The children came for their second weekend stay at our home on the 14th. We did fun things with them like ride bikes, and gave them some gifts that were donated. We also went to a party that Bethany Christian Services had for children in foster care.
I wish I could say that things went better this time than last. Some things did. I had everyone bathed and in bed by 9:30. We were able to do our devotional and light our Hannukah candles. No one was seriously hurt, although one fell from his bike and got some scrapes on his shoulder. Mealtimes were a bit more orderly.
But overall, we were left with the hard realization that we could not move forward with this many kids. It was just going to be too much. As much as we wanted it to work, we saw that I would not have the time to give each one the attention they needed to change some of their behaviors. Most of my time was spent with the two youngest as they navigated to me. Theron helped tremendously with the others, but what would I do when he's not here?
We were very sad as we took the children back to their foster parents as planned, knowing that we probably would not see them again. We have had to tell our adoption specialist at Bethany, the case worker, the foster parents, and their therapist that we cannot move forward.
We can only pray now that God has a better plan for these 5.
I hear the anguish in your words. Duk-Sun and I feel your pain. You want to be so much more than you are able. And kids from outside your home come with more baggage and bad habits than you imagine. It's a monumental endeavor to work with one or two such kids, but to take on a greater number than that which your whole family consists...that's truly biting off quite a bit. Praying that God comforts you at this time of need. We met one couple who took on 5 siblings at once. They had no children, and they had a farm. And they were Mennonite's in a farming community. I'd say because of their way of life and their setting and their ability to keep each child busy in the fresh air, their chances of making it work were better than average. But the addition of 5 kids in suburbia? I admit I could not keep them out of mischief in that setting. So take heart. Even Christ limited himself to 12 disciples, and only 3 very close ones.
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