Our Beginnings
In late spring of 2010, unbeknownst to her, God would begin to move in Candace Cartwright’s heart and mind to have her consider foster care and adoption. When it all became clear what was being asked of her, she was less than thrilled with the idea.
Candace and her husband, Tim, had just had their third biological child and the busyness of life and small children threatened to eat her alive. She argued with God, “Don’t you see me? I’m drowning! No way I could do that.”
But God persisted.
A year later, after some major metaphorical childish foot stomping, and very real arguing with God’s plan, the Cartwright’s attended their first foster care interest meeting. The duo left the meeting—one very on board, and one still very much a no.
Sure, it was sad. Hundreds of kids in our very own community needed homes? That was devastating. But surely there was some other way to help, Candace thought, surely she didn’t have to open her home and expose her own children to that devastation or become attached to a child only to have them leave. How could she have a front row seat to such severe travesties against children? She didn’t think she’d survive it. She didn’t trust that God was looking out for her and her family by asking her to do something that seemed so hard. Surely, this would destroy them. **Candace tends towards the dramatic. ** But with the ever-present nudging (read badgering) of her husband, and the willingness to “just take the next step of obedience,” the two began their training to become licensed foster parents. Fast forward to September 2015, the Lord had graciously (thankfully) changed a heart to agree with His. After being placed with a child 2 years before, the Cartwright’s adopted their son, Owen.
Candace naively thought their foster care journey was over.
But in early 2016, God began to move again. This time the answer wasn’t no, but rather, how? With no extra time, money, training, or skill, Candace wondered just how she could do what He seemed to be asking. How could she help? Where would she start? Who would watch these four children while she did anything? But after years of being involved in the foster care system, she leaned into her mantra of: “just take the next step of obedience.” She had seen the faithfulness of the Lord first-hand. She wasn’t as apt to doubt this time.
The idea for “My Very Own Bag” was brought about by the Cartwright’s first placement who came to them with
all his things thrown into a small trash bag.
Again, unbeknownst to her, God started what would become Foster Love Bell County. The little group that was started on Facebook with not much vision or forethought quickly grew, and before long Candace knew she needed more help. She assembled a group of professionals and like-minded people who not only showed passion, but action, for those in the foster care system in Bell County. This group formed into a non-profit in the summer of 2017.
The little idea had snowballed.
God had His way.
The entire story of FLBC could fill a book that is still being written. Candace is beyond thankful that a girl with “no extra time, money, training, or skill” simply had to put a “yes” on the table for God to work. This organization is His. May He guide, direct, and bless Foster Love to make an impact on the foster care system in Bell County and for His glory for all the days to come.
To request a speaking event with our founder, Candace Cartwright, click here.