Our 1st time meeting Jordan!

Well this past weekend was awesome! We were able to go to Chattanooga to meet Jordan for the first time! Brandi and I were so nervous! I guess anytime you meet someone, there is that curiosity and concern of how it will go! We were hoping that we would click instantly and we did!

Jordan is currently in a foster home with some great people! They were so hospitable and polite! They were able to give us information that will help us in our new journey with Jordan! They were able to answer our questions and give us advice as to what to expect and how to handle it! We have made friends with them and will be able to call them with any questions that may come up!

When we got there, Jordan was outside playing with his friends! So we got to talk just a little bit with his foster family before he came in! He came in, and we shook hands and introduced ourselves! After, only about 10 minutes, he was dancing for us! We loved this! It made us all laugh, and we had a good time! We told him some stuff about us and our family! We told him about our parents, and he said “so they’re my grandparents” and smiled really big!

We talked about movies he liked and ones that we did not! We had an interesting conversation about snakes! Brandi told him that she does not like snakes! Jordan asked “what about rubber snakes?” I said “no, she does not like those either.’ I then jokingly said, “you could put one in her sock drawer.” He laughed! He then came over to me and whispered in my ear! He said “I could draw a picture of a snake”. And I agreed that that would work!

Jordan talked with us for a bit, and showed us his room! But the whole time, he wanted to go outside and play! Well, after a bit, we said it was ok, so he started to leave! Brandi said “We will see you later”, he came running back in and gave us both a hug bye! We talked for a bit more with his foster family and scheduled the times for Saturday!

Well, Saturday morning came bright and early! We had stayed up a bit late to watch the Predators hockey gameJ We won!!! So we got ready and left our motel room! As we were approaching Jordan’s home, we could see him out on the sidewalk watching for us! As soon as we pulled up, he took off running into the house to let them know he was leaving! And when he came back out he gave us both another hug! After that we were off!

Our first stop was Shoney’s! He had mentioned that he loved their breakfast! After that, we gave him just a small gift bag with some goodies, and a couple of things to play with, when we went to the park later on! When he was finished opening his gifts, we went to Chuck E Cheese! We all had a blast there! And after that we went to the park! We played soccer for a while!!! And we bounced the basketball for a little bit! And before we left, we went down to the lake for a few minutes! We were able to just sit there and talk with him! And after all of these activities, he was a little tired and was ready to go back to his house!

Once we got back, Jordan hugged us both bye. We told him we would see him later! And then we left! It was a great first visit! We are so excited! We can’t wait for him to come down here to meet our families! If everything goes according to plan, he will be down here Friday afternoon!

Brandi and I really appreciate all of you that have been praying! We ask that you would continue to do so! Thank you so much!

New Adventure

So today, I felt like writing our blog on our progress with Jordan! We went to Chattanooga last Friday! We went down expecting to have the full disclosure and find out everything that DCS knows about him. Unfortunately, this was not that meeting! However, it was a good meeting. We were able to meet with his social workers, his omni staff, and his therapist! We learned a lot of interesting things about him!

This meeting quickly became almost as a test for us! Our every comment or question was written down and evaluated! We were so glad to have mom there to support us and to give feedback! They all loved her! We found out that he is a busy body! He loves to stay busy! He will fit right in with us!

We learned that for the first few months of fostering, we will have to drive down to Chattanooga every week to attend his therapy sessions until he is able to be weaved in with a new therapist in town! Please pray that this a quick process, as this could become exhausting! However, with Brandi’s new job opportunity after she finishes school will make all the difference in the world with this!

We asked what the next step would be when our meeting concluded on Friday. They said they would all have to come together and meet sometime in the next couple of weeks when their schedules would allow it. Then they would decide if we were the best family for him. So we left. We felt that the meeting went well. We did not realize how well it had gone, until we got a phone call! We were only 5 minutes down the road and Brandi’s phone rang! It was not a number she had listed in her phone so we had no idea who it was! She answered and it was Jordan’s social worker! She asked Brandi to put her on speaker! Once she did, she told us that the group had met immediately after we left and had decided that they have chosen us to be Jordan’s familyJ And the tears started flowing…(Well at least for me and mom, Brandi was just awe struck with excitement)

Our next step is the full disclosure meeting next Wednesday April 6. At that point, it will be back in our hands to agree to become Jordan’s parents! After we make that decision, then we will schedule a time to go and meet him! So much left to do, but it seems God is working out the timing to allow us to be able to go on vacation with Jordan. It’s a crazy thought that in less than 2 months, Jordan could be in our home! WOW!

