If it seems we are crazy...

10. Avocado - It's a bit of an acquired taste, but all 6 of my kids love it now. I started them on it as early as possible. It is one of the healthiest fats you can eat. For the babies I mash it up or cut it into bite size pieces. The older kids eat "avocado bowls," where I cut an avocado in half and scoop out the seed and then give them a spoon to eat their half with.

9. Cinnamon-raisin Ezekiel bread with lots of Kerrygold salted butter on it. 

8. Organic Fuji Apples - my kids would eat these all day long if I let them. To make it a little more filling, I give them peanut butter to dip them in.

7. Target's Archer Farms organic fruit strips. These are our "fruit roll-ups." All natural, made with fruit juice instead of sugar.

6. Snack plates - with 6 kids who are always hungry, snack plates are my life savers. I put a big plate on the table between lunch and dinner and the kids snack off and on. Our favorite combos are Tillamook cheddar cheese sliced up with o…

The current ages of our children are: 13 months, 18 months, 2, 4, 4, and 6. As you can imagine, our family gets lots of looks, double-takes and questions whenever we venture out into public. Our favorite excursion is Sam's Club for two reasons: 1) CHEAP fast food - hot pretzels, hot dogs and bottled water for everyone for $10! 2) They have a child size toilet in the family bathroom. Score for mommy. Not to mention that they have free samples and great deals on bulk food items for our ever-growing family. Ok, this isn't a commercial for Sam's... back on track. FAQ's - some are considerate, some are ignorant, but they are all an excellent opportunity to share what God is doing in our lives.

1) Are they all yours? "Yes, we're very blessed. 3 of them are biological and 3 are our foster children."

2) Wow. How do you get anything done? "The Lord helps me every day." To be more specific though, a couple years ago, I developed a great desire to simplif…

don't be happy when they stumble." - Prov. 24:17

At the beginning of this journey, I admit, whenever their birth mom would miss a phone call or do or say something that I knew DHS wouldn't agree with, I was mildly rejoicing on the inside, because I figured it meant we were one step closer to adoption. The Holy Spirit began to convict me a couple months ago and I started praying that God would show me how I'm supposed to feel in a situation like this. Adoption should never be the main goal when becoming a foster parent and I know that, but as I have grown to love these children like my own, the desire is welling up in my soul. So, I am dealing with a variety of emotions after court for A and K  this week.

We found out a lot of stuff. We found out information about the case that has made me cry and apologize over and over to these babies for the life they lived before coming to us. To see them smile and laugh now, it is almost impossible to think how different their lif…

"God talked to me," my feverish six year old said. "I know God is here." Brighton had a fever of 104, so I was starting to get a little concerned that maybe he was delirious. I asked him, "What did He say, baby?" Brighton replied, "He told me that I needed lots of sleep and lots of water. And that He was healing me right now." I asked him how he talked to Him and he said that, "I was just real quiet and I listened and then I heard Him. Maggie, if you're real quiet, you can hear God too."

:) I am amazed at how God uses these sweet babies to teach me.

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand." John 10:27-28

I was blessed with an offer to write a short testimony about our foster care journey thus far for our church's monthly newsletter to women. Wanted to share it with my readers! :) When I opened it to read the newsletter today, I was grumpy and short-tempered due to a looooong night of only a few hours sleep because 5 of the 6 kids are sick with croup. I was sure preaching to myself when I read my testimony this morning. Thankful to be reminded that His mercies are new every morning and that when I am weak, He is strong.


Women in Motion:Elizabeth began attending LifeChurch.tv 12 years ago.  She and her husband, Seth, made the NW Oklahoma City campus their church home in January 2011.  They have served in multiple capacities, including in the LifeKids ministry and leading a LifeGroup. Elizabeth and Seth have 6 children, 3 biological and 3 foster children.  Learn more about their journey HERE.  SH
Early last year, God called Elizabeth into foster care ministry. After a nine-month journe…