Day 24: Trusting God

I received that lovely plaque in the mail yesterday from my mom. It's perfect. More and more each day, I learn to trust God with everything - and what a relief it is! He holds us all in the palm of His hands.

Everything has been going great here. The kids are doing wonderfully and we are all getting into the groove. I've learned that motherhood is hard work! It's not always easy, but the rewards far outweigh the work.

"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God." - Psalm 20:7

Day 20: Busy Busy!

Today was filled with various appointments for the kids. In the morning, I made some yummy french toast; they ate it up so fast! Next, three of the boys had dentist appointments. Due to insurance problems, only one child was actually seen by the dentist. One screaming little boy later, we finished up and had a few different evaluations for them. Everything went relatively well! I am slowly learning the ropes with all the paperwork we have to do for the kids; I just hope I can remember everything. I think it'll just take some time to get used to it.

After resting up yesterday, I was re-energized for the craziness of 4 little boys and a baby girl. They really are so adorable and are doing so well, given their circumstances. Bedtime is a little bit of a challenge; it normally involves some crying, rocking, and numerous rounds of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star". Their tight hugs and sweet "I love yous" make it all worthwhile :)

“Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love.” - 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

Day 19: A Day Off

After doing the overnight shift with the baby last night, I had a much-needed day off today. I finished setting up my room, read the Bible, chatted with family, went to the gym, and just relaxed! It feels good to be able to recharge my batteries so I can be at my best when caring for the children. Those little ones really tire me out!

Today, I was also feeling quite homesick. Luckily, I was able to video chat with my parents back home. They always know the right words to say to give me strength and guidance in any situation. I am beyond blessed to have such a wonderful, loving family. Being here has made me appreciate that blessing more than ever before.

The rest of the week will be filled with playtime, snack time, bath time, and bedtime. Can't relax for too long! ;)

"Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you. For you, O LORD, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before the LORD in the land of the living." - Psalm 116:7-9

Day 17 & 18: Kid Time!

The past two days have been filled with the energy of 4 little boys and a newborn baby girl! It's been pretty crazy around here, getting settled in and getting to know all of the children. They are all so adorable! I had never held a 4-day-old baby before; she is the prettiest girl. I'm actually holding her as I type this (doing the overnight shift)! The four little boys are rambunctious, funny, energetic and everything in between. I'm definitely exhausted, but excited to settle into this little family. My days are pretty much packed full of playtime, so I will try my hardest to keep this blog updated as often as possible.

I've been missing my family a lot more these past few days, so I pray that God gives me peace here in my new home. I want to give these children all the happiness they so deserve.

"The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still." - Exodus 14:14

Day 16: Move-In Day

Phew! Today was a crazy, tiring, exciting day! We had to move everything into our new homes and then assist in the moving of one whole house to another. After transporting tons of toys, suitcases, beds, and cribs, I am so sore and exhausted. However, I am also SO happy to be all set up in my new room in my new house with all my kids and fellow houseparents! This year is going to be amazing! HERE. WE. GO.

My new room :)

Another shot of my new room. Love it!

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." - 2 Corinthians 5:17

Day 15: Graduation Day

It's finally here! Graduation Day! :) Today was wonderful. We finished up training in the afternoon and then celebrated our graduation with a little ceremony, complete with certificates, caps, and celebratory banana muffins! It felt good to complete the training and start to focus on our new homes and children.

Before graduation, we watched an HBO documentary called "The Broken Child". It was about the cycle of child abuse & neglect from generation to generation. Although it was quite depressing, it definitely puts things into perspective. The parents of these neglected children are oftentimes just neglected children themselves - forced to grow up without the love and guidance of a family. It's a vicious cycle that Casa works hard to break, one child at a time.

Tonight, we were able to spend the evening with our new kids. With four little boys and a baby girl, we definitely have a full house! All of the children are so adorable and very well-behaved; I can't wait to get to know all of them. We'll move in tomorrow night and officially begin our year as foster parents!! I pray that God grants us peace and strength to love these children with all we have.

"Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people." - Ephesians 6:7

Day 14: Exploring Houston

Today, on our second to last day of training, we received our housing assignments! We were all so excited to see where we'd be placed and who we'd be working with. I am very happy with my housing placement and am looking forward to taking care of a 4 day old (!), three toddlers, and a 6 year old! I definitely have my hands full :)

After we received our housing information, a few of us drove around Houston, exploring the gorgeous Hermann Park. It was so fun! Houston seems like such a great city and I'm excited to see more of it this upcoming year. Below are some pics I took from the day...

Tomorrow is our "graduation" day! Only one more day of training and then we get to celebrate :) These past two weeks have flown by and I am so excited to see what God has in store for all of us.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11

Day 13: An Official Texan

On Day 13, I became an official resident of the state of Texas! We spent a few hours in the DMV, surrendered our old licenses (goodbye New York!) and received our new Texas driver's licenses. Crazy!

Afterward, we all came home to complete our required 6-hour defensive driving course. I am very glad that's over! We are now allowed to drive the vans :)

We have just two days of training left. I cannot believe how fast these two weeks have gone! On Thursday, we will graduate from houseparents-in-training and soon after, we will receive our housing assignment. I am nervous and so excited to officially start my year as a foster parent. I know my time here is going to fly by, so I'm trying to take everything in and enjoy each moment. 

"This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." - Psalm 118:24

Day 12: Car Seats

On my twelfth day here in Houston, we completed a lovely training session on installing car seats! After numerous successful installations, we are now all certified to properly tote our children around in the nice new vans :)

On a side-note, my mom sent me a package with a special edition of Time magazine about the life and works of Mother Teresa. What a wonderful read! Mother Teresa is one of my heroes. Everything about her life is such an inspiration to me. Her constant, immovable faith in God and His will for her life leaves me in awe. She never questioned where He was leading her; she followed faithfully like a true servant. Her life is a model to how we should all strive to live - humbly surrendering to the One who sent us.

Well, we have just a few more days of training until our big "graduation"! We're all very excited to find out where we'll be placed. Tomorrow, we'll be spending some time in the good ol' DMV to get our Texas driver's licenses. My New York license will have to be destroyed :( I'll be an official Texan!

"If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth." - Deuteronomy 28:1

Day 11: Shadowing

This morning, I went to church with several other houseparents and two children. We went to St. Michael's Catholic Church. It was a wonderful service - really packed! It always feels like home, being in church. I was so glad to meet other Catholics and join them for mass.

After church, I completed my second day of shadowing a current household. I was there from the afternoon until bedtime, so I got to see a lot of their routine. From lunchtime to story time, there's always lots of playing and laughing! It was great to be with the kids today. Their sweet innocent faces make all of this worthwhile. All of their energy has really tired me out though! I'll definitely sleep well tonight :)

Tomorrow begins our last week of training! I can't believe how fast time is flying!

"Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it." - Psalm 34:14