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Category Archives: foster care  **these sweet ones came to me 11 days ago and have already moved on to the rest of their lives. The day they came, I decided not to fall in love this time. Yesterday, I cried big tears as they drove away in someone else’s car. They are someone else’s babies, too. This season of…  We so often look away at another’s bleeding — what do you say? how do you respond? – as evidence of our small view of God. We subtly believe His hands are tied against their pain that is unfamiliar to us, that He’s dumfounded, like us. But His hands aren’t tied. And He doesn’t turn, He… 
thank you for this. all day I have been feeling this ache. the ache of knowing that I was created for motherhood. that I have loved many children, but none of my own. I’ve loved babies in Uganda and many of my friends kids here. so thank you. for reminding me that God sees me today. He knows the longings of my heart, and He will not turn away from me either.
Hi! I left a comment on your instagram. I found your blog through moments with love. I’m a foster mom and also have a deep love for Uganda as well. Would love to know more about your fostering experiences….sometimes it feels so lonely. 
What beautiful words. Thank you for sharing. I love the healing He has brought for both of us and to hear it so beautifully from your words. He’s still making beauty from ashes and I see it all around me. Calling beauty and hope forth from places of sorrow and heartache. Thanks for being a living example of that to me. I celebrate you as a wonderful mom sweet friend! 
This is beautiful. It is easy to feel like I’m just playing dress up or pretend by being a foster mom… Like it doesn’t really count. Thanks for reminding me it does count. 
i felt this way on my first visit to my church’s MOPS (mothers of preschoolers) group, right after i got approved to be anfoster/adoption mama… but hadn’t had any babies placed in our home yet… felt like an imposter or poser but the mamas there welcomed me with open arms and were so helpful and prayerful during our 2.5 year journey with 7 sweet babies… God told us two were meant to stay… we just celebrated our 7th year adoption anniversary. our girl will be 10 this month and our boy will be 10 two months later. :0) we took a break in order to potty train and let our hearts heal as we were ready and willing to adopt all seven LOL :0) we’ve since moved and are praying about doing fost/adopt again! :0)
Just found you. As a fellow mama, photographer, chai tea lover, and trying to be a better Christ follower… I immedately fell in love with your blog… Looking forward to following you!
This was so so so lovely…thank you so much for sharing….
[...] and everyday. You are beautiful, you are strong, and you can and will do this. Please read this, this, and [...] 
Hi Jasmine, I replied to your email. Did you get it?
Nice to meet you, Kaila. Thanks for introducing yourself!
you are an amazing mother. A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. xo
Oh my goodness, I just came across your blog and I’m in love! Ive read almost all your posts and you have literally hit the nail on the head for me. I have had this strong calling to be a foster parent for over a year now and after graduating college, I am finally in the process of doing so. Buy I’ve had my fair share of doubt. I am too a young, single God living woman and have the same questions and doubts. I can’t wait to continue reading about your journey. Thanks so much for putting your life out here for everyone to see.
This is lovely. You have touched my heart with your words. Many times life doesn’t go according to our plan and we must embrace the challenge and seek the Lord for support. Your spirit is a perfect example of how to see the joys of life amidst the pain and rely on God where our own understanding ends. I am so glad I found your blog for inspiration, as my husband and I are on our own journey to parenthood. Thank you for sharing.  The last two weeks have given me lots of time to sit around snuggling Baby A and thinking back over all of the children who have lived with me for a season. After all these years, there is one who comes to mind often. ———————— She stood there in the corner where she felt the…
Oh my WORD! Thank you for sharing your heart, Mandie. What a special role you have in those babies’ lives. You are planting eternal seeds… 
Thank you so much, Mandie! I really needed to read this right now, as it confirmed for me something the Lord was already impressing on my heart this morning. What a blessing
Thank you Lauren. Love that we get to follow each other’s lives from opposite sides of the world. Miss you!
Hi Amy, I’m so grateful that you were encouraged by this. It’s sweet when the Lord speaks to one of us and it applies to another’s life, too.
Thank you Lauren. Love that we get to follow each other’s lives from opposite sides of the world. Miss you!
I’m so proud of you for continuing to love, possibly at the expense of your heart. You’re willingness to be an interim mom continues to inspire me. I love you.
