Family

Don’t Confuse Your Path With Your Destination

/ Susan Woodward / 8 Comments

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Every one of us will encounter storms on our journey.  Let’s face it, not one of us is exempt from them. It’s a part of growing. It’s a part of parenting. It’s a part of building our faith. Storms can mold our character; teach us about love, mercy and His amazing grace….they are a part of life. We can face storms on our path at any time as we move towards our destination. We may walk through some dark and gloomy days, wake to hurts and losses wishing they’d have disappeared over night, and stomp our way through some very difficult times.

But the Lord says this….

Deuteronomy 31:8   The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Sometimes we get off the path while we are facing a storm. We lose focus on the sunshine that is promised to come again. We need to remember we are never alone. The Lord is with you and has already gone ahead of you.  He already knows the outcome and has a perfect plan. The sun will shine again.  Keep your head up.  Keep pushing through the rain.  Trust His plan even when all you see is dark clouds.  Have faith that your destination will soon be glorious.

After the storm…..the outcome may be all that you have hoped for, everything that you have pushed forward towards, and way more than you could have ever imagined.  Allow the Lord to work on your behalf as you seek Him…even in the midst of your storm…seek him with all your heart!

The Lord also says this….

Jeremiah 29:11-13  For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Facing a storm?  Or in a storm right now?  Or do you have a testimony where the Lord has calmed your storm, brought the sunshine back into your life, and or set your path straight again?

You may be a glimmer of sunshine to someone else.  Share your story.  It’s been given to you for a reason.  Let God use the path you’ve walked to share HOPE with others.  

We Have Gotcha…and We Will Never Let You Go!

/ Susan Woodward / 12 Comments

Happy Gotcha Day!!

We Have Gotcha and We Will Never Let You Go!

You didn’t grow under my heart. You grew in it!

(A letter I wrote but never mailed to her biological mother) 

Dear Bio mom,

She was your child first…and we are sorry that you were unable to care for her. We really are.  I know that you love her.  There is no possible way that you couldn’t. She is amazing!  She is one of our greatest joys!  The Love you had for her just wasn’t enough. It didn’t keep her safe, nurture her and provide for her needs.

She has your eyes and your nose.  She does some things just like her siblings.  And her dance moves are especially like her oldest sister.  We will always remember the love and time spent with all three of your girls in our home.  It was hard because the visitations became damaging, caused confusing and went on way too long…

Your oldest daughter really wanted to be with you.  It was so strange the devotion and obligation she had towards you. (You, the one who hurt her) Separation and attachment disorders are so crazy.  She didn’t even know how to attach to anyone but you, because of it.  So, when the courts ruled, we really struggled with the decision they made for us to transition her back to you. Nineteen months in our home and then it was like a bomb went off in our hearts…And you got another chance to parent.  Not all five of your children…but just one.  And the struggle was and is…still real for you.   

Your actions and your choices, completely rocked their entire worlds.  They were so innocent…so young…so helpless.  It was scary for them. What were you thinking when you left them hungry, dirty and in danger?  Who did you think would keep them safe when you left them in vehicles and motels alone?  Or in stranger’s homes?  You made them learn to fend for themselves.  They all knew many survival techniques when they were removed.  They had no choice but to learn on their own…how to survive…while you lived.  So selfishly. 

She was sickly and confused then.  She has struggled in so many ways since we opened our home and heart to her EIGHT years ago.  She was a frail and extremely tiny 18 months old. You had rocked her world…over and over again.

We rocked her world too!  Every night…before bed…for over two years…as we held her and sat with her into the night. We rocked her. We comforted her. We stayed awake through the tremors and the sleepless nights. We put her back in her bed over and over again…and avoided stepping on her wherever she lay in the night. We still have “all night drifting parties” often.  I wonder, will she ever sleep well? But I know by God’s grace she will… 

We wished we could have kept some of the doors open with you. But we knew what was best for her, and this just wasn’t an option. We were open to keeping connections with her other 3 siblings. They make her light up when she sees them. It make our hearts happy too.  After all, it isn’t their fault they were separated.  They did nothing to deserve what they received.  We may live forever having to change that thought process in her mind.  But we will do whatever it takes!  

We were never here to take her away from you. We were a part of a system to help you get yourself together.  We offered a safe and loving environment for 3 of your children in order for you to do so. We always work towards reunification and we will never really understand why you never accomplished that.  But we forgive you. I hope and pray you learn to forgive yourself… 

Our role as Foster Parents was to care for your child while you worked hard toward goals placed upon you by the court. We were here to support you and we encouraged you to reach them. Time kept slipping away…court date after court date…You never took any steps towards achieving the goals placed before you.  Not even for your children. 

