Hope

This Mother's Day was a tough one. Church wasn't even that much about mothers, but I expected it to be, and so it all was to me, anyways. We missed talking to Toby, and though Mom did, it was a hard talk for them, since my parents will officially be divorced as of tomorrow. I think realizing that may have pulled me out of the denial stage. However, my brother's email to us from his mission yesterday was entitled Hope.

Hope, as I understand it, is a feeling of assurance that God's promises will be fulfilled. It is preceded by faith, since without faith in God's love, mercy, and integrity, it would be impossible to trust that "all that is unfair about life will be made right through the Atonement of Jesus Christ" (Preach My Gospel, paraphrase). But I'm sure it will. Interestingly, yesterday was the birthday of a sweet little girl at work we'll call Angelcakes. Her mom brought us all cupcakes on her lunch, and she and I got to talking. I discovered that she has seven children - one adopted, six foster, and she has so far fostered twenty children. That got me thinking - what if this is what this time in our lives is for? I have learned a lot about dealing with children - difficult and otherwise - and a lot about myself since starting work at a daycare three weeks ago. And I think Brent and I might have what it takes to be effective, loving, and compassionate foster parents. We're far from deciding that we will take that path. We first have to see what our circumstances will bring us in the months ahead, but the thought of bringing children home to love - it brings me hope.