The Two New Additions To Our Big Family

The day our adoption was final we got a call from DHS asking us if we would be interested in two little boys ages 3 and 4.  They were having trouble placing them.  The call that came in described the boys has aggressive, abused animals, beat up on each other and others, extremely active and a bunch of other stuff.  My mind kept going back to their ages.  Little ones this young are so moldable I had trouble processing this. If I said yes they would be at the house in the morning (Wednesday).

Before I go on…..I am not going to say that there are not any kids out there with this behavior.  There are some kids that are really struggling with acceptable behavior some because they are choosing this behavior and others because they don’t know the difference and can't control themselves.

However -- when I got this call I told asked them if I can call them back in 10 minutes.  I had to talk with my hubby.  My husband looked at me like I was crazy.  We have 2 dogs, 3 cats and blind chicken and a house full of other children that do not want to be abused. After giving my husband "puppy dog" eyes -- he gave in.  I normally would not do this -- I think.  But their ages -- I couldn't let that sway me from what I was hearing.  If these were teenagers and I got this report -- sad to say I would not be brave enough to take this on. I called them back and said yes we would love them!!

I decided to stay home from church that night because based on our last placement it was very emotional.  I just wanted to play it calm and give them time to adjust.  My husband had to go to work that morning so I was on my own.  I told the older kids that were home that I am really gonna need their help for consoling.  I just knew that I was going to have to pull these kids off the workers when they left.  There was two of them.

They were at the house by 9am in the morning.  They came in all smiles and happy.  The case worker just looked at me and said they were ready to leave and come here. I showed them their room and the toys.  I was taken back!

I was on high alert for our animals and other children for a while.  I was very evident later on these children were sweet and typical 3 and 4 year old boys. They have never hurt the animals since they have been here.  They are active boys for sure but show me a 3 and 4 who is not.  Every once in a while they will play a little rough and they will hurt someone or they might get hurt.  

As the day went on it seemed like they had been with us since the beginning so I asked them if they wanted to go to church.  Oh my…Cheers through the ceiling!! They were so happy.  They said they do not go to church but they really wanted to.  Since that night every time they wake up from their nap or from wake up in the morning the first words out of their mouth is "is it church day?" They love it!!! They are always singing "The B-I-B-L-E yes that’s the book for me. I stand up on the word of God the B-I-B-L-E  BIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!" and other songs!!

That Sunday after church while I was reading a book all 4 children asked the Lord into their heart.  I knew my other two had already done that but they wanted to again. Now they walk around and tell everyone that Jesus lives in their heart.  I told them that anytime they are scared or they don't know what is going to happen they can pray and ask the Lord to help them and keep them safe.  They love to pray at breakfast, lunch and dinner.

When Little D (4 yrs old) woke up from his nap the other day he said "When I was taking a nap I had a long talk with God….I asked him to please get me up from this long rest!"  I had to laugh.  At least he is having a conversation with God!

We have done respite before however this is the first foster placement we have had where we can't adopt them.  I think the other kids are struggling with this a bit.  They think that every kid that comes in they stay forever. I know these children will not be with me for a long time.  However while they are here I get to love on them, hug them, show them that we all care about them.  We get to introduce Jesus to them.  We get to plant seeds and pray that one day those seeds will take root and grow and spread.  All my other kids are seeing how important their role is to these little ones.  Its hard not to get attached.  I am giving these kids all I have and in the end when they leave I will be okay.  I will probably be in tears but tears never hurt me.  I want these children to know they do have a purpose and they are loved.  I am happy that they do have a family that wants them.  I am concerned about the mom coming back into their lives but the Lord knows the whole story (beginning, middle and ending). He knows what is best.  He loves these little guys so much.