So, here is some interesting news…
Ryan and I will be hosting an Exchange Student for the entire 2015/2016 school year. What? I know. Weird right? Who does that.
I thought I should tell you in case you started wondering if we had adopted a teenage boy into our Family.
We kind of did.
You might be wondering why we decided to do it. There are many reasons.
1. No, we are not getting paid- there is absolutely no financial incentive. In fact, we will actually have to provide for this child in some ways (not all).
2. We love people and we want our children to love people. All kinds of people.
3. We believe that we as Americans can get caught up in our little “American bubble”. There is so much more to life and our world than what we see here day-in and day-out. We want our Children (and ourselves) to be exposed to different cultures and people groups and gain a respect and understanding for such things. We think it will be a very eye-opening experience for all of us.
4. There is another BIG reason, but for personal reasons, I can not write about it on the internet. But if you ask me in person I would be glad to tell you all about it. As a blanket answer, it is a Christian reason. <wink>
Once we get permission from our “Son” (ha-ha), I can post more details about him. What I can tell you is that I have already learned so much about our different cultures and language (and geography!) in preparing for his arrival and figuring out how to make such a huge transition more comfortable for all of us. It has definitely already been a learning experience and we are all so excited to see how our lives will be changed because of this.
Some have asked if we have and worries or reservations. Of course! For one, I have never had to raise a teenage boy before. I mean Ryan was one, and I have kissed a few in my past, but never have I had to care for one. I am sure that in itself will be a different experience. How much will my grocery bill increase? How will our children adjust to their new Family member?
Also, I’m sure there will be a great deal of cultural differences that we are unaware of. And language barriers. This boy is proficient in English, he had to pass an exam to qualify for the program, but knowing English and being completely submersed in it are two totally different things.
So, that is all I have to share with you for you now.
*Guten Tag 😉
janetsplanetblog.com 