Let's hear it for foster parents

I haven't known a lot of people who are brave enough to be foster parents, but I do have a nephew who, with his wife, fostered several children and then finally adopted four siblings they were fostering.  When that happens with dogs, it's jokingly called "foster fail".  It happens when you just can't help keeping your temporary puppies; you want them for your own.  Of course, it's actually a win for everyone, whether it's puppies or children.

Most of the children come to foster homes broken, and feeling unloved.  Some have survived so much pain, sorrow, and unimaginable lives that they're bound to have PTSD.  They can be hard to handle because of their backgrounds.  They've never known trust.

I couldn't do it, but I'm surely glad someone is willing, and strong enough, to help fill that need.

A couple that goes to the Baptist church I attend are foster parents.  During my time there, I've seen them lose one little girl they had with them for a year or two, almost from the time she was born; she went back to live with her parents, but she left crying because she was leaving the only home she knew.  Imagine the pain that causes the foster parents and, in this case, also the lady who had been the girl's babysitter during the work week.

You never know when these foster parents will come in with children you haven't seen before, and may not see again.  But I am so proud that somebody cares for these kids.  I took a couple of pictures that warmed my heart last Sunday, and I want to share them.

The three closest to the foster mom on the left have been adopted by her and her husband.  The other children, two boys and two girls, have arrived very recently, during the past couple of weeks.  They come from two different families.

God bless the foster parents.

A friend from the Baptist church told me some things I didn't know about this lady.  It's a small church, but I don't know a lot about all the people there, and I try not to ask questions about folks.

What a surprise to learn that this woman is a single mom!  I thought the man who attends church with her sometimes was her husband, but he's a friend.

Also, two of the children I thought were fosters were kids just visiting Sunday.  They attend on Wednesday nights, but usually go to another church on Sunday.  

I did not know that a single woman could be a foster mom.  I'm still learning about all this.

But you know what?  I wouldn't be surprised if that lady came in with ten foster kids some Sunday... although I'm not sure her babysitter could handle it.