And then there were two....puppies, that is

It's crazy how quickly life can change. Like in a day. 

We received our fourth call from the foster agency this morning. (We didn't write about it, but we actually received a third call a few weeks ago - a sibling group from East Texas...didn't work out.)

Around 3:30 this morning, I rolled over and glanced at my phone and noticed a missed call and voicemail from someone from our foster agency. I listened to the voicemail and heard the rep talking about a 6 year old girl who he thought seemed like a good fit for our family. I was sure the voicemail was a few hours old, that we'd missed our window of opportunity, and that she must have been placed with another family. But, when I looked at the time, I realized it had only been 5 minutes since he called.

I called him back right away, woke Bry up, and we said YES! He called us back a few minutes later and said there was actually a 7 year old sibling involved in the case and they didn't want to split up the sisters. This, again???

This was actually the third out of the four calls we'd received where siblings were involved. We started thinking about our original "preferences" and really pushing ourselves to question why we were opposed to sibling groups. When we realized there wasn't a good enough reason, we prayed about it and called the agency rep back. For the second time in about an hour, we said YES. 

We waited about 5 hours to hear back from anyone. Ultimately, we were told that the girls will be placed with us, just not today. CPS is very busy with emergency placements this weekend, and this case wasn't considered an emergency. The girls are in a safe location right now and we were told someone will contact us on Monday or Tuesday. (Please keep the prayers comin'!)

After a whirlwind morning that began before the crack of dawn, we set off on another trip to IKEA to pick up bunk beds. BUNK beds. As in for two. It would normally take about 540 days to "grow" two children in a womb. We have 2 days. (Ha!) 

And of course, if there are going to be two kiddos, we have to have two "Lucy dogs." Hence, the new friend. The real Lucy stares at these friends with her jaw to the floor, tail wagging, mouth drooling. She seriously wants to play with these dogs. She has NO clue how much more fun it will be to play with the sisters who might become her own. :)

We know there's a chance it will not work out with these girls, but we really, really hope it does. But if it doesn't, then the room will be ready for the child(ren) who are meant to stay there. Maybe for a day, and maybe forever. 

We know this room (and the two stuffed puppies) are just an external symbol of our faith being tested. This is how quickly God works - within just a few hours, there are two little Lucy's waiting for their new friends. 

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UPDATE...."After" pics!

Thanks for all your help, Josh!!!! The bedding is pretty simple right now because we want the girls to be able to pick out their own bedding next week...if they are placed with us! 

What do strip clubs have to do with foster care?

This is one of about 20 strip clubs I drive by everyday after work...

(Photo from Google Streetview Maps)

Most of the time, I'm completely oblivious to the cars coming and going from these "establishments" as I drive down Dallas' infamous Harry Hines Blvd. 

However, while making the 23 mile trek home a few days ago, something caught my eye. 

It was a simple shrug of the shoulders by a valet parking lot attendant. In the few seconds it took for me to pass the club, I noticed a man trying to find a parking spot and the valet attendant non-verbally letting him know the lot was full and he'd have to find somewhere else to park. 

It took me a minute to think about what I thought about this (I know - way too much thinking after a long day at work.) I glanced at the clock. It was about 6:15 on a Wednesday evening. 

Initially, my thoughts turned to the families of the men who we're fighting for these parking spaces. 

It's 6:15. Kids are home from school. They're finishing homework and playing outside. They're waiting for dad to come home so they can have dinner, read stories, and get tucked into bed. Moms are coming home from work and cleaning up messes from the day. They're working on said-dinner and trying to catch their breath for a minute. Most are nearing a breaking point and wondering how to do the mom and wife thing "right" and how they'll possibly make it through another day. 

And dad's looking for a parking spot. 

Not at the grocery store to help mom prep for dinner. Not at the YMCA to help sign the kids up for basketball. Not even at the gas station to fill up and get home to his family as quickly as he can. 

Maybe I thought about it a little too much, but I couldn't help but feel my heart break a little bit for their wives and children. 

I'm just going to be honest (not Juan Pablo honest, but pretty honest.) My next few thoughts were a little bit more judgmental. Bear with me. 

Maybe if these men were as concerned about filling up the parking spots at home, there wouldn't be as many problems in the world. Maybe we wouldn't have as many unwanted pregnancies, or abortions, or foster kids whose parents don't want them or can't take care of them.

God gave me a minute to rant, rave, and judge, and then he spoke very softly, like he always does. 

"I love them. I love the men walking in the building. I love the women dancing on stage. They're my children, too. I'm just waiting for them. I'll be patient and loving, and you should do the same."

Within a few minutes, my anger turned to empathy. My rage turned to peace. And acceptance. And love. 

While I'm not in line trying to get a parking spot at a Gentleman's Club, I deal with my own sins. Because I'm selfish, and human, and just generally dumb sometimes. 

But He is still patient with me and he loves me. So I should probably do the same.