Questions

What type of placement are you looking for? Foster to adopt? Emergency?  Are you just fostering?

This is the question we answer most as we tell people about this new journey in our lives.  I thought I would take the time to answer it here.

We will not be considered emergency placement (usually these kids are placed very temporally until a more permanent placement can be found).  However, we won't turn down a placement just because they are considered short term.  Our hope is to show Christ love to these children for as long or as short as they are in our home.

We are not looking to be labeled "foster to adopt" for a few reasons.  We don't want to be passed over for a placement because state our goal is to adopt.  Also, DCFS goal is reunification.  We have our own opinions on that.  We will advocate for what we feel is the best situation for these kids and pray that God takes over from there. 

That being said if children with in our care become adoptable we will adopt them.  There placement in our home will be their last unless DCFS removes them or the situation is life threatening. I recently talked to a family that had five children in a year and a half.  Another family I know thought there placement would be there 3 weeks and 3 years later they adopted her.  The system is up and down like that.  Our first placement may be our only placement (for now) or we may go through several.  I'm setting my heart on the former because right now its easier for my heart to hold onto that.

I guess what it boils down to is that we will not take or turn down a placement based on what DCFS thinks may happen.  If these kids do not become adoptable then I pray that they felt as if they were our children while they were in our home and they will know that Jesus loves them for who they are.  If they do become adoptable then I will be thrilled to watch my little family grow!