The Woman at the Well

Never did I think I was going to leave this job at 12Stone. Even typing those words seem strange. I worked so hard to get there. I LOVE LOVE my job, working alongside student pastors who impact the next generation. Planning events for students to invite friends to. Events that change lives because God shows up. I was so humbled that God chose me to be a part of it.

It was such an adventure to get where I am. Isn’t it for everyone?

I have felt the call to adopt children for the majority of my life. I remember having the conversation with Steven when we were dating. I knew that the man I would marry would have the same calling on his life as I did. Of course, Steven has one of the most caring hearts that I have met and without hesitation he said yes to adopting when the time was right.

Last fall, God brought up the topic of adoption in my quiet time and He asked me why I had never considered fostering — I don’t know if I could ever give the babies back. My heart will fall apart into a million pieces. God said He would be my strength. So I went to Steven and told me that I think God wants us to pursue fostering. Steven said he didn’t feel that calling, but I could NOT push it away. I knew that God had to change Steven's heart or mine. 3 months later Steven said we can look into fostering.

I started researching and talking to foster parents. I found my top 3 agencies and was going to start asking them questions. Then fear

, doubt, and everything that the enemy uses to make us think that we’re not good enough started to settle in my thoughts. “You don’t even have kids of your own! What makes you think that you can foster?” These were real thoughts and I stopped looking into it.

We went through a year of infertility. It was hard. Our marriage grew stronger but I felt overlooked by God.

During September 2017 - November 2017 I had several people ask me questions about what my NEXT was. Where did I see God taking me? What was I dreaming of for my future? I got so frustrated. What was wrong with what I was currently doing and why couldn’t I stay there for a little bit? I like coasting.

But you can't grow when you're coasting.

I was on a date with my husband at a local coffee shop. We sat in cute chairs in the corner and talked about the fur – how he one day wants to own a coffee shop. He went on and on about dreams. He is such dreamer and well...sometimes it can be admirable and annoying all at the same time! But this conversation hit me differently. My sweet Steven looked at me and said "what do you want next?" What was I working towards? I had no idea how to respond. He looked straight at me and said that there was something NEXT for me. I wasn’t living in my end calling yet.

Ughhh. Change. I don’t like it. Let's just coast. But as a follower or God and a spouse to an entrepreneur, coasting will never be a choice.

One Sunday in November I decided to stay home and spend time alone with God in our peaceful house. I asked God to speak to me. He was giving signs of change and I was hoping for some clarity. Then I recalled the conversation I had with Steven a year prior about fostering. Doubt fell over me, but my heart wanted to explore what God was placing in me. This time with God felt like a lifetime. He was revealing things left and right. I couldn’t see how God was going to use us to impact children. God spoke "Not you, but through you will there be an impact.”

He painted a picture that will FOREVER be impressed in my heart.

One of my favorite stories in Scripture is about the Woman at the Well. The shame this lady must have felt walking to the well and realizing that she was sharing water with JESUS. nope nope nope. I just can’t comprehend the emotions. But Jesus didn't make her feel worse. He offered freedom. Offered her LIFE. Gave her LIVING WATER and NOT shame! This is NOT the way that our world works. Our world gives shame.

But Jesus did NOT end there! This woman turned around and went and saved her ENTIRE town! WHAT!!!! That is REVIVAL!

This is where God painted a picture of Foster Care to me. The children that will enter our home will be like the woman in the story. They’ll come from a lost home. A struggling home. They won’t understand why. Our home is the well - the place where they will encounter the Living Water. God’s Spirit dwells in our home.

Steven and I will be Christ to the children. Not us but through us.