With the New Year here I thought I would start out with a blog on what some of our upcoming plans are.
The first major event that is currently taking place is that we are in the process of getting licenced to do foster care. Some of our Montana friends might be saying, "WHAT!" I know God changes people's hearts :) We have attended 2 out of the 3 PRIDE classes so far and had 1 of the 3 home studies done so we are getting there.
When we were first married we talked about doing foster care. Shaun always had a quick, "no" to doing foster care because he felt he would not have the strength to give them back when it came time. I understood and just went with his wishes. But since we have been in Dickinson God has been changing both of our hearts on the idea of doing it. There is a HUGE need in this community for foster parents. It also helps that we have a bigger house that can hold more children than what we used to have. And we have a strong desire to be a loving family for a child/en that need a safe environment and a positive family to live with. I am so excited to see how God will help us grow as individuals and as a family through this whole experience!
I am so excited to see what God does in Shaun during this trip. One thing I have learned from previous trips that I have gone on is that you always come home learning and being changed more than the people you serve while on the trip. I am pretty sure it will be a difficult thing for him to not take one or more of those sweet children home in his suite case.
School! Shaun has been with his company working as an apprentice eletrician for 2 years now! It is crazy that much time has passed. In order to get his journeyman he must have 3 years as an apprentice, a certain amount of hours worked (He has enough) and a certain amount of credit hours. He has done a few classes but has a ways to go if he is going to complete them when his 3 years is up. So I will be encouraging and pushing him along during this year to complete all of his classes! It has been so great to watch him do something he loves. I am looking forward to watching him accomplish one of his big goals!
Remodeling lets face it, in the Christison home there will always be some kind of construction going on! Just before Christmas we completed our second bathroom remodel (in this house) on the main level. It has been a HUGE blessing to have a second bathroom! I know my parents were happy it was done when they came for Christmas :) Our plans for this year, as of now, are to get a bedroom done in our unfinished (except bathroom) basement. My little brother lives with us and I know that he will be happy to have 4 walls and a door to keep 2 little boys and an Oscar dog out of his space! I would love to complete the ENTIRE basement but with school for Shaun and $ I am thinking that will wait till later.
I am praying that God changes our hearts in BIG ways this year. I am praying we do BIG things for God this year. And always I am praying that we do all that we do for His Glory!
