Look at this... only a few weeks into my blogging adventure, and already doing poorly at keeping it updated! I fully intend to come back soon and record the rest of my thoughts on "Why Foster Care?" but for right now, I just want to share what's coming up in the very near future.
In short: nothing. :-) I'm in a bit of a holding pattern at present as the agency I will be working with has not yet set a date for training to begin. This training (called PRIDE) is my next step in the process, and it sounds like that will take 2-3 months. Hopefully they'll get it scheduled soon, and when they do, I'll share it here.
Meanwhile, it gives me time to tie up other loose ends... those things that make a home unfit for habitation by anyone but a bachelor! I've got to finish recaulking the tub, and I'm actually within sight of finishing all the painting I began over four years ago. I'm also eagerly awaiting delivery of the mattresses for the bunk bed I'm building. No worries, I have no plans to take more than one child at a time to start with... but I like the idea of being open in the future. And besides, bunk beds are still cool even if you're the only one in the room!
Monday, January 18
Saturday, January 2
So Why Foster Care? (part 1 of 2)
The germination of the idea occurred years ago, when I first emerged from college and reentered society. I found that I loved children, in general. I also noticed, as I spent more time out in the world, doing things like shopping for groceries, that a lot of parents don't seem terribly enthusiastic about having kids. Some seem downright put out by it. I don't mean to be judgmental of people after observing them only 10 seconds in a grocery store. My point is that it kept me thinking about the fact that there are kids out there who aren't wanted, who aren't loved, and that's just sad. So as early as my first year out of college, I'd decided that if and when I got married, I would be very open to adopting children.
In early 2008, almost two years ago now, I met a young woman--younger than me even--who was a foster parent along with her husband. She spoke passionately about providing a home, even just temporarily, for kids who have been ripped from their own families. She acknowledged that the foster care system catches a lot of flak, and that some of it's probably valid. And yet, she pointed out, whatever one thinks about the system, there's a very clear need for loving people to open not just their homes but their lives to these kids, to be a good influence in their lives for as long as possible. That was the first time I'd ever met someone who fostered, at least as far as I could remember; since that time, it seems like people have come out of the woodwork. Regardless, I've been actively thinking--and praying--about doing so myself, ever since that conversation.
In early 2008, almost two years ago now, I met a young woman--younger than me even--who was a foster parent along with her husband. She spoke passionately about providing a home, even just temporarily, for kids who have been ripped from their own families. She acknowledged that the foster care system catches a lot of flak, and that some of it's probably valid. And yet, she pointed out, whatever one thinks about the system, there's a very clear need for loving people to open not just their homes but their lives to these kids, to be a good influence in their lives for as long as possible. That was the first time I'd ever met someone who fostered, at least as far as I could remember; since that time, it seems like people have come out of the woodwork. Regardless, I've been actively thinking--and praying--about doing so myself, ever since that conversation.
Friday, January 1
My First Blog!
I've always found it rather amusing that, for someone with a degree in computer science (and now a job in software development), I usually stay a ways behind my friends and family on the technology adoption curve. I was a latecomer to cell phones, text messaging, and Facebook, and I have no intention of ever buying into iPhone or Blu-ray. And here I am, finally, starting my own blog. But I maintain the excuse that I never had anything worth talking about on a frequent basis. That has now changed.
If you haven't yet heard, I've begun the process of becoming a foster parent here in West Virginia. Since I love to write, Kelly Thompson at Frameworks (who has been a great source of information on foster care and adoption) has suggested I maintain a blog about my experiences. Obviously I've decided to take her up on that.
I'll leave it at that for now. One of my great weaknesses is extreme verbosity, and for this venture I'm going to strive hard to keep my posts short (short by Bob-standards, at least). Over the next couple weeks, I will share more about what God's been doing in my life that led me to this decision, about my excitement and fears, and of course about what I've learned in my reading and discussions with professionals working in this arena. I hope you'll follow along and share your thoughts too!
If you haven't yet heard, I've begun the process of becoming a foster parent here in West Virginia. Since I love to write, Kelly Thompson at Frameworks (who has been a great source of information on foster care and adoption) has suggested I maintain a blog about my experiences. Obviously I've decided to take her up on that.
I'll leave it at that for now. One of my great weaknesses is extreme verbosity, and for this venture I'm going to strive hard to keep my posts short (short by Bob-standards, at least). Over the next couple weeks, I will share more about what God's been doing in my life that led me to this decision, about my excitement and fears, and of course about what I've learned in my reading and discussions with professionals working in this arena. I hope you'll follow along and share your thoughts too!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
