"Before I became a foster parent, I had been seeking a way to serve the Lord.  A phone call came regarding a mother in prison who needed someone to care for her child and facilitate bonding.  I knew in that moment this was meant for me. 

Fostering took learning, patience, and trust – on both sides.  I think the most challenging part of being a foster parent is incorporating the needs of the child as well as the mother into our hopes and family plans.  I understood from the beginning that each child I fostered was not mine. Each child had a birth mother.  This realization made it easier for me to be less of a “mom” and more of a mentor.  I never spoke badly of a birth parent.  I tried to love them too.  I also made sure to defer to birth mom as the mom when referencing her.

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The rewards, for me, were watching the connection of mother and child; enjoying the growth in birth mom as she learned to trust; and realizing how much my heart could grow.  I loved each child.  If there is one piece of advice, I could give it would be: “this is not for the faint of heart.  Experienced parents are more likely used to the fact that their hearts may be broken, because all children come with their own wiring”.  ⏤  Foster Mother, Sharon