We had going a lot in these recent years. Katie and I tied the knot in her hometown of Longview, Texas. Almost a year after we got married, I knew I wanted to be a pastor. We started praying about it and sent several resumes.
Courtesy Chas & Katie Shira
In December 2014, when I was visiting my hometown, a retired pastor asked me to preach at a small church in O’Brien, Texas, a town with 100 people. After I delivered my sermon, they invited us to contemplate becoming their pastoral family. Initially, Katie was uncertain, but after much prayer, we realized this was the correct direction. We departed Longview and traveled five hours to the west.
Courtesy Chas & Katie Shira
While in Longview, we worked with Buckner to help kids in need and started the process to become licensed foster-to-adopt parents. After moving, we had to start over a new agency called Christian Homes in Abilene.
On December 11, 2015, we received a call regarding a critically ill baby named Jett. At two months old, he was born with drugs in his body and has a broken leg. Though we thought we had adopt older kids, we said yes.
Courtesy Chas & Katie Shira
We visited the hospital, where he was registered under a false name for security. Nurses show us how to take care of him, though we did not have much experience with babies, especially one wearing a special harness for his broken leg.
The starting months with Jett were very difficult. He was hurting, and we were too uncertain about what lay ahead. Slowly, he began to recover and even started to grin. However, Jett remained a foster child, which meant we needed to bring him to meetings with his birth family.
Courtesy Chas & Katie Shira
Eventually, Child Protective Services (CPS) informed us that his parents wished to have him returned. Yet, no one was able to clarify how his leg had become fractured. We were worried and decided to ask for a trail that was best for Jett.
Following five days in court, the jury ruled to award us complete custody. However, the legal proceedings had not concluded. For several months, there were additional motions and hearings. In fact, on January 11, 2018, after 821 days in foster care, Jett became our legal son.. We chose the middle name Brien for him, inspired by the small town from which he originated.
Since that time, we relocated to Coleman, Texas, where I am a pastor at a newly established church. Katie and I feel thankful to be parents to Jett and are now anticipating our first biological baby.
Courtesy Chas & Katie Shira
Foster care presents difficulties and is a mix of joy and sorrow, yet it has shaped our identity. We genuinely believe that every child merits a nurturing home, and we are consistently prepared to welcome a child who requires support.