This gave me chills. Your testimony and faith are amazing.
Rachel, I love the part you have in this story now. I felt so loved each time I wrapped up Baby A in one of your blankets. Thank you, friend!  This sweet one is with me now. On Tuesday, I didn’t even know he existed. On Wednesday, he became my 24/7 priority. Funny how things can change so quickly. He won’t be here long and I’m OK with that. The privilege of loving him in this little in-between of his tiny life is worth more… 
Precious…
You picked the same name. Amazing. Love that sooooo so much. Love you and this little beautiful one. The first of many. What a joy!
So so precious!! Love following your journey!
Your words and acts are nothing short of courageous and I admire you for that! I’m excited I found your blog through Bumber’s Bumbling
Thank you so much, Kelsey. Loved the story you submitted as well. I’ll get back to you about that asap! Blessings!
I love your blog! I went to Ethiopia 3 years ago and feel the Lord calling me back after nursing school. I love reading your story. My dad also started a Christian foster care agency 30 years ago that now provides Christian families for many kids in WA. I can’t wait to be a foster mama one day. I requested you on IG-my name is eclare445. Thank you for writing!
[...] I’d let you know what’s new over there. This shop is one of the main ways I am able to be a foster parent, so each time I see a new order roll in, I do a little happy dance. Here are some of the items that [...] 
Hi mandie, I found you a while back through love p.’s blog. I just love your heart and think its pretty amazing the way you are choosing to live out the gospel. I would love to follow you on ig if that’s ok, my name is @siobhanprovolt Thankyou:)
… [Trackback]… [...] Read More: seeingjoy.com/welcoming-baby-a/ [...]…
I requested you on Instagram. 
I LOVE your blog… Beautifully written and such a beautiful message you share! 
Will you add me on Instagram? Justheather80 I love your blog!!
This is a beautiful gift you are giving…just amazed by your spirit…t @ happysoulproject.com.
What a beautiful story. The Lord is amazing! I love that you new his name <3 I just found your blog and I’m in love with it. My husband and I became parents last year when we adopted our sweet little girl. We had prayed for her for 7 years. I will start following on Instagram, my name there is LuBludorn.
What a beautiful story. The Lord is amazing! I love that you new his name <3 I just found your blog and I’m in love with it. My husband and I became parents last year when we adopted our sweet little girl. We had prayed for her for 7 years. I will start following on Instagram, my name there is LuBludorn.
Oh yes! My IG tellme_aboutyou 
Emily Morrice
How amazing! I’m so glad sisters like you are serving in the foster care system we hope to adopt from one day! I’m @emmorrice on Instagram and am loving the glimpses!
How amazing! I’m so glad sisters like you are serving in the foster care system we hope to adopt from one day! I’m @emmorrice on Instagram and am loving the glimpses!
Your post warms my heart. I take care of dozen of these little ones in the hospital and it puts a smile on my face to see that the love continues in the community. I’m @noemiedegenerous on Instagram
Your post warms my heart. I take care of dozen of these little ones in the hospital and it puts a smile on my face to see that the love continues in the community. I’m @noemiedegenerous on Instagram 
Hey there! I can’t remember how I stumbled upon your blog.. But I’m so glad I did! I love reading your posts and following your foster care journey! Thanks so much for writing what you do. (Also, your photgraphy is GORGEOUS).
I’d love to follow you on IG! I’m stacistrait.
I would love t follow your IG. My IG is kirstylpiper
Hi MJ: Just a quick note of gratitude for your loving heart. Sincerely.  You guys, I have been SO SO encouraged by all of the purchases through my Etsy shop over the last two months. I’m almost 1/6 of the way to having my first year of rent saved. This is amazing because it means I won’t have to worry about paying rent that first year and can,… 
I saved these little jewels, but when I transferred to kinkos they said the size was to big. Do you know how I can make it smaller? Please:)
Hi Tami, Thanks for letting me know about this problem! I added JPEG versions of each printable which should be a better size. Thanks! mj  Today is National Adoption Day. Last month, I got to spend the week with the precious family that adopted Ali Rose. Some of you might remember the day we welcomed Ali Rose into our home last year. I remember knowing deep within my heart that she was destined to be a Morrow and have never…
Still reading and re-reading your blog
Or I meant to say Ali Rose is STILL so cute, she was always adorable! 
