Only The Beginning
We finally gained some closure as far as child support. After 20 months of not supporting their child, they were mandated to do so. Living in our cushy little bubble, we don't think about how other people live. We learned that it's not uncommon for families to have to fight for parents to support their children. It is beyond my comprehension, but I think it happens a lot. Sad but true.
This isn't the end of the story. I believe the story is just beginning. I've caught you up on where we started from. I can tell you she's come so far from last year. We will continue to encourage her to go and do and learn. We will encourage her to trust God and be faithful. So hard for a child who's come from so much pain. She has a heart that loves many and also one that fears rejection as you can imagine. I know she will do amazing things in her life and I pray we will always be her home base. I've learned fostering a child is not for the weak. This family loves fiercely and loving one who was not taught the true meaning of love is risky. Definitely one worth taking. I pray she got out early enough and she will be able to love her life and the people in it without conditions. A life she didn't know until she was 15 years old. She is savage because she broke the cycle of control and abuse. Thank God! One day we'll look back and think what a wild ride, heck I aleady think that. I've learned to turn everything over to God and trust completely. Our past two years haven't been easy, but they've been worth it, she's worth it. We've had amazing family celebrations and with God's grace we were able to truly love each of those moments. Thinking about the future, I wonder how this journey will influence my kids. I pray they'll be giving and loving adults and parents because of her. They'll be able to show empathy and compassion to others who are struggling. I know God isn't done here. Oh not in the least. He is still sending signs and moving mountains for us. I will not let this girl's pain and courage and struggle all be in vain. We are making plans for child abuse awareness and we are eager to get involved in the shelters for women and children in our area. We'd encourage you to do the same. There are so many ways to help.
I have to share this on today's post. My husband was driving north on a busy interstate for work this morning. He called me and said he saw something odd. He was the only car on the highway which in itself is odd, but he looked over and flying next to him in the other lane was a white dove. He said he's never seen a dove like that. I said, God is bringing peace to you today. You need to accept it and stop worrying. Everything is okay. I reminded him to say thank you!
We got her. I always tell people we got her. I can relate to her soul. When she says, I want to move far away, I say, oh yes. When I was your age, I told my parents I was going to move out and travel. I didn't. She's 17 and she's not so different from most girls her age. She is Kintsugi, broken china fixed with gold.
My heart breaks when I think about the beginning of this journey. It's unreal where we started. I think had they just been faithful and hopeful they would have been able to mend their family. They chose hell instead.
We may have walked through hell a couple of times on this journey but God's loving hands pulled us through. We'll continue to be faithful and hopeful.
Like the mosaic, she is beautiful and her pieces are coming together. God uses broken things beautifully! And broken crayons still color. We are all somewhat broken.
Please keep us in your daily prayers. I'll update from time to time especially when there's a sign from God to share with you. I'll also let you know about the Lotus events that we'll be planning in the future.
Love Always
This isn't the end of the story. I believe the story is just beginning. I've caught you up on where we started from. I can tell you she's come so far from last year. We will continue to encourage her to go and do and learn. We will encourage her to trust God and be faithful. So hard for a child who's come from so much pain. She has a heart that loves many and also one that fears rejection as you can imagine. I know she will do amazing things in her life and I pray we will always be her home base. I've learned fostering a child is not for the weak. This family loves fiercely and loving one who was not taught the true meaning of love is risky. Definitely one worth taking. I pray she got out early enough and she will be able to love her life and the people in it without conditions. A life she didn't know until she was 15 years old. She is savage because she broke the cycle of control and abuse. Thank God! One day we'll look back and think what a wild ride, heck I aleady think that. I've learned to turn everything over to God and trust completely. Our past two years haven't been easy, but they've been worth it, she's worth it. We've had amazing family celebrations and with God's grace we were able to truly love each of those moments. Thinking about the future, I wonder how this journey will influence my kids. I pray they'll be giving and loving adults and parents because of her. They'll be able to show empathy and compassion to others who are struggling. I know God isn't done here. Oh not in the least. He is still sending signs and moving mountains for us. I will not let this girl's pain and courage and struggle all be in vain. We are making plans for child abuse awareness and we are eager to get involved in the shelters for women and children in our area. We'd encourage you to do the same. There are so many ways to help.
I have to share this on today's post. My husband was driving north on a busy interstate for work this morning. He called me and said he saw something odd. He was the only car on the highway which in itself is odd, but he looked over and flying next to him in the other lane was a white dove. He said he's never seen a dove like that. I said, God is bringing peace to you today. You need to accept it and stop worrying. Everything is okay. I reminded him to say thank you!
We got her. I always tell people we got her. I can relate to her soul. When she says, I want to move far away, I say, oh yes. When I was your age, I told my parents I was going to move out and travel. I didn't. She's 17 and she's not so different from most girls her age. She is Kintsugi, broken china fixed with gold.
My heart breaks when I think about the beginning of this journey. It's unreal where we started. I think had they just been faithful and hopeful they would have been able to mend their family. They chose hell instead.
We may have walked through hell a couple of times on this journey but God's loving hands pulled us through. We'll continue to be faithful and hopeful.
Like the mosaic, she is beautiful and her pieces are coming together. God uses broken things beautifully! And broken crayons still color. We are all somewhat broken.
Please keep us in your daily prayers. I'll update from time to time especially when there's a sign from God to share with you. I'll also let you know about the Lotus events that we'll be planning in the future.
Love Always
