Memoir #54 Respite and Those that Inspire us

Last weekend we enjoyed what us foster folks call “respite” which is a time period where the foster children stay with another foster family either for the day or overnight etc.

What does the word respite mean anyway?  What comes to my mind is rest, peacefulness, a break, and thank the Lord!

The dictionary says it means a temporary relief, especially from anything distressing or trying and I say that definition couldn’t be more fitting.

One of the Judges that I work with said this to me the other day, “Rachel, I’m proud of you for taking care of other people’s kids…its hard enough just taking care of your own.”

And that is precisely why respite is such a necessary thing for foster parents.  Your life changes when you bring another person or people into your home and that expansion includes more responsibility, less you time, and a lot more stress. 

Every so often we all could use a little respite in life couldn’t we?  And boy do foster families ever!  Even parenting your own kids drives you nuts sometimes (many times) and that is why “grandparent respite” also comes in handy =)

So over the last 2 and ½ years I have been so blessed to meet some of the most wonderful people on this planet after starting this journey and they are foster parents.  I am NOT referring to myself at all…I mean the ones I have met just seem so unbelievable and legendary.  They are true servants of God on the front lines doing the dirty work that is so freaking hard to do! 

When they speak about their lives and how they’ve somehow managed to incorporate a couple of foster children into them…it just blows my mind.

I had the privilege of meeting a foster mom the other day "L" and just speaking with her nearly had me in tears.  It gives me shivers just thinking about her story and her life and the sacrifice she had made for so many years…Why do this?  How does she do this?  She is AMAZING!!! 

"L" I hope that you know that you are changing the world and that you inspire me...

So back to respite, when I was on my way to bring the boys James says, “I am the most luckiest kid in the world.”  And I ask why?  He says, “because I get to live with other people and visit and stay with other people and play with lots of new kids and nobody else gets to”. 

It’s all about how you look at thing isn’t it?  =)

Isaiah 14:3-5
In that wonderful day when the Lord gives his people rest from trouble and fear, from slavery and chains, you will taunt your enemy.
You will say: how the oppressor has come to an end! How his fury has ended!
For the Lord has crushed your wicked power
and broken your evil rule.

Memoir #53 For Mothers

Each year I take time this day to thank all the mothers out there for the hard work they do at the hardest job on the planet…parenting.  This is a tribute to all mothers and to those who care for us when our mothers can’t.  God Bless!
Thank you to my mom for being the best example of what a mother should be like.

Thank you to moms who sacrifice new clothes and nights out for their children’s needs.

Thank you to foster moms who take care of other peoples’ children like their own.  Who open their homes and their hearts for an unknown period of time…to unknown challenges.

Thank you to adoptive moms who make a temporary relationship permanent and give children the forever homes that they have been longing for.

Thank you to Raya’s mom for giving your daughter a safe and happy life with us.  I can never thank you enough for giving her life.

Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character

^{10 [a]} A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
¹¹ Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
¹² She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
¹³ She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
¹⁴ She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
¹⁵ She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.
¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
¹⁷ She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
¹⁸ She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
¹⁹ In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
²⁰ She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
²¹ When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
²² She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
²³ Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
²⁵ She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
²⁶ She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
²⁷ She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
²⁸ Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
²⁹ “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
³¹ Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Proverbs 8:10-31       

God Bless you!