Christmas 2007 Letter

I think the only thing that has been consistent in our lives over this past year is change! It has definitely been another year of change for the Torres family. I'll try and keep this update as brief as possible.

Many of you already know that almost 2 years ago, Miles and I became licensed foster parents. It was something we were feeling God's leading on, so we jumped in with both feet. It has been a journey with lots of joys and more than its share of frustrations as well. I think we grow as parents with each kid that comes through our door. At first we did mostly respite care (short-term care to give other foster parents a break). In October of 2006, we had a 3 month old baby girl come to us. She stayed for 11 months, and went home to her parents on Sept. 21 of this year. We felt a great sense of accomplishment in seeing her go home happier and healthier, and really had a good working relationship with her parents in the last few months she was with us. I just ran in to her and her mom the other day and she still looks healthy, and mom is still doing well. Here are some pictures of her progress and growth, including the picture I took of her last week.

In January of 2007, we got the call we've been waiting for -- a baby boy who was just born. So on January 23, we went to the hospital and brought home with us one-day old baby. He was born addicted to marijuana and nicotine. It was a crazy winter with 2 babies who were only 7 months apart. But we survived! he is still with us. Over this last year he has brought us so much joy. He will always be my little boy in my heart. He has court on the 25th of January, in just a few weeks. At that time we will know if the courts are going to return him to his mom. We solicit your prayers that God would give wisdom to those who will make the decisions. Of course we are also praying that he will somehow be able to stay with us permanently.

On November 16, 2007, we received the call for a 6-month old baby girl. She came to us on that day. She was highly addicted to meth and had some other medical issues. After 7 long weeks of medicine, doctor's visits and sleepless nights, she went to stay with her grandparents. And so our journey as foster parents continues. We really feel God's calling in this and know that we are making a difference in these kids' lives. We are still praying that one day God will also bring us forever children.

On the job front, there have been lots of changes as well. Miles opened a photography studio last winter, but we were forced to close it. So he started telecommuting with a company in San Diego called Slacker. He also pursued his interest in aerial photography and expanded his business to include franchise opportunities. Just this week he was let go from Slacker due to them finding a local person for the job. So now he's actively seeking his next opportunity. We are both hoping it is something that will continue to allow him the autonomy he has now, and to be able to continue working from home. I had opened a private counseling practice and for a year and a half enjoyed also working for myself. In May, I closed my practice in order to focus on the foster children we have in our home. I absolutely love being a full-time stay-at-home mom.

Miles and I are both still very actively involved in our church, mostly with the youth department. Miles led a guys H.S. small group for a couple of years, but they all left for college this past fall. Just recently he started a new small group with 2 sophomore boys. Together we led a co-ed bible study for a select few H.S. students. Our goal was to go deep in the Word and with each other, and it was such a great experience for everyone involved. I have been co-leading a H.S. girls small group for 3 years. I've been through 3 other co-leaders but most of the girls have remained consistent. They were freshman when I first started with them and are now seniors. Soon I and my co-leader and dear friend, Rychelle, will have the unbelievable privilege of leading 12 of them on a mission trip to the inner-city of Washington, D.C. this spring break. What an amazing blessing it has been to watch them grow emotionally and spiritually. They have become as dear to mine and Miles' hearts as our own children would be, and hardly a day goes by when one of them is not over at our house to just hang out. We chaperone the youth camps every year, and are still very involved in Royal Family Kids Camp, a summer camp for local foster children. Miles has also helped with the creative team at church.

And . . . we still absolutely love life in North Idaho. This year we moved from Coeur d'Alene to the neighboring town of Hayden. And now we're 1/2 mile from the beach on beautiful Hayden lake. We are about an hour from Miles' family and get to hang out with them often. Fortunately, that also means that Grandma can come help with the kids when we call! We are also a few hours away from almost everyone in my family. Except for Debbie, whose family moved to Minnesota last spring. I did have the joy of taking Jordyn to Minnesota to visit with them for 5 days in October.

In spite of all of the changes, we are very blessed. We see very clearly God's working in our lives and are enjoying this journey He has us on together.

We hope you all had a wonderful holiday and that this year is full of blessings for you and your family as well. Please feel free to visit us on this site and stay caught up from time to time. And we would love it if some of you would even come to visit in person!