Have you ever thought about becoming a foster parent? Are you curious to know what it’s like to take in kids that need a place to live? Foster parenting is a unique calling, but the experience can lead us closer to understanding God’s love and grace. Join Elisa Morgan and Eryn Eddy in this episode of God Hears Her as they learn from longtime foster parent, Manda Carpenter, what it’s like to be the foster mom of 16 kids.

 

About Our Guest:

Manda Carpenter is a writer, a speaker, and an advocate committed to helping women grow in their relationships with God, self, and others. She is a neighbor, question-asker, and cheerleader of the underdog. Manda and her husband, Eric, are foster parents and hosts of A Longer Table podcast. They live with their son, Shia, in Los Angeles, California.

 

Notes and Quotes: 

• “The catastrophe in our life ends up being our calling.” —Manda Carpenter
• “The goal of foster care is reunification.” —Manda Carpenter
• “To be a great foster parent, you don’t need to adopt all of your children.” —Manda Carpenter
• “My relationship with my foster kids doesn’t look much different than my relationship with my biological son.” —Manda Carpenter
• “With fostering, you have all the responsibility but no power.” —Manda Carpenter
• “Fostering is a position that forces me to rely on God.” —Manda Carpenter
• “Grace is loving them when they’re daring you not to.” —Manda Carpenter
• “Nothing matters more than the condition of your soul.” —Manda Carpenter

 

Links: 

• Manda’s personal website: https://www.mandacarpenter.com/ 
• A Longer Table podcast: https://www.mandacarpenter.com/podcast 
• Soul Care to Save Your Life book: https://www.mandacarpenter.com/booksbymandacarpenter 
• Domestic violence phone number: 800-799-7233
• God Hears Her website: https://www.godhearsher.org/
• God Hears Her newsletter sign-up: https://www.godhearsher.org/signup
• Subscribe on iTunes! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/god-hears-her-podcast/id1511046507?utm_source=applemusic&utm_medium=godhearsher&utm_campaign=podcast
• Elisa’s Instagram: elisa morgan author
• Eryn’s Instagram: eryneddy