Our Foster Story

I was rushed to the hospital after finding out I was pregnant and there were complications.  The doctors discovered I had an ovarian pregnancy, which had ruptured, requiring immediate surgery.  A couple of days after the surgery I was sent home. The doctor stated I should not become pregnant, because the risk was too high.  Contrary to doctor’s beliefs, but right in order with Gods plan, I was blessed with a beautiful baby girl a little over a year later.  After the delivery, the doctor advised us not to try to have other children, because the risk was still there. 
 
Several years went by, and from time to time we would discuss our desire for other children.  Our daughter was about 8 years old, at the time and she was constantly asking for a little brother or sister.  In an effort to fill our desires, we began taking classes through another foster care organization.  This organization seemed to have very little support for foster/adoptive families, and the impression was given that foster children could destroy a family in many ways.  Approximately one month later, we walked away from the organization discouraged, frustrated, and a bit irritated at the way our training was presented.  We knew in our hearts that there had to be something better available, something to fulfill the desires in our hearts to help children in need.

Two years later the Lord allowed us to discover an organization by the name of Grandfather Homes for Children.  Soon after, a trainer from Grandfather Homes came to our home.  She explained to us the foster/adoption process, and discussed the Christian based standards they wanted their families to strive to maintain.  She also explained how the organization itself was a ministry, and that they would provide support for each of their foster families in any way possible.  (We are currently beginning our 4th year and we can strongly testify to this)  At the end of the meeting she asked us to continue praying about this ministry, and to make sure God was leading us that way, and she would do the same.  A few days later, we began our 1st set of workbooks working toward our foster license and foster experience.

Our licensing process was completed in January, 2005.  On Feb. 28, 2005, two little boys ages 1 ½ and 4, came to live with us.  We quickly came to love the boys, and considered them a member of our family.  Everything went well for about 4 months, then the 4 year old began acting violently at times, and began showing signs of learning disabilities.  Our case manager and other support staff from Grandfather Homes met with us several times to discuss the best resolution for not only the children, but us also.  This was a trying time for our family, because we initially entered this with the intent of adopting.  After about a month, everyone realized it was best for the boys to be put with a Therapeutic Family.  Soon after, we realized that adoption might not be for us at this time, and that we should just try to love and provide for whatever children God sent our way.

We have been with Grandfather Homes for Children for about 4 years.  Since allowing God to have his way in our lives concerning this situation, he has blessed us with a total of 31 different children!  We have adopted 2 children, have 1 pending adoption.  These children came into our home February 2006.  The little girls adoption became official on September 11, 2007 and her brothers adoption will be final in February 2008.  Although these children had health and emotional issues from their previous home,  we are happy to report  they are almost 3 and 4 years old and are doing as well as most  children their age.  We have also had 8 emergency placements, and were honored to do respite for 14 children.  There have been trying times, but God has never failed to see us through.  We have no regrets, because God has always carried us through.                   
Proverbs 3:5-6 says:
       
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understandings.
        In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

People frequently say, “I could never do that.”  “I couldn’t stand to let them go.” Our answer is Gods grace is sufficient.”  How can we not share the love for children that God has placed in out hearts?  He first loved us, and he willingly sent his only begotten Son to this earth to die for our sins.  We usually end up asking them, “How can we not open our homes to these children?”