Seeing the child transform while here. There is a gap in preparing kids for the world. We get to fill that gap with kindness, grace, mercy, structure and understanding.

Finding a balance between your family and the boys. You have to keep your marriage and your relationships with your biological family healthy while also being very invested in the boys.

Willie: I immediately LOVED houseparenting. I was in 7th heaven. I invested all my time in the boys and loved every minute of it. However, I soon realized that I got on the roller coaster, but forgot my partner. She was trying to find her place in the house with the boys and I was telling her to come over instead of taking her hand, supporting her, and leading her there.

Gwen: The depth of relationships we have with kids. We have made life long connections with children we worked with 15 years ago.

You must BOTH desire to do this work. It is not babysitting. You will be challenged and stressed beyond what you can imagine, but the joy of the Lord can be your strength. It is a labor, but if you know WHO is driving you, You can be used by God and find such purpose in the work.