God has blessed us both so much through this process! We have grown closer together to each other and to God! He has challenged us, encouraged us, and strengthened us through it all! I ask that you all continue to pray as we continue through the process! And pray for us as we take other steps of faith in our lives, with us joining another church, Brandi starting a new chapter in her life, and for us together as we learn day by day how to be Godly parents and influence Jordan in such a way that brings honor and glory to God! God bless you all!!!

Kyle 

Update On Our Fostering To Adopt Process

I haven’t blogged in awhile because honestly I just hit a wall on things that were even important to talk about. I don’t want to blog to just run my mouth. I want it to be about something important to me J

So this blog will be used as an update on the fostering to adopt process! You see right now our paperwork is at DCS (Department of Children Services) these papers were turned into them around the first of the year. So we just keep waiting to receive our letter of approval in the mail from them.

We got a call from DCS about two weeks ago stating that they were working on our stuff and we should receive something from them soon. In the meantime the lady that we took our foster training through called and said that we could start looking on some websites for children that we were interested in. We were then to let her know and she would get some information for us. We had gone on this particular website when we first started this process and saw a young boy by the name of Jordan. Well when we were looking over the website again recently he was still there. Kyle and I talked and decided that we would like information on him.

We received an email from his social worker stating some specifics about Jordan. We read over them and decided that we would pray about it. We hadn’t contacted this social worker back so she decided yesterday to contact me. She wanted to go over a lot more about Jordan. She told me he turned 11 in December. He has a love for music, making friends, and going to church. When I heard those I of course was so happy and wanted to meet him right away J

Kyle and I talked it over and decided that we would love to have Jordan in our home. With the fostering to adopt process you decide that then they get with the child’s team and they decide if you are a good fit. We heard from the social worker again this morning stating the team loved us they just had some questions about Kyle’s second job. We sent them an email explaining how many hours Kyle works and when he is at home.

Basically that is the whole story. Now we play the waiting game to see if they feel we will be good for Jordan. Who knows how long this could take plus we still need to get those papers from DCS. If you think about Kyle and I during this time I just ask that you pray for us to have the wisdom on making decisions. Also, that this will all work in God’s timing. Not ours or DCS just when HE wants it to happen. Pray for Jordan. Whether he ends up in our home or not I already hold him dear to my heart and want the best for this child. Pray that he finds an awesome home that will love him.

My heart and arms are dying to love a child with the love that God gave me for children. I have learned a lot already through this process and I am so grateful. I put my full and complete trust in my heavenly father that knows ALL! He will give a precious gift to us when He is ready… I just know it!!!

Philippians 4:6-7 

 ⁶Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

 ⁷And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

"You Tore The Veil"

I have heard this song below a few times recently. Everytime I just want to stop and worship the Amazing God we serve and that does love us with a love that we could never comprehend. Even when he searches us and knows us and our failure He still loves us. I don't know about you all but I sure fail alot. The song says " You tore the veil You made a way when You said that it is done"  WOW...stop and ponder and think about those words. It makes me cry everytime. God is good. I see Him more clearly right now. I am beginning just beginning believe me to understand a little bit more about a relationship with Him. He has always felt just so far away, but I can have a close relationship with Him. He wants that and I sure do too! Please take time to look over the lyrics of this awesome song! Until next time, my blogging friends :-)

Verse 1
Oh Lord You've searched me
You know my ways
Even when I fail You
I know You love me

Your holy presence
Surrounding me
In every season
I know You love me
I know You love me

Chorus
At the cross I bow my knee
Where Your blood was shed for me
There's no greater love than this
You have overcome the grave
Glory fills the highest place
What can separate me how?

You go before me
You shield my way
Your hand upholds me
I know You love me

Chorus
At the cross I bow my knee
Where Your blood was shed for me
There's no greater love than this
You have overcome the grave
Glory fills the highest place
What can separate me now (x2)

You tore the veil
You made a way
When You said that it is done (x2)

And when the earth fades
falls from my eyes
You stand before me
I know You love me
I know You love me

Chorus
At the cross I bow my knee
Where Your blood was shed for me
There's no greater love than this
You have overcome the grave
Glory fills the highest place
What can separate me now (x2)


You tore the veil
You made a way
When You said that it is done (x4)

"Things are a changing"

