The image of a modern day mom at work. She's so good ... feeding, emailing, bringing home the bacon ... ahhh life is good :)
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Cutest mom ever (seriously)
The image of a modern day mom at work. She's so good ... feeding, emailing, bringing home the bacon ... ahhh life is good :)
Friday, February 15, 2008
Week of Blessings
This has been a good week. First, an update on Zackary, our most recent addition. The courts have determined that his parents aren't ready to have him at home, so he'll be with us awhile longer. There is a hearing at the end of this month in which more decisions will be made about whether or not he will be going home soon. In the meantime, we've been enjoying him immensely. He's a very good baby and grows cuter and cuter every day. Here are some recent pics.
This week we were also blessed financially when we received 3 unexpected refund checks in the mail. We weren't expecting any of them. And one was the exact amount of the state tax bill we have due at the end of this month. Another one was a large refund check on our mortgage, which covers our bills for almost an entire month. God has just been providing for us in ways that we had never even imagined. So in spite of Miles' recent job loss, we've been able to meet all of our financial obligations. I (Brenda) also started my new part-time job this week and am excited about it. I still can't believe I truly get to work from home.
On a personal note . . . I just have to share what God did in my small group last night. My co-leader and I decided to do a special night for the H.S. girls small group that we lead. Since it was Valentines Day, we focused on (imagine this) . . . . LOVE!! But our focus was God's love for us, especially as it was demonstrated by Christ's sacrifice on the cross. I won't share all the details of what we did last night, but I wanted to share 2 highlights. Rychelle and I washed the feet of each of the young ladies. just as Christ served his disciples on the night of the Last Supper as an act of love toward them. We had some worship music playing while we did it, and encouraged the girls to just focus on what God has done for them. It was such an intimate time with them and it moved me to tears to see the reaction of these girls. One girl who has wandered away from God a little bit this year just broke down in sobs as Rychelle washed her feet. It was very touching. We also took communion together. But we had set the elements up on my dining room table and told the girls to take communion when they were ready. We had given them each a piece of paper in which we encouraged them to write down any sins they needed to confess, and then told them to rip the paper before they took communion, to symbolize God's forgiveness of their sins. Again we played some worship music as each of the girls spent time with God. At one point I looked up and saw one girl on her knees sobbing, another raising her hands in response to the words of the song that was playing, and another on her knees, holding the communion elements in her hand as she poured out her heart to God. It was such a wonderful night in which God truly met us here, and walls were torn down in some of the girls' hearts. I am so looking forward to our upcoming trip to Washington, D.C., where we will get to serve God together. I just know that God is preparing the hearts of each of us for this experience together.
He is so faithful and provides for us in ways we could never imagine.
This week we were also blessed financially when we received 3 unexpected refund checks in the mail. We weren't expecting any of them. And one was the exact amount of the state tax bill we have due at the end of this month. Another one was a large refund check on our mortgage, which covers our bills for almost an entire month. God has just been providing for us in ways that we had never even imagined. So in spite of Miles' recent job loss, we've been able to meet all of our financial obligations. I (Brenda) also started my new part-time job this week and am excited about it. I still can't believe I truly get to work from home.
On a personal note . . . I just have to share what God did in my small group last night. My co-leader and I decided to do a special night for the H.S. girls small group that we lead. Since it was Valentines Day, we focused on (imagine this) . . . . LOVE!! But our focus was God's love for us, especially as it was demonstrated by Christ's sacrifice on the cross. I won't share all the details of what we did last night, but I wanted to share 2 highlights. Rychelle and I washed the feet of each of the young ladies. just as Christ served his disciples on the night of the Last Supper as an act of love toward them. We had some worship music playing while we did it, and encouraged the girls to just focus on what God has done for them. It was such an intimate time with them and it moved me to tears to see the reaction of these girls. One girl who has wandered away from God a little bit this year just broke down in sobs as Rychelle washed her feet. It was very touching. We also took communion together. But we had set the elements up on my dining room table and told the girls to take communion when they were ready. We had given them each a piece of paper in which we encouraged them to write down any sins they needed to confess, and then told them to rip the paper before they took communion, to symbolize God's forgiveness of their sins. Again we played some worship music as each of the girls spent time with God. At one point I looked up and saw one girl on her knees sobbing, another raising her hands in response to the words of the song that was playing, and another on her knees, holding the communion elements in her hand as she poured out her heart to God. It was such a wonderful night in which God truly met us here, and walls were torn down in some of the girls' hearts. I am so looking forward to our upcoming trip to Washington, D.C., where we will get to serve God together. I just know that God is preparing the hearts of each of us for this experience together.
