Fosters...Australian for beer.

For the last several months (probably since papa fest)I have been really muling over the idea of community and how we live in such independent family units in America (Or actually I should say the more prevalent American culture. There are many sub cultures that live much more communal type life styles...but I will be primarily talking about the main-stream culture....anyways...). I have been contemplating what it looks like to truly care for one another and to care for widows, orphans, the poor and oppressed, etc. I have been feeling led to have either an elderly woman who has no family to care for her or an orphan/foster child into our home to care for and to give love and a family to. (you see my littlest sister Jenna is living with us know and will be moving out probably sometime in Jan or Feb, thus freeing up a space for someone else.) I had been unsure what to do and so was just sort of praying and waiting for God to reveal what He wanted for our family. And now I really believe he is calling us to get a foster baby. We need it to be a baby at this point because several wise people have counseled us to never get a foster child who is older than our current children living in the home. (I could totally see Ryan and I fostering older children when our bio children grow up since we will be so young. Seriously when Indi graduates I will only be about 41. Still practically a babe myself...that my friends is what happens when you get married at 11! I kid...but seriously.) I just started the process to get certified and I think if I am able I am going to get specialized training so that we can get a baby with special needs, maybe a baby addicted to meth or something like that. Ryan and I are both very excited. I see this as such a good opportunity to bless a child's life all the while being with my own children and hopefully teaching them about how Jesus wants us to care for others. I have so much more I could say about this, but I am really tired and having a hard time getting any of my thoughts out. I will write more about this in the days to come, when things start to happen. I know the next step is orientation on September 8th. I will be able to update after that. If you want you can send any advice, experience, or prayers our way.