The three milestones that mark our journey towards fostering

I recently had an opportunity to share with my whole church how Julie and I became foster parents.  As I look back, I can see the story unfold in three parts.

1. Hearts opened on mission trips to India and Romania
In 2000 and 2002 Julie and I took mission trips to India and Romania to work with orphans.  We both grew up in very loving and supportive homes.  But these trips opened our hearts to kids who didn’t have the same family experiences that we grew up with.

2. Mind opened after watching a 3 minute video
We were in our Bible study years ago watching a marriage DVD series.  There was one story about a young couple caring for special needs adults.  We left church that Sunday talking about that story.  They were a young couple … we were a young couple.  They were serving together … what were we doing together?  We were inspired and challenged to consider ways that we could serve others as a married couple.

3. Eyes opened through a conversation Julie had at work
Julie became friends Lori at work.  Lori eventually told Julie about a friend of hers who was a foster parent.  We had heard about fostering, but didn’t know much about it.  And truthfully what we did know was how TV and film depicted the horrors of the foster system.  But those real-life conversations with Lori opened our eyes to the possibility of fostering.

As I look back on those three experiences I am reminded that God can use seemingly random experiences to lead somewhere. It encourages me to share our story more … in part so that those interested in fostering will “go for it” … but also because our story might inspire someone to pursue whatever dream God’s given them.