I had felt sorry for you, because she never asked about you. But now, as she has gotten older and we have talked about you many times…I am thankful she didn’t ask more when she was younger. It seems harsh, but it is best that her memory of you is so vague. She understands it was your choices that were bad and not anything bad that she did. She also knows, accepts and understands that God has worked things out for her. She has such a forgiving and kind heart. It saddens me that you may never know her beautiful heart. One that prays for you and others.

We are thankful God spared her from even more hurt. He has worked in her favor and on her behalf many times. She is His child first…and she didn’t go through an experience of great loss.  We are all she knows and remembers….and His plan has been perfectly unfolding for her all along.

I need you to know that nothing that I could have said or done would have ever helped you get your children back. The choices that you made determined her future. A future that ended up with us as her parents. It is a future of…love, family, assurance, comfort, encouragement, care, persistence, safety, devotion and hope. The greater Hope that she has is eternal. She knows who’s she is! 

I want you to know I am deeply sorry that you were ever in this situation to begin with.  I know you still struggle.  So, we will continue to pray for you. You can still do right, make good choices and get your life together. The same Eternal Hope that she possesses is obtainable for you too through Jesus.   

You chose to give Birth!  That is definitely something to be proud of!  You chose life for your babies!  We will forever be grateful for your decision to do so.  Life is always…always a gift!  And one of the lives you birthed became our precious Gift! 

So today…..

Eight years ago exactly…(at 2:00 pm)

The court saw it in was in your child’s best interest to have all parental rights terminated! It was a sad day for you. I know it had to be. My heart broke for you.

But it was a beautiful day for all of us…and with a broken heart, I also rejoiced!

                            It became her very first Gotcha Day…

                                                                   And one of many more to come!

Forever grateful,

The Adoptive Mom

SW

This Ain’t No Pre-School

/ Susan Woodward / 4 Comments

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WOW—Back To School Already!  

And once again, this year Austin and McKenzie will be together in School.

But this ain’t no preschool…nor is it the joyful years of elementary school. This is Tough…Life Changing…and Scary…MIDDLE SCHOOL!

And as much as I’d like to be at ease and think “oh, we got this.”  I know that, “we are far from getting anything on our own.”  I am so glad we know who holds their futures and who controls the plans for their lives.  (just as He does our other children)  We have been there and done that  (The Middle School Years) three other times…and believe me when I say…We are far from being pro’s!!  As a matter of fact, I have had to tweak my prayers quite a bit over the years. lol  And I have spent, and will continue to spend many times on my knees…

But…

The IMPORTANCE of Having a Prayer to Pray Over Them Daily will Never be Tweaked….Because The NEED to Pray…will Never Change!!!

 I will Always Pray For My Children.

(I encourage you to also have a prayer for your children. No matter what their age….Pray, Pray and Pray some more) 

At this moment…this is my PRAYER for my Middle Schoolers.

Lord,

Please help Austin & Kenzie to know that you are walking the halls with them and sitting next to them in class. When they are confronted with fear, or struggle, help them to feel your presence and know they are never alone!  Help them to remember that no matter what the circumstance or situation that they can always call on You!

Lord, guide their words and their actions as they make new friends and interact with new teachers and staff. I pray their minds remain open and ready to learn. Help them to understand that hard, honest work honors YOU, the one who created them.

Give their teachers patience, direction, wisdom and creativity. And then give them even more patience! Lord bless them for their teaching efforts and make them successful at what they do.  

Help my children to always be kind, honest, and unselfish. Let them love others that may be different from them. I pray they choose wisely, but Lord, help to guide friends into their circle, who know and love you too.

Let your light shine! Help them to have boldness when needed and speak from their wisdom of you. Let their hearts be known as a follower of yours. Please Lord, create opportunities for them to share you with others…and more than anything….protect them from situations that could detour them from their walk with you.

Help them to LOVE You, Others and Themselves….In that order!

Cover their school with protection ~a protection that only you can give. And as I wait….I pray you lead them safely home!

Lord, we give them to you every day, but as they start this New School Year, we are once again entrusting them into your tender care.

Thank you Lord for your goodness and your promises! 

And thank you for allowing us to be their parents. It is our honor to cover them in prayer…helps us to always bring you glory in the decisions that we make in parenting them.  

We need you and your wisdom, to do our very best in “training them up in the way they should go”. (Proverbs 22:6)  May they continue to grow up serving you.

Lord, we promise to always give you the glory for the great things that are in the works for them.  

Bless them in school this year and every day in between…

In Jesus Name,5-Verses-to-Pray-Over-Your-Kids(pp_w1200_h1200)

Amen

A Week of Camp That Never Ended

/ Susan Woodward / 2 Comments

What Royal Family Kids Camp is to me…(And became to our family)

It’s more than a safe, loving environment for a group of Foster Kids to enjoy a week away from their less than deserving life situations.  It’s more than a fun filled, organized camp setting, suited for their many special needs. It’s more than the decorations, props and or perfectly thought out themes. It’s more than the hands on crafts, activities, pool time and fishing. It’s more than the Birthday party, talent show and fun events. It’s even more than the opportunity to overcome fears and trust unknown adults. It’s more than the laughter and tears. It’s more than the songs sung, skits watched and stories shared. It’s more than the new bibles, prayers, praise and encouragement each child receives. It’s just so much more…….

