FACT

07/17/2025

https://embracetexas.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/embracetexas/event.jsp?event=347&

Get ready to go back to school with fresh hair. This one-day event is open to all children in foster or adoptive families, ages 5-18. Please only register for children currently in your care/household. You will make a $25 deposit to reserve a braiding appointment or $10 deposit for a barber/haircut....

07/11/2025

People think they know.

They think we’re in it for the money.
Or the praise.
Or to feel needed.

They say things like
I could never do that
I’d get too attached
You’re such a saint

And the truth is
none of that feels true when you’re living it.

Because this doesn’t feel like sainthood.
It feels like heartbreak.
It feels like crying in the pantry.
It feels like sitting in another meeting with another stranger
explaining the same things over and over
just trying to get someone to care as much as you do.

People think foster parents are trying to “take” kids.
Most of us are just trying to help them feel safe.

They think we want to replace parents.
Most of us are praying those parents get it together.

They think we’re stronger than we are.
But we break too.

We break when they leave.
We break when they stay and the damage is deeper than we knew.
We break when no one listens.

But we do it anyway.

Because they deserve someone who won’t give up.

Even when everyone else already has.

And when people misunderstand us
when they talk without knowing
when they assume

I just remind myself
they haven’t seen what we’ve seen.

But God has.

And He knows the why.
Even when the world doesn’t.

07/03/2025

“Not every Christian is called to work with the foster care crisis.”
I’ve heard that line a hundred times.

And here’s my response:

James 1:27 doesn’t say “if you feel called.”
It doesn’t say “only if it fits your lifestyle.”
It doesn’t say “this verse is only for foster parents.”

It says:
“Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress…”

VISIT.
Not adopt.
Not foster 10 kids.
Not give up your entire life.

Visit.
Engage.
See them.
Show up.

And yes, there are pastors and teachers and missionaries and evangelists.
There are many callings in the Church. Absolutely.
But none of them cancel this one.

You don’t have to take in a child to obey James 1:27.
But you can’t use “different callings” as an excuse to stay uninvolved.
Because that verse wasn’t written only for the “called.”
It was written for the Church.

There are a thousand ways to show up without being a foster parent.
You can make a meal.
Hold a baby.
Mentor a teen.
Pray by name.
Give rides.
Drop off diapers.
Sit with a mama in court.
Text a foster family and say “I’m bringing dinner and staying to help.”

Don’t confuse calling with obedience.
We’re not all called to foster.
But every one of us is called to care.

So no, you don’t need a license.
But if you’re going to quote James 1:27 on Sunday,
don’t ghost the foster care system the rest of the week.

The Church should be leading this.
Not ignoring it.

06/30/2025

Join us as a sponsor, team, or individual for an incredible day that helps change the lives of children! Lunch, green fees, and carts are included!

06/26/2025

Attention all foster, adoptive, and kinship placement families! We are excited to share registration for a family swim night at Water Works Park in Denton on July 25 from 7:30-9:30pm. The cost is $15 per family and includes a sweet treat and drinks. See the link below for registration and more details!

https://embracetexas.app.neoncrm.com/event.jsp?event=337&

06/25/2025

06/09/2025

What you see here: Smiling kids & a family that loves each other, a group of people who laugh & smile & enjoy time together.

What you don’t see: Panic attacks & explosive behaviors & trauma triggers & absolute-misery-no-fun-at-all.

And you know what? BOTH OF THOSE THINGS CAN BE TRUE.

We can be a truly happy family who has fun and loves each other. And we can be a family with deep struggles that is messy and chaotic.

I need to hold both things as a mom—the hard doesn’t negate the wonderful, and the wonderful doesn’t gloss right over the hard. It helps me to be grateful when I acknowledge “we’re having a hard time” without spiraling to “we have a miserable life.”

But also, you need to remember—about me, about every face you follow on these squares—we are whole people with lives full of every range of human things.

It’s not sugarcoating to post smiling faces. I’m just as “real” when I show you the happy as when I show you the hard. Because both are very, very real.

This life is full of so much beauty, and a lot of brokenness. There is so much joy, and a lot of tears. We’ve gained so much, and we’ve sacrificed a lot, too.

So l’ll keep posting beautiful pictures of my beautiful kids, and I’ll keep reminding you that they are only snapshots of a life that is full of beauty...and every other sort of hard and human thing. 🤍
•
•

06/06/2025

Please pray for children (I believe there are 16 currently) from Haiti waiting to come home to their adoptive families on this upcoming rescue mission. There are big things happening to make it possible, but obstacles that need to be overcome quickly so they can arrive by this weekend.
Kathleen Ackerman Smith

05/28/2025

Could you be Dario's family?

11 year old Dario is a cheerful, energetic child with
a big heart. He describes himself as happy, smart, and
kind. Dario enjoys playing outdoors, watching TV, and listening to
classic R&B music. Dario will boldly ride rollercoasters of any size at amusement parks. Dario is currently in foster care, waiting for his forever family.

To learn more about becoming a foster or adoptive parent, and to hear the stories of 32 children waiting for adoption, join us on the evening of Wednesday, June 11 at Prestonwood Baptist Church for Embrace’s "Child to Family Connection". There is no cost to attend, and dinner is provided. Click here to learn more: https://events.humanitix.com/embrace-s-child-to-family-connection-june-2025

05/27/2025

Here a couple of upcoming opportunities you have to serve in our community for next week and the following week, so register soon...

1) Set up for an adoption match event! This is the event in which families ready to adopt are hopefully matched with kids who have been lingering in the foster care system - Wednesday, June 11, 9:30am-12pm - Location is Prestonwood Church in West Plano
You can find more details here: select "Register" and scroll for volunteer opportunities
https://events.humanitix.com/embrace-s-child-to-family-connection-june-2025

2) Set up for Embrace's annual purse bingo fundraiser event - Thurs, June 5, 11am-3pm - or however long folks can stay:) This fundraiser goes to support connection and support opportunities for Foster and Adoptive families.
You can find more details here:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080A4AACAB2CA02-56794318-bingo #/

Embrace's annual designer purse bingo fundraiser is coming up and we could use some extra hands to setup for this super fun event! When: Thursday, June 5Where: Verona Villa Event Center, 6591 Dallas Pkwy, FriscoTime: 11am-3pm (hope to finish sooner:)Wear: Casual, comfortable shoesWhat we will be doi...