It Has Been Way Too Long!

March 24, 2021March 24, 2021 / Susan Woodward

I have taken a break from my Blog for way too long. How dare life get so chaotically busy that it takes me away from something that I am so passionate about. YOU!

I am ready to share once again! I have been using Facebook as a ministry for several years. I have tried my best to write things on that platform that speak truth, encourages others to love like Jesus and promotes serving others. That is what my intentions were when I started writing on this blog/website. I have decided to once again make this a place for me to let go of what is on my heart and let God touch whomever It can. I want the work that God has done in my life and what he inspires me to share, to somehow make a difference in others.

“What good is it to have God work within us, if we are not willing to share the work he has done” ~SW

Truth, Love and Service. Those three things mean so much to me. They are who I am and It is the reason I started highlighting some tid bits of my life on this website several years ago. I have shared about being a Parent, Adoptive Parent, Foster Parent, Mimi, and the Wife of a Care Pastor. I am also the only Daughter to wonderful parents and a Sister to three brothers. All of those things have given me great fulfillment, but no title compares to being a Child of the Most High. It gives me abundant joy to share the little things in life that are of great importance to God.

Each of our stories are unique, significant and worth sharing. I am always learning to embrace mine just a little bit more. I am forever thankful that Gods plan for each of us is much greater than we can imagine for ourselves.

On no particular schedule, I am looking forward to sharing more about all the good, the bad, and the ugly that makes my life come together as something so beautiful. Each one of our lives is something that is imperfectly perfect to God. I hope to encourage you to look at your own story and only see the beautiful, as Christ does.

Also, I am hoping you choose to share this website/blog with others who may need to learn to embrace their story just a bit more, as well.

Live by Truth

Love Like Jesus

Serve People

Here’s to new things….

A Passion Pause

July 19, 2016July 22, 2016 / Susan Woodward

Sometimes we have to convince ourselves that it’s ok to hit PAUSE in the middle of living out our Passion! I’m not one to move in slow motion and I often struggle with pausing in the midst of things. I am grateful i have learned its ok to hit PAUSE.

The passion i have is equally shared with my husband. When God created us for each other, He knew exactly what would break our hearts and make us cry together. He created our passions and knew just how we would work together to fulfill them. I am thankful that we chose to move into the life of Foster Care. It has been a piece of many, in our obedience to Him.

It took time for us to recognize our passion, but after our awakening…He has supplied our every need to move forward. We strive to make a difference…one child of His at a time.

I’m extremely thankful.

Today, I look back on His goodness through each test, trial and phase we have been through as a family. We have received so much insight and growth through each and every situation we have faced. We are more than conqueror’s! I have been pushed in areas I never thought I’d go and used in ways that are of Him Alone!

Excitedly, we have removed the PAUSE that has been in this area of our Passion!

The Foster Care system desperately needs Christian families to share the love of Jesus. To share His love with the hurting child and to the child’s parents. (whenever that connection is available) His love can bring healing and restoration to the child as well as the family. The most important goal is for each one of them to be confident of their eternal future.

We are aware that our family is far from perfect. If the Foster Care system only wanted perfection, there would be no system at all. We learn from every situation we encounter, continuously seeking the Lord for guidance in (all areas) of our life. God has given us much and we cannot help but to share what He has given.

We knew we wouldn’t PAUSE our Passion forever. With that, we also know we will face more test and trials, hurts and painful loss. We will face the same emotions (and maybe some new) that have already been felt over the last 11 years as Foster/Adopt parents. When I reflect back on some of the hardest trials, the memories alone Should Make Me Fearful…but i know…we are NOT slaves to Fear! Our God is GREATER than ALL of our Fears and ALL of our Unknowns.

Gods plan will never fail!

It will forever remain perfect in our imperfect world of abuse and neglect. He will never stop pouring out His love. It pours over and through us in meeting whatever need is presented. It doesn’t make it easy. Doing God’s work is difficult. But He (and His Amazing Love) makes it possible! Fostering truly is the toughest job we’ve ever loved. Some of the healing and progress is never seen. Sometimes it’s a daily struggle to push through whatever mountain we are faced with. But we know that with Him we can do ALL things. He still moves mountains! It is by His strength alone that we overcome each obstacle along the way. We trust Him in the process for each outcome and we pray for wisdom as we embrace each child’s different needs.