This camp is more than what any of its directors, counselors, therapists, nurses, and activity, music and service leaders could ever accomplish on their own.  God has chosen the people and the campers that come. Each team member and camper is handpicked and a part of Gods amazing work and plan.  Over and over again I have seen Him use team members to minister directly into a child’s life. They offer Hope, Trust and Love! God’s amazing Love that heals, ministers and transforms lives for His glory and His purpose!  These things are so evident, freely welcomed, and embraced by everyone at camp. No one can escape the presence of the Lord and the Love that shines straight from the creator of all things good. It’s Gods camp!

It takes obedience from each team member as they take the first step in wanting to participate and make a difference. It takes sacrifice. Sacrifice of time, income from their jobs, and separation from family. It takes a heart willing to render to unknowns. It takes a willingness to step out of comfort zones. It takes surrendering to agenda’s and expectations. It takes an openness to allow the Lord to work however He sees fit. Team members from different walks, backgrounds and with various personalities. Yet each and every one of them is prayerfully and then carefully placed by God. As the days go by, a week at camp becomes a masterpiece that unfolds in the lives of everyone! A beautiful one designed by the hand of God. This masterpiece, and the precious moments in creating it, are engraved on everyone’s hearts forever!

Over ten years ago it became even bigger than the “one week at camp” for me and my family.  It prayerfully, and out of complete obedience, became the beginning steps for my husband and I to forever step out of our comfort zones and into many unknowns. By the grace of God we made decisions that quickly became our “new lifestyle.”  It has since been a daily decision and sometimes a difficult one, to change children’s lives forever. It took just one phone call to our area Department of Social Service Department. That one call made our “Beyond Royal Family” begin and it has changed our lives forever! 

I guess you could say….In a way….We have daily been living a kind of “Royal Family Kids Camp.”  Over and over again we have welcomed a new “Royal Family Kid” in our home, in our lives, and in our hearts forever. With every short and long term placement, every transition of a child, every emergency removal and or respite call, (Respite is an overnight break for another foster family) and with all three of our adoptions we have “lived camp”.  It’s “Gods camp” in our family too!

Camp is full of many “firsts” for the kids. And believe me…we too have had many things occur for the “first time” with children in our home. God has perfectly placed children with us and given us everything we have needed in caring for and loving them. I can’t imagine life without every one of our precious Gifts! I call their names out in prayer often, and I know God is always fighting for them! He sees their needs and is working things out for them according to His plan. His plan does not include harm and is perfect for every child.   Plans

I am so thankful He chose us to be a part of so many beautiful lives….I will forever be grateful for my very first week at Royal Family Kids Camp over ten years ago.  I will forever be grateful for the way it changed my families lives forever! It is a week that has never ended for us 🙂

I challenge you to step out of your comfort zone. If the Lord moves you….Go with Him! Do it prayerfully and in obedience to what the Lord is asking of you. It will always be right when it is done following after Him! Trust Him and the power of His anointing on you…You too can forever make a difference in a child’s life (and or) in others lives! 

Blogging 101 Assignment….

/ Susan Woodward / 6 Comments

Who am I ?

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I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:14

And why do I blog…

I belong to Jesus Christ. I live my life to serve others as a daughter of the most high! I have been married to Kent who is an amazing Husband, Father, Friend and Care Pastor for 26 years. I am a mother to five beautiful gifts and a Mimi to one little princess. I have been greatly blessed by a loving and supportive extended family and have the best parents on earth. I have served in various ministries my entire life. I have a great love and burden for the youth of this generation. My husband and I have been living out our passion as Foster/Adopt parents for over ten years. I have trained, recruited and mentored many others through our local DSS. I have led a small group for women who share my passion for hurting children for eight years. I have worked Royal Family Kids Camp (a special camp for the abused and neglected in our Foster Care System) for five years. My life is full of mistakes, mishaps and plenty of interesting lessons and things to write about…

I love to encourage and I hope to inspire others through my life and experiences as I blog. I’d like to think I have mastered home administrating. LOL  Juggling a busy schedule has become a part of my life, but prioritizing the most important things has always come first.  I live everyday of my life cherishing the moments I have with all those who surround me. I love to laugh while making the best of this crazy life I’ve been given. Sharing my real life moments, stories, insights, and the thoughts God places on my heart is away I hope to minister to YOU and others.

Most importantly….

I am extremely thankful everyday for Gods Amazing Grace! I pray this blog brings encouragement as “we together” fill our minds with TRUTH, fill our hearts with LOVE and fill our lives with SERVICE.

Praying you follow along…

Share with others…and Enjoy~