“Your Story” By: God

There are no words to describe A Night With Welcomed 2025, at least not for me. But I’ll try.

A Night With Welcomed this year was special. We often celebrate moments that are easy to mistake for the “end of the story”, and we forget that the story continues on even after we crystalize a story in the form of a video or cement our impact in the form of a stat.

And thank God that that story goes on. I think of all the ones who are stuck in patterns of behavior or ways of thinking, myself included often times in that number, and I thank God that life is dynamic that and growth and change are an important part of our stories.

I find sometimes in this work it’s hard to celebrate. We run into hard a lot, and oftentimes we are exposed to a situation we have no control over. Our only recourse is to pray (rather than our typical pray and do).

Many times we have to hold two opposing emotions at the same time. It seems like with every adoption or foster placement we celebrate, we are also mourning the situation that deemed the adoption or placement necessary. I find I need to hold these two opposing reactions to life at the same time more often than not.

Bitter - Sweet

Grief - Joy

Sadness - Hope

What we can see or observe - Faith

Hurt - Forgiveness

On this Night With Welcomed we celebrated the incredible privilege of witnessing—and taking part in—the work God is doing to care for vulnerable children in our own little corners of the world. And that doesn’t have two opposing feelings. That’s just joy.

Gaelin Elmore shared his story about journeying through the foster system and his discoveries along the way about how Belonging was a key element for him to really thrive in life. It was inspiring. As one attendee said, "I wish I had a notebook so I could've written down all the profound lessons he shared." I agree!

One impactful remark that I do remember and that was a theme of the night is that "[children in care] are not entitled to our 'yes.'" We have no cause to be offended when the help that we offer is not accepted, when we reach out our hand and it is batted away. 

So what will we do when we run into hard? Will we throw up our hands and say, "Oh well, we tried"? or will we try again and again and again, until these kids have a place where they belong? Gaelin said that belonging is achieved when we show up with our authentic selves and receive and thumbs up.

This Night With Welcomed, we recommitted to offering a thumbs up to these kids in need and to their authentic selves.

Let’s celebrate being a part of God’s work and let’s recommit to our “yes” as we serve vulnerable children and their families.

As for the logistics, financially, the night was a success. The event brought in $12,708 and we couldn't be happier!

We connected with many individuals who were inspired to serve and take that next step into their “yes.”

We had the pleasure of honoring foster families, even seeing one there surrounded (quite literally) with their care community at their table.

And we had the honor to be in the presence of such a caring crowd so determined to make a difference.

Praising God today that our story is yet being written and that He is the Author.