When we were trying to think of a name for our new organization, we wanted to say simply what the purpose was, in a cool, not too cutesy way...you know something serious...
I looked up the word "provisional" in the dictionary (okay, technically it was dictionary.com!) and it said that provisional meant to "provide for the needs of." That hooked me. That's EXACTLY what we want to do. In love. We want to be God's hands and feet, to do service for others in God's name, to provide for the needs of others...Provisional Love. Boom. There it is.
Since I often can't turn off my mind...(most often as I lay in bed at night listening to my husband snore mocking my inability to sleep...and on purpose, I'm sure,) I was thinking about how this is also the foundation of the foster care concept. We want to provide for the needs of the children, in love. They all need a lot of things, all different kinds of things because of all the different backgrounds they come from...but the most basic, most primitive thing that need provided to them is LOVE. They need to know that they are loved. No matter what. Even if they can't talk. Even if they can't sit still or obey or participate in a group setting without picking fights. Even if they can't look you in the eye, or hug you or express themselves. Even if they are three grades behind in school or can't seem to stop screaming every night because of night terrors. Even if they break your dishes, or color on your walls or constantly hide food in their rooms. Even if, even when, even though... they want to be loved.
Will it be easy to provide that for them? Honestly, usually not...most often not. Are we called to do so, even if it is hard? You bet.
My favorite call to service is here: My children, we should love people not only with words and talk, but by our actions and true caring. 1 John 3:18
Among so many other verses referencing this, here is another directive:
He helps the orphans and widows and he loves strangers and gives them food and clothes.
Deuteronomy 10:18
Do you think God, our Father finds it easy to love us? We are the worst of the worst, the most broken of the broken...the ugly in this world is because of our sin. We are the least deserving...but He loves us despite. Is it so hard for us, then, to show some of that grace to the least among us?
Anyway, all this to say, it may not be the best name or the most sophisticated name or the most professional name for our organization...but it found me. The Lord validated in in my heart. And...the girls like it. :-)
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Eek! First purchase!
Madyson and I travelled to Brenham last night and bought two tiny little radio flyer tricycles to start our inventory. One is in great shape but the second one leaves a lot to be desired. We decided that one will be a project. So commence project Bling it up! We will turn this one into a sweet ride fit for a princess. Excited!
Made a pretty cool contact today, which felt good.
Keep this project in your prayers! Pray for abundant and eager connections!
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Monday, April 23, 2012
Fostering in Our Home
What's going on in our home?
Getting recertified: they told us not to close out our home and we didn't listen! We are awfully stubborn. Now, we have to do SO MUCH all over again. That's okay, though...we are up for the challenge. I expect to be finished with all of our recertifications in about one month. Then we will just be ready and waiting. I have almost all of our paperwork finished and we just lack the things that require $$...like, new fingerprints, updated CPR/First Aid certifications, buying what seems like a thousand more smoke detectors, etc. Am I griping? Well, maybe...but allow me that!
I am back in the same place as I was, when we were waiting before...the hard thoughts...such as: what is happening right now to the children that will come to us? What trauma are they enduring? Are they getting hugs, meals, baths, ...? As a mother, it hurts to think about your biological children being in a situation like that, being neglected and abandoned. Let me assure you, as a mother, it hurts just as much to think of your foster and future adopted children being in a situation like that...and worse, because you KNOW its happening and you can't do anything to help. Worse...you know it HAS to happen, for them to even come to you. Painful thoughts...
So, I do all I can do...I pray. Pray that they are strong and can survive the ordeal while keeping their ability to love and be loved. Will you pray with us?
Cindy
Getting recertified: they told us not to close out our home and we didn't listen! We are awfully stubborn. Now, we have to do SO MUCH all over again. That's okay, though...we are up for the challenge. I expect to be finished with all of our recertifications in about one month. Then we will just be ready and waiting. I have almost all of our paperwork finished and we just lack the things that require $$...like, new fingerprints, updated CPR/First Aid certifications, buying what seems like a thousand more smoke detectors, etc. Am I griping? Well, maybe...but allow me that!
I am back in the same place as I was, when we were waiting before...the hard thoughts...such as: what is happening right now to the children that will come to us? What trauma are they enduring? Are they getting hugs, meals, baths, ...? As a mother, it hurts to think about your biological children being in a situation like that, being neglected and abandoned. Let me assure you, as a mother, it hurts just as much to think of your foster and future adopted children being in a situation like that...and worse, because you KNOW its happening and you can't do anything to help. Worse...you know it HAS to happen, for them to even come to you. Painful thoughts...
So, I do all I can do...I pray. Pray that they are strong and can survive the ordeal while keeping their ability to love and be loved. Will you pray with us?
Cindy
Ready, Set, Go!
Our new venture starts today. Please take a few minutes to read our mission purpose on the side of this page. ->
We hope that we are able to encourage support and promote awareness...but more importantly and more basically, we just want to do something to help. We want to do something, however small and insignificant it may be in the grand scheme of things. Will this touch one child; one family? If so, then I'd call it successful and worth our time.
The foster care system in Texas is so overworked and it seems to be getting more so everyday. We, as a society, need to step up and fill the gaps. This family mission: Provisional Love, is our humble attempt.
Stay caught up with our goings on here as we blog LIFE as we live it.
Here we go! -Cindy
We hope that we are able to encourage support and promote awareness...but more importantly and more basically, we just want to do something to help. We want to do something, however small and insignificant it may be in the grand scheme of things. Will this touch one child; one family? If so, then I'd call it successful and worth our time.
The foster care system in Texas is so overworked and it seems to be getting more so everyday. We, as a society, need to step up and fill the gaps. This family mission: Provisional Love, is our humble attempt.
Stay caught up with our goings on here as we blog LIFE as we live it.
Here we go! -Cindy
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