Many challenges of foster care happen within four walls and behind closed doors; from the outside, life can look normal. Kids can seem healthy and functional. But rarely are kids in foster care operating at their prime, and the families live that reality.
Offer Community Foster children bring additional needs with them, some visible, some not so visible. Those needs can be challenging, timeconsuming and exhausting. Often, it’s just easier to stay home than try to grapple with those needs in public. But foster families need community. Be that community. Don’t give up on inviting them. Including them. Loving on them. Your investment will not go unreturned. And when they do show up? Welcome them (and their children) with open arms. My story is both incredible and, at the same time, it is not. To the end that it glorifies the Lord and bears witness to his incredible grace, power and love, it is unparalleled. And yet, to the degree that it makes me out to be anything other than a sinner saved by grace, it is quite ordinary. In the end, my story is one of obedience. Of going where the Lord leads; of submitting plans to him; of being open to his leading; of coming back to him each time I stray and trust him to receive me, remake me, use me. For reasons known only to him, the Lord put me on this path as the one that would best glorify him. Whatever the specifics of your path, the mandate to care for the fatherless is clear. Wherever and however the Lord might use you, there is no greater joy than helping the little children come unto Jesus.
MILESTONES Births • Gunnar James was born to Dave and Lindsay Terhune on September 21. He joins his older siblings Davey, Riley, Emery and Ronny Mac and a lot of cousins. Gunnar’s maternal grandparents are Donna and the late Ron McAlister. • Joanna Hope was born to Michael and Annelise Thrasher on October 9. She joins her big brother, Ezekiel. Her paternal grandparents are Bill and Penny Thrasher. • Julian Michael, first child of former pastoral resident, Michael Sole and his wife, Melissa, was born on September 25 in Duluth, MN. Julian’s paternal grandfather is Anthony (Genia) Solis.
Deaths • Pray for Barb Shoemaker and family as they grieve the loss of Barb’s husband, Kent, on October 26. Services were held. • Pray for College Church missionary Amy ( Jonathan) Harris and family as they grieve the loss of Amy’s mother, Jean Boyd, who passed away on October 21 in Michigan. • Pray for BJ Kettinger and his father, Burt, as they grieve the loss of BJ’s mother and Burt’s wife, Sharon, who passed away on October 14. The Kettingers have been part of the STARS ministry for decades. • Pray for Mark and Joy Trieglaff and their son, Josh, as they grieve the loss of their daughter and sister Janell, who passed away on October 8 after a brief illness. • Pray for Laura Vossbruch and family as they grieve the loss of Laura’s father, Fred, who passed away recently in Florida.
God Centered Life Visit Pastor Josh’s Bible-teaching ministry at godcenteredlife.org. You can have daily devotionals delivered right to your inbox. There is also a daily teaching program streamed online, through podcasts and at over 50 radio stations nationally. You can listen locally on Moody Radio (WMBI) at 10 p.m. M-F and 7:30 p.m. on Sunday. Your prayers and partnership with this ministry are greatly appreciated.
• Pray for Gloria (Stann) Leff and family as they grieve the loss of two family members recently—Gloria’s sister-in-law, Elaine, as well as her younger brother, Robert. • Pray for Paige ( Jay) Cunningham and family as they grieve the loss of Paige’s brother, Jay Comstock, who passed away on October 5 in Dallas, TX. • Pray for Al and Mary Duvel, family and friends as they grieve the loss of their daughter Belinda, who passed away on September 30.
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