Conversation - with Maggie Priset - Being A Foster Sibling

 In this episode of Kingdom Conversations, we continue our Grace 6:8 series with a powerful twist. Pastor Robby interviews Maggie Priset, who offers a deeply personal look into life as a foster sibling. Through real-life experiences, Maggie shares both the challenges and the joys of opening her home and heart to children in foster care, and the unique responsibility she feels to reflect the love of Jesus in those moments. Her story is honest, inspiring, and a powerful reminder that ministry often begins right at home.

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:04

Welcome to the Church of the Lakes podcast, where our mission is connecting all to Christ to become healthy in God and courageous in love. In 2026, we're emphasizing a kingdom mindset and all of our ministries and missions by being more like Jesus and countercultural in our living. Today's podcast continues to highlight one of our many foster care ministries at Church of the Lakes, Grace 68. Let's join Pastor Robbie as he interviews Maggie Priestett for her perspective on being a foster sibling. Be blessed.

SPEAKER_02 0:39

Everybody, welcome into another Kingdom Conversations. Today we have a special treat. We're with one of our great foster siblings, Maggie Priestett, who is not only an accomplished pianist, a great student, wonderfully evolved in our youth, but obviously just an incredibly kind person who's working to tell us a little bit about what it means to be a foster sibling, especially as we have foster families in our church who are exploring what that means to serve the least, the last, and last. But Maggie, thanks for coming on today. I really appreciate it.

SPEAKER_01 1:11

Yeah, of course. Anytime.

SPEAKER_02 1:13

Yeah, I just, you know, it's so interesting to get your mom's perspective. Meredith uh certainly visited with us, and we get to listen to Jared every single week. But it's good to hear from the same part of the family, right?

SPEAKER_01 1:26

Yeah, I mean.

SPEAKER_02 1:28

Well, can you tell us a little bit about your experience as uh foster sibling? Most importantly, perhaps um, what did it look like when your parents first told you they were thinking about fostering? What how did they come out and tell you guys about that?

SPEAKER_01 1:43

Well, so my parents talked to each of my siblings and I separately, you know, to make sure we were on the same page, and like they would come up to us and be like, Hey, so we're feeling cold to start like fostering children, and basic they explained what would how that would go about. Like they'd be coming in, living with us, we wouldn't really know how long they would stay. And they were asking if I was okay with that. Um, and of course, I mean I'm gonna say yes, it's you know, I was gone to heaven as something. So I was like, of course. Plus, I like love to interact with new people, and I thought it was a great opportunity, and I just you know, I f spreading God's love. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 2:26

Yeah. So you had known what fostering is, probably to this point, because of some of the ministries we've done at the church, right? Yeah, like RFKC um certainly opened an avenue probably to teaching you a little bit about that. But I'm just so curious as to um when you were going through the training process, even before you had a foster sibling come into the home, what were some of the questions that were racing through your mind as to the logistics? Like, let's be real, Maggie, like you guys only have so many bedrooms and beds, and like certainly, you know, you're the oldest of three. Yeah. Like uh what were some of the things that were racing through your mind through that process?

SPEAKER_01 3:07

Well, I mean, before we had any kids, I didn't really know what it would exactly look like. I mean, I had an idea in my head, of course. And I mean, I guess some of the questions were like, where's everybody gonna stay? How many kids are we gonna get? How long are they gonna stay? And it wasn't, you know, until we actually started the process where these things kind of, you know, came clear. It's like, oh, we won't really know. It's like how like I guess one of the biggest questions I had was how much of a notice would we get before getting a kid? And I would say for our first kids that we got, we got like about like a week notice. Okay. Second kids we got like about a week notice, but like our third kid, it was like day of. Wow. And that's that's what it was like, oh. And then after that, the more kids we got, it was more like day of type things, and it was just like so this is how it usually is. And that was kind of intense because I could wake up every morning and be like, I could be getting a new sibling today.

SPEAKER_03 4:04

Wow.

SPEAKER_01 4:04

I might not. And so that I mean, that definitely was um something that I needed to adjust to.

