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Motherhood for Ashlie, an employee and member of First Electric, did not unfold the way she once imagined. Instead, it came through foster care, heartbreak, restoration and moments that later revealed God’s hand at work.

Her journey began with a little girl who entered her home through foster care. What was expected to become a permanent placement and the beginning of Ashlie’s long-awaited story of motherhood eventually shifted toward reunification with the child’s biological mother. Saying goodbye was painful, but Ashlie chose grace over bitterness. She maintained a relationship with the child’s mother and continued loving the little girl from a different place.

That same mother later honored Ashlie by nominating her for Foster Family of the Year, recognizing the love, stability and care she had provided during one of the most difficult seasons of her child’s life.

Still, after the little girl left, Ashlie struggled with unanswered questions, wondering why God would allow such deep love only to end in separation.

Months later, an unexpected call came about a baby boy being fostered by a friend. What began as occasional visits slowly became something undeniable. He did not feel temporary. He felt like home.

As their bond grew, Ashlie knew she was being called not just to care for him, but to fight for him — to give him a forever family. Through a long legal process, countless prayers and the support of family, she held tightly to hope. Then, in April 2025, surrounded by loved ones in a courtroom, Ashlie heard a judge confirm what her heart already knew: this child was her son.

But God’s story was not finished.

Later, her son’s biological mother gave birth to a baby girl who also entered foster care. Ashlie once again felt called to step in. For a season, the siblings were together under her roof, and she loved them both deeply. Eventually, after growth and healing in the biological mother’s life, the baby girl was reunited with her family. Once again, Ashlie had to let go.

But this time she understood. The first little girl taught her love through transition. The baby girl taught her how to release love with hope. And her son became the reminder that some children are placed in your life to stay forever.

To Ashlie, none of it was accidental. Her journey became a testimony that God’s plans rarely unfold the way we expect, but often far more beautifully than we imagined.