Excuses

Excuses   

I hear lots of excuses when I talk to people about foster care.  Lots of people say they would like to foster, “But…”  I hear lots of “buts” and I myself have used lots of “Buts.”  Many times, we have logical reasons for being unable to foster and I know lots of people pour that energy in other area’s and ways to help.  And I appreciate those that support foster parents and foster kids, through prayer, donations, volunteering, etc….but I want to talk about one of the excuses that weighs heavy on my heart and my response to it.

Sometimes, people say they would like to help “these kids” but they don’t like all “these classes DHS makes you take.”  They don’t realize the true need for these classes.  They say, “I raised three kids, I know HOW to raise kids” or insert  x number of kids they raised and my response is this: “Yes, maybe you have raised three kids, but were your kids kicked in the head by your boyfriend?  Have they ever been so hungry, they ate garbage out of the dumpster?  Were you’re kids raped?  Molested by a family member?”  The classes DHS offers to prospective foster parents are designed to train you for these scenarios.  Kids in foster care are very similar to our “own” kids but they also have a completely different set of needs.  John needs a new backpack.  A foster kid may have be wearing the same pair of underwear every day for weeks; that child needs new underwear.  Sometimes, Addy thinks there’s a monster under her bed.  I’ve had foster children who have never had a bed.  And their monsters are Mama’s friends that come over at night time.  The classes and training DHS offer to prospective foster parents and for continuing education for foster parents is so important.  I hope you’ll consider this if this has ever been your excuse.  Also, if you are considering fostering or if you support fostering, maybe through babysitting, mentoring or maybe you have a family member that fosters, I encourage you to attend the meetings in White County for the Foster Parents Association.  Our next meeting is February 6 and feel free to contact me about time and place.  These kids deserve your attention.  John 14:18, Jesus promises “I will not leave you orphans: I will come to you.” 

Random Musings of the Philpott’s

For some reason, that excuse has been weighing on my heart; probably because I’ve heard it an awful lot of late.  But other than pondering that, we have had a pretty good winter in Arkansas.  The weather has been mild with only a few nights cold enough for a fire in the fireplace. 

In the beginning of the month, we celebrated my Mom’s birthday, Addy’s birthday and me and David’s wedding anniversary.  Also. John’s adoption anniversary was on Mom’s birthday, but in our family we really don’t “celebrate” , so much as “remember” adoption dates.  The reason being, why should an adopted kid have anymore “birthday” celebrations than a biological child?   Not that it’s any less special, but what we usually do is “remember” the day with a special meal or an evening out somewhere.  For John’s day we combined it with friends and ate at Who Dats in Bald Knob!  That’s a Cajun restaurant in our area that was listed in Southern Living’s Magazine a couple years ago as  one of the “Restaurants in the south worth driving 100 miles for.”  And believe me, it is!  They serve great big ole steaks, alligator, shrimp and their famous, red beans n rice. 

Anyways, I remember John’s adoption day very well.  That day we had a huge ice storm the night before and had to drive to another county for the finalization!  We almost had to postpone it and John was as nervous as a cat in a roomful of rockers!!! He wanted so bad to be adopted.   He wanted so bad to be a Philpott.  David navigated the hilly, curvy, icy roads, despite the fact that many schools were closed that day as were several of the government buildings!! We were all bound and determined!  And I know we are all thankful the Lord held us that day. 

That brings me to another subject and that is older child adoption.  I’ll talk about that I guess next time.  It’s so important and so needed.  And SO WORTH IT! 

The rest of this month has been almost “normal” for us.  We have another house under contract and are beginning to think/talk about building our own home.  Philpott Builders continue to be extremely blessed.  David keeps building quality homes and manages to keep them at an affordable price.  And he became the President of the White County Builders Association in the beginning of the month as well.  Congratulations to David!

And then the cat…we have had quite a time with pets recently.  Turns out, Kiki, our old, fat, grumpy Calico cat had a bladder infection and had to visit the vet yesterday-adding to our debt with them!  But at least she’ll be ok-except for still mean and hateful.  At least she won’t be in pain.  Poor cat!  And my sister, who is studying to become a Vet Tech has advised us to put her on a canned cat food diet, so I guess we’ll be doing that as well. 

And that is JANUARY folks!  Whew!  Bring on February…and, thanks for reading! 

Lola Philpott