This summer has been a summer of homework, fun with family & friends & a change of plans. I originally had planned to return to the school that I worked at as an Educational Aide. I love my job & the staff & students I serve there. Then the change of plans came. My hubby & I both felt like God was calling my heart back home again. With four kiddos, two being seniors this year, and a desire to open our home up again to children that come from hard places, this made sense. Sense spiritually but not economically. In the past when we would take in kiddos from hard places & I worked outside the home it made it very difficult to do things well. We have also been going through training this past summer through Texas Christian University's child development program called Empowered to Connect, and just finished up 7 weeks of homework. We head out to Jersey this week to do more training with others who are like minded. We're very excited about this as we know that foster & adoption ministry is a calling that God has placed on our lives. Even when we need to take a break, He eventually draws our hearts back in. I love His grace on our lives!!! I have had mixed feelings about my change of plans. I know my time at the school was very important. I believe God used me to share His love with others there & I too was blessed by those I worked with & served there. That is why this decision was so hard. It was like I had 2 good choices, not one bad & one good. So I prayed about choosing the direction at this point in my life that I could bring the most glory to God. I wouldn't be surprised if my journey takes me back to the school at some point, but for now my journey is keeping me at home. I love that I will be available for our kiddos more, be able to take in kiddos that come from hard places & share the wonderful training we're receiving with other families to help encourage them on their journey. This journey was one of stepping out on faith. I believed in my heart God was drawing my heart home again but that He was going to have the decision be one of trusting Him & not having all the answers as I stepped out on faith. So here's to my new journey & being open to using whatever talents God has given me to bring glory to Him & further His kingdom. When it's all said & done that's what's most important in my life. Living it for HIM!!!
When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say "I used everything you gave me." - Erma Bombeck
