Despite this, my health seemed to be in a good enough state that we were able to continue with foster care. I have felt passionate about foster care. Why do we do it? Well, for many reasons. Because we both love children. We wanted to expand our family and since having a lung transplant didn't allow me to bring another child into this world, why not take care of a child in need. I too, was a foster child before I was adopted and have always considered being a foster parent myself. Our family also believes our role in this world is to care and love for the child that has no family. Being involved in our local foster care system has been such a blessing to our family. We love to share our stories of the two children that have been under our care.
Just this past month, my health has seem to go downhill quickly. Mainly my breathing and the symptoms of rejection that constrict me. This has effected my entire family. This past week has been the hardest. In so many ways.
But I hold onto my faith, God's promises, hope, and optimism. No matter how difficult it may seem.
God has shown me throughout the course of the day here at Duke, how I can be hopeful. He has shown me this through the course of my life. I have been hearing good news throughout the entire day in relation to my health. I also am continually amazed by the prayers that are being offered on our family's behalf. It is very encouraging! The doctor's here have some very big decisions to agree on that could make/break my health. But I have to constantly be aware of who is really in control. My Master. These are the encouraging words Moses delivered to the Israelites before they entered the Promised Land, and which I hold onto today. "But Adonai — it is he who will go ahead of you. He will be with you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you, so don’t be afraid or downhearted."
There will be two important meetings taking place on Tuesday, that we ask you to be in prayer about. One is regarding our foster child and their placement during this time of uncertainty. Our family was in the process of considering adoption, so this is heartbreaking for us to say goodbye. The second is a meeting of Duke's transplant team to make a treatment plan for my health. My case is complicating, which makes the decisions for the doctors a bit more difficult. There will be about 10 doctors discussing the case and plan of treatment.
There are so many uncertainties for us at this time. But ultimately, we will have faith that God has our foster child, our family, and my health's best interest at mind. We will have hope of His plan for us in the grand scheme of things. And that we will continue to love others as God pours His love into our hearts.
Romans 5:2-5
Through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