I have been thinking about change alot lately. How some people are okay with it and others can't stand it. I have always been a person that deals with changes pretty well. I like new experiences and just a change in scenery sometimes. There are many changes heading in mine and Kyle's direction for this coming year. Number one change would be bringing a child into our home. We have always been pretty active people but we know with bringing a child into the picture things will slow done quite a bit. We are definitely both okay with this. It will just be a new experience. As I sit here writing this it makes me very nervous and and unsure at my ability to be a Mom. Especially to a child who has more than likely been through so much. This is something that I have been praying about very regularly. Every time I start worrying about it, I pray for God to calm me. I want this to be a great experience not one of worry and fear.
Other changes in our lives have varied from Kyle working two jobs to friendship changes. Not because of anything that happened between us and these friends but because it seems we just have grown apart. Went in different directions. It isn't no one's fault. This does happen but sometimes I think about how much I miss these people, but then I realize that God has a purpose for everything in our lives. We have some great friends in our lives. One's that have stepped up and been there for us when others left. We are truly grateful for these friends and I believe you know who you are :-) We do truly long for a married couple that will take us in as friends. A couple that we have alot in common with... I know that God can answer any prayers and this is one that I do have.
There is one more change that I haven't mention and will keep to myself at this time. It is one that is very scary to think about but in the end would totally be a blessing to Kyle and I. I do feel God working and leading in this situation and I am truly grateful. All we want in our lives right now is to be in God's will in everything we do. If you will be still He will guide you. You just have to be willing to step back and wait sometimes.
I know that I have gone so many directions in this blog. It probably won't mean a thing to any of you, but it does to me. It helps me get things off my chest :-) Thanks for reading!


-Brandi

Christmas

Here we are again approaching another CHRISTmas. It is so hard to believe that it's Christmas Eve and after tomorrow it will all be over. It always makes me really sad to think about it being over. But I remind myself pretty frequently that celebrating Jesus and who HE is, is never over. He is everything we need at all times.
Right now as I sit on my couch Kyle is out doing some last minute shopping for ME :-) He normally has everything done but he says last night I am going to be out with the crazys in the morning shopping for you. Of course I am ok with this because as he says "I am spoiled" I still am not sure about that :-)
As every year since my miscarriage I have hoped that I would have a child by the next Christmas. Here we are 5 years into marriage and still no child. God knows what He is doing we do know that, but if we allow it, it can make us pretty sad at times. We hope that with the fostering process we will find the child that is meant for us. I look forward to all the things that come along with that child. Celebrating birthdays, Easter, Christmas, just everything that will allow me to do a little bit of spoiling :-)
This coming year holds alot of changes for Kyle and I. Number one we pray that we grow closer to the Lord than we ever have before. We have felt so distant from our Abba Father and it just doesn't feel right. He is our Father and we are His children and there should never be or feel like there is a wall between us. We desire the relationship that we should have with Him MORE THAN EVER.
As I end this blog I would like to put the lyrics to one of my favorite Christmas songs. The song is called All Is Well by Point of Grace:

 

All is well All is well
Angels and men rejoice
For tonight darkness fell
Into the dawn of love's light

Sing Al-e

Sing Alleluia

 

All is well All is well
Let there be peace on earth
Christ is come go and tell
That He is in the manger

Sing Al-e

Sing Alleluia

 

All is well all is well
Lift up your voices and sing
Born is now Emmanuel
Born is our Lord and Savior

Sing Alleluia

Sing Alleluia

ALL IS WELL!!

 

Merry CHRISTmas from our house to yours! We love you all!

Kyle and Brandi

 

Our 1st Blog

So Kyle and I decided a few days ago that we would start us a blog. One that we both could write on and express what is going on in our lives. The main purpose of this blog is to keep everyone up to date on our journey through the process of fostering/adoption of a child. We started taking training classes back the beginning of August to become foster parents. Our goal is to foster children that are wards of the State of Tennessee. These particular kids can be adopted after roughly 6 months of fostering. We ask you to pray for us as we go through this process. Our greatest prayer is that God will lead us to the right child. The one HE wants us to have. We are now in the process of the home studies. We must complete 4 of these and have completed 1 at this time. Once that is complete our home study will be turned over to DCS for approval. That could take 3 to 4 months. This is a very long process but our prayer is that we will get more and more prepared for the child that will come into our home. We have much love to give and hope we can bless some child and give them love that they have never known.
As we approach Christmas just in a few days we pray that each of you have a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Love to all,
Kyle and Brandi Clark