Sitting in the hospital not believing my dad had to have open heart surgery (Tues. Jan.31st)and still a little in shock made me contemplate life, family and health. After a test that showed 99% blockage in 2 arteries doctors stated that it is a good thing that dad is in such great shape and works out everyday because that is what kept him going with such clogged arteries. By the evening after surgery my dad wasn't responding enough for the nurses to take out his breathing tube so the family stepped in to help:) We all gathered around the bed in ICU and sang his favorite hymns and prayed for him. He finally responded with a quiet, "Thank you." We praised God for that. He told us later that he heard the singing but remembers nothing else. I considered that such a special bonding time as a family and I will always remember it. The nurses loved the harmony and dad's nurse sang along as she did her charting.
The week before the operation God had been teaching me how to trust Him more and more. I had been praying and realized that just maybe I had been praying wrong. I have been praying for a child to adopt through foster care and due to something someone said to me I started to think that maybe I would pray for families to heal and if they couldn't stay together then we are here to help in any way we could. Even though this is what I meant all along it helped me lay down any expectations I have and trust God's timing even more. After I released my hopes and desires to Jesus I had a real peace wash over me. It was soon after working through this we received a call that there was a little 3 year old girl that needed a place to stay. This is only for a couple of weeks but we accepted!! We were able to meet her last night and she is very sweet. We found out we might just be taking her 11 month old brother also. So here we go. We will be foster parents starting next week lasting 2 weeks. Even though it is a short time we are excited for this opportunity. We cannot post photos but anyone is welcome to come over! You are welcome to stop by or plan a play date. I can't believe I am saying play date. That seems so foreign for that to come out of my mouth.
So a lot has been happening over the last week. God is faithful and good. Thank you for all your encouragement and prayers. I will continue to update as we learn how to do the parent thing. Any advice/helpful hints will be well received. Maybe we will still be able to sleep in, right??? Hahahaha, the Sahrs
Here is an old dresser that Chris's brother found for us. We stripped the paint, sanded it and I had fun painting it! Ready for our kids to use:)
JJ and Chris
ReplyDeleteSo so glad to hear the surgery went well, and we are praying for a full and speedy recovery.
Excited to hear you are being entrusted with kiddos in need. Im sure it will not be easy - but what a way to meet a huge need. God Bless you! I know that God has a wonderful plan for you guys and your future family - permenant and temporary. My prayer for you is that you will be able to love each child fully and freely = knowing full well that your heart will be broken at some point in some fashion - but trusting God that He is fully able to mend your heart, and give you all the grace you need in the moment - just like with your Dad JJ - funny, I didn't start out to make that analogy - but it fits. Love you both much! Keep us posted! Kris