A few weeks ago I made the nervous announcement that we are getting certified as foster parents! The reason I am nervous is not because we are unsure of our decision, but because it’s a big one - and it will, I think, change our family forever. On top of that, I don’t know how it will turn out. This could be a lifelong adventure, or it could be something we do a handful of times before closing this chapter of our journey. It’s so unknown, and I hate feeling out of control, yet I wanted to share what’s next for our little threesome.
The whole process began in July. I contacted a few different DSS localities, but had trouble getting in touch with the right people. Then one day I saw a flyer for a foster agency called Braley and Thompson - and lo and behold, they answered my email immediately! Working with them has been wonderful. Since they are a private agency we have been able to do everything on a more individualized basis and not only did we get to finish training at our own pace (meaning, much faster than normal), I also felt like we learned a lot more since we got to ask a ton of questions.
We finished training in September and then had three home visits over the next few months. There were some gaps in between, and we had to complete home study #3 with all the paperwork, doctor’s visits, and fingerprints you can imagine. It kind of felt like a routine at this point honestly! Our last home visit happened in the past week, ending with a walk-through of our home to ensure it can hold a foster kid - or several. Of course, true to form, Nathan was working on a fan and had to cut off the electricity to upstairs. I had to assure our social worker that we do indeed have lights on both floors! She was incredibly gracious, and we eventually got the lights turned on, so it all worked out ok.
So what’s next? Well…the deadline for us to be certified as foster parents is at the end of this month! I’m taking the date with a grain of salt, since there are usually last-minute things with paperwork or even fires to put out at the other end. Our social worker both certifies new foster parents and works with current placements, so it’s not uncommon for something to come up! Either way, our part is complete (or at least we are 99% sure it is!) and now we wait.
We wait to be certified. We wait for a call. We wait for a child (children?!) who God wants to place in our home for 2 days, 2 weeks, or 2 years. It is unknown and scary, yet despite any obstacles we have had assurance over and over again that, for right now, this is what we are called to do. Thank you for following along. Thank you for your support. And thank you for being a part of our story from Joel to Willow and beyond.
