At a Crossroads We Hadn't Expected
After the bleak, bitterly cold, yet beautifully snowy winter had passed, David and I were faced with making plans for our next phase of life. David did not become licensed in the OPC for pastoring during his internship. This was a disappointment for both of us, and we were tempted to be discouraged by it (and were discouraged at times). So while the Lord was ordaining our steps, we were left with what looked to us like a blank slate. Do we stay in Chicagoland, where we don't have a home but one of us has a steady job, or do we move to Indianapolis, where we DO own a home but have to start over with finding jobs for both of us? On top of that, I thought that my teaching license had expired (it hadn't), which would make it very hard for me to transfer to a new teaching job.
Move #1
House-hunting became difficult as we had to convince landlords that we are responsible pet-owners, even with four little fur-babies. Our only option that seemed to work, the home in Dyer, would have renters until August 1 at the latest. We needed to vacate the "mansion" in Orland much earlier than that to allow time for the new intern and his family to settle in. So we stayed in the home of a seminary family who would leave for their summer assignment before we had to move out of Orland Park. The gracious and generous Baker family rescued us (and let all six of us move in)! We had the church moving team help, and they were so efficient and kind as always. We stayed in the Baker's home for 3 1/2 weeks.
Move #2
This move happened on the last day of June, when we took up residence in the Dyer home. The mighty and merciful Robinson family members were the only ones who would be able to help us that hot summer day. (Did I mention they are a family of two like we are?) Much rain and a couple flash-floods later, we realized that our landlords would not properly guarantee a mold-free basement, which was where we did laundry, kept the cat food and litter-box, and hoped to unpack David's office furniture and books. He only lost two boxes' worth of books due to a six inch flood in the basement, so it could have been a lot worse. But we were able to leave without been fined for breaking our lease early. Thus begins the decision for Move #3. After many tears (Amanda's) of frustration, and fearful apprehension of having to say goodbye to some of our pets, we decided to trust God in what we believed was the wisest choice for our health and safety and best use of our resources. We left the Dyer home before three months had passed.
Move #3
The Lord found us a clean, affordable apartment in a great area which would allow us to bring two of our pets. We had walked through this apartment complex when we were home-hunting before seminary began, but we couldn't afford it back then. It met all of our needs and most of our wants (washer and dryer in unit -- what?!). We LOVE this apartment home in Schererville and plan to live here at least as long as our year-lease is ... which oddly seems like a long time to stay in one place now!
Provision for Work
During David's internship, he began thinking about what his next career move should be if not the pastorate. He began to desire to teach Bible in a high school setting. We then dreamed about the crazy possibility of us working together at Deer Creek. The only job opening I knew of in early spring was the third grade position. (The third grade teacher, Debi Johnson, was retiring in order to become an AWANA missionary with her husband. Little did anyone know that she was destined to go home to Jesus at the end of September.) David was crazy enough to apply to third grade after we got the green light from the administration that he would have the credentials to be considered for the position. I did not know this at the time, but there would be another opening ... the position of Middle School Bible, History, and Chapel/Spiritual Life Director for Deer Creek! (Yes, the wonderful lady who had the job before David also wore ALL these hats!) What a surprise blessing from the Lord! He was hired in mid-May, so we knew before Move #1 what August held job-wise. Oh, and by the way, David still loves his teaching job ... and it's January!
Provision for Pets
The most emotionally challenging step in 2014 for Amanda was saying goodbye to our dogs, especially Sarah. Sarah had been our dog for almost six years, and the first four of those years, she was our only fur-baby. This was a major adjustment. David was patient with me, repeatedly assuring me of the goodness of our decision, and reminding me to be thankful that they are in good homes where they are loved and well-cared for. We are so thankful that Sarah went to a less chaotic home, where she belongs to a fellow teacher at our school. We get pictures from time to time and can "check in" on her in the teacher's lounge. And she is doing great! She has an older brother now -- a 14 year old Shitzu. Their favorite activity to do "together" is snooze on the couch! Roxy is with our church friends who have a young family with several children. She has an older sister, a big dog named Sadie, and a little cat sister named Elsa. Roxy gets along VERY well with the dog and the children and gets her daily exercise, I have no doubt! Eliot and Norah are spoiled even more now, if that's possible, and don't have to share space with dogs anymore.
Future Plans
If you've been paying attention to this blog post, Proverbs 16:9 is completely true.
"The heart of man plans his way,
but the Lord establishes his steps."
David and I have been planning for the possibility of children for a long time. We also have known from the beginning that we desire to adopt children into our family. We think that the Lord is leading us to adoption at this time. We are about half-way finished with the licensing process in the state of Indiana for foster adoption. We will be licensed for both fostering and adopting, but we are desiring to foster children who will not be able to be reunited with their birthparents. In other words, we plan on giving some American children a "forever home" with us. We plan to be licensed for 1-2 children from anywhere in the United States, and we prefer ages 0-5 years. Please pray that we would "pass" our home study, which is coming up soon. Please pray with us for our future children, who have experienced and might still be experiencing a level of abuse, neglect, abandonment, death of (a) parent(s), and/or other trauma. They will not be perfect children, and we will not be perfect parents. I saw a quote the other day somewhere out in Internet-land, which said (roughly):
"We do not adopt because we are rescuers; we adopt because we are the rescued."
I love this! It sums up why David and I desire adoption. The Lord rescued us from the consequences of our sins, even when we were ungrateful and unaware of His mercies. In a sense, yes, we will be rescuing a child or children from further harm or abandonment. We acknowledge this as a legitimate motivation for pursuing adoption. But we want them to know the One Who has rescued all who call on Him and to share in our joy of knowing our Savior. Will you please pray towards these ends? And for our patience in the waiting period?
And now, some pictures from 2014:
Roxy playing dead?
So much snow!
Happy Sarah in David's lap!
A fun Chicago evening for our sixth wedding anniversary!
Courtesy of David Franks!
Sarah and Roxy being nice to each other!
Amanda's birthday celebration with church friends!
Florida Spring Break!
Hair dos with Mom for Minnesota wedding!
Sisters on my cousin's wedding day!
A heart made of sleeping cats!
A cold beach day with friends!
Tickle-belly :)
Dyer home backyard vastness!
Indianapolis visit with parents (and their pool)!
Grand Rapids visit to Krispy Kreme!
David's parents getting some grandparent practice! :)
Ed Debevic's with the youth group (mostly adults in this shot)!
Eliot and Norah at the apartment!
My niece's wedding (our family's table)!
My class' gingerbread house ... They did a great job!
Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year to all!
From David, Amanda, Eliot, and Norah Franks :)
