5 months... Back and better than ever...!

I took some time off from this journey.  I never lost sight of the road, but just pulled into the rest area for a little while. :) 

After purchasing my first home last August, moving to a new town, going through all the training classes and testing for foster care and adoption, and the holidays....I needed a break.  Needed a little time to recharge my batteries, to work on myself, and to focus.  In these 5 months...  I have got settled into my home (despite having some issues with the roof and plumbing, which have now been repaired).  I have been working on my health, and have lost 44 lbs and have more energy and more confidence. I have met new friends in the area I moved to, got plugged into a church near my home, and overall just got things settled. 

I still have a few things to do before I pull back on the road and hit the gas, but I'm almost ready! :)

just don't run away from it!

"Anything God asks you to do, He will give you the strength to do, if you just don't run away from it!"

Thank you Father! I get the message, loud and clear. We serve an awesome God, and He never leads us down a path without being by our side. God doesn't call the equipped, He equips the called. Father please equip me for this calling! Amen.

Understandable Delays or Fear?

I had to ask myself why I haven't completed everything I need to do to become licensed yet.  Yes, there have been some understandable delays, but have I been using them as excuses to avoid moving forward because of fear?  In a word, yes. 

I let my head get the better of me, started listening to all the doubts and fears (I've never had kids to raise.  Can I do this?  Would I be a good role model and influence in a child's like?  Can I handle the tough times that are sure to come with this decision? Am I "mom" material? etc...).  Instead of listening to God, I started listening to myself and trying to do it all on my own again.  I know better, but I do it anyway.  The last few days I've prayed about it and asked God to help me move forward and follow His will and not my own.  This morning someone sent me a link to some podcasts by Joyce Meyer on her series called "Confronting Fear".  I've only listened to the first two parts so far, but here are the messages I'm getting:

"God wants us to be bold and courageous!"

"Get out of your own head and be still. Listen to what God is moving you to do."

"Go forward! Say, 'I'm going to do what God told me to do!'."

"Anything God asks you to do, He will give you the strength to do, if you just don't run away from it!"

Thank you Father!  I get the message, loud and clear.  We serve an awesome God, and He never leads us down a path without being by our side.  God doesn't call the equipped, He equips the called.  Father please equip me for this calling!  Amen.

Update...

Life throws you curveballs sometimes.  No problem though, with His guidance and strength, any obsticles can be overcome.  Nothing too major, but I had some issues with my house (leak in the roof, flood in the office, etc.) that had to be worked out.  That plus a nasty head/chest cold and problems with my allergy injections, made it necessary to take a break for a short time and get those things worked out. 

Things are getting back on track now though!  I have completed all my training except for the CPR/First Aide class.  I will be taking it soon.  I also need to finish my paperwork and turn the rest of it in ASAP.  I was almost done when I got sidetracked. So hopefully it won't take long to get that done.  :)  I am about to take my annual business trip to California.  It is only for a few days, and then I will be back.  My "to do" list is getting WAY too long, have to start getting things marked off soon! 

On a positive note, I have made progress on the kid's room.  Beds, dressers, night stands, storage is all in there now.  Just have to add the fun decorative touches!  Still got a lot to do around the rest of the house though.  Ok...time to get busy....the yard needs mowed and weed eated....the dog needs a bath and a haircut...  :)

Preparations...

In preparing to foster and foster-to-adopt, there are certain things I will need to prepare the kids rooms and for the kids. Making a wish list and beginning to get a few things. :)

http://www.walmart.com/giftregistry/gr_detail.do?registryId=86200032162

http://amzn.com/w/22TD90SB5S4WD

Kids Rooms: The beds, dressers, and curtains have been ordered.  I received a very nice gift from a great friend (underbed storage!), THANK YOU! The twin comforters I was going to get are out of stock, so I'll have to find others or wait until they get more.  My sis found something that will work as a great toy box. THANKS SIS!

2nd half of STAR training...

We had the 2nd half of STAR training last night.  The first topic/chapter was on sexual abuse.  It was a difficult topic in general, and then was even more difficult for me personally.  We got through it, and learned a lot to help the children placed in our care. We also went over teaching and discipline last night.  Tonight we have the 3rd and final part of STAR training.  I think tonight we learn about SIDS/SBS/Water Safety, and then about communicable diseases and other health topics. 

The adventure continues...

Rooms...

Ordered today: beds, mattresses, bedding, pillows, dressers, curtains

Should be in by next Friday, and then I can finally begin to put the kid's rooms together! :)  Or at least get started.... Ha!