Overwhelmed

This summer I am very busy. I know what you are thinking. Teachers have it so easy. A whole summer with nothing to do. Well, I may have slightly over-committed myself. Between teaching in the summer camp program at church, teaching on Sundays in  our World View program, babysitting a couple afternoons a week, trying to accomplish everything on the to do list for foster care licensing, and get ready for a new teaching job in the fall, this summer has not been the most relaxing. But weirdly enough I have managed to hold it together and remain pretty peaceful in spite of the madness I have created. (Thanks to God's great grace!)

I am overwhelmed in an entirely different way. I am overwhelmed by God’s faithful provision and goodness, and beautifully clear direction. Since I started the adventure of becoming a foster parent I have been BLOWN AWAY by how my Daddy in heaven, who adopted me into His family, continues to show that He is leading me down this path. Over and over again he has shown himself to me through the words of encouragement from friends and family, through the provision of a new job and better income, and through a perfect peace that I am where He desires me to be. He has reminded me over and over that I have nothing to fear. He has given me an amazing community of people who love me and share this journey with me. I am NOT alone!

This week I have had this empty bedroom on my mind.  I have this idea in my head of creating a space that feels so incredibly special that when a kid walks in, they immediately feel loved, wanted, and at home, no matter how long they are with me. I know these are unrealistic expectations for a room, but that is my desire. It is challenging, because I don’t know if I will have boys or girls or younger or older kids. So creating a perfect space is difficult. It is also expensive!  After spending a lot of time looking at ideas on the internet and thinking about color schemes, I decided to go look in some stores. Not really buy yet... until another pay day arrived… However, I stopped at the mail box on my way to the car and I found this.

An envelope addressed to me. And inside- a gift. Wrapped in a band that simply said, “Foster Care Fund”.

OVERWHELMED! I stood in the road by my mailbox, grasping the gift. Hardly able to understand it, but at the same time completely filled with joy as I recognized God’s great love and provision. I have been gifted with another reminder that I am not alone. There is nothing to fear. There is not a need that He has not already figured out and planned for. So I gratefully give Him the glory and pray that all who read this can see His GREATNESS through my story. 

And now, I have sheets and blankets, and rubber mattress covers, and a fire extinguisher, and a carbon monoxide detector, and a can of beautiful green paint, and more for this special space that God has put on my heart. And if all goes well, soon there will be little people with heads on the pillows feeling His love surrounding them.

I am encouraged, and thankful, and praising my Father in heaven for his good and perfect gifts. And thankful for my anonymous gift giving friend for being so generous and allowing Him to use you to bless me and my coming kiddos.

Please continue to pray for:

- DHEC inspection (July 31)

- Window installation to go ahead of schedule. (Preferably before school starts)

- A more kid friendly vehicle