If you are a foster parent, you will learn patience. You can learn it by kicking and screaming and complaining and worrying. But you will learn it just the same.
Losing Heart • When What I See Isn't Enough
Throughout my journey as a foster parent, I’ve often been confused by what I’ve seen play out in my life and the lives of the children I love. But I don’t focus on that.
Foster Care + Adoption Books For All the People
I’ve compiled a list of my very favorite foster care + adoption related books for all the people on your list (and, you know, yourself). There’s one for everyone…
When I Don’t Love My Foster/Adopted Child
Maybe we shared things that you’ve thought before, said things you’ve been too afraid to say. If you’ve struggled as we’ve struggled, here’s what I want you to know…
When We Know Their Names, They're Harder To Ignore.
It's National Foster Care Month. A time when we have conversations about foster care. A time when we pause and pay attention to these children and their needs. A time when we consider what it all has to do with us.
This Sucks.
Maybe my "this sucks" mantra sounds un-Christian. When I say, "This sucks," and I say it to Him, it's said like a prayer. A faith-filled acknowledgement that though this isn't how it should be, He is in it all.
In Defense of Foster Parenting
Foster care is, at its core, a bridge. Back to first family or on to forever family. Foster parents must never--not ever--be shamed or condemned or criticized when they do not adopt their foster children. Adoption is not in our job description.
Grieving Adoption
I didn't know or realize or want to see that just because we're a forever family doesn't mean that the past won't be a part of that forever.
Foster Care is Broken. I Am Broken.
I could be sitting on the sidelines, in blissful ignorance of the brokenness that surrounds me, enjoying the whole-ness of a sweet and sheltered life. Missing out on the beauty of breaking off pieces of my heart and my life to make another whole.
Is Foster Care Worth All Of the Pain and Agony?
We could add up all of the reasons why a person shouldn't be a foster parent. But we could do that with just about anything on earth. What about the reasons you should?
I Put On A Brave Face, But I Don't Feel Ok.
I put on a brave face. I don't feel brave. I feel afraid. I feel sad. I feel all of it: good, bad, and ugly. But I put on the brave face. Not because I want to fake it. But because I want my face--and my feelings--to come in line with what I think, what I believe, what I know.
A Love Letter to Single Foster + Adoptive Moms
You are my hero. You're a hero to me. You're a hero to the community or church or family around you, watching you. You're a hero to the children in your home, being loved by you. You're a living, breathing, real-life super hero.
I Just Don't Want To Hand Him Over Today...
This foster care life is a constant placing of your child in someone else’s hands. Literally and actually, in workers’ and judges’ and lawyers’ hands. Oh, I wish I were in control. I wish I could slam the door in the worker's face. I wish I could tell the judge, “So here’s what you gotta do.” I wish I could just change mom with a snap of the fingers. I wish, so deeply, I wish.
This Day Was The Worst...And I'm Grateful It Was.
The reality of Jesus' love for me is just as real when I'm yelling at my kids as when I'm deep in prayer. The truth of me belonging to God is just as true when I'm reading the Bible or slamming a book in rage.
A Biological Child's Perspective
I get questions every day from people who feel drawn to foster care but are concerned for their own biological children. The words of this biological daughter/foster sister spoke to my heart.
My Thankful Life: When God Doesn't Answer All Your Prayers
I'm thankful that every word I speak, every dish I scrub, every diaper I change, every spill I clean that’s done out of love for my Savior is divinely transformed from a mom’s chore into a daughter’s worship. I’m thankful the menial, outwardly-worthless moments of my day have purpose and have worth.
Gifts For The Foster/Adoptive Mom On Your List
Loved ones of foster and adoptive moms, listen up: The lady in your life is an amazing woman. She is a giver. She is a nurturer. And you know what else she is? She's tired. She's stressed. She's worthy of your honor and gratitude and gosh darn it, a good Christmas gift, ok? Don't know what to get her? I do.
TEN WAYS YOU CAN HELP CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE
May is Foster Care Awareness Month. From making a meal to babysitting to donating, praying to mentoring to becoming a foster parent, EVERYONE CAN DO SOMETHING. Here are 10 ways you can stand for children in foster care
Stop Using the "Broken System" as an Excuse
We mirror this Jesus when we leave our comfort to step into brokenness...The fact that the system and its people are broken is the very reason we engage it.
The Answers to All of Your Foster Parenting Questions
I don’t just struggle through the “how” questions, I struggle through the “why” questions, the “what if” ones. I don’t just question myself, I question God.