Seventh and Eighth of Eight to GRADUATE

Class #7 - Permanency & Adoption / Substance Abuse in Primary Families 

Class #8 Family Culture / Ethnicity Issues / Primary Families

I remember driving home from one of our classes and discussing what we had learned and what we felt would be required of us.  Kurt turned to me and kind of caught me off guard by saying that fostering has got to be one of the most Christ-like things you could do.  It's kind of opening up your heart and home to troubled families, caring for their children, and supporting them however you can as they try to resolve their problems so the kids can go back to a happier and healthier home environment.  Christ didn't just hang out with the church-goers. He sought out the poor, the sinners, those in need, and he loved the children.  I guess in a way that made me want to try even harder. 

In our class they said we really need to be over any infertility problems we may be experiencing otherwise we may be less inclined to help the biological parents or be too self focused. I thought that was interesting.  While reunifying foster children to their family is the main goal for both the agency and Kurt and me, I admit I have dreamt of how neat it would be to adopt. I’ve been to the sealing of my brother and sister in law as they were sealed to their little baby girl and often fantasize the emotions and joy that a day like that could mean for me.

Adoption through foster care is pretty “buyer friendly.” With all the financial reimbursements the state government offers the total adoption fee comes out to a whooping total of $0 (unless you count the $25 we spent on our class manual and background checks). Another beautiful blessing. It still blows my mind how expensive adoptions are through private agencies. Almost seems wrong, though I’m grateful there are these avenues for those who want to grow their families.

For our last class we were asked to bring some food item that represents our family culture. Culture is not our race/color it is how we are brought up and raised.  Had I more time to whip something up I would have brought Navajo Tacos but settled for homemade salsa and chips.  One lady brought a common desert, trifle, from England where she was raised; another brought baked spaghetti because her family has spaghetti every Friday. It was fun to taste all the different cultures just within our class.

No matter what happens from here on out I am happy to have learned about foster care from our instructor Nancy Z. She did a fabulous job and I tried to soak up as much as I could handle at once.  Perhaps Kurt and I should have sent out announcements but wanted you to know we have GRADUATED!!

Next step is to get a home study. They will come and check our home for safety and also interview us about our history. That is scheduled for the end of July. We still won’t be ready for hosting foster children until the fall, so don’t get too excited for us yet.