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Bullied 6th Grader’s Tears Turn to Joy After Community Rallies to Sign His Yearbook

Brody Ridder's Yearbook Heartbreak The end of the school year...

Friend Says “Of All People, You Should Get Why Someone Would Abort a Cleft Baby”—Dad’s Reply Is Perfect

"My ‘friend’ said, ‘Come on, of all people, you should get why someone would want to abort a cleft baby.’ That shocked me. Why would he think that?"

During a Kitchen Dance Party, Foster Mom Hears Heartfelt Words: ‘I Miss My Other Daddy’

"I felt the tug on my sleeve and looked down to find him standing motionless. His mouth was moving but I couldn’t make out his words. His quiet body in the noisy room caught me off guard. I bent down to find his voice."

“Today Was Mommy Day & She Didn’t Come”: 3-Year-Old Sobs in Target After Mom Doesn’t Show Up

When she asked what she could do to help make it better, his simple answer just WRECKED her:

“With the clarity and wisdom of a much older soul he said, ‘a hug Mama, you make it better.’

“(Cue shattered heart and tears),” added Julianna:

“There in the Target aisle at 8:25 p.m. we sat holding on and reminding each other that this road is hard and the price tag is great, but it is here in the depths of broken hearts we find hope. Hope to believe in love again. Hope for our parents. Hope for our healing. Hope to open our hearts. Hope to keep going, despising addiction, hurt and loss, knowing that in the midst of it all, we have found each other.”

Throughout her journey of fostering and adopting children, Julianna says the lesson she’s learned is that she can’t take the pain away or change the past, but what she can do is “hold on tight making the ache a little less.”

“I can stand in the gap where bio parents are unable to in their brokenness,” she shared, “Reminding these little souls that they are desperately loved, known and seen. Reminding us all that there is hope and to never lose sight of that.”

**See more from Julianna on her website My Joyful Broken Heart

Kelsey Straeter
Kelsey Straeter
Kelsey is an editor at Outreach. She’s passionate about fear fighting, freedom writing, and the pursuit of excellence in the name of crucifying perfectionism. Glitter is her favorite color, 2nd only to pink, and 3rd only to pink glitter.

Bullied 6th Grader’s Tears Turn to Joy After Community Rallies to Sign His Yearbook

Brody Ridder's Yearbook Heartbreak The end of the school year is supposed to be an exciting time with friends. Kids sign each other's yearbooks and...

Friend Says “Of All People, You Should Get Why Someone Would Abort a Cleft Baby”—Dad’s Reply Is Perfect

"My ‘friend’ said, ‘Come on, of all people, you should get why someone would want to abort a cleft baby.’ That shocked me. Why would he think that?"

During a Kitchen Dance Party, Foster Mom Hears Heartfelt Words: ‘I Miss My Other Daddy’

"I felt the tug on my sleeve and looked down to find him standing motionless. His mouth was moving but I couldn’t make out his words. His quiet body in the noisy room caught me off guard. I bent down to find his voice."