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Torn. But All My Hope Is In You. Jesus!

/ Susan Woodward

This blog was inspired by the song “All Our Hope Is In You,” sung at a Leading and Loving It conference that I attended. When I heard it for the first time, It had only been a month after I had become Torn!

Me and Bill

God is the ONLY PROMISE that remains when we are torn!                                                                                                

I’ve been there….a wounded soul.  Absolutely TORN!

I’ve known God my whole life. I have relied on him for everything as I have grown in him. I have sought him for answers through many hurts and losses over the years. Just as I have sought him with the other things in my life. But the pain I felt (and am still working through) when I lost my 47-year-old brother Bill was greater than any other feeling or emotion I have EVER experienced in my life! I have been Torn for five months now. He was a very healthy man. One day he experienced an excruciating headache which ultimately led him into the hospital. He was diagnosed with a fast growing Glioblastoma Brain Tumor. Eighteen days (together) later, we said goodbye forever. He left behind an amazing wife, son and daughter, both parents, two brothers, myself, nieces/nephews, and many others who loved him dearly. The loss was and is still very real. It shattered so many lives, broke hearts, and made us question the prayers we prayed. With his sickness unexplained, we had many days that remained unclear and with that brought us doubts and fear.  Many lives have been TORN!

But in the middle of my (what felt like) empty soul, all I had was HOPE! Hope in God! And it was MORE THAN ENOUGH! My entire family experienced the peace of holding onto Hope. We believe what God’s word promises us. We know we will see Bill again. There is No other name, No other way, to get through a tragic loss, or any other hurt in our life, but by our HOPE in Jesus!

The hope I am talking about is not a feeling or an emotion.  This Hope is the knowledge of facts. It is far superior to that of the world.  Instead of a hope that leaves me wishing or hoping for something to happen, my hope is solid. It is concrete evidence because it is grounded in the Word of God!  A hope that is “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” ~Heb 11:1   It is a hope that is like faith…a faith that cannot be moved by circumstances or what the eyes see because an unseen God is seen in His faithfulness.

So as a believer I am “waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” ~Titus 2:13. And with that Hope I can remain steadfast, find peace in all circumstances and regain my Joy that was robbed from deep within my soul. I am so thankful that “everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure” ~1 John 3:3. I hold onto his promises and grow my Hope and Faith as I stay in the word daily!

When you are TORN….If you’re desperate for understanding, clarity and answers like I was or similar, remember… that Our Only Hope Is In Him! 

No Matter What We Face…

Broken hearts, Unanswered prayers,

Shattered lies, And Sicknesses unexplained.

Doubts and fears, or Wounded souls,

Days unclear, Regretful pasts,

And Hurting lives in need.

No Other Name, No Other way….Our God, Is our ONLY Hope!

“the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope”  ~Rom 15:13

“we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe”  ~1 Tim 4:10

“Jesus Christ [is] our hope” ~1 Tim 1:

 Look up the song that inspired me on Youtube and be blessed:

All our Hope is in You. Central Christian Church. Drew Bodine. Torn Series

Christian-definition-of-Hope

The ABC’s of parenting….my style!

/ Susan Woodward
Attitude- look at yours first it may improve your child’s.
Believe– believe in your ability to parent. You were chosen!
Choices- Consequences-Consistency– make sure you give them. Especially to that strong willed child.
Determination- don’t take your job lightly. Parent with your eyes fixed heavenly!
Energy- make sure you have it no matter how you get it. You’ll need it!  I love my coffee!
Faith- there will be plenty of moments you’ll live by faith alone!
Guilt- don’t hold on to it.  When you can’t “hold it back any more”…Learn to “let it go!”
Hurdles- you’ll face them. Run fast and jump high!  (no really, lay on the ground, face first and Pray, Pray, Pray!!) 
Instincts- you’ve been given these for a reason. So, trust them.
Joy- remember joy always comes in the morning even after that manic Monday!
Kayleigh- did you know I have a granddaughter? Someday you’ll be a grandparent too! Don’t think that far ahead! Live in the moment with your child! They grow up way too fast. Time is precious!
Love- the greatest of all. I LOVE YOU needs to be said and shown often! Be creative with how you express it!
Morals- clearly define them! Proverb 22:3 Train them up in the way they should go and when they are old they will not depart from it.
Organization– have a list for everything! But don’t stress if it takes all week or all month to accomplish. It’s ok if you have to throw one away!
Popular-  You are the parent first so don’t worry about being or doing whats popular!
Quiet- find moments of this often, even if you have to lock yourself in the closet or take a drive by yourself!
Rest- however you can get it, make it your best friend!
Silliness- laugh often! With your child and at yourself! Find times to bring out and enjoy the silly card!10372776_10202992688049686_6624395695891948821_n
Tantrum- well, maybe you should never have these…but count to ten and leave the room if you think you’re going too!
Understanding- try…I repeat, pretty please try, to understand their point!  You don’t have to agree with it. It can be dead wrong. But it matters to them that you TRY to understand them.
Victory- celebrate all of them! The small ones are just as important.
Worship– teach them to praise and worship God! Show them you know how to worship him with your life, words and actions!
X-rated- stay away from anything you wouldn’t say, do, watch or read in front of them. You are their rating scale!
You- be YOU! God created you uniquely and entrusted you with your “little you”.  So trust Him in his perfect plan and shine on!

Zebra- don’t you just love zebra’s?  That’s Z end!

