The Time That's Left

"The Time That's Left"

-Mark Schultz 

What will you do with the time that's left
Will you live it all with no regret?
Will they say that you loved till your final breath?
What will you do with the time that's left?

What will you do with the time that's past?
Oh and all the pain that seems to last?
Can you give it to Jesus and not look back?
What will you do with the time that's past?

What will He say when your time has come?
When He takes you into His arms of love?
With tears in His eyes will He say well done?
What will He say when your time has come?

What will you do with the time that's left?
Will you live it all with no regret
Will they say that you loved till your final breath?
What will you do with the time?

Waiting

Our application was submitted on Monday. Our licensing worker let us know that the State is averaging about three weeks right now, so we should get the call sometime mid September. It's a strange feeling to have it be so close after so long. I've started to have a hard time sleeping, I've heard that expecting Mothers sometimes "nest" in the last trimester. I think I am in that state now. At this point we have done almost all we can do and are just trying to stay busy until the time arrives.

"That I really lived"

“I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully, tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails.

I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp. I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbors children.

I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone's garden.

I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder.
I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived.” 
― Marjorie Pay Hinckley

Truth

“Home is where you are loved the most and act the worst.” 

― Marjorie Pay Hinckley

“There are some years in our lives that we would not want to 

live again. But even these years will pass away, and the lessons 

learned will be a future blessing.” 

― Marjorie Pay Hinckley

A Beautiful Adventure

“Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of 

arriving safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in 

broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly 

proclaiming, “Wow what a ride!” 

― Marjorie Pay Hinckley

So close and yet so far

For the last several months Todd and I have been in the process and training to become foster parents. This has included getting level one finger print cards, CPR and first aid certification, 30 hours of training, sending copies of everything from pay stubs to ID's to insurance cards, many, many pages of paper work, preparing our home for the different inspections that take place, including locking chemicals like laundry detergent and cleaning supplies, having a fire extinguisher and carbon monoxide detector, as well as beds, dressers, car seats, and other necessities for every age group we are willing to take. Since we decided to certify for 0-12, this was somewhat of a process in its self. We are very grateful and so blessed to have had many of these items donated. 

We are now at the very end of the process. Our application is at last complete, and will be submitted to the state licensing agency later today. After that we wait. It could be anywhere from next week to 2 months. Once the application is approved we officially have our license, which means we will be "open" for placements. We have been told from a variety of reliable sources that we will start receiving calls for placements almost immediately once the application is approved. The need for homes for these kiddos is so high that it will be hours or days before there are children in our home, not weeks or months the way it was not too long ago. 

We are nervous and excited, praying that if it be God's will we are able to take children in sooner rather then later. We wish that there wasn't a need for foster parents, but are grateful that since there is that we are able to help. 

With your whole heart and soul

“Think about your particular assignment at this time in your life. It may be to get an education, it may be to rear children, it may be to be a grandparent, it may be to care for an relieve the suffering of someone you love, it may be to do a job in the most excellent way possible, it may be to support someone who has a difficult assignment of their own. Our assignments are varied and they change from time to time. Don't take them lightly. Give them your full heart and energy. Do them with enthusiasm. Do whatever you have to do this week with your whole heart and soul. To do less than this will leave you with an empty feeling.” 
― Marjorie Pay Hinckley, Small and Simple Things

to enjoy

“The trick is to enjoy life. Don't wish away your days, waiting for better ones ahead.” 
― Marjorie Pay Hinckley