SPEAKER_02 4:10

Yeah, because it's not just the logistics of it too, it's the emotional response to it as well, right?

SPEAKER_01 4:15

Oh, yeah, definitely.

SPEAKER_02 4:17

Yeah, accepting someone into the house certainly has to bring some different dynamics. Like, so uh for you, Maggie, what is the emotional response when someone new is introduced to you in the house? Like you're such a kind and loving person. I can't imagine you not accepting those moments with grace, but you know, it's gotta be hard, right? I mean, uh yeah, just uh, you know, exposing yourself to someone who's gonna be here today and gone tomorrow, right?

SPEAKER_03 4:46

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 4:46

What are some of those emotions that you go through? Um, especially when you love hard, uh, you know, all those types of things as a sibling.

SPEAKER_01 4:54

I mean, it definitely was hard emotionally because it it was definitely hard on my parents, I would say. Because it was like we didn't have many clothes supplies, because a lot of these kids came with like nothing but a backpack. And it was we needed like, you know, food, we needed extra supplies, extra clothing. It was like we didn't have all that resources, and when finding out day of, we can't we have no time to prepare. So that adjustment was really hard, especially when the kids come in and they're like already heartbroken, like you know, because they just got taken out of their homes. So that was definitely hard. I think what I do in situations, because from what I've seen myself too with um previous kids, is I d try and make them feel as welcome as possible. Because it's really hard to adjust to something that quickly and it's really scary. I mean, not even gonna sugarcoat it, but with having a sense of like feeling like, oh, this these people are nice, they're welcoming, they're you know, I feel like that just kind of re like reassures that oh I this is gonna be a safe place. At least it would to me. And so I try and spread that. My siblings and I, we try and spread that as much as we can to those kids who are coming in.

SPEAKER_02 6:06

Oh, that's awesome. You know, because that's all about you know, Maggie, you're so much more mature than I could have ever been at your age. Because like, whereas most kids are worried about themselves, what the next steps are in their own personal life, and certainly you've hit milestones over the last couple years with you know foster care, and it hasn't taken anything away from that. But certainly you've had to think and be more empathetic towards other people, especially as you accommodate more foster siblings into the home. Um, do you feel like you've sacrificed anything on a personal level because of that?

SPEAKER_01 6:38

Definitely. It's actually kind of funny because before we started foster care, I was a big introvert, and now I'm a complete opposite. It's so funny.

SPEAKER_02 6:46

I never I never call you an introvert. That's so interesting.

SPEAKER_01 6:50

Yeah, because I think it's because I had to sacrifice a lot of like my time, like just myself in general, because a lot of these kids, you don't really get time by yourself. I mean, let's say there's like two kids that come in, it's a whole packed house. I since I'm the oldest, I needed to really step it up and be act in a way like a third parent, and I needed to like really help these kids. And I mean, I would say it helped me become a lot more independent, and like it really helped me with like my personal growth. And um, yeah, it was just it was a lot, there's a lot of sacrifices to be made, but in the end it's like if I had to do it all over again, I totally would because they were all worth it.

SPEAKER_02 7:33

That's really cool, Maggie. Uh it's gotta be hard though when you think about the process of going through and kids going in and out. Um, you know, as a as a sibling, like, has this helped you grow closer to your own biological siblings? And in what way would that be if the if so?

SPEAKER_01 7:53

Definitely. I mean, you know, every sibling comes to a point in their life where they're kind of annoying.

SPEAKER_02 7:58

I know that feeling.

SPEAKER_01 7:59

Yeah. But I mean, I feel like now my siblings and I are at a point where it's like I know they're there for me. Like I can go to them if I need anything. And I've they they feel like more of like friends than they do siblings, which I really appreciate because I mean in the beginning it definitely was difficult for all of us because it was like, you know, we kind of want our own personal time. But I feel like now, since we're more used to it, it's like we're growing together as a family rather than trying to do our own personal, you know?

