We’ve never been a typical family then again, is there such a thing anymore? With one daughter off to Baylor and another in high school, life was shifting. I’d stepped away from full-time teaching to be home more while my husband traveled for work. It worked for a while, but I felt something stirring.
I asked the Lord, “If there’s something You need me to do, I’m ready. Whether it’s teaching again or something new njust show me.” Not long after, through a series of dreams, I felt a pull toward foster care.
We emailed an agency, attended an orientation, and started classes in early 2015. By August 14, we were licensed for two children, ages 0–5. Just three days later, we received our first placement a sweet, joyful 18-month-old girl. We fell in love with her immediately. When she left six weeks later to live with family, we were heartbroken. But miraculously, her relatives reached out and invited us to remain in her life. We still get to see her.
That same night, we got another call a five-month-old baby boy with nowhere to go. He stayed with us for 13 months. We watched his first teeth come in, saw him crawl and walk everything. One day, with almost no notice, he was gone. His mom never contacted us again. That grief hit us hard, and we took a short break to recover.
Two months later, another placement arrived: an 18-month-old boy, traumatized and scared. He screamed constantly. It was the hardest adjustment we’d faced. But over time, prayer, patience, and love began to soften him. A few months later, his baby brother joined us. When asked if we’d adopt them, we said yes without hesitation.
Then, 18 months into their case, the judge ordered them returned home with just four hours’ notice. We were crushed. Their mother hadn’t worked her plan, and we knew what they were walking into. That loss was devastating. Still, God gently reminded me: “These are My children. I write their story.”
Later, we welcomed two more little brothers into our home. The older was terrified. The baby was severely malnourished and hospitalized. We fought hard for them, and once again, said yes to adoption. But a jury awarded custody to a relative, and we had just 30 minutes to say goodbye. I entered grief counseling and asked God, “Why keep doing this?” And the answer was clear: Because these kids need love, safety, and healing even if it’s temporary.
Today, we’re fostering again, and watching love blossom all over. Yes, the loss is real but so is the beauty. If our love can heal even a piece of their broken story, we’ll keep saying yes.
Because loving them, even for a moment, is always worth it.
