our area, since it would answer a lot of questions for them. As someone who adopted privately and then through the foster care system, I wish we would have taken the PS-MAPP class required for foster care adoptions/fostering, prior to our private adoptions.

Your feelings are perfectly normal and you will be a great foster parent, if that is what God has planned for you!

I'm not even close to being in your shoes, but...

2012-01-20T14:08:12.263-06:00

I'm not even close to being in your shoes, but just attending the meeting was enough to show that God is leading your heart somewhere. I love how you direct all things to Him and let him guide you to where you and DW need to be. Even if you don't go through with fostering, He will place you where you are needed and replace your anxiety with his guidance. You'll be in our prayers!

I realize every situation is different and every p...

2012-01-20T13:28:24.196-06:00

I realize every situation is different and every person is different, but I was just reminded of this story at my Grandpa's memorial service so i wanted to share.

My grandparents had a foster ministry for 20+ years. It was my grandpa's passion and he always felt called to have a ministry with children, but my grandma didn't. He worked outside the home so for the ministry to function she would be taking care of the kids every day. Because she loved and trusted my grandpa she went forward with it. She said she was doubtful even up to the moment she answered the door to greet their first set of children (3 siblings). Once she saw their faces she knew she could do it. They hosted over 100 children in their home over the next 20 years and adopted 5 of those children. Every one of them heard about Jesus. Im not telling you this because I think it is your story. I knew my grandma well, she lived with us for 5 years before she passed away and to me, she was 10 feet tall and could do anything. So, to hear that she was doubtful of her abilities to take on this task makes me aware of how frightening and daunting it must be, but I know that no matter what you decide God will help you.

Hi, Amy! I've commented on your blog a couple...

2012-01-20T13:12:51.389-06:00

Hi, Amy! I've commented on your blog a couple of times because you and I seem to be walking such similar journeys. First, I must tell you that I am sitting alone in my car while reading your blog and I laughed out loud, repeatedly, at your reference to eating birth control pills like candy. That was a very funny reference. :)

But I also understand your analogy because I have the same fears. I wanted to let you know about a podcast I listened to yesterday that encouraged me a lot, in case you'd like to hear it. It's a Focus on the Family two part podcast - from Jan 18 and 19 - by the founder of Proverbs 31 Ministries. It's about allowing God to write your motherhood story. I went from laughing to crying and back again as I listened to the speaker. You can find it for free on iTunes if you're interested.

Again, thank you for sharing your journey. I'm praying for you and the motherhood story God has planned for you.

God bless,
Stephanie

I think your thoughts and fears are sooo normal. A...

2012-01-20T12:46:40.500-06:00

I think your thoughts and fears are sooo normal. As I was reading, I was thinking and "fearing" right along with you. And, being a former teacher, I know exactly what you mean by meeting children that make you want to chew birth control like candy. Haha! I will continue to lift ya'll up and pray for God's peace and guidance as you face these upcoming decisions. Once again, thanks for sharing your journey.

First of all, Happy Anniversary! Secondly, I think...

2012-01-20T12:25:00.086-06:00

First of all, Happy Anniversary!
Secondly, I think it is a good thing that you don't know how to take this lightly. Foster parenting shouldn't be taken lightly. It is a huge committment and all of your fears are completely normal, rational, and logical. I applaud you for NOT taking it lightly. I was a children's therapist for a while, and it was always heartbreaking to see the foster parents that did take their role lightly.

Keep praying about it, He will show you if that is the right path for you. I'll be praying for you.

Love your honesty, your heart and your willingness...

2012-01-20T12:08:06.584-06:00

Love your honesty, your heart and your willingness to let God hold all that you are feeling in this process. <3

LOVE your honesty!!

2012-01-20T11:57:01.028-06:00

LOVE your honesty!!

Adam and I are certified as foster parents, and de...

2012-01-20T11:22:03.509-06:00

Adam and I are certified as foster parents, and depending on Caden's health are planning on moving forward to foster-to-adopt sometime this year. I just want you to know that those fears and doubts are totally normal (or at least that I feel them too!) and I will be praying for you and for PEACE in whichever direction you decide to go!