89. An Update on Our Foster Care Journey

<p style="text-align: center;"><em>(See <a href= "https://www.instagram.com/p/CDTyzL2JD0v/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener noreferrer">more pictures and videos of Champ here</a>.)</em></p> <p>A year ago, we were in the middle of our foster care home study and praying for who God would bring into our home for us to love on.</p> <p>We were at peace about pursuing this path, but we were still apprehensive and wondering what it might mean for our future. There were so many unknowns, so many what if’s, and so many things outside our control.</p> <p>I look back on this last year and the 5 children we’ve had the privilege to have in our home — 4 for just a very short-term stint and sweet little Champ who has been with us for almost 4 months.</p> <p>There are still just as many unknowns, what if’s, and things outside our comfort zone. My heart has been broken in a hundred little pieces over the things we’ve seen and witnessed firsthand and the many kids and their stories whom we weren’t able to say yes to. I’ve cried more tears in the last 10 months than I’ve cried in the last 10 years (okay, pregnancy and postpartum probably played a part in that!).</p> <p>And yet, my heart is fuller and happier than I can ever remember. The opportunity to love, pour into, and nurture has filled me up in the deepest of places. Seeing my husband and kids sacrifice and serve and love so well has been one of the most amazing experiences.</p> <p>I don’t know what the future holds. I can imagine it will be full of heartbreak and beauty, tears and love, a roller coaster of emotions, and many things I can’t even imagine.</p> <p>There are many unknowns, but this one thing I know: I don’t regret for one second saying “yes” to foster care. I look at these pictures and think, “We could have missed this.”</p> <p>In this week's podcast episode, we talk very honestly about our foster care journey, what we are learning, how it's been different than we expected, and what has surprised us. We also give an update on how things are going with Champ and an