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"God gives us dreams a size too big so that we can grow into them."

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Friday, August 15, 2008

Our Second Day of Class

Well, on Wednesday I went to our second class by myself.  Ben is not required to come to the rest of the 4 weeks (but IS required to go to the 9 week PRIDE training we have to complete within the first 6 months of us being licensed).

I sat in-between people I didn't know, one lady there by herself and the set of Grandparents who are there to foster their grandchild.  Quite a few people showed up for the second week, I could only identify one couple that did not return, but there are others that didn't show up because there was more room in the class than last week.

Our Trainer pulled out the Green Rule book and all we did in class was go thru ALL the rules.  Very overwhelming.  Between that and her stories about why these are the rules (example:  You are not to leave a child sleeping in their car seat.  Why?  Because sometime in the past year a Mom dropped her infant off to daycare sleeping in their car seat and no one took them out and the harness  cut off his air supply and they died.)

After hearing so many stories like that (and far worse ones) it makes your head spin.  Then, when they are going thru what condition your home needs to be in (which are just basic living conditions) she would tell stories about what she has seen in Foster Parent's homes and all you can think to yourself is "That is horrible."  Why would they need to TELL you that you have to have a flushing toilet?  Isn't that "standard"?  Why do they need to tell you their should be no gaping holes in your floor?  So, anyway, all Ben and I have to do is get a Carbon Monoxide Detector and make sure all the fire alarms are working.

Then they go into how you should treat the kids.  For example, she had some foster kids report that the family they were staying with would eat a separate, normal dinner from the foster kids while the foster kids ate peanut butter sandwiched EVERY night in a different location than the family was eating.  And it ended up being true.  I don't know what to even say to that except there must be a lot of people doing Foster Care for the wrong reasons.  How could you treat kids like that?  I don't get it, the more you get into it the more you see there are real problems here in a place made to "help kids".

It is just a lot to digest and wrap your brain around.  Especially when you grew up not ever personally knowing ANYTHING about foster care and what it could be like.  

I am glad God opened our eyes to something that needs help, even though it is overwhelming!

8 comments:

Lindsey said...

WOW. I love reading about your classes. Please continue to update us with how your classes are going.

P.S
You should make Ben go to all the classes anyway. hehe

Leah Wentzel said...

i would if he didn't need to be at work :)

Lindsay said...

That is a crazy story about the baby dieing in his car seat. I have heard a story like that before and so I never let Elle sleep in her car seat. Well, done with another class....yay! :) Love you guys have a great weekend!

Vicki Aeschliman said...

Well that brought tears to my eyes! This is why God laid it on your hearts. We need good loving people to take care of these children!

spng7 said...

"As you do to the least of Mine"
His words ....

gram said...

Wow we do not think about how some children live in today's society. We tend to forget that some kids live differently then us. We are so blessed. God is looking out for these kids by having individuals such as you and Ben taking these kids in and giving them a home that is loving.

Alyssa said...

I have never heard that about car seats before. wow! How sad. At least we are all learning through your learning. Yes, I like you am very naive to so many awful things that are out there. I wish I could save all the poor kids who need love and attention. I used to want to own a kids home for that reason. Help the sweet innocent little ones giving them the only hope we have in Jesus!

Love you guys! So happy you are following His leading. Have a great weekend!

Lindsey said...

I suppose working in necessary. I wish we didn't have to work....