Testimonies
About 2-1/2 years ago I received a phone message from a local foster agency asking if I would consider fostering a child. Being a licensed child care provider, they got my name from the provider list. I didn’t return the call immediately, but prayed about it and talked to my family at length.
That was almost 2 years ago, and we had no idea what the Lord had in store for us.
We decided as a family that it might be nice to foster a child. After finishing the licensing process, we received a call asking us to foster 3 siblings that were living in separate homes. The county was trying to unite these siblings into one home. I was shocked, because I certainly didn’t expect 3 children. The agency worker pleaded her case, and my husband and I decided to give it a try.
That was almost 2 years ago, and we had no idea what the Lord had in store for us. I have been blessed with four children of my own: Cody 25, Nick 21, Cassie 19. and Emily 13. My husband Jim has three: Ashley 29, Amanda 18, and Kyle 13. Never in a million years would we imagine that at the ages of 55 (my husband) and 45 (myself) we would be taking on permanent responsibility for a 7 year-old, a 4-year-old, and a 2 year-old.
But we all know that our plans are not always His plans. These children came into our family from the very first day with smiles on their faces, and every one of us fell in love with them. Adoption and permanence was the obvious choice.
The adoption process is tedious... But the reward for us has been two beautiful sons and an adorable daughter.
The adoption process is tedious. It causes a little bit of stress. But the reward for us has been two beautiful sons and an adorable daughter. Adoption Day was so special! Our family and friends shared our special day! Although the two younger ones were basically clueless about what was going on, the 7-year-old smiled all day. Judge Ulloa asked him if he knew what adoption was and if he wanted to be adopted. He was too shy to speak, but his head bobbed up and down as he smiled that huge, toothless smile, and everyone in the courtroom got a bit teary-eyed.
I thank God that He has given us these three children to love. We have the privilege of raising them in a Christian home. We have the joy of taking them to church and teaching them about Christ’s love. And we have the awesome opportunity and responsibility to teach them about loving and serving others. Most of all I thank God for revealing His plans to us, and for giving us the wisdom to follow His lead.
We are so richly blessed.
Read more testimonies here.