It's Time

Last night I got a phone call from Dean's case worker,
Blake, from the agency that is over the host home providers.
First off, she tells me Dean is fine.
Which was welcomed news,
because of everything that's been going on lately.
BUT,
there've been some developments
that are going to affect his placement.
You know,
the one that we so love and are so grateful for?--
yeah, that one.

Turns out, that while Dean was here over Christmas,
the host home provider took in a young man for respite care--
and his needs are different than Dean's--
he is a registered sex-offender.
And he cannot have any children's movies, music,
or access to children in the home.
They have to put alarms on doors and windows,
frost their windows as well,
and all of this is not appropriate for Dean's environment.

But the hosthome provider is willing to do all of this
because the State pays more for the sex offender's care.
And the client himself, is a tiny young man,
he is docile and plays videogames.
That equals an easier day-to-day life
for the hosthome.
Dean is an active young man--
participating in Special Olympic Sports
and community activities.
He doesn't play video games.

So, Blake said, it looks like Dean's going to need
another home.

Hearing this news,
I choked up.
Not again.
My heart sank.
We just got him moved in.
He was happy there.
We liked the hosthome provider.

I felt so deeply saddened by the news.

But in the midst of this conversation,
I felt peaceful
and the words
"It's Time."
came to my mind.
"It's time to bring him home."
Which I interpreted as Colorado Springs.
So before we hung up,
I told Blake that I'd like to check things out down here
and I'd get back to her by Monday.

I hung up feeling relief, actually.
Peaceful, hopeful, relief.

I got the numbers for the agencies here
called and left information and messages
and then I told the family what's going on.
Every one is in agreement that it'd be better
for Dean
and me
and all of us
to have him live close by.

So this morning,
I got a call from one of the agencies.
The guy was awesome.
He said I can start interveiwing possible host home providers
as early as next week,
and that this process should be relatively seamless!
I am feeling so good about this!

Then,
it jut got better--
I got a call back from another Agency...
and it was from the gal who did the intake enrollment for all of
Dean's services way back in 2005!
She'd left the agency in 2005 to go home and be a Mom
to her new baby,
had another baby,
and just came back to the Agency last fall!
She said when she got in the office today and heard my voice,
she wondered if it was really me and after looking up
the information she had on Dean-she saw all of the records were
in her handwriting and she said,
"We've come full circle!"
Knowing she is going to be my partner in this process--
she knows me
she knows my Dean--
to have someone familiar involved
is truly a blessing.

And unless you've been thru this,
you may not be able to appreciate the sweetness
of this tender mercy,
but take my word for it,
I couldn't be happier!

I know Dean will be grateful to be closer
to us,
and no more driving 2 hours each way
to see him!
We'll be able to have him over more often,
and
I feel like Heavenly Father's directing
this part of Dean's life.
It's Time.
We won't have him much longer,
and it's just time to bring him in closer.

God loves His children.
He knows us, loves us and watches over each of us.