As we prepare to step away from our role as houseparents, Chase and I find ourselves overwhelmed with a mix of emotions- gratefulness, love, sadness, and peace. This journey has been nothing short of transformative, not only for the girls who have come through our doors but for us as individuals, as a couple, and as a family. We came into this role wide-eyed, prayerful, and eager to love well. We didn’t know what all this would entail, but we knew we were being called to walk alongside families, to be a safe place, and to love these teenage girls through both their storms and their sunshine. What we found was more than a calling—it was a home built not by bricks, but by late-night talks, healing tears, shared prayers, and unconditional love. To the girls who lived under our roof, thank you. You changed us. You taught us more than we ever expected to learn—about resilience, about forgiveness, and about the power of showing up daily, even on the hard days. We saw you face fears, push through grief, and open your hearts despite all the reasons you had not to. We watched you grow—not just in age, but in strength, in faith, and in confidence. Each of you carried a story that was uniquely yours, and we are honored to have been trusted with a few chapters of it. Some of our sweetest memories will always be the everyday moments. The kitchen being filled with music and laughter while we cooked and prepped dinner together. We will always cherish the times when we gathered around the table on Friday nights for a competitive board game, laughing over who was the most dramatic during Herd Mentality or the most competitive in Sushi Go. Lets not forget loading up the van for our bi-weekly Speed Burger dinner runs (because let’s be honest, nothing beats a Thursday night chicken tender meal and sometimes milkshakes with y’all). Those little rhythms became sacred. We will always remember the countless van rides filled with singing and conversations, and even the hard days when tears turned into breakthrough. They were moments of connection, comfort, and joy that we’ll always carry with us. Chase had a way of connecting with you all through so many different ways. Whether it was jump-scaring you from behind corners or cracking a dry joke at just the right moment, he was always ready with a listening ear, a calm spirit, and a heart that never stopped caring. As for me, well, I’ve laughed with you, cried with you, prayed over you, and walked every step with the heart of a mama. Together, we’ve watched as some of you started to believe in your worth, find your voice, and step into who God created you to be. That has been the greatest joy of all. We will always be so thankful that God orchestrated for our paths to cross and for each of you to come into our home and carve a positive pathway for your future. We’ve always been so proud of each and every one of you. While we may no longer be in the same physical space, our prayers, our hearts, and our love remain with each of you. You are deeply loved. You are never alone. You will always have a place in our story. To the team and staff at The Joy House, thank you for walking with us in ministry. Your support on the tough days, your encouragement during transitions, and your dedication to these girls made this work possible. We’ve learned so much from being in community with you, about faith, teamwork, and what it really means to love like Jesus. As we turn this page, please know we don’t take this goodbye lightly. It’s not just a job we’re leaving behind, it’s pieces of our hearts that will stay rooted in every memory, every lesson, and every girl who left her mark on our lives. This season will always be one of the most meaningful we’ve ever experienced, and we know it was God-ordained from the beginning. |