February 2026 Newsletter

Following God’s Call to Love, Even When Life is Hard

Author

Tracey Albrecht
February 17, 2026

My dad with his first grandchild, my son Orion. He would go on to be the “Papa D” to 9 total grandkids.

Love Shows Up, Even When Life is Hard

These past few months have been filled with travel, long drives to Illinois, hospital visits, rehab centers, and difficult goodbyes. My dad’s passing on Christmas Day brought both deep grief and incredible gratitude.

His celebration of life on February 7 reminded me again that love isn’t always soft or easy, sometimes it looks like logistics, paperwork, and sitting quietly in hospital rooms. It’s the kind of love that shows up even when your heart is breaking.

My dad’s celebration of life service.

In foster care, I see that same kind of love. It’s not the Hallmark version… it’s appointments, meetings, long nights, and hard conversations. It’s loving a child even when you know goodbye might be part of the story.

As I walked through these last months with my dad, I kept thinking of the foster parents who love deeply, knowing that loss may come, yet choosing love anyway.

Orion (2000) got all the pictures just as a first grandchild typically does!

I’ve also been reminded how much we all need a village. Friends, family, neighbors, and church friends carried us when we couldn’t carry everything ourselves. Their prayers, meals, and messages helped fill the gaps our strength couldn’t reach. Foster families need that same kind of village, people who show up in quiet, steady ways to remind them they’re not alone.

Now, as our trips to Illinois slow and I begin settling into life here in South Carolina, I’m learning what this new season of love looks like.

5 of my dad’s 9 grandchildren (along with Garon and I) on his 70th birthday in 2024.

The house my dad and Kathy so lovingly made a home is now in new hands, my prayer is that it will be filled with as much love and laughter as they gave it. For us, it’s time to build new rhythms, to find routines again, to be present with the girls, to make friends here, to remember that even ordinary days are a gift.

Kai wearing Papa D’s work coveralls that he wears every work day this time of the year. Orion on my right, the oldest. We are in front of the heart of my dad’s home, an addition my dad put on many years ago with this two-story fireplace.

Love is rarely easy. Foster care isn’t easy. Grief isn’t easy. But God meets us right in the middle of it all. And sometimes, love simply means showing up again tomorrow.

Tracey

IN OUR HOUSE

Miniature roses we gifted to the girls’ teachers for Valentine’s Day.

Little Valentines, Everyday Love

I love having the girls at a Christian school where I got to attend the Valentine party.

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Psalm 34:18

Valentine cookie decorating at the preschool.

As I look at these pictures of the girls and the Valentines they gave and received, I’m reminded that even in a hard season, God keeps finding little ways to remind us He’s close.

These little sacks were for Valentines that the girls gave to their friends.

“God, thank You for staying close to us, especially when our hearts feel heavy. You see our grief and You see the kids we love. Please help Garon and me love on purpose every day, in how we talk to each other, how we show up for the girls and respond to their needs, and how we make room for both tears and laughter. When we’re worn out, remind us that Your love doesn’t run dry and that You’re the one holding our home together. Help us keep showing up in the small, everyday ways that matter more than we know. Amen.”

Her favorite Valentine she received from one of her friends.

BOOKS I’M READING

Miniature roses we gifted to the girls’ teachers.

The Invisible String

By Patrice Karst

I recently reread The Invisible String, and it felt especially meaningful in this season. The story reminds children that even when we’re separated from the people we love, we’re still connected by an invisible string made of love. That connection stretches across miles, across circumstances, and even across loss.

As a foster mom, this message feels especially powerful. So many children long for their biological families, even when they can’t be together right now. This book gently reassures them that love and connection don’t disappear with distance or change. And honestly, it spoke to my own heart too, especially as I continue grieving my dad. It’s comforting to remember that love doesn’t end just because someone isn’t physically here anymore.

This book is a beautiful resource for children dealing with separation anxiety, foster placements, adoption transitions, or loss. It opens the door for sweet, healing conversations and reminds both kids and adults that love always keeps us connected.

👉 Buy The Invisible String on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3ZzdVkQ

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Step Into Foster Care Confidently — Even When It’s Hard

Love isn’t always easy, but God calls us to open our hearts and homes. That’s exactly why the Foster Parent Starter Kit was created — to give you practical tools, guidance, and encouragement as you follow God’s call to love children who need a safe place.

Whether you’re just beginning your foster journey, navigating a new placement, or looking for a reset after a busy season, this all-in-one kit helps you focus on what matters most: showing love, offering stability, and trusting God to guide each step.

Here’s what’s inside:
✔️ Step-by-step guidance for choosing the right agency and navigating next steps
✔️ Printable tools to keep paperwork, training, and schedules organized
✔️ Ready-to-use templates and checklists so you’re never starting from scratch
✔️ A calm, organized system to help you stay present for the children in your care

Normally $67, the Foster Parent Starter Kit is available this month for just $19 — because loving well shouldn’t feel overwhelming.

FEATURED BLOG POST

Guarding Your Heart as a Foster Parent

Foster parenting is a journey of both deep love and inevitable heartache. In this post, I share what it really means to give your heart to children who may only be in your care for a season.

I talk honestly about the tension between loving fully and facing the pain of goodbyes, the moments when letting go feels almost impossible, and how God sustains me through the emotional ups and downs.

This post is especially meaningful for February, a month that reminds us that love is a choice we make every day. I encourage fellow foster parents to rely on God’s strength, finding hope and peace even when love is costly.

By guarding our hearts while still loving boldly, we can reflect God’s unwavering love to the children in our care, showing them that they are chosen, valued, and cherished — no matter how long they stay.

👉🏻 Read the full post here: Guarding Your Heart As a Foster Parent