SPEAKER_02 8:29

Yeah. So throughout the whole entire process of fostering Meredith, your mom was telling us that so often, like at the beginning, trying to make ends meet was organically reaching out to people and asking for help from either at the church or whether that was at uh you know, at her work or you know, in your dad's the same way. Um how how have you seen the transition change as you've started to see the church come alongside you through Grace 6A? It's not that the church wasn't there for you necessarily, right? But there's certainly more defined structure. Like what's what's some of the think about some of the people in your own care community, Maggie. Who who was uh not necessarily naming names, but what are some of the activities that they've helped make uh that have really left an impact on you, especially as you have kids like you said, show up in a day's notice, right? I'm sure the care community has helped out with some of the logistics of that, right?

SPEAKER_01 9:23

I would say uh one of the two of the biggest things that really help is probab is giving rides, like offering rides to like take, I don't know, this kid too from to soccer practice, lacrosse practice, and g offering meals for dinner. Because there's many nights where it's like we have nothing, you know, we we don't have really have time because there's like seven kids in the house. It's like you know, we don't really have time. My mom doesn't have time to cook, she's running everybody everywhere. I mean, I can drive now, so it's a lot easier, but I wasn't able to.

SPEAKER_02 9:55

Only only a couple of weeks ago, even right? Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 9:59

So um it was definitely stressful. So having people like come out and like step up and be like, I'm willing to take this kid to practice, or I'm willing to make you guys dinner one night, it really helps. And it it might seem like it's something small, but it definitely makes a m it makes a massive impact.

SPEAKER_02 10:15

Oh wow, awesome. Um, and I know you know it can be difficult to certainly know that you have to go here, there, and everywhere all at the same time. Um, but I'm sure it makes you kind of excited to even take a step further. Being able to drive certainly is a huge challenge and a huge responsibility and stuff, but you'll be able to help partner with your parents on doing something.

SPEAKER_01 10:39

Oh, yeah, 100%. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 10:40

Yeah, that's that's fantastic. Man, you're you're such an outward thing. Maggie, so many people in our world, and I'm not talking about youth, I'm talking like adults too. We look in the mirror and we stare too long, looking at ourselves, and like your orientation is to look out and look at the world and fill needs. But that I mean, do you feel a sense of responsibility with that as being the oldest sibling? Do you you know, is that like because Maggie, I gotta tell you that I'm the youngest. I was the pain in the rear to my two older siblings forever, you know.

SPEAKER_01 11:14

I mean, I there's definitely a response sense of responsibility there. I definitely, you know, when we started doing foster care, at least I definitely had to step it up because I at the same time I like didn't want to see my parents trying to do anything. So I had that sense of like I also need to help out. And it wasn't at the point where it's like I feel like I was burning with everything, but like I knew that like, hey, I can at least do this much. Like I can at least like help them with their math homework or help like or like play with them in the backyard or something small like that, so I my parents have time to like refresh, relax, or like have time to do something else. And I defin that definitely helped them out a lot. And there was a lot of responsibility that went with it, but I'm glad because it made me become more of a responsible person. And that definitely has helped me like where I am today.

SPEAKER_02 12:03

Well, part of that responsibility is uh serving within the church context. Like, um, do you think being involved in the foster care network has maybe uh enlightened you to some spiritual discipline that you hadn't known before or spiritual blessing that you didn't know before? Like has it illuminated an avenue in which you want to pursue, maybe as even like a career field? Because you're getting to that age where you gotta be thinking about the future, right?

SPEAKER_01 12:31

Yeah. Um, I mean, I would say a hundred percent. I feel like it really helps me like reach out because I used to be really, really shy and it wasn't good, but like this really helped me like you know, expand my wings, like you know, meet and talk with new people, become more extroverted. And with that, I would say I've become more of an evangelist. And I mean, there's so many people that I've spread the gospel to, or the Holy Spirit has used me to spread the gospel to. And I don't know if I could have done that if I didn't already have that background of like you know, having to connect with people.