As we remove the PAUSE in our Passion we are taking another leap in our faith. We are confident in our provider of all things good.

The PAUSE in our Passion came at the perfect time. We started as birth parents of two, a boy and a girl. Only God knew we’d become parents of an additional two boys and one girl through adoption. We chose to temporarily close our Foster home two years after our last adoption of our teenage son. I was apprehensive at first in doing so. (I didn’t want to stop helping other children because the need is WAY to great) But we knew through seeking God for guidance, that our PAUSE was in His perfect timing. During our families pause, we spent quality time focusing on each moment and on each other. (the good, the bad, the joyful, the painful, the accomplishments big and small) We spent time advocating and seeking out the resources needed to better equip our children and ourselves. At times we were extremely stretched in our faith. I became a pro at praying hard on my knees. And we learned to completely trust His plan when ours was shattered, or His was completely unknown.

The PAUSE in our passion was needed. It’s ok for you to PAUSE in the midst of your passion too. Our PAUSE helped us to retrain, redirect, restore and finally…to refocus. To refocus on the passion He placed in us. In our family.

After eleven years, 22 children in our home, 6 that were transitioned into other forever homes, 1 reunited with her birth family, 3 that completed our hearts and family forever and…a three year PAUSE….our PAUSE has changed…but our Passion has not!

Our license to offer Foster Care has been reinstated. We have transferred to the county in which we live and cannot wait to see what God has in store for us after taking our much needed time. We will be helping with emergency removal care and respite (relief for other foster parents) along with temporary or short term placements.

We are excited to step forward again in our passion. Parenting, Recruiting, Mentoring, Training, Speaking and PRAYING the entire time…that the amazing Love of Jesus transforms lives through us.

God has been right in the midst of our PAUSE. He continues to be in the midst of our future work in the Foster Care System. We continue to be an imperfect family, but we strive to love like Him. We are extremely excited to once again be a part of something much greater than ourselves. We are humbled and honored that He chooses to use us.

Don’t hesitate to PAUSE in the midst of YOUR passion. Seek His direction. Wait patiently….and you too will know when to “push play” again!

Are You What You Do The Most Of?

July 23, 2015July 23, 2015 / Susan Woodward

Are YOU what you do the most of?

I mean, if you worry all the time wouldn’t you most likely become a great worrier? And If you drank continuously you’d probably become an Alcoholic. So, It’s also likely if you gossip you’ll become a fantastic gossiper. And If you complain, boast about yourself, or spend your time Lying….all day or most of the time…..Well, you get the picture right?

So, what consumes your thoughts? Your time throughout the day?

These things can positively mold you or they can negatively impact you and those closest to you.

It can confuse people and turn them away from knowing who you serve!

Only YOU can decide what you’ll become according to what you think of and do the most of.

To live Christ like and be more like Him we have to live consistently and consume ourselves with His words, thoughts and actions. We can all make a conscious effort to think more Christ Like and do better with Acting Christ like too!

When others see YOU… do they know who YOU serve?

We can all….Encourage others and become someone full and flowing with encouragement! Comfort those who need it and become a gifted comforter! Pray earnestly and faithfully often and become a prayer warrior! Welcome people into your home and become a person of warm hospitality! Love selflessly and unconditionally and others will see Christ’s love as it becomes a radiant light through you. Be kind, trust worthy and honest and you’ll hold great traits in becoming a dependable friend!

I do believe we become what we think about or do the most….

So we should choose wisely…with our thoughts….and how we spend our time.

What will your thoughts and the things you spend time doing make YOU become?

Who do others think YOU Serve?

Truth.Love.Service : The Sweetness of Keepsakes

March 5, 2015March 5, 2015 / Susan Woodward / 3 Comments

Today, I am thankful for a drawer that hadn’t been opened in a while….

My mom sent me pictures of a letter she found cleaning out her “keepsake drawer.” I am pretty sure we all have a “keepsake place.” You know? That special place you keep the things you cherish from someone you love.

