By Kristen Self, mom2mom committee member
I remember the day God dramatically changed the direction of my life and the path my young family was on. It was March 17, 2007. A sweet 4 month old baby boy needed a home for a while as his circumstances were tragic. I felt a tug on my heart when I heard about his story and wanted to help in what ever way God wanted to use me. It just happens that He chose me to be his forever mom.
With taking in Nathan that year my wise husband thought we should look into getting certified to be foster parents in the state of AZ. (At the time Nathan was placed with us by a friend and CPS was not directly involved.) As we faithfully attended the 10 week class God opened our hearts even more to the need of children in this state. We were heartbroken to discover there are 15,000 children currently removed from their homes/parents custody in AZ. That number is astonishing. We both felt like we had a stable, loving home and made the decision to take in up to two more kiddos. We were both set on only doing foster care. Neither one of us felt like we needed to expand our young family permanently. We were officially licensed 8mths after Nathan came to our home.
We chose to go through a local Christian organization, Christian Family Care Agency. It was a blessing to walk this unfamiliar road with other believers and know we were all on the same page in the call from God. The path was not always easy or smooth, in fact it is very bumpy and will test ALL your resolve in the Lord. CPS is a flawed system and not always easy to navigate but this is where we felt God wanted us to be that 'light" in the dark places. We had opportunity to meet birth parents of the children we fostered and love on them without judgement. We were sad by their choices but by loving their children, respecting who they were as these children's parents went a long way to reflect God's unconditional love. I have no idea their impression of me, but I prayed for them regularly. We were also blessed with one extraordinary CPS worker who made this process easier to swallow. I still have contact with her 2 yrs after the adoptions and I know I have made a friendship that lasts beyond this time in our lives. (Thank you facebook so we can keep in contact!)
To make a very long story short, God's ultimate plan for me was to be a mom to 5 amazing kids...two by birth and three born in my heart. Hannah, Nathan and Grace's adoptions were all final in 2011, a little more than 4yrs after that March day. I could not imagine my life any different. Are there days when I want to throw my hands up and say 'I quit!"? ABSOLUTLY! I am a mother with three special needs kids and God has given me the power to be their advocate in all circumstances and I treasure the responsibility. I see my all my kids embrace the way our family 'looks" on the outside with dignity and grace. We are raising them to the best of our ability. We desire children that know the Lord, believe in His divine provision for their lives and that He has made each of them unique and in His image. Our family verse..."For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you...plans to give you hope and a future." Jer. 29:2
I am happy to talk with anyone who has any questions, or feels this amazing call to their lives. It is not a path to walk alone. God can move mountains as I have learned over and over again, I just have to walk the path He has laid out in front of me.
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