Another week down

Last night was our 2nd training class. The topics discussed were drug use, cultural considerations and first aid. Every week gives us a bit more insight into lives of families outside of our own. We played a men vs women Jeopardy style game to discuss types and effects of drugs. I am grateful to say we have have no experience with this personally...however, the reality is there is a good possibility that we will be caring for a child from a drug abusing family. Not only do we face the affect of drugs or other abuse on the child, but we will likely be interacting (through visits, etc) with birth parents very different from ourselves. Honestly, I think drug abuse seems to be the most "excusable" (for lack of a better way to put it) of the various reasons a child will be pulled from a home. How do you come face to face with birth parents who have physically or sexually abused a child in your care? My only thought is through GRACE.

Also, the further we get into this, the more I realize that race of the child is such a non-issue. I am grateful to have the ability to see beautiful blended families. Yesterday, Hannah and I were able to witness a court adoption hearing. Friends from our babysitting co-op welcomed their second adopted son, who came to them through the foster care system. It was beautiful to watch their joy at becoming family, legally. Although they are Caucasian, their two Hispanic son's fit very naturally into their lives. Images of Haitian children being reunited with Caucasian American adoptive parents also help me to reflect that a child is a child and a parent is a parent. However God see's fit to bring each together is in His way. Our prayer is always that WE not get in the way of His will.

So, our home study is mostly done. There is one more home visit, for the walk through, which will happen next week. We still need to get our background checks submitted. Then, 3 more training classes and hopefully we will be approved and ready. Another week closer. Another prayer of thanksgiving. Another hopeful utterance of "Thy Will Be Done."