This article hits a home run - (Just like the Rangers have been doing!) about fostering and adopting....
If you are considering adopting, or fostering, or even KNOW SOMEONE WHO IS ... read this article ...
Let me know what you think!
Many years ago - when we lived in South Dakota - we had 5 small children and decided to become foster parents. After a few foster kids came and left our home - a 3 month old little girl was placed with us. We worked with her mother for many months to reunify - but eventually birthmom asked us to adopt Elizabeth - and of course - we said YES! We later moved to Illinois with all six children, and as soon as Caleb turned 18, we got re-licensed as foster parents. 
We worked with DCFS to try to reunify with mom ~ but she was unable to complete her services to get her boys back. With much JOY AND EXCITEMENT we agreed to adopt the boys - and had a GREAT DAY Monday, Sept 29th, when that finally happened! 
Almost five weeks ago, Samuel and Noah had a sibling born (4 weeks early!) and they are very excited to have a baby brother! They affectionately call him "MyBabyBrother" ! Our licensing worker had quickly completed the paperwork to get a waiver approved so that he can be placed with us. However, neither our licensing worker or the caseworker for the little boy knew how long till the waiver would be approved! Every time the baby comes to visit with his siblings (really - it's Samuel and Noah smothering the baby with kisses - and the baby squirming - wanting to go back to sleep!) Samuel asks, when it's time for the baby to go home "Why can't MyBabyBrother stay with us?" and "Please don't give MyBabyBrother away..." We say "Just keep praying, little guy - just keep praying!" 
Now - the caseworker has not made the switch yet - (She was in court all day Friday). I'm guessing she only has to make a phone call to do it - but again - I'm working at being patient. Tuesday is so far away (Monday is a holiday). Funny how we've waited 30 days! for this waiver - and even though it's approved - he still isn't here! God loves teaching me patience!Steve Jobs died yesterday. He was the creator/founder of Apple. Worth more money than any of us can imagine. He ... was adopted. Born to a single mom and her boyfriend. They 'gave him up' for adoption.
I wonder how his birth mom feels - knowing that was 'her boy'? I wonder how his adopted parents felt - as he became famous and rich? I bet he made both mommas PROUD.
My adopted boy made me proud this morning. Samuel brought me this book:
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| Samuel David Beaty |
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| Noah Levi Beaty |
It's almost time. 
Now - all the paperwork is done & turned in. 
Samuel has lived with us for approx 947 days, Benjamin & Aaron have lived with us over 250 days, and Noah all of his life! 
A few months ago, my dad was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He was ready to die. He missed my mom - and was ready to meet Jesus.
Thanksgiving meal - we, the entire family, ate lunch a Thanksgiving meal with him! What a neat time - for us to all be together!
A few weeks ago - we got the call that ... it's almost time. He was weak, getting sicker, and Hospice had been called in to care for him. We made the trip to Pontiac to see him - and the Hospice nurse said "Yes - he is actively dying." She couldn't give a timeframe, as no one knows the day or the hour that one will die...but she did say it wouldn't be long.
Actively dying is an interesting term - dying seems like ... giving up. lifeless. the end. nothing. death. ACTIVELY makes me think of excitement. hope. activity! The two words just don't seem to go together.
But - for my dad - it made sense. He was EXCITED to leave this world - and head into eternity with Jesus. He had HOPE for the end.
I woke up February 12th, a Saturday morning, at 4:25 am. I checked my phone to see if I had missed any phone calls - I hadn't. Later that morning I learned that Dad had passed away - exactly at 4:25am - that same minute I had woke up to check!
...but I'm sure I never confuse God!
I read Pastor Brian Bill's sermon from yesterday at Pontiac Bible church and have become more confused as I've meditated on James 1:26-27: “If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
Why does God lump together - caring for Orphans - and keeping your tongue under control? What do the two have to do with each other?
I like the part about caring for orphans....taking care of kids...I can do that. I don't like the fact that God says if I can't keep my mouth from saying mean things.... then my religion might be worthless! WHAT? (better stop whining....)
OK - I understand that it's important to watch what I say - to be careful when I'm angry and not 'spout off' - but WHY lump that together with caring for orphans?
I'm so confused!!!
I got the email last week.... "I will be meeting with the adoption worker to transfer the case from 'foster' to 'adopt'."
I read that again. and again. I can't believe it!
(I don't know the 'official' terms - but...) Benjamin and Aaron are no longer 'foster' kids - but rather are 'adopt' kids....
IT'S REALLY GONNA HAPPEN ! ! ! !
The meeting took place Tuesday afternoon. Our caseworker told the adoption worker all about the Beaty Bunch. All about all the kids we have, our hectic life, and hopefully - our crazy views about religion (I'd call it our passionate love for Jesus - but I'm sure that's not how it's viewed by all of DCFS!)
The adoption worker is ready to get this all done and overwith. The boys have to live with us for 6 months. I'm counting the days. Soon after June 20th - there should be a court date to finalize the adoption!
IT'S REALLY GONNA HAPPEN ! ! ! !
