Here is a quick summary of what has been happening in our lives.
After 8 years, Barry was called into his boss' office and due to a company 'restructure' he was offered the option of a severance package or a different position at a much lower wage. It was completely unexpected, but in these times the severance package was a blessing. We have many friends who weren't offered the same sweet deal when they've lost their jobs over the past couple of years.
His boss gave us the weekend to decide what we wanted to do. Do we take the lower paying position and fail to pay most of our bills, but have the security of a job. Afterall you certainly don't want to be in a jobless position this day and age. Or do we take the severance package and live on faith that God will provide something even better for our family in 3 months or less!?!
And let me quickly point out what the hardest part of this decision was for us. We were in the midst of an almost 2 year process of fostering to adopt and we were within weeks of having our first child come live with us. All of our paperwork was out of the way, MAPP class, fingerprints and background checks completed, home studies and radon tests all done. However by us making the decision for Barry to leave his job we knew this process was soon coming to a screeching hault. And how would we tell our daughter that she would no longer be having a sister come live with her?
We cried and prayed a lot. Then we decided to go with the decision that required the most faith and accept the severance package. I mean God wasn't surprised by what happened, only we were. Certainly He wouldn't put us in a position that would be harmful for our family, (i.e. Jeremiah 29:11). And most certainly He wouldn't put foster care and adoption so strongly on our hearts, only for our hearts to be broken by the process ending so suddenly.
So- back to crying and praying A LOT. We both looked at each other and said what about becoming Campus Foster Parents. A crazy, horrible idea. Eight children, plus our one. This is the conversation I had with God.
"Hey...um, yeah- God are you listening? You put Foster Care on our hearts and we signed up for one child. Was that not good enough? I mean most people thought we were crazy to do that. If you're telling us to sign up for 8 all at once, this is nuts."
Well- that's what He told us. So out of faith we filled out an on-line application (with no job postings available mind you) and said ok God- if this is what you want, lets see you make it happen. P.S. Never challenge God!!!!
So, Barry went into work that next Monday and accepted the severance package. He came back home with 8 years of memories and hard work shoved in one small box. We both had a sigh of relief, a bit of excitement for the unknown and wondering what God had waiting for us around the corner. And both thoughts quickly followed by a "What the heck do we think we're doing" very long gaze.
He set the box on the counter. We hugged, picked the car keys back up and walked out the door ready to start our new mission that God had put on our hearts. Him in a very nice collared shirt and slacks and me in my best "Joan Cleaver" dress on hand. Absolutely unaware and naive to the idea that we may want to set up an actual appointment with someone- We drove to the Baptist Children's Home, walked in their office and let them know that God told us to come and apply to become campus house parents. We said, we understand there are no job openings, (according to the website) as of now, but to please keep us in mind.
Much to everyone elses surprise (but not our own- b/c we were still naive and only knew what God had been telling us) the Director came out of his meeting and took us into his office for close to an hour. He informed us of one position that was still available but not posted. It was a house parents in training position. Basically you followed other house parents around until a permanent position opened and then you were placed in your own house. You had to agree to move to whichever campus had the opening. Which we did.
"Ok God- you told us to listen and we did. We filled out the application for a job that wasn't posted, but you knew was there. We went in and the man we needed to speak to was there and ready to give up an hour of his time without us having an appointment. We're with you now. This is crazy, weird and exciting and very unbelievable. We're on board. Now what's next?"
Within 2 weeks, we had 2 phone interviews and a face to face interview at the main office in the center of the state. And within 30 days of that 1 st interview we were living on campus exactly like God told us we would be.
And God was right, 1 foster child was not enough for us. Right now we are still training so we are between a few houses of 8 children each. God has taught us so much and we are so excited and grateful that we are able to share this story and journey with you.
We continue to pray that God uses us whichever way best suits Him and His purpose.
We look back 2 months ago and would never have dreamed that Barry would not be working 8am to 5pm and I would no longer be a stay-at-home mom. We are so excited to see how God is going to use us.
Prior to all of this we had been praying for months, asking God to please, please, please 'use us'. We were sick of the everyday life. We wanted to do something big for His Kingdom.
Moral- Be careful what you pray for. There may be a crazy ride ahead. ;-) God is ready and waiting to use you in a big way too. And we can't wait for you to share with us when He does.
Our Prayer Request: Please pray that God is preparing the perfect permanant placement for us.
Let us know how we can pray for you! :-)
In Him,
Melissa and Barry
