Continuation: Desiring to Provide a Home 4 Good

Our story continues...

Obviously we had concerns about going through the foster care system. System kids were not just the offspring of an unwed mother wishing for more for her child; nor the offspring of a country fighting against national poverty, or political agendas against children. These kids came from very rough backgrounds, in our own backyard, backgrounds filled with abuse and neglect, backgrounds that only enhanced the survival instinct and caused it to manifest in possibly destructive ways. These kids did not have it easy, and I did. Why would I want to mess that up?

But as we talked, and prayed, and talked some more about the possibility, we asked ourselves questions that penetrated our (my) fear. Doesn't the Gospel warrant a call to love these kids as well? Are we not called to love the unlovable? Is that not exactly what God does with us? It is. Do I really think I am any less unlovable? So convinced that this was the path to pursue, we proceeded with wisdom.


We were linked up with a non-profit organization which served as a go-between for families and the Texas Department of Family Protective Services (the foster care system of Texas). Homes 4 Good not only provided all the training required by the state of Texas to bring a child into your home for foster care or adoption. They provide the home study necessary and they aid in ascertaining what type of child would fit best for your family situation. They want what is best for the child and what is best for the family and actively seek to make it so. They walk with their families throughout the entire process, regardless of what is involved or how long it takes. I highly recommend this agency.

We desired a sibling group of 2, because we knew it was difficult to find adoptive homes for sibling groups and often those who have lived together and loved each other their entire lives are split up. We wanted to help prevent that from happening another time by taking one of these groups. Also, because our youngest birth child was 5 at the time we began the process, we desired children 4 years of age or younger, or even better, 2 and under. We thought this would 1) help with the dynamics of bringing new children into the home by keeping the birth order in tact, and 2)help to prevent any destructive acting out against the boys. If the new kids were younger and much smaller than they were, it was unlikely that major harm could be done in a moment of fury. These were our only qualifications - everything else was open.

After our training (where I learned how to get out of a ponytail hold and other interesting defensive maneuvers) and home study were complete, it was time to wait. To wait for a call from Homes 4 Good with a possible match.

To be continued...