He is so faithful and provides for us in ways we could never imagine.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
It's a boy!
Today we picked up a 2 day old newborn boy from the hospital. His status is still to be determined, but we are enjoying him for now. I'm not going to write much because there's still lots to do tonight.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Snow, Super Bowl and Answered Prayer
Over the last week, North Idaho has seen one snow shower after another. All the kids around here are happy because they got 3 s
now days last week, which means no school. The snow just keeps piling up, because until Saturday it hasn't been warm enough for any melting. We have snow berms in our neighborhood that are probably 15 feet high. These pictures were taken after 2 days of warm-up, so some of it has melted. I actually started wondering if it's possible to accumulate so much snow that there is no longer anywhere else to put it!!On Sunday we had a Super Bowl party with some of the high school students from our small groups. We had a great time and ate way to much "football food" (translation: junk food). During half-time, the girls really got into the Tom Petty performance and were singing along to "Free Falling." I was just glad to be able to gloat to Miles because I was rooting for the Giants, and he was the lone Patriots fan at the party!!
Now about answered prayer . . . on Friday I received a job offer and accepted it. I will be an adoption recruiter for a program called Wendy's Wonderful Kids. It's a program that works with foster kids who are 10 years and older, trying to get them connected with adoptive parents. It is a perfect position for me because not only is it something I'm passionate about, but it is a part-time position from home. The main office is in Boise, so I'm totally autonomous in North Idaho, and get to set up a home office rather than having to go to a different location to work. It's something I can do while we have foster kids, and I get to gain a better understanding of the adoption process. I got the job mostly due to a glowing recommendation I received from the adoptions supervisor. She used to be the supervisor on both Jordyn's and Tyler's cases before she moved to the adoptions unit, so when she saw my name on the list of job candidates, she contacted the coordinator for Wendy's Wonderful Kids in Boise and personally recommended me. Wow! I'm so thankful for that and for the way God opened these doors for me. I also found out that the 2 adoption workers in Coeur d'Alene are 2 of the most wonderful social workers we've dealt with so far. I couldn't ask for a better gig! It will keep me busy in between foster kid placements, but will allow me flexibility when we do have kids. God is so amazing in how He works things out for us.
Miles' last day at Slacker, the S.D. company he was working for, was last Friday. So please pray for him as he works on expanding his business, Tower Cam USA. He is selling aerial photography systems and setting up a training manual. God has totally been providing for us just as a need arises. What a wonderful thing to just watch as we surrender to Him and learn that He knows our needs better than we do. He sees and He provides -- Jehovah Jireh!
Friday, January 25, 2008
Final Hearing
Today was the court hearing for Jordyn and the judge went along with the recommendations and sent him home. Fortunately, he will remain a ward of the court for the next 6 months, which means that social services will continue to monitor mom's progress and Jordyn's safety. My heart is heavy tonight because I miss our little boy who brought so much joy to our lives over the last year. After the hearing, I walked out of the courtroom with mom. I gave her an album I had made for her of pictures from Jordyn's first year and special moments. I also gave her a hug. She held on to me and we both started crying. She thanked me for taking care of Jordyn. It was a tender moment and something I needed to do . . . . release him to his mom's care. Farewell, our precious baby boy.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
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!
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!
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