Foster Profile: Emily Walrod

Over the next few weeks I want to share some awesome people with you. The people you will read about are amazing and normal at the same time.  They are people in different life circumstances and of different ages that have made the decision to foster and/or adopt.

Our first person is Emily Walrod.  She is single and is at the very beginning of her foster care journey.

If Emily's story makes you curious about becoming a foster parent here is a good link to check out today: https://iowafosterandadoption.org

1) Tell me about your journey into foster care.

I have always loved kids. At the age of 37 I came to the realization that having biological kids of my own was probably not in the cards for me. I knew I wanted to love on kids and to help them grow as human beings. I had the opportunity to meet several families who are foster parents and have metchildren in the foster system. 

2) What moment took this from a "good thing you should do sometime" to something you were actually going to do? 

The moment that I decided to become a foster parent was when I moved into my house a few years ago. I had so much space for one person. Also it was when I was watching a family I am close friends with who had a little one and I got to watch the love they had for their little one.

3) What have you learned about yourself through this so far?

I have learned that I am not fit for working with older children. I also found out just how attached I am to my family though this process.

4) What have you learned about God in this?

I have learned that God provides through everything. I have learned that when I am the most scared I need to rely more and more on God daily. 

5) How has this impacted your family?

I am single so it hasn’t affected my close family. My parents and brother have been very supportive of my decision after lots and lots of questions and fears.

6) Was there a moment you wanted to back out?

Not yet.

7) Is there a verse or passage you go back to in order to endure in this?

Esther 4:14- "Perhaps you were born for such a time as this."

8) How do you make decisions about what children to take into your home?

I trust my heart, look at the age of the child, behaviors, if they are in school, etc. So far I havent had a placement.

9) Would you recommend others do foster care? Why?

Yes I would recommend others to take a chance on a child. Take the chance because you will never know the different you can make in a child’s life. How you could change the course of their life by being with them during a difficult time in their lives.