In April 2020, God opened a door for Jason and Leah to step into a calling in their lives to become foster parents. In the spring of that year, a family member approached the couple about becoming the temporary guardians of a baby girl, Lyric. It did not take more than a couple of minutes for the two of them to answer with a peace-filled “Yes!” In the months following, they began to slowly create a bond with Lyric to help her transition into their home as naturally as possible. In September 2020, Lyric was placed in their care full-time.

At the beginning of their journey, they had heard about Arms of Love Foster Care, a ministry of ABCS. Jason’s sister was connected with ABCS. When she knew Jason and Leah were taking in Lyric, she shared the information with them. For the first year of their fostering experience, the couple was content with remaining as an unlicensed kinship placement. Kinship care is when a child is temporarily placed in the custody of a relative or close relationship. After some time, it was clear that Lyric’s case was moving toward adoption. It was at that moment that the couple decided to become licensed to make the transition smoother and allow Lyric to receive the additional resources available to her from the state. Leah shared, “It was evident that God had lined up all the steps to licensing for us in a way that He knew we would respond. Which for us was, the child first, adoption second, licensing 3rd, and eventually committing to fostering again.” The Lord used their initial “yes” to His calling to grow their family. In the fall of 2022, Lyric’s adoption was finalized. Leah described the way Lyric entered her and Jason’s lives like this, “She was created perfectly to fit into the grooves of our lives and complete our family in ways only God can orchestrate.”

After completing the licensing process and finalizing Lyric’s adoption, they shifted from being kinship foster parents to being open to community foster care. Jason and Leah have the desire to continue to expand their family and open their hearts and home to hurting children. They both believe in and understand that the main goal of foster care is reunification. Jason and Leah also want to be a safe place and a resource for a child where going home is not an option. In the late summer, a baby boy was placed in their care. That portion of their story is still unfolding.

God has worked in Jason and Leah’s lives in big ways through their fostering season. Leah explained, “Foster care in our life has been the greatest testament of God’s faithfulness to us. God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called.” When asked what advice they wanted to share with others who are considering foster care, the couple gave a wise answer that everyone can consider, “There’s no such thing as a child having too many people loving them… That’s not something only foster parents can do, but fostering is a really big way.” We are grateful for Jason and Leah’s “yes” and their commitment to showing the love of Christ to the children God has entrusted to them.

Arms of Love Foster Care is a ministry of Arizona Baptist Children’s Services & Family Ministries (ABCS). To read more impact stories and ministry updates like this one, check out ABCS’ 2022 Annual Report.