A duo from Longview, Texas, embarked on an unexpected journey that would alter their lives forever less than five years into their wedding. After getting married in Longview, a city of unevenlly100,000 people and Katie’s hometown, they quickly felt called to ministry.
There was a huge people gap only 100 people lived in the tiny urban O’Brien, Texas when the chance to speak at a small church there obtainable itself. After much prayer, they saw it as an open door, in spite Katie’s initial reluctance. In addition to tracking ministry calling, they moved west from Longview because of their developing interest in foster care, which was ignited while they were working by Buckner, a local ministry group.
They had viewed direct the hardships that children in Longview faced, counting poverty, neglect, and unstable home atmospheres. Before moving, the couple had begun the drawn-out development of obtaining a foster parent authorization from Buckner.
Following the transfer, they saved the licensing process and moved to Christian Homes in Abilene. A call that would change everything came to them shortly after, in December 2015.
They were asked to take in a two-month-old infant who was very sick. Jett was in the NICU at Cook Children’s in Fort value after being moved between hospitals due to a broken femur and methamphetamine use at natal. For once, the duo’s rural location was profitable to CPS, who was worried to find someone nearby. They felt called by the words, “Do as much good, to as many people as you can, today. “Regardless of their vision of nurturing older children, they agreed.
The skill in the hospital was devastating. Jett’s identity was secured and access was delimited due to his history of misuse. After being decided entry, nurses taught the couple how to take care of Jett, even though they had never had a baby before. Because Jett had a broken femur and was wearing a Pavlik connect, changing his nappy felt like defusing a bomb. With few medical options, the couple tried their best to comfort him from the tear jerking pain he experienced from daily movements.
They quickly became his safe haven despite their greenness. He eventually got well again and thrived thanks to their love and attention. However, the ensuing legal conflict caused even more tension. For years, the case was pulled through courtrooms as Jett’s paternal grandparents and biological parents fought for custody. More motions and appeals were filed even after a jury found in kindness of the couple. They were unable to legally adopt Jett until January 11, 2018, more than 821 days after they had first fetched him home.
Though the trip was monetarily, emotionally, and rationally difficult, it also brought the greatest joy. They learnt what it meant to genuinely love and serve by raising Jett. They commonly hear the statement, “I love kids too much to foster,” but they disagree. They think that the very aim to open your heart and home is because of deep love.
Foster care is one of the most physical appearances of love, but it’s also difficult it calls for faith, strength, and cost. In retrospect rum, they find it impossible to have snubbed. Their lives have been changed by Jett’s elasticity, joy, and laughter. He is worshipped by everyone who meets him, and his story serves as a forceful reminder of the difference that one “yes” can make.
This couple hopes that their journey will hearten others to think about adoption and adoptive care. They want people to see the reflective goodness that results from loving a child in need, despite the experiments. Saying “yes” meant they would have a son and be a part of something much bigger than they could have ever daydreamed.
