“Our family has never been what you’d call “traditional,” but does that even exist anymore? With one daughter leaving for college and another deep into high school, I found myself at a crossroads. I had stepped back from my teaching career to stay home while my husband’s job kept him overseas. That season was meaningful, but I began to feel a stirring an urgency for something more. I prayed, unsure of what came next. “Lord, if You have something new for me, I’m listening,” I said.
Soon after, foster care entered my heart in an undisputable way. It didn’t come loudly, but quietly, over dreams, moments, and prayer. And just like that, our roller coaster began.
In 2015, we became certified for foster care. Only three days later, a sweet baby girl arrived. We were instantly taken, but six weeks later, she was placed with relatives. Our hearts broke. That same night, we received a call for a five-month-old baby boy. Grief and joy crashed together.
Over the next few years, our home welcomed many children. Each one carried their own story, pain, and hope. Some stayed a weekend, others for over a year. Many came in fear screaming, sick, or silent. We saw trauma up close, and it was upsetting. But we also saw healing. Some children barely spoke when they arrived and left laughing, singing, or simply resting in safety.
We were asked to adopt a few times. Sometimes we said yes only to later say goodbye when the system made unexpected decisions. Those losses shattered us. We wept, prayed, and questioned whether we could keep going. But the Lord kept reminding us: these children are His. We were never promised the whole book, only to help write a chapter.
Some placements were harder than others children with deep trauma, screaming endlessly or needing medical care, therapy, and patience we didn’t think we had. But through it all, we learned to love even when it hurt.
Once, we were even able to support the birth parents, building trust and encouraging them during reunion. It reminded us that this calling isn’t about us it’s about love, obedience, and the children.
People often ask, if its so hard then why u keep doing this tell the reason.” The answer is simple: because children need love, even for a little while. In our home, they heal. Their stories matter. And even when we grieve, we know the love we gave made a difference.
We’d do it all again without hesitation.