This is absolutely beautiful. We said goodbye to our seventh foster-baby just before this Christmas. I miss her so much, but it’s so good to be used by God in this way and be the part of His forming a brand new family. We have moved on to adoption now, but foster care is so dear to us and we have made a lot of lifelong friends!  On one of our first dark nights pacing the hallway up and down, up and down, the words just came out. We needed a song, this little one and me – a song full of true words and simple enough that I could summon up the tune at 3am when the rest of my body… 
Such a sweet story of love and hope. I was sent the link to your blog by a friend who knows how much I love people who are stepping out in faith and giving of themselves to look after the fatherless.
Thank you Betsy! Your words really encouraged me today. Blessings, mj  the God who committed them to me for a season has committed Himself to them for a lifetime.
this is awesome. so needed to read this. thanks!
Thank you for telling me this, Annie. It blesses me to know my words encouraged you!
I love this post MJ. You write beautifully. So happy I found your blog!
As my family and I get ready to embark on this journey ourselves, this is what gave me the most fear! You answered these fears beautifully! I can not wait to begin my journey to serve God in this!
I just discovered your blog (from Instagram) and I cannot tell you how much this post in particular means to me. After adopting 3 children from foster care my husband and are are about to jump back in but have been hesitant because of how unpredictable the system is. We have been concerned about having our hearts broken if a child were to leave our home. You have reminded me that our job here is to love, trusting in God’s plan and not to worry about protecting our selves from potential pain. We will be praying that no matter what happens during our journey we will seek God’s face, knowing that he is the author of ours and our foster children’s stories.
[...] drove away in someone else’s car. They are someone else’s babies, too. This season of loving and letting go is anything but easy, however it is such a privilege. Someone asked me recently if it was hard to [...]  Dear friends, Our tiniest baby girl’s homecoming marked the end of a season. Out of the many children whose lives touched mine in Uganda, there were five who clearly needed more than we could give them within their home country. Many others simply needed their living conditions improved, a chance to attend school, or basic…  But, she’s not really a guest. She’s family. Today I have the special treat of sharing this letter from Eli & Ellie’s mommy with you. She has wanted to share this with you all for months, but as you can imagine, assimilating two new babies into an already large family has kept this sweet woman… 
I read and enjoyed this with tears streaming down my face. We are so happy with the way God worked this out and is continuing to work this out. I can’t wait to see you all again! Love from Laura and all the Fullers |
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Vertical Mom - Just precious…thank you for sharing such sweetness.
Rebekah Jean - This post hit my heart. So many truths. And I can so identify with you. I night nanny as a job, and I know that feeling when a baby just won’t sleep. And that feeling when strangers ask why I sleep-deprive myself every night just to get up with babies that aren’t mine. And I needed the reminder that God does not see me that way
Mary Krause - I have loved following you on IG, girl.
this must be SO very hard, yet SO very wonderful at the same time.
you are an inspiration!
your heart is just pure gold….and your talents amaze me.
xoxo
Courtney-Ke Williams - I am longing to connect with you! What an amazing thing you are doing. How I would love to learn more! I am considering adopting a young child diagnosed with Down Syndrome in the future. I am waiting on God to open the door. He has already opened my heart. I pray that God heals your heart with the empty nests in your heart. He will fill them again with another child who needs your love and care. God bless you!
Kori
Mandie Joy - Hi Courtney! I love that you are considering special needs adoption. There is such a need. Praying God flings doors open wide in His perfect timing.
Mandie Joy - Thank you for this sweet encouragement, Mary. Instagram has been such a fun place to connect with really wonderful people.
Helena Barradas - Hola, Mandie!
Nice text!
Creo que eres muy bendecida. Sé que las luchas son muchas y grandes, pero con ellas vienen la paciencia, la amistad, el amor y, después, las victorias.
Que Dios te bendiga aun más en todo lo que intentes hacer.
Sé que irás muy lejos (geográfica y figurativamente hablando) y sé también que Dios te guardará en todas las caminadas que hagas.
Bendiciones!