Meet Abbie.

She's 28,

 an Occupational Therapy Assistant,

and single foster mom to FOUR.

I spent Saturday morning with Abbie and her adorable kids.

There were tons of smiles, laughs, and even a few tears.

"It's something that I have wanted to do since I was younger," she says.

 "I met a foster mom when I was 17, in which she became like a mentor."

Abbie said she started taking it seriously last year in January 2015 after she got back from Alabama,

where she went to Ministry School for two years at The Ramp.

She began taking classes in May through June of last year, and got licensed last September. 

She was placed with a teenager from September 2015-June 2016,

and currently has four younger ones, ages 2 months-9 years.

It was amazing to see how happy they all were and I was also impressed at how well behaved they were. 

She shared that just in the time that they have been with her, they have come such a long way.

She explained that some of the challenges are helping them work through their past and trauma.

"It's mainly hard carrying the emotional burden;

And at first when I got the three girls,

it was all about trying to find all the needs and then trying to survive," she laughs. 

"It's just 1 person, so I can't just have my husband go pick the girls up from school." 

I asked her how she makes it through, she states,

 "first God- daily, the foster care agency, and friends and family. 

Seeing the small victories keeps you going,

also seeing them grow and step out of bad habits and dysfunctional cycles."

I also asked her what was the main thing she liked about fostering and she says,

"getting them into a safe and loving environment for as long as needed." She goes on saying,

"I mean it says in the bible, in James, that as Christians it is one of our greatest responsibilities to look over orphans & widows."    

Can I just add that my favorite part of the morning was when the girls took

me up to show me their room. Not only was it cute and cozy, but so peaceful that it made me tear up. 

It's so wonderful to see the girls have such a comfy and safe place to rest their heads,

and see how excited and adorable they were showing it off.

Of course I asked if she even realizes how much of a big deal it is

as a single mom to take in four foster kids on your own.

She says "Yes I do.

It's crazy, but it's do-able".

I asked her "HOW?"

She says, "You just get up and do it,

you see a need and then you fill it.

If I had a bigger home, I would take in more."

There is such a need for foster care, she adds.

"It's crazy because if everyone were on board, there wouldn't be a need.

Even if it's not just fostering, not every person is called to foster,

but there a lot of things you can do, even if its just donating."

She highly suggests Adriel, which is a private organization. They have offices in Archbold, Toledo, West Liberty, & Dublin.

Or, she suggests, you could get involved with your local counties Job and Family Services.