124. Unexpected Lessons from a Year of Foster Care

<p><!-- wp:paragraph --></p> <p>It has been just over a year since we brought home Champ, our first long-term placement in our foster care journey. It's been a year of learning, growing, and riding a rollercoaster of emotions.</p> <p><!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --></p> <p>In this episode of the podcast, Jesse and I sit down and recount some of the most unexpected lessons -- the grief of goodbye, walking through deep sadness with our kids, what we've learned through reunification, how it has impacted our kids, thoughts on caring for a child with special needs, and how our faith has been strengthened and changed through it.</p> <p><!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --></p> <p>We also talk about a book I'm reading, a book Jesse finished, plus the foster care support group and how sometimes stepping into awkward things can turn into really awesome relationships.</p> <p><!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --></p> <p><strong>In This Episode: </strong></p> <p><!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --></p> <p>[00:33] It’s foster care awareness month and we’re sharing our takeaways from this past year of fostering.</p> <p><!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --></p> <p>[01:51] My foster care support group is saving my life these days.</p> <p><!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --></p> <p>[05:42] Jesse finished the book he’s been reading and is still recommending it to me.</p> <p><!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --></p> <p>[08:49] I’ve been reading <a href= "https://amzn.to/2SEBoln"><em>Can’t Steal My Joy</em> by Bekah Bowman</a>.</p> <p><!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --></p> <p>[11:35] Okay, let’s talk all things foster care and the unexpected lessons we’ve learned along the way.</p> <p><!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --></p> <p>[13:20] Dealing with the grief that comes along with reunification was a huge lesson learned.</p> <p><!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --></p> <p>[15:30] Our kids have also been impacted and given the opportunity to learn how to