i'm expecting

Yes, that’s correct.  My family is growing, I am just not sure when or how many.

Today, I completed the final step of the approval process and my heart is filled with both love and fear as I anxiously await the arrival of my first child.

Last March, my journey to become a foster mom officially started.  Before the email came from my pastor about an upcoming foster parenting information session, I really had never consider fostering or even knew anyone who had any association with a foster family.  Honestly, I don’t even read every weekly update from the church, but this one caught my attention.

I was nervous from the uncertainty and really didn’t even know if a single woman who worked full-time could qualify to be a foster mom, but I felt a calling to go that night to hear more.

” That night was the first of many tears to come.”

I left the information session knowing it was possible, but clearly rare as only one other single female had attended.  I had lots of questions and even more soul searching to do.  I talked with my mom friends and researched the internet trying to learn as much as I could.  Needless to say, it was difficult to find any information about women like myself choosing to be a single foster mom (ps. I hope to change that through this blog).

Many around me were very supportive, while others warned me of all the things that might not be easy.  Some told me straight that it was something I could not do alone.  Why would a recently divorced woman only months into starting her new dream job in the midst of renovating her home and trying to date again want to be a foster mom??  From an outside perspective, I know I seemed crazy.

I prayed and asked God to help me know if I could really do this.  It took me a little over a month, but on Mother’s Day of 2015 I made the decision to expand my family and submitted my official application to start the journey.  I heard God’s calling and while it scared me and in many ways made no sense, I followed Him.

The process was long and very involved, but I just kept praying and completing the process step-by-step.  Over the next few months, I filled out stacks of paperwork, telling my life story  and answering prying questions.  I spent weeks taking evening classes twice a week and completing the homework assignments.  I invited a home study worker and a caseworker into my home for inspections and safety checks.  I became CPR and First Aid certified.  I child-proofed my home and invested in the necessities for caring for an infant or toddler.  The requirements were extensive, but also helpful for preparing me for what lies ahead.

“The journey to become a foster parent isn’t one that comes easy, but it has been rewarding and life-changing.”

While I have not welcomed a child into my home yet, my life has transformed and been changed for the better.  I have cried more in the last year than I have in all the years before from both joy and pain.  My relationship and trust in God has deepened and I know he is with me on this journey.

God has blessed me with amazing friends and family who have helped make this crazy prayer of mine come true.  Motherhood is not possible alone and will no doubt be my greatest adventure that I will succeed at only with the help of the amazing people that God has brought into my life.  The list of all the women who have supported me on this journey is extensive and I have SO much to be grateful for! THANK YOU!

This is the start of my greatest adventure and I hope to share the journey and inspire other women who may be wondering about taking the leap of faith to become a foster mom.  If only fear stands in your way, I encourage you to choose LOVE.