Surrounded

A couple or three years ago, Bryan's cousin and her husband (and their son) decided to become a foster family. I believe they always intended to adopt, which at the time seemed foreign to me. Along they way, they met two brothers, and fell in love. They learned that one of their sisters was in a group home, and they quickly went to bring her home. Early last year, the two other sisters moved in, and soon after, they all started down the road to adoption. I cannot even begin to describe how wonderful these kids are - what a joy they are to be around, how sweetly they treat my own babies, how they freely give affection to our entire extended family.

Late last year, another of Bryan's cousins on the other side of the family also became a foster family through a new ministry in our church. They brought their two little girls to our Christmas dinner, and we were blessed to share the dinner table with them. As we discussed what we knew of their story later, I know both of our hearts were broken. We wanted them to experience the love that we give to our little lady.

And, we continue to be surrounded at every turn... Our next door neighbors adopted their youngest son through foster care. A reconnection with a woman I met at a baby shower when I was pregnant with Lee who works with the Methodist Children's Home; she posts at least once a month about kids they have to turn away because they don't have foster families to take them. A couple of weeks ago, the church where we took music class sent out an email about a panel of foster and adoptive families who would be available to answer questions for interested families.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."

Hebrews 12:1-3