Arms of Love Newsletter
As a foster parent in the State of Arizona it is required to complete ongoing training every year to renew your license. I know that we give you many reminders of the necessity to complete your training and I know it still proves as a challenge with the hectic schedule that comes with being a foster parent.
So I thought I would take a moment to address why on-going training is not only important to the state but also important to us at Arms of Love. A major reason for the on-going training is that the needs of our kids and the foster care system are constantly changing. I regularly have conversations with people about the changes they have seen in the system since they began fostering. The changes that are most often pinpointed are that the needs of the children are becoming more diverse and often more severe. Learning how to handle these changes and increasing our education base about behaviors and other needs that our children face allows us to give them the best possible care. We got a recent reminder from the state that training hours are required to be in person hours and that online hours require special permission from the state and may not be accepted in some cases. It is important to remember that the reason for this is not to make training more challenging but to provide opportunities for support and discussion about how to best serve our kids.
The other reason that we emphasize the training requirement so often and provide so many suggestions of where training can be completed, is to honor the state in their request of ongoing training and to ensure that we complete that requirement in a timely way that is above reproach. I was challenged recently by a friend to think about how my life reflects my belief in the gospel and how I show that in my life. I have realized that if I complete a required task begrudgingly that it speaks to my willingness to honor the person that asked the task of me and communicates my respect for the person asking. I believe the same is true of the training requirement from the state. There is practical information that can be received from attending training and in the bigger picture honoring the requirement shows a respectful attitude toward the opportunity we have been provided to show Christ’s love to children that enter our homes.
We post ongoing training opportunities on the website. Visit www.abcs.org under the Foster Care link you will find On-going Training for Pima and Maricopa Counties.
In Christ,
Andrea Stuart
Statewide Director of Foster Care and Adoption Services
POINTING BIRTH PARENTS TO CHRIST
Lately, birth parents have really been on my heart. It can’t be easy to be in their place, fighting a battle bigger than most people can imagine. Not only are they struggling to get their children back, but many are fighting addictions, and a history they probably wish they didn’t have. The state gives them many resources to help them overcome these obstacles. We have seen parents successfully complete all of the tasks asked of them. They maintain sobriety, take parenting classes, find a home of their own, and then have their children returned to them. Even after completing all of these tasks, it seems they still carry a weight upon their shoulders. The only way to have that burden lifted is through Christ. Isaiah 61:1 says “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness the prisoners.” As a foster parent who is a part of this ministry, you have the opportunity to be used by Christ to help point people towards Him. I hope that God is constantly nudging your heart, and reminding you of all that you have because of Him. I pray that this would help you to love birth parents in a way that would point them to Christ, where they can truly have their burdens lifted.
MINNESOTA CHICKEN WILD RICE SOUP (soup pictured is not actual soup)
Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter
1 finely chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup sliced carrots
1/2 pound fresh sliced mushrooms
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
6 cups chicken broth
2 cups cooked wild rice
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cooked and cubed
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon curry powder
1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 cup slivered almonds
2 cups half-and-half
Directions:
1. Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the onion, celery and carrots and sauté for 5 minutes. Add the mushrooms and sauté for 2 more minutes. Then add the flour and stir well. Gradually pour in the chicken broth, stirring constantly, until all has been added. Bring just to a boil, reduce heat to low and let simmer.
2. Next, add the rice, chicken, salt, curry powder, mustard powder, parsley, ground black pepper, and almonds. Allow to heat through, and then pour in the half-and-half. Let simmer for 1 to 2 hours. (Note: Do not boil or your roux will break.)
MEET AMBER BRADY!
Hello! I am Amber Brady, the newest team member of our foster care staff. It is by God’s grace that I have the chance to join this ministry and experience how He uses families to have a direct impact on the lives of children across the state. It is a tremendous blessing for me to be able to support, encourage, and pray for you as you minister to children in need of a loving home.
I moved to Tucson less than two years ago, after graduating from BIOLA University in Los Angeles, CA. My intent was to come to Tucson just for the summer months and spend some precious time with my 85-year-old grandmother, who I love dearly. However, God had plans for me in Tucson that I was unaware of at the time. My heart has long been burdened for children in need, and this led me to begin working for Arizona Baptist Children’s Services. I began by developing our international ministry partnership with The Shelter of Love Center in Cambodia to help and minister to disadvantaged children. My heart breaks for children who do not have families of their own, whether in Arizona or Cambodia. Being a part of this ministry will give me the opportunity to provide these children with families like you who love the Lord and will show His love to them. I praise God for His perfect timing in bringing me to the Foster Care team, and am very excited to be used by Him in this role!
Upcoming Events
Spring Training Blitz (Maricopa County) coming March 6th. Contact your licensing worker for information.