Monday, March 03, 2008

peace

Well for those of you that don't know - Vantaysha will be moving out at the end of the week. We don't know if we'll continue to be foster parents, I think that's a decision we'll revisit later after we've had time to regain our sanity. I'm still not sure it's the right fit for us -- even with how much I'd hate Ellie to grow up an only child.

Anyway, Last week I called Taysha's counselor for some advice about how I can go forward and make it to the end of the school year -- and basically she encouraged me to make a decision about Taysha based on what's best for Darik, I, and Ellie. It was a lot longer conversation than that, but in a way she allowed me to have peace with the decision that I knew was right for us. Darik and I had really been hoping to see a change for the better in the next few months -- and from what the counselor says it may be a few decades until Taysha will change. What breaks our hearts is Taysha has an opportunity to live with another family and she will choose to live in a group home instead so that she won't have to transfer schools away from her "friends."

It truly is heartbreaking to see firsthand the horrible, sad effects of broken homes--especially as they age and turn into adults. More than anything I've come to see that the experiences a child has in their first five years sets them on a path for life. It strengthens my testimony and comforts me to be in a Church that knows this truth -- that no success can compensate for failure in the home.

3 comments:

  1. You are such strong and amazing people for everything that you have done. I admire you and Darik SO much. All the peace through this next week!

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  2. What happened with Taysha?!?! I didn't know you guys were having problems with her. I am so sorry that you've had to go through this. And you're absolutely right--family experiences as a youth are so important. You are such a strong family-- Mike and I wish you nothing but the best. Keep us posted on things.

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  3. I'm so sorry! We'll be praying for you. Love ya!

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