We’ve realized something over the past few days: E does NOT like to travel. 
Our trip over to Tulsa wasn’t too bad because is was early on Thanksgiving morning- so the three kids in my car (Connor Cara and E) were sleeping most of the time. The trip back yesterday…..well, not so much. E fussed and cried: nothing and no one could make him happy. Connor was in the back and believe me, he tried everything.
As I watched in the rear view mirror, my heart overflowed. Connor offered to feed E his cereal-started feeding him and then said “oops”, bowed his head and prayed with E before continuing.
Foster care is in Connor’s heart. We began this journey 2 years before he was born. Having babies around is all he knows. While some kids would be resentful, the Lord has given Connor a heart for the orphan. He understands the need. He is passionate. When Jeff mentioned to him that if we got the opportunity to adopt baby B, we would probably stop fostering, at least for awhile. He said “Dad, we can’t do that, it’s my life”.
Now before you get the idea that my ‘little’ Connor is perfect, he’s not…he has his moments and gets tired of the crying and dirty diapers just like the rest of us, but he is committed.
I have people ask me all the time if it is a good idea to foster when your kids are young. Other people tell me they are going to wait to foster until their kids are older. I can tell you from our experience that it changes who your children are and who they will become. Our kids were 6, 3, and 2 when we began fostering. All of our children love little ones and are sold-out to this process. They get tired of babysitting and getting spit up on, but they know that God has called our family to a ministry that is difficult and they are willing to jump in and be part of this team. I am so grateful for their love and support…and just had to say it!
Thanks Chase, Caleb, Cara, Connor and Serenity. I love you. I am so thankful for you and I am so blessed to be your Mom!
When we began our foster care journey, I was so worried about my kids, how it would be for them. You speaking at our training, and talking about the age of your kids when you began fostering was a real encouragement. I have been so proud of my kids too…their heart is totally in it, and no matter how many kids we have, they are always ready for more. I have gotten to know a totally different side of Rachel, a compassionate one that my tough youngest daughter had never shown us.
You have amazing children. I see it everytime I am around them. I have seen Connor and Cara with them, and it is just second nature caring for them. What a compassionate heart they have for these kids, and always by your side helping.
Your story reminded me of one my aunt tells when we were leaving my grandma’s this summer with baby T…who was very fussy. I put his carseat between the 2 big kids to help with him, and Leah placed her hand on his face and started talking to him, and soothing him…and it brought tears to her eyes. Seeing our babies through my kids eyes can be a real inspiration to me somedays.
I love what Connor said…about fostering being his life. That is awesome. It is yours too…and no matter the number of adoptions…I can guess you guys still couldn’t say no.
You are so precious! And such an encourager to me, my friend! I certainly didn’t mean to imply that my kids are perfect- by any sense of the imagination….but God has definitely used foster care to shape them- just like you said about Rachel. It made me smile about Leah having her hand on T’s face. What a beautiful picture.
I love this post, Christie! I so often feel like you are writing about my life! You are such an encouragement to me. I had a case worker tell me once that God has called our entire family to foster care, not just Jared and myself. It is so true. Thank you for sharing this entry!