It was a simple plan, if there is such a thing. I would start fostering in the summer of 2012. And that was that. I would work during the day and be a full-time mom every night and weekend. Day care would be necessary, but I would be around at all other times. I was moving forward!
Then our Africa regional director (I work for a Missionary Sending organization, NMSI) told me they were almost set in getting me to go to our Africa regional this year in Kenya - in late August to run the children's programming during the conference.
Our Asia regional director has told me they are still trying to work it out, but it's a possibility - in September.
I was told that our regional retreat would probably be out of the country for at least 11 days. 11 days!?
And all I could think was, "What about my kids?" In case you don't know, you can't just take foster kids out of the country. It just doesn't happen. You can get special permissions to take them out of state (fingers crossed for Christmas!) but out of the country is a definite no-go.
So life gets complicated. But as someone recently reassured me, "good foster parents are hard to come by." So I press forward, to hopefully be a good foster parent, who does as much as she can, when she can, to whoever she is given.
*edit: Sarah just let me know that you can actually take a foster child out of the country, it's just a very involved process (i.e. paperwork, court dates, etc...).
wow. i am really thankful you're writing this blog. i have often thought of doing this...though it sounds crazy! please trust that i will be praying for this and for any children that will tap into the love you have for them and the love that God has for them. i have seen the foster system up close and it is hard and it needs more loving individuals to make a difference. you are a mom.
ReplyDeletei love your heart Abigail! this is so special. God's plans are the best plans.
ReplyDelete