Foster Care Comments and Questions from Loved Ones

So... there have been some comments and situations that have arisen over the last 10 months of Foster care that I just wanted to document...

A very loving, well-meaning family member commented (after I told her we were going to Foster older children):
"Oh man, that's not fair; you won't have to go through the whole baby stage!!"

My response; after 10 months of Fostering includes:
-Yes, but do you know how often they cry?
-Yes, but do you have any idea what it's like retraining the thought process of a child who has been raised by someone else for 11 years?
-This is true, but sometimes I'd rather have the crying over the silent treatment for hours and hours on end.
-Yes; but we are ARE dealing with SEVERE emotional and physical trauma, and I would venture to say it's just as difficult as dealing with a crying baby.
-True, but we are having to dedicate a HUGE chunk of our time & energy pouring in to a child who is three years behind in school and development because of the lack of education she's had in her life

It's hard y'all; No... it is NOT raising a baby. But it's still hard.

One more thing, folks ask us ALL THE TIME "What's the update? Any news?"
Here's the answer, "No good updates. I don't know when she's leaving for sure."

I know everyone means well, and most likely really DO seriously care... but it's like a chunk of my heart dies every time I have to explain a current situation. It's hard to talk about y'all.... God's plan is HIS Plan... and every one of His plans are not revealed to us on purpose. We would live in dread, fear and uncertainty if we worried about what, when who and where.
God called us to this Ministry.... Every child that comes or goes is in HIS Hands, HIS timing... we are just to be the vessels that show them unconditional love, support and a healthy functioning family and home. (Or as close as we can get ;)) 

I ran across an incredibly wonderful explanation of this here: http://fosteringreal.com/blog/2016/09/11/in-limbo/