“The Crisis in Foster Care” read the Washington Post headline. The article, dated January 10, 2020, talked about “an acute shortage of foster parents.” A simple online search yields numerous links to similar articles in recent years, decrying the shortage of foster families – both nationally and locally. Less than a decade ago, there were …
Foster Care
It is Mother’s Day, many years ago. Six excited children are anxiously holding up pieces of cardboard; carefully wrapped in tinfoil, with large pink letters that spell “MOTHER,” taped on the front. While I took my turn with the other children speaking about the special qualities of mothers. “M” is for the many things… Little …
One of the most complex situations I have dealt with has been becoming a stepparent. I remember being so in love with my husband that I thought I could take on anything needed to keep us together. Once we were married and living as a family, my anxiety kicked in. Life became real, really fast. Through …
Who has ever sat second chair in the band, been a stagehand during a play, served as a substitute teacher or held the title of “assistant _______” fill in the blank? Over the years, I have held titles like Program Coordinator, Founder and Director, Manager, and even friend; just to name a few. Yet none …
Mother’s Day shouldn’t be the loneliest day of your year. I celebrated two Mother’s Days without my children. There are times when no one understands you and the sacrifices you’ve made to be Mom. Sometimes your sacrifices and choices weren’t enough to keep your kids safe. That doesn’t mean that you don’t love them. Love …
What if we became those people who committed to come alongside socially isolated parents?
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it.” -Proverbs 22:6 (ESV)
Understand these three essential issues to help your family integrate
When I first met my son, I never dreamed we would share our experience with any group, but God has used our family’s story to encourage others to foster and adopt.
Blair was already overwhelmed with two young children, but the story of an abandoned little girl made her rethink everything
Friends, family and fellow church community members have an awesome opportunity to play a role in an issue we know is dear to the heart of God – the plight of children without families – but we often fail to understand the trials of the adoptive and foster journey.
Help children who are adopted feel like they belong
Making Christmas real for a newly adopted child.
The Clausens found that by leaving the past behind, they were able to build happy memories as a family.
The Rosatis discovered there were plenty of kids in need of families right in their community.
Take the time to determine the adoption option that is best for you and your family.
From questions about age to concerns about the cost, there are unfortunately plenty of misconceptions that keep people from exploring adoption through foster care.
If you feel worn out or overwhelmed as an adoptive parent, it helps to care for yourself, find support … and remember why you adopted.
We now see that the pain of our infertility was an opportunity to hear and know and seek God more deeply, to experience His love for us, and to prepare us to pass that love on to our daughters.
As I struggled with infertility, God began nudging me toward a different goal – not bearing children, but caring for them.