We are excited and scared today as we take our fingerprints at an agency downtown. Everything then gets sent down to the state, and we have 30 days to get liscensed. What a culmination of a process that began back in August of 2009 when Ang said to me – “I really think God is calling us to be foster parents.” To which I replied. . . . “nah . . .” – I just wasn’t there yet. . . little did I know that God was just up to his old tricks

In the past 6 months we have:

- received CPR and First aid training for infants through adults

- been through a wide assortment of medical testing – bloodwork (including our children), TB tests, physcals, etc…

- started praying about a wounded soul coming into our home

- been to 30 hours of training

- read numerous articles (and tested on them)

- had a water test done

- background checks

- prayed more

- seen the disbelief in others eyes (and diagnosis of insanity) when telling them our news

- been drawn to the severe need all around us for GOOD foster homes

- spent countless hours completing over 50 pages of paperwork

- cancelled plans for a major trip this summer

- rejoiced at the perspective of the honor it is to truly help another human life.

- grieved the loss of convenience, comfort, and predictability that was hoped for in several areas of our life

- been drawn closer to God than ever before. . . . He really is in control

- reevaluated finances, eating habits, priorities, and spiritual goals within our own family – we want to be ready. . . . as ready as anyone can be.

God called Ang into this very strongly 6 months ago. . . . and He showed me, only after I trusted my wife AND opened my heart to actually hearing God. I’ll admit it, I didn’t ask the question for a long time because I was scared of what the answer might be. I felt like Joseph (only on a much smaller scale), needing to be visited by and Angel to confirm what his Mary had told him.

No angels for me, it just took my submission of the prideful and arrogant thought that I subconsciously held onto: “God has got to tell me eveything that He wants to do in this family, He needs to tell me first before we move forward – He will always go through me on the big stuff – I am the head of the household remember.”

PLUS –  You know – I backed off my schedule a little bit this Spring so that I could focus more on what I felt called to do with greenlockers. . . . it was all about me, me, me - ”What gives God? – How am I supposed to get things done that you have called me too when you keep adding stuff to our plate?, we don’t have time for this, and we already have not slept in 7 years – I thought we were just getting to the point of balance – what are you trying to do here?”

Praise God He is patient when we seek Him. . . and Praise God that He is willing to trust us with bringing His kingdom – even when I act so selfish and childish (Ang has been so steadfast throughout this whole process – just AMAZING).  Then on the way to work one day when I was genuinely open to hearing God’s voice I heard Him say “Ted, do you really think you are going to be the only one that I am going to use in your family to do great things? . . . Have you seen your wife lately? She’s amazing! . . . and I have amazing things in store for her too. . . trust me!”

So, I am leaving right now to get fingerprints. . . . let the wonderful adventure of being part of God’s kingdom take its next step. . . 1, 2, 3. . . JUMP