Being Transparent--is it worth it?

Over the past twenty four hours I have been thinking about everything we have been through the past ten months. We have given the world a glimpse of what it is like to go through the adoption process---from trainings, paperwork, inspections, waiting, visits with children, and then heart break from a placement not working out (note: our most recent placement was a foster to adopt placement and we were given this option due to the children being labeled as a "difficult placement". we were not at the adoption point yet as we were trying to determine if we, as parents, were a fit for the children--in hindsight, more visits should have taken place prior to placement to determine if the fit was a good one or not--LESSON LEARNED!).

Has it really been worth it to share this with everyone?

YES!

Every moment has been worth it because we know that somehow God is using what we have been through and what we are continuing to go through to minister to others.

I fully believe that God will not give you a desire if He is not going to fulfill it. Our God is loving, kind, gracious, and compassionate. He teaches us lessons by allowing us to go through experiences that test us and will bring us to rock bottom--maybe b/c we need to look up more!!! 

We are looking to HIM now for more guidance than ever as the next steps need to be decided upon. We are faced with the decision to either keep our home licensed as a Foster Home or to close our license and remain open only for adoption. I am battling with this b/c I know that foster placements can ultimately lead to adoption but not in all cases as the reason for Foster Homes is for a temporary home while parents work on bettering themselves and improving the home for reunification. We will be making this decision in the coming days and we ask that you join us in praying to make the right decision. 

What have we learned over the past few weeks...

(1) We want a family 

(2) We need to be more informed and ask LOTS of questions about children presented to us--we now know what questions to ask!!!

(3) Baggage is not just what you take on trips

(4) Family and Friends are treasurers 

(5) a child should never physically assault an adult and think it is OK

(6) all children deserve to be loved

(7) Never give up, learn from your mistakes and use that experience for the future

Earlier today I ranted on Facebook b/c I was hurt(and still am) by people making rude and unfiltered comments. Yes, everyone is entitled to their opinion but until you know EVERYTHING that we have been through then we ask you to keep your comments to yourself or better yet do not even utter the comments. We have not shared with everyone what we(and family members) have been through with the children because most does not need to be shared.

As we continue our journey, we will share everything we go through--the good and the bad. We want others to ask us questions and we will ask too. Every moment is a learning experience.

Romans 8:18 "The pain you have been feeling cannot compare to the joy that is coming."