Patience
Dress up
Jodi
Best cheeseball faces :)
Dakota
Wrestling with BRock
These three little people came and stayed with us at the beginning of February. Jodi was my assigned charge for the week. Because of their background, we had little idea of what to expect. Therefore, I put my life on hold for a week. Only going to class and work, the rest of my time was devoted to Jodi and her siblings. I can't remember the last time I played so many games and I forgot how exhausting that can be! Of course there were some challenges to work through, like establishing who is in charge. . . . But uh . . . turns out I was the one with the attitude!!!
I went into the week with a backwards mindset. Get through the week, help mom with the kids, and then I can carry on with my life. Satan had a heyday with that foothold. Being woken up in the middle of the night to fix a bloody nose, to pray after a bad dream, and to take a mid-night bathroom run - then getting up as soon as she did . . . it didn't take long before I was exhausted! They are great kids but I was tired, feeling overworked, and thinking "This is not what I signed up for -somehow I gained a six year old daughter!" At the end of the week mom and dad were throwing around the idea of them staying another week. SERIOUSLY!!! Um, I am home everyday with these kids while Maddy and Syd are at school. I'm exhausted, super behind on chores, my life is on hold, and never get alone time cause they don't play by themselves! See the attitude :(
But the Lord knows what's up!!! That second week was the greatest thing ever. I knew if I was going to do another week my mindset/attitude had to change. Week two they/she became a part of the family not just a responsibility. I was able to do more intentional investing rather than simply playing games to pass the time. She became almost a little sister/daughter to me and I could see a long-term something. I miss that little goofball!! They should be back in April and I am so excited. Feel free to pray as we seek out God's plan for our long-term involvement in their lives.
