December 2025 Newsletter

Where Prayer Meets the Everyday Moments of Foster Care

Author

Tracey Albrecht
December 19, 2025

Thanksgiving day with my dad at his assisted living.

When God Clears Space

In July 2025, we closed our foster care license automatically, part by choice but the other part by a bigger plan. We had moved from Illinois to South Carolina, after nine years of fostering seven children and celebrating two adoptions. My heart whispered that, after such a long season, it was time to make space for what God had next.

Two weeks after our move, life pulled the rug out from under us in a dramatic way. My dad, 71, living independently with Parkinson’s disease for over 12 years, fell by his driveway and struck his head on a rock. A neighbor’s call to 911 changed the course of everything. He survived the trauma, endured months of rehab, and, as the doctors advised a move to assisted living, chose to transplant his life to South Carolina too. He arrived on October 21st and we’ve visited him almost every day. The days are tender, full of milestones and tremors, of laughter echoing through assisted living halls as our two girls run to his apartment and the quiet weight of slow, steady decline.

I never saw this pivot coming. But God did. Where I once poured my hours into caring for foster children or endless streams of visits, appointments, and work that comes with our kids, I now pour that into my dad. Our girls, ages 7 and 4, are adjusting with grace, even as Papa’s changing health reshapes the world they know. He is the man who used to scoop them up with such energy, the one who made them feel little princesses… and now that piece is gone.

And yet, amid the trauma, there is a gift: the chance to be present, to sit with him, to catch a glimpse of his courage in every small step forward. In Illinois, our rhythm was a series of endings tucked into ordinary days. Here, in this new place, every visit feels like a thread stitching us closer, a reminder that presence matters more than plans.

When I doubt, I lean on God’s guidance. “I can’t do this alone, but through Him I can.” That prayer, for strength, for patience, for grace, has become my compass. He is sustaining me now, and I pray He will keep guiding us through the long road ahead. Since March 2025, life has roared with change, and it doesn’t seem finished yet. But through it all, my constant remains God.

Wishing you blessings, a merry Christmas, and a hopeful New Year.
Tracey

IN OUR HOUSE

Me and my favorite 4 year old.

Joy in Our Everyday Moments

Life in our home has been full of celebration lately. Our sweet Hailie turned four, and her birthday wish was simple and full of joy… Chuck E. Cheese’s! We kicked off her special day with our family tradition of breakfast in bed, then spent the day celebrating all things bright, silly, and sweet.

Traditional breakfast in bed with the tray I have been using through 12 kids!

November 30th is extra special in our house because Hailie actually shares a birthday with my husband, Garon. We celebrated him a little early this year, and the two of us were able to sneak away for a wonderful date night at a “fancy” restaurant. It was such a gift to pause, laugh, reflect, and enjoy time together.

Date night for me and Garon!

We also loved celebrating Harvest Day at school with our big girl, soaking in the smiles, the fun, and all the little reminders of how quickly these years go.

Me and my big girl at her school harvest day.

It has been a month full of memories, gratitude, and the sweet everyday moments that God uses to steady our hearts and remind us what a blessing it is to do life together.

BOOKS I’M READING

The Christ of Christmas

By Marc Sikma

The Christ of Christmas is more than a beautiful Christmas story — it is a powerful reminder of the gospel, hope, and the way God weaves redemption into family. The book follows sixteen-year-old Lily and her family, who each approach Christmas with different priorities. For years, Lily’s mom has faithfully used a wooden manger and cross to gently share the gospel with loved ones who do not yet know Jesus, reminding them that God’s first Christmas gift brought healing and hope to every heart.

What makes this story especially meaningful is the way it tenderly touches on foster care and adoption. The family not only celebrates the miracle of Christ’s birth, but also steps into the holy work of welcoming a child who needs belonging, love, and stability. Their journey reflects the heart of God, who lovingly adopts us into His family through Christ. It beautifully mirrors the truth that earthly adoption points to the greater spiritual adoption we receive as children of God.

With stunning illustrations and a message rooted in grace, this book offers a Christ-centered Christmas tradition for families, churches, and anyone longing to share the hope of Jesus. It is a story of faith, healing, and the kind of love that opens its arms wide — just like God does for us.

FEATURED BLOG POST

A reminder that prayer is at the heart of loving and caring for our foster children.

How to Pray For Your Foster Child

Prayer is a powerful way to support the children in our care, and this post offers practical ways to lift up your foster child in prayer every day. From praying for their safety, their emotional healing, and their sense of belonging, to asking God to guide their caregivers and birth families, these ten strategies provide tangible ways to invite God’s presence into your child’s journey.

Whether you’re a foster parent, adoptive parent, or supporter, these ideas can help you be intentional about covering your child in prayer and knowing you are really relying on God behind the scenes.

👉🏻 Read the full post now: 10 Ways to Pray for Your Foster Child

Do you know someone that is thinking of fostering? We would love it if you would forward this email to them so they can sign up!