Have you ever heard of a foster family? Or known a foster child? Well, I have! Fostering is something that my family has done in the past. I am so blessed that I have played a role in helping children through the foster care system. We only took in medically-fragile infants. There were a total of 13 infants that came through our home over a period of nine years or so. Some stayed a short time, some stayed much longer. Let me tell you something, being a foster family was such a blessing. People usually ask what it was like and why we did it. It is hard, sad, heartbreaking, and challenging, but it is so worth it. We did it because we felt that we needed to help and care for sick infants. There are so many things that come along with fostering. The infants that we took in were either pre-natally exposed to drugs, abused by their parents, had parents who were unable to care for their child, and so much more. This is not an easy job to do.

I was about five or six when I started to help my parents with the babies we had in the house. At that time, I didn't really understand everything. Looking back, I'm so glad we got to help those kids who needed love, care, and a family for a while. I loved helping my mom out by getting the bottles, getting their clothes, holding them, playing with them if they were toddlers, and just showing love. It was similar to having a little sibling to look after. Of course, I would get a little jealous because lets face it, I like to be the center of attention sometimes. I remember this one time that we had infant twins. I was regularly stuck between them in the back seat as they were crying. I did not enjoy that at all, but I made sure I helped as much as I could by entertaining them and finding their pacifiers. Anyway, being able to open our home for kids who needed care really made my heart happy. It has taught me to appreciate my family, care for others, and show God's love. Sometimes I wish we still fostered. It is truly something I encourage others to think about if they feel like God is calling them to do so. It is a wonderful way to serve, spread love, and also help kids in need.

I think about how awesome my parents are for doing this. They took children under their wings and treated them as their own. I am so glad that I have been able to see some of these kids become healthy and happy with their families. These families are all different. Sometimes these children were reunified with their birth parents, with their birth family, or even an adoptive family. If you feel like helping, there are many ways to do so. You can help by mentoring a foster child, being friends with a foster family, and being part of their support system. You can also donate school supplies, Christmas presents, new clothes, and so much more to your local Department of Social Services. I hope that I can foster children again someday. It is truly life changing and a blessing.