Africa?

I am not going to Africa :( James leaves on Sunday for 17 days... I have already stocked up on the important stuff ~coke, nutella, mac n cheese, pizza, fries, tater tots (i have never bought those before?!), pull ups and toilet paper. I may need a few more things but I have the essential survival kit with 5 kids, 5 and under and no hubby. I'm gonna miss him. I decided not to go when Conor started asking questions like "are you and dad coming back or are me and Erin gonna be foster kids?". He started acting very worried/angry about the trip shortly after we became foster parents. So, for the sake of the kids not having to fret for 17 days if they will be having a new family, I am staying home with my babies. Now, for you think ahead people, you're like "hello Aisling, I could have told ya that!". I am slow. I am a live in the moment person and sometimes my thinking doesn't catch up in time. Any way, me and the kids will have a blast... I am trying to convince myself! :) No. We will! I forgot to mention, I bought some Ben and Jerry's ice cream too. If you are worried about me, bring me a frozen coke from burger king or a strawberry limeade from sonic. That's all. no bread. Just fluid. Thank ya ;) James is going with a great group from the youth group. I cannot wait to hear all about it. I have been reading 'aholyexperience.com' blog and she just came back from Haiti. She is angry at the amount of stuff we have and how greedy we are. I am too! Looking forward to seeing what Africa is going to do to James and the rest of the group. We are three months into fostering and it has been so beautiful. I am not kidding. I have had seven foster children in my home so far and we have loved most every moment :) I say most every moment because we did get head lice last week. Right before church. We did bring our kids to someone elses home WITH our creepy crawlies. I am still embarrassed about that! James and I said to each other on Sunday,"well,this (cleaning,shampooing,combing hair,making phone calls...sigh), is what God had for us today". "This is the day the Lord has made and I will rejoice and be glad in it". We have had some fevers, teething, virus', ear infections. But it has all been very beautiful. What a privilege to be the mom to these kiddos. What a privilege to love them through times of their own weakness. Times of our own weakness. You should see Conor and Erin. They are such helpers! Erin thinks she is the mom and we are constantly telling her to leave the baby alone. Conor gets it. He gets that we are loving kids that God has sent for us to love. We are very proud of him. We have had two foster kids since April 16. When S (2yr, now 3) walked in the front door he said "Hi dad". We fell in love immediately!! baby S came in at 10 months old to us. She has progressed so much! It has been awesome to watch. They both have had birthdays since they have been here. Their parties were a lot of fun (hard. emotionally draining but fun because God was there with His never ending LOVE)! We celebrated with their birth mom and grandma. Fun memories. God calls us all to different things. Your life will not look like mine. Mine will not look like yours. My encouragement to you is Seek the Lord and live the life HE has for you. His grace is always enough. His grace will be enough for the next 17 days. For James in Africa and me in Roanoke. I am kinda sad I am not going to Africa but I am very glad I get to be mom to five precious children. I am. I really am. oxxoxo