A revelation

In my last post I mentioned that God has began to birth a new vision. Opening up a home for kids who have aged out of the foster care. While praying about this the other day the Lord began to open my eyes to what He was doing around me.

Most of you know that we adopted John and Kora's' biological mom Ashleigh. She is 29 years old. The same age as our son Michael. Anyway, what I haven't shared is that Ashleigh has been a addict from the time she was 13 years old. Both of her parents died of drug overdose. Her and her brother were both in foster care.

About 4 months ago the Lord had Kayla (18) and I fast for Kora. Kora had extreme behavior and emotional needs. After a week of fasting we felt the Lord say, "it was done." So we stood in faith believing and God did an amazing work. Kora was completely set free from a controlling spirit. Shortly there after God asked me a question. "Would you fast for Ashleigh?" The thought came to me if Kora is dealing with these spirits than Ashleigh is even more. At that time, Ashleigh, was completely lost. Living on the streets, living the life of a drug addict. The children had not seen her in 1 1/2 years. I began fasting and praying and within two days Ashleigh was in a car wreck and arrested.

We had been talking to Ashleigh about going to Teen Challenge. She new she was going to have to lay aside all her old ways, friends, ect. She had not been willing to do that. We told her that the only help we would give her was to help her get into Teen Challenge.

I received a phone call on Oct. 30th. Mom, will you get me into Teen Challenge? I knew God would have to move a mountain. And move a mountain He did! Ashleigh began Teen Challenge On Nov 17th. She has given her heart to the Lord and has been filled with the Spirit. Old things are passing away and ALL things are becoming new!

We also began visiting Ashleigh's brother Dillon who is in jail in our town. God has given us a voice into his life and that of his wife and daughters.

I recently was in contact with Joshua's biological mother as well . She herself was in foster care. So, I guess for now this is Gods way of showing me how we are impacting those whose lives have been spent in foster care as well as changing the future for their children.

Whats one more?

Meanwhile, we began a relationship with John and Kora's biological mother. She was all alone and had been raised by drug addicts. She herself was a child victim. And at the age of 29 we asked her if we could adopt her along with her two children that she was going to loose. God, placed a love in our hearts and spoke a word to us. That HE puts the solitaire in families. She cried and said, "you mean I would have a real mom and dad?" I never had that!"

So, shortly there after we adopted Ashleigh, John and Kora.

Everything really did work out alright.

Redeeming God

Time for a bath. Washing John up he begins to talk with me. Mom, tell me about Jesus. John, Jesus loves you and died for you. If you have Jesus you will never be alone again. John, "I want Jesus!"

A new life begins. Old things pass away. I have NEVER seen such a transformation in a life. John, was instantly changed. He began reading his Bible and seeking God. God even told him the letter in the alphabet that he didn't learn because he missed school. The conversation went something like this: Teacher: "John you missed our new letter yesterday." John: "I know is was L I prayed about it and God told me it was L."

John and Kora were afraid they would be moved and we wouldn't be able to adopt them. I told them we were going to pray for a rainbow. And when God sent a rainbow it meant that everything was going to be alright. Keep in mind that it was the middle of summer and we don't get much rain.

Can you imagine the excitement when in the sky on a cloudless, rainless, day a half rainbow appears?

There was screaming and shouting and jumping up and down. But why a half a rainbow. I told the kids that God was just showing us the beginning, that we would have to walk the rest out by faith!

Two New Dreams

Another call! Can you take a 3 year and 5 year old brother and sister? Just for 3 days? Sure, I can do anything for 3 days.

So, John Wayne and Kora Faith enter our world.

Upon leaving DHS John discloses unheard of abuse, meanwhile Kora , 3 , is singing the F___ you song. Oh my, what have we gotten into. Day 1, Kora calls me mommy. Terrible nightmares! Defiant, starving. What could have happen to these babies. John spends the first week either kicking the walls or banging his head against it. How can someone do so much damage to such little ones? My heart is broken. Terror, do we have to leave? What if they come take us? So many different emotions. Lord, what do we do?

A New Dream

I had a dream. I real dream. In the dream I was talking with the foster worker. She said, " Gail, I have been praying about asking you if you would be a foster parent?" My reply. I have been praying about being a foster parent. In the dream she told me she had a newborn baby boy would I take him. I said sure. As the dream unfolded Dhs was going to have the baby moved and I had to fight to keep him. End of dream.

A week latter I met up with the worker. She said "Gail I have been praying about asking you if you would consider being a foster parent." My reply, YES!

The following Monday I recieved a call. I have a new born baby boy will you take him? YES!

So, Joshua enters our world at 4 days old. He was 5# 6oz. Joshua was drug exposed and had severe health issues. He was hospitalized when he was 6 weeks old. He was put on life support. We spent 12 days staying by his side. Praying for and loving him. Our dealings with his biological parents were very hard, but God was with us.

Every part of the dream came true. We fought for him and he is now forever ours.