Helping Hand

I always poke around Craigslist for jobs/gigs to see what's out there and last week I found a listing with the word "Respite Care" in it.  I was curious since this is a very new concept to me that I have learned in my recent exposure to Foster and Adoption.  So I clicked on it, read it, applied for it, interviewed for it and met the precious little boy I'd be working with, got the job and had my first day today!  What a precious time I will have with this family and this boy.  I thought I'd learn a lot, but I'm going to learn more directions than what I expected.  I expected to learn all about this little boy and how to best help him, but I am already learning how to be a Mom as well.  This Mom is SO precious, I don't know if I have ever met another woman who doesn't somewhat raise her voice even a little or show some little bit of annoyance when she has called her son's name about 5 times without a bit of response...WOW...and this is her oldest boy, not the one I'm helping with.  She amazes me!  God had something else in mind for me to learn on this very part time job that I didn't even expect...patience beyond patience:)  I hope I can put that into practice this next week as my nephew comes to spend the week with me!
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Yesterday was another GREAT day with my new little friend!  I am learning sign language and am being forced to catch on fast - it's great and he is so very precious.
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I'm nearing the end of my time with my little friend.  His mom had a baby so she was given extra hours for extra help during that time so my couple months are nearing their end and what an experience it has been!  I hope to continue helping on an as needed basis for this family, they are so caring!

Host Family for Brazillian Student

Well, our first child might not be from a foster environment, but a student exchange program!  Since we figure we'll be waiting for a while, we have put in our application to be a host family for a student starting around February or so...it's only for a few months.  I'll post an update once I know more.

We found out he's arriving August 20th, so we're excited to meet him! Two other families will be hosting him before we get him and we get him during the time he graduates from HS!!! Celebration in June:)  I'm really looking forward to it.