SPEAKER_02 13:06

I always give your dad a hard time, Maggie, because uh it's not like he don't I want everyone to hear this. Jared is not a bad evangelist, however, he is not the best evangelist in his own family, right? I mean, what come on, Maggie? I see you pulling people into Jesus all the time, whether that's in conversation, because you have this natural way of of connecting with people. Um, and like I would consider you what Mr. Rogers, one of my favorite PBS shows growing up, is look for the help. He used to say look for the helpers. Yeah, look for the people who would reach out and help others. And that's like natural to you. That's not always natural to us as a spiritual gift. And like as an evangelist, like I which I would definitely call you that.

SPEAKER_03 13:51

Thank you.

SPEAKER_02 13:52

Yeah, well, here's the thing: you reach out to people in a non-confrontational manner and share them a message that's worth giving them. And whereas, like, sure, Pastor Robbie likes to connect with people through sports, like the end goal is not to just talk about sports to the end of time, it's to get to something more meaningful and make that connection elsewhere. Um, Maggie, if you would say to any family that's looking into joining into the foster care networks, whether that's here locally, whether that's at Hope Bridge, whether that's regionally, so on and so forth, what would what would you tell other uh families about why they should go into the foster care ministry, what they can do? Because it doesn't necessarily have to be having yeah, exactly. There's lots of different avenues to help. What what words of encouragement would you give them?

SPEAKER_01 14:40

Something I would definitely say to those considering it would be, I would say go for it. I mean, there's not really anything you can lose. I mean, if you are too scared to be like, I don't know if I'm gonna be able to, you know, financially provide or you know, fully support kids coming in, there's always other options. Like you can do respite, you can be involved in care communities, and those help just as much. It's they really they immaculately help the foster families, and I mean I can speak from experience. So really if you are will w if sorry, if you're wanting to raise kids and like help, you know, help kids in the foster care system in a way of like taking them in, go for it. I mean, it really helped me. I feel like it really helped my family, and I would say it's one of the best experiences that's ever happened to me. But if you're not pre really ready for that, there's other things you can do that are just as important.

SPEAKER_02 15:37

Yeah, Maggie, thank you so much for today's time and you kind of exploring with us a little bit, but I do I do have to ask some personal questions now.

SPEAKER_01 15:45

Of course.

SPEAKER_02 15:46

Oh, because it's fun and I got you here. Um when you think about your own faith journey um and the way that you feel the spirit leading you, maybe not necessarily in this moment, but in the specifically to the future, do you anticipate that fostering will forever be something that's a part of your life?

SPEAKER_01 16:05

I mean, I honestly I I mean I hope that it's not like an issue when I'm an adult, but I know it will be. And I when I if when I become an adult and hopefully when I get married and have my own children, I want my kids to grow up doing the foster care system like I did it. Wow. And because I thought it was a really good experience, and I it helps the children and also helps you as an the individual fostering. I want my children to be able to also experience that because it really benefited me and it really benefits those kids. So I definitely would say that I want to be involved in that.

SPEAKER_02 16:42

Awesome. Maggie, this is something that you've obviously um with your parents and your family, your two siblings, how you know you guys have oriented your life into serving others. But uh, I just want to say a word of encouragement for you and how proud I am of the person that you're becoming, because certainly it's not over. We're all growing and being shaped by God each and every day. But um, Maggie, I couldn't be more proud of you and all the ways that you handle tough situations, especially as kids come and go. Um, but I know that uh as your family grows, um, you know, there are opportunities for you to continue that growth and maturity and spreading the gospel to them. Um and what better witness can that be, right? Yeah, I'm just so excited for what God has called for you for your life, and thanks for your time today.

SPEAKER_00 17:27

Thank you so much for inviting me. Thanks for listening to this episode from Church of the Lakes. If today's message encouraged you and helped you grow as a devoted follower of Christ, we invite you to subscribe so you never miss an episode. You can also help others discover this podcast by leaving a five-star rating or review and sharing it with your friends, family, coworkers, and others in your circle of influence. We're also grateful for your generosity, which helps make messages like this available to more people. If you feel led to give, please check the link in the description. And if you're in the Canton, Ohio area, we would love to invite you to join us in person on Sunday and worship together. To learn more about Church of the Lakes, visit Churchofthelakes.org or click the web link in the description. Until next time, stay encouraged and keep walking in faith.