JJ: 23 months and big news

JJ is almost two and thinks he's so big! He loves to talk and is really excited about being understood. His favorite thing is to be outside, especially if there is water involved!

Now on to the big news. With foster parenting we know to expect the unexpected, and that's what happened yesterday. Against the recommendations of almost everyone, he was placed with a family friend last night. JJ's mom was also granted overnight and weekend visits. We can't see that anything has changed since he was removed from the home last July, and of course we have lots of questions we won't ever get answers to.

But...that's the work God has called us to do. He brings children to us for a season to love and guide and then we have to trust Him to take care of the rest. Please continue praying for all of us as we adjust to our new normal, and especially for JJ as he gets to know his new placement. We're all a bit emotional right now. Please also pray for guidance for the Gent and me as we decide whether or not to take another child in the next couple of weeks. We realize it seems crazy to even consider with baby girl due in five weeks, but when is there ever a good time to completely disrupt your life? :) We're waiting for God to show us one way or the other.

I've been studying Daniel with a ladies group at church, and what we've been learning over and over is that God is sovereign over all things. If God directs the hearts even of pagan kings, we know that His hand is at work in our current circumstances, too. The judge didn't just decide to move JJ on a whim--God is directing all things and we trust that He is working for our good.

Thankfully, we will still have some contact with JJ. The social worker insisted on it and his mother and new guardian are open to us remaining in contact. We hope that will make the transition a little easier on us all.

Stay tuned for the next update on our rapidly changing family!