"But, three months in, just as the family was beginning to see real progress, they were hit with unexpected news..."

Partnering with foster families as they care for the children placed in their homes is both an honor and a blessing. But it also comes with challenges, some of them hard, and many of them heavy.

At Gateway, our mission is to honor and obey God by providing hope and healing to children and families who may then bless others. One of the families I work with brought these words to life for me.

Nine months ago, they began their foster-to-adopt journey when two siblings were placed in their home. From the beginning, they poured themselves into meeting the children’s needs, obtaining the services they needed to develop and thrive, beginning the attachment journey, and working to earn the kids’ trust and love.

The children had experienced trauma and arrived with difficult behaviors. There were many exhausting, hard days as they all got to know each other and built new routines. But three months in, just as the family was beginning to see real progress, they were hit with unexpected news. There were two more siblings, placed in other homes at the time. A different family, who was able to adopt all four, was chosen to be the pre-adoptive home.

What followed was a six-month dark and uncertain season. They had stepped out in faith, trusting that God had a plan for their family, but this didn’t look like the plan they had envisioned.

The children began family visits with the new pre-adoptive family. There was confusion, regression in behaviors, attachment, and trust. We had many conversations about how to continue to meet the kids' needs and keep their best interests at heart, while being heart-broken, and grieving the end of a dream they held dear. It was rough. There were many emotions, and I learned a lot. We prayed together. I would text them encouragement and scripture and often they lifted me up in return.

This young couple dug deep and continued to walk in faith, even when everything and everyone around them said to give up, move on, and quit. They kept moving forward with services to benefit the kids who remained in their home during the week. They committed to a First Steps program for the toddler and made that a part of their weekly routine.

When there was difficulty finding a therapist for the preschooler, they made calls, interviewed therapists. They found one that was a perfect fit for this child, who has grown in emotional intelligence and the ability to speak up for themself as a result. The couple provided consistent love and care, enrolling the children in preschool so that they could learn and grow developmentally and be around their peers. They attended church weekly, introducing the children to the God who made them and loves them. And despite the stress, uncertainty, heartbreak, and hard conversations that came with every visit to the new pre-adoptive home, they never stopped serving and loving unconditionally.

After six months, they received the news that the two children would remain in their home, and they could move forward in the adoption process. Even that news came with questions, a bit of disbelief, but also relief and joy.

This chapter in the family’s story is just that: one piece of a story that God is writing in each of their lives. Their faithfulness through this chapter has been a beautiful thing to witness.