Expecting

440,000. According to the most recent data, on any given day, that’s the number of foster children there are in the United States. (The infographic above is from 2013.) Children who have been removed from their homes and families for a variety of different reasons. 440,000 children in crisis. Right here. Living among us.

Two. On any given day, that’s the number of residents at 264 W. High St. in Mount Gilead, Ohio. Two people who have room in their home and in their hearts. Two people who feel honored at the thought of being entrusted with the care of one or more of these precious children.

If all goes according to plan, Aaron and I will be licensed foster parents within the next couple of weeks. We are very much looking forward to this new part of our journey together. There’s a lot of work involved in preparing for this, and we have already had many memorable moments. For me, one of those moments was during a training when the trainer said to us, “You’re expecting.”

We’re expecting. Those are hope-filled words.

We’re expecting joy. The joy that comes from knowing that it is more blessed to give than to receive. Joy from sounds and sights that will be new to us like small feet running down the stairs, sending someone off to school for the day, or seeing a peacefully sleeping child who has likely experienced more heartache in their short life than we can imagine.

We’re expecting love. Our hearts are open, and I know they will be filled up with love for whoever occupies that awaiting room in the upstairs of our house. We intend to love well as we are loved, and we believe that God’s love will flow through us as we continue to depend on Him. It’s His love in us that will enable us to be patient, kind, and understanding.

We’re expecting heartache. Love is often accompanied by heartache. We are not beginning this journey with our rose-colored glasses on. We understand that there will be adjustments, hardship, and even grief. It’s hard to fully love a child and then be asked to give them back. But we have determined that the opportunity to love is worth the heartache.

We’re expecting grace. Grace to do the hard things. Grace to learn what we don’t know. Grace to love without reservation. Grace to transform. Redeeming, life-changing grace.

Expectation is the stuff that hope is made of. As you think of us in the coming week, would you please pray for us? Pray that in His perfect timing, God will bring into our home exactly who He wants to be here. Pray that we will be good foster parents filled with wisdom, patience, and love. Pray that more families will open their homes to children in crisis. We so appreciate your prayers.

“Praise the Lord! Yes, give praise, O servants of the Lord. Praise the name of the Lord! Blessed be the name of the Lord now and forever.

Everywhere – from east to west – praise the name of the Lord. For the Lord is high above the nations; His glory is higher than the heavens.

Who can be compared with the Lord our God, who is enthroned on high? He stoops down to look on heaven and on earth.

He lifts the poor from the dust and the needy from the garbage dump. He sets them among princes, even the princes of His own people!

He gives the childless woman a family, making her a happy mother.

Praise the Lord!”

Psalm 113

-Dana