As you parent you will develop a parenting style that works best for you and your husband. Just remember to work together and keep working! What a blessing children are and God has given to you!  Don’t beat yourself up when things are hard or didn’t go as you intended. No parent is perfect and everyone needs to pick them self up and start over from time to time. Keep in Gods word, pray and seek him for guidance.

You can do it!  

I am here alongside of you, trying just as hard to further his kingdom one child at a time!

Questions were asked…so here’s the answer!

/ Susan Woodward / 1 Comment

My blog is not strictly about fostering and adoption but I received many questions after my last blog. I thought I’d give some of you a little more insight about us.

My husband and I have fostered 22 beautiful children and have had the amazing opportunity to adopt three. We’ve done everything from respite and emergency removals to transitioning children into other adoptive homes. We have also helped with a reunification of a child back to her biological parents. I’ve worked closely with DSS in our county and the counties that surround us. I have been apart of leading Foster Parent Pride training and doing some Home Studies for prospective Foster Parents. I have not always seen eye to eye on things within the Department of Social Services, but I have always been committed to the hurting children involved in the system. Recruiting, training and mentoring parents quickly became my passion.

Our families lives forever changed when we made the decision to forever change a child’s. We have never been the same since our first call ten years ago. It is something none of us will ever forget. It was our first child placement. With that call came our first opportunity and decision to adopt. Every child that was placed with us over the years was from a different situation and each have had their own struggles. But they have ALL given us the same rewards. Rewards to great to describe….

My husband and I totally believe we were created with a purpose to love those who may seem unlovable to others. We seek guidance from the Lord for every decision and with meeting every child’s specific needs. With every difficulty we have faced we have been greatly blessed! And go figure, we do it to bless the children!  But that’s how our God works! He blesses us ten time more when we are obedient and choose to bless others!

It has never been an easy task. Parenting is difficult no matter what. Adopting doesn’t solve all the problems the child has encountered from his/her circumstances. They have almost always dealt with neglect, abuse or trauma.  But adoption does give “new hope” to a child that is in need of a forever family and home. It is only the beginning. There are many hurdles to overcome no matter what. The separation and loss that they experience is real and needs time to heal.  I believe in being their voice (because they haven’t had one) and not only do they deserve one, but they NEED one.

If you are interested in knowing more about fostering or adoption through your local Department of Social Services, have any questions, or would like me to be praying for you specifically, please go to my FB page (there is a link on this web page) and message me.  

For those of you who are already fostering or have adopted, I would encourage you to seek any available resource to help you parent. I also believe it’s imperative to utilize every resource available to meet the needs of the children you’ve been entrusted to love and care for. 

For encouragement—Some people will never understand your heart and you cannot let negative (about you or the children placed with you) to settle in your mind. Not even for a second. You don’t need their approvals. God has your back. He sees your struggles and he knows your heart. He will never leave you or forsake you.  Keep keeping on. Love and keep loving. And as you do you’ll continue to make the world a better place. 

It may be complicated, but its precious!

/ Susan Woodward / 7 Comments

Kent and I enjoyed dinner and a movie with McKenzie and Hannah. I couldn’t help but keep smiling at Kent. We were both just soaking up the girls. Without having to say a word to him, I knew his heart was just as warm as mine. They talked about boys, school, music and silly girl things. They giggled, smiled, shared their food and gazed at one another. Hannah is McKenzie’s best friend/sister/like cousin. Their relationship status is best described by saying…it’s complicated, but it’s precious!

They are sister’s by birth and they became “like cousins” at the age of 3 & 5 by the courts decisions to separate them and their 3 other siblings forever. Until their removal they lived in the midst of a storm that was too great for any of them to have thrived. We didn’t understand Gods plan to separate them back then. (it’s been 7 years ago) But we trusted him! We didn’t see how he could possible mend our broken hearts when Hannah (and their oldest sister Crystal) left our home. We thought the loss the siblings would encounter would be to great for them to heal.  But we knew he was faithful! We didn’t fully understand the special role we would have as “Uncle Kent” and “Aunt Sue” to Hannah, after she was adopted by one of our very closest friends. But we still chose to be obedient to him!

The two of them have experienced a true blessing to remain closely connected. They see each other weekly, attend the same church, have regular sleepover’s and spend all holidays and life events together.  They know their story, they embrace their story and they have learned to love their story. I know they will someday use their story for Gods glory! Their lives are precious! The Girls relationship has been beautiful to watch unfold as they’ve grown!  Their bond is just as unique as each of their personalities. They are similar in many ways and also complement one another with their differences. They are both strong, respectful, kind, silly, determined, compassionate girls who are also both true overcomers!

I may be “Mom” to Kenzie and “Aunt Sue” to Hannah, but God made me so much more than that the day he placed them in our lives at the ages of 2 and 4. I have been their advocate, their cheerleader, their prayer warrior, their encourager, their comforter and it’s been super fun to also be known as their clown. We have laughed until we cried and cried until we laughed together. God knew we’d have these moments. He knew that when the courts chose to separate them physically, he would be working on their behalf to keep them together. He makes all things new!

I’ve learned so much about myself through the years of their placement, transition, and adoptions. With it came mending, healing, struggles and still so much more. But we have never faced any of it alone. I’ve also learned that through obedience comes such sweet rewards. Through the “complicated parts” I became stronger, my faith was increased, my passion for hurting children was renewed and it has kept my eyes heaven bound!

I’m thankful for every special moment. Through the giggles at dinner, the shared spoonfuls of ice cream and the sweet talks before bed… when I look at them, I am reminded of what I’ve always known to be true. Every life…is precious! And it’s so precious…to be a part of others lives!