Some time ago, I found this saying on Pinterest......yes, it's the best place for good quotes. Before I share more of our lives, I want to take a few moments to go back and give glory to God for some major miracles along the way.
Getting to the point of Austin going to House of Hope was a very difficult and painful journey, as any parent can imagine. Trying so hard to do the best thing for him, yet feeling a wall between Austin and us that we could not penetrate, and knowing that in many ways, our own mistakes helped create that wall, is a very hard thing. And when the time came to realize that the best chance for his future was to trust others to reach him where we could not, it tends to be a very humbling and excruciatingly painful time.
A time where all you can do is turn for direction to the One who loves all of us more than we could ever love each other.
A time where you really have to trust that God is real, and will answer in a real way, when you call on Him for direction.
A time where there is not even a hint of the faux confidence we sometimes have, of being in control of the future, and having it all together, as we sometimes fool ourselves into thinking, in our very humanistic moments.
We truly have to step off the cliff.....blindly.....in faith......that either there will be something to stand on, or we will be taught to fly. Over the last couple of months, God has shown us in so many little ways........that He wants to teach us how to fly!
I want to share with you a few small miracles that came so quickly in Domino effect, after we jumped off the cliff.
First, as we were talking over options with our counselor in the office that night..........she shared with us that the National House of Hope in Orlando was where she always went for their training sessions. She shared that Sara Trollinger, who started House of Hope 28 years ago, was based in Orlando, and that she felt it would be our best bet, if the logistics could be handled.
At that moment, my Mom and Dad were........guess where? Somewhere they had never been before. Several days prior to this time, they had asked to take Kenley and Luke on a special vacation to Legoland, just outside of Orlando, Florida! Seriously? Yes, seriously!
One thing Austin struggled with was the boys silliness in the car. So, as we headed south, I was amazed that God had worked it in such a way, that our trip down could be as calm for Austin as possible, yet he could see all his brothers, and his grandparents, who all love him so much, and everyone could get a glimpse at his new home!
Another way I have found God working, is through what we didn't know. When there is the amount of stress at hand, and the hope for some help, it is hard to think of all the things to ask on order to make a completely informed decision. When I called House of Hope Orlando, I knew a few basics, such as that financially they worked on a sliding scale. Since we were already working with HofH Central Virginia, and they had been so wonderful with us, I had this innocent surety that whatever the cost would be, it would be feasible. I was SO naive!!
As we arrived at House of Hope Orlando, and had our interview with them, Eric and I both were completely caught off guard with the tuition cost! While it makes sense when you stand back and think about all they are doing for the children, I just didn't have that scope and perspective before arriving!
When the topic came up, and we realized what the expectation was, we had to say there was no possible way for us to cover that. I believed that it was a deal- breaker, but was thanking God for the good time we had together on the way down, and started thinking He would be showing us another way as we headed back home.
But the dear people at House of Hope were not finished with us yet! They asked us to pray, and asked for some time so they could pray. They also asked to visit with Austin.
After an hour or so, they asked Eric and I to come back in, and asked if we could all pray together.
When we raised our heads, they began to share that they felt led to take Austin for the amount we were able to give, provided we could work out the logistics of visitation and Counselling.
We were incredibly surprised and grateful!! After more thought and prayer, we gratefully made the agreement.
As part of the transition, Austin needed to have a basic physical, plus some blood work done as a baseline. We left House of Hope and went to a walk-in clinic that was close by.
As we entered and explained to the receptionist what we needed, she told us that they did not normally do that type of bloodwork, but they might be able to, at an upfront cost of at least $500.00.
Ad no, they did not accept our insurance. There is NO WAY! Lets just say......that was another potential deal-breaker.
After some conversation between Eric and I, he called back to House of Hope and shared what had happened and asked for any suggestions.
A few minutes later, his phone rings, and Terri had set up an appointment for Austin for the next morning with her personal doctor, just a few minutes drive from House of Hope! And Yes! She took our insurance! And even better yet, Austin would be an established patient, so that if anything came up, he would already have a doctor! Another miracle of provision!
A this point, we had joined Mom and Dad, and decided we should get a hotel so we could have the rest of the day to finish up paperwork, and getting the supplies Austin needed.
Mom and Dad watched the boys while Eric and I went back to sign papers at House of Hope....I seriously can't imagine how we would have done this if they weren't with us.
As we finished signing papers, one of the counselors walked into our room, along with a resident. He was assigned to be Austin's 'buddy' for the first few weeks to help him with the adjustment.
He was just slightly younger than Austin, and had been at House of Hope for about a year.
As we spoke with him, he started sharing how God had changed his heart through the people at House of Hope. How God had delivered him from anger, and other things that caused his life to be very unhappy prior to surrendering to Christ. The confidence with which he spoke of His relationship with Christ, was just beautiful! It was another miracle of confirmation for Eric and I.
We had so many emotions at this point.......sadness, gratefulness, hopefulness.......yet wound through it all was the amazing way God kept showing up! As if to give us Reassurance. In more direct ways than I have ever experienced before!
After a nice evening together, and a good nights sleep, Eric and I and Austin left the next morning, and my parents watched the other boys. The doctors appointment went well, and we headed to House of Hope.
It was lunch time, and almost everyone was in the cafeteria. We headed that way, and as I neared the door, it opened from the inside, and I found myself being welcomed and embraced by Sara Trollinger, herself. And a beautiful greeting it was, as she warmly welcomed Austin, and radiated the love of God.
As we stepped into the cafeteria, what stood out to me, was the joy on the faces of the kids, the love portrayed on the faces of the adults, and the happy chatter shared all around.
There was a group of missionarys there also, who had come to help do Spring cleaning at House of Hope. The healthy mix of love, acceptance, service, boundaries, grace, and trust in what God can do, created a very beautiful atmosphere, which, again, was very soothing to a mother and father's hearts.
Austin's buddy gave us another quick tour, and we unloaded his things. And then God gave us the strength to do one of the hardest things ever. To hug Austin, tell him how much we love him, and turn and walk to the car without him, trusting that God had him in His hands, right where He wanted him, and trusting that God wanted to teach us all how to fly.