I too have a keepsake place. A labeled tote for each of my kids. I add keepsakes to them often. They have all kinds of sweet memories in them….special baby items, pictures, trophies, homemade cards, school and church things, awards, certificates etc. But the things I cherish the MOST in those totes….are the keepsake items that have captured one of their heart changes. Their steps towards God!

There is nothing more special than a spiritual step that our child takes. At any age or stage in their development it surpasses all the sweet words we receive from them about us. When a child takes a spiritual step closer to the Lord, it’s a change that occurs in their heart. One that makes this Mamma’s heart proud! And those heart changed moments… can never be…unchanged!

So the sweetness of what my mom found today, from my brother Bill who just recently passed away, reminded us both of how beautifully special it is to have a keepsake place. It reassured her of what she already knew about her son because of the life he lived daily, but It was a precious reminder of a step he had taken so many years ago towards God.

I was so thankful to see and read the letter that she had kept in her perfect spot for so many years. It had been Kept Safe…. Tucked Away….Cherished! And as I read it for myself, tears rolled down my cheeks. I knew exactly why she had saved it in her bedside drawer. I too would have kept it. It was written 28 years ago, after our family experienced the death of Bills best friend (It happened on Bills Birthday and David was our senior Pastors son) the letter she found expressed a heart change that had occurred in Bill. It was an absolute keepsake item for any mother. His relationship with the Lord had grown stronger despite the pain he had gone through during such a great loss. His prayers increased and his relationship with Christ had also grown. I pray that through my brother’s death, I too have a strengthened walk and a greater relationship with the Lord.

Having that letter was definitely….a keepsake to cherish back then.

And today….having it to hold and read….is “A Sweet Keepsake Find!”

I went ahead and retyped the letter (hers has already become worn) and I have added it to my recently new keepsake spot that I have created for my brother. This “keepsake find” was just another one of many ways that God has shown us his Goodness and Grace through death.

It was a reminder for me to continue to cherish the steps my children take in their walk with the Lord and to remember that Every One Of Those Steps Is...“KEEPSAKE” WORTHY!

Today, God used a simple letter to minister to us. It was written to the elders of the church because he was taking the next step in his relationship and commitment to the Lord. He was joining and becoming a member of the church we had grown up in. There is no doubt that the letter will remain special to my parents. But today, it has become a “Sweet New Keepsake” for me!

The Following was written by: Bill Douglas Baas in 1987

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I have been going to Third ever since I can remember. When I think back to the old church I remember how my church friends were those you only saw on Sunday. I used to look forward to going to church to romp around and play with my buddies in the hallways after morning service. That was then. But now we have a better facility and an opportunity to make many more friends. Not only Sunday friends, but weekday friends too. Before youth group my Christian attitude and development was weak and slow. Since youth group I have grown in faith and as a high school freshman many of my friends and I confessed our faith unto the Lord before you all. I believe it was the fellowship of Christian young people that brought us closer to God and our heartfelt discussions on Christian development that caused us to unite in Christ.

Now I am a senior and I see a scary road ahead of me. College, work, and freedom in the world. I pray for success and for help to make the right decisions in life. I trust the Lord will steer me in the right direction. This year, my senior year has been my most trying year before the Lord. Christ has put me through the test-How strong am I? or how willing am I to serve? As you all know, the Lord took David to be with him. David and I were truly brothers in Christ and we felt it when we were together. We had fun the way fun was meant to be. But now David is gone. I have come closer to God through his death.

When I pray now my heart opens gladly to talk with God and share my pain and sorrow, just as easily as sharing my happiness and thanksgiving. Before I was concerned with dying but now I have the assurance as to where I’ll go and that’s what it’s all about! Praise the Lord!

Every heart change and decision our children make in their walk with the Lord is a “keepsake!”

Encourage “keepsake” moments in your child’s life by involving them in church and helping them with their spiritual development. Encourage their relationship with the Lord and create an importance and an involvement for the things of God.

Then……Go Ahead Tuck It Away! So you can Cherish Them Forever!

Questions were asked…so here’s the answer!

February 9, 2015 / 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!

February 7, 2015February 9, 2015 / 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!