Foster Parenting: Our Journey Begins

We have made an exciting and important decision to pursue licensing as foster parents. We want to share with you our testimony leading to this decision, as well as our current status in the process.

The Lord began to develop in us a heart for foster care about 6-7 years ago, while we were living in Austin, TX, long before Sam was born. When Karen finished her degree and employment obligations in 2007, we attended our first foster/adopt information session with an agency in Texas. However, within just a few weeks, we not only discovered Karen was pregnant with Sam, but also decided to accept Steve's Las Vegas job offer, so foster parenting was put on hold. As we've seen our ministry opportunities migrate homeward and discovered the blessing of parenting little ones, we've begun to cautiously step out in faith. God's Word commands the Church to care for orphans. While not all can foster or adopt, there are numerous other ways members of the church can help. But we've decided, why not us?

The addition of Sam and Ruth to our family has changed our perspective on fostering. While we would always hope to add permanently to our family through foster adoption, we now better understand the importance of reunification, when appropriate, and are open to mentoring biological parents should the opportunity arise. In addition, until our biological kids are older, we plan to limit the age range of children placed with us to infants under 12 months old. Yes, we understand this means we probably will not be getting any sleep for the next decade or so. Ha!

Based on the research we've done, we expect the licensing process to be slow, unpredictable, and potentially frustrating. However, we've completed the first three steps without a hitch: 1) attending the county information session (the gateway to begin the process), 2) passing our pre-screen background check, and 3) passing the FBI fingerprint check. The remaining steps are:

4) Complete foster parent training classes (called “PC-MAPP”), composed of ten sessions starting Oct. 18;
5) Complete a home-study process, including in-home interviews with a county social worker, minor home projects (baby gates, crib, fire extinguishers, etc.) to ensure our house meets county requirements, and final home inspection;
6) Wait for an appropriate placement (there's no way to tell how long we'll wait for “the call”).

We ask that you please prayerfully consider supporting us in one or more of the following ways:

• Commit to intentionally praying with us through this journey: for children in foster care, for their biological families in turmoil, for overworked county caseworkers, for our discipleship of our biological kids through the process, and for our wisdom in placement and parenting decisions.
• Consider reading Adopted for Life by Russell Moore, a practical and theologically-compelling call to orphan care that has bolstered our conviction to pursue foster parenting. If you agree to read this book, we will personally provide you with a copy.
• Collect your kids' used baby supplies. If you are a local friend, we will humbly take any items that you might be planning to get rid of anyway. In particular, we'll be gathering formula, bottles, diapers and wipes, clothing (infant and toddler, boys and girls), baby-proofing items, a double stroller, and a second crib and mattress. Please know that even if we are not able to use items we are given, we will ensure they reach a family who can.

Long ago inspired by the twelve standing stones of Joshua 4, a jar of stones rests on our mantle to remind us of the Lord's blessing on our family. Two of those stones represent Sam and Ruth, each brought to us through God's mighty hand and by extraordinary means. We hope to add many more stones to the jar, some representative of broken children who experience the healing power of Jesus Christ. Our daily prayer is that every child who lives in our home will develop a personal relationship with Christ that leads them to make great impacts for the Kingdom. We are thankful for your fellowship and support during this big step for us. Knowing you stand behind us gives us confidence moving forward.