05/27/2026
In honor of Foster Care Awareness Month, we wanted to highlight a foster parent who says “yes” to emergency placements at any time of the day or night.
We’d love for you to meet Terynn Friesen.
“I have received four emergency placements so far, and each time the call comes unexpectedly. Usually I’m asked, ‘Can you take 1–2 children today?’ As long as they are within my approved age range, my answer is yes.
The moment I get the call, I pray, text or call my husband Jeff, and head to the garage to prepare. I install car seats, move cribs or toddler beds into place, check our formula supply, and quickly place a Target order and reach out to James Storehouse for anything we may need like clothing, diapers, or essentials. Then I either pick everything up on my way to get the children or on the drive home with them.
The hardest part is the waiting and the unknown. Sometimes I get a call at 6 a.m. but don’t pick the children up until 4 p.m. Other times, I receive a call at 8 p.m. and leave immediately. I usually meet a social worker at a medical clinic or even a public parking lot, sign a few papers, and head home.
Most of the children arrive with almost nothing… often just the clothes they are wearing and maybe a bottle.
I’ve learned not to overprepare too quickly and instead take the first few days one step at a time. I also always try to send children home with clothing, bottles, toys, and formula to support their biological families whenever possible.
Before each placement, I spend time praying and listening to worship music. I try to prepare my heart for whatever these children may have experienced and for whatever the first night may hold.”
Foster parents like Terynn remind us that sometimes love looks like saying yes in the middle of the unknown. It looks like late nights, open hands, prepared hearts, and creating safety for children during some of the hardest moments of their lives. 🥹
