“God takes you to unexpected places when you ask for guidance.”
This is the story of how God moved me out of my comfort zone and brought Ashley into our family through foster care and adoption.
The Beginning: Shyley’s Request for a Sister
After one year of living with our first adopted daughter, Shyley, she began asking for a sister. My wife and I prayed for God to show us the way, but I was already going through so many changes in my life that I was reluctant to face another one.
From Teacher to New Beginnings
In the previous year, my boss of fourteen years retired, and my 6th grade teaching position at my elementary school was moved to the local middle school. I had dedicated my heart and soul to that school and never imagined I would leave. But, I was wrong. My new boss didn’t guarantee me a position at my current school, so I transferred to a new site. This change meant I had to build new curriculum, make new friendships with the teachers, and establish new relationships with families. It felt like there were too many changes happening all at once.
A Heartfelt Connection with Ashley
God guided me through that first year at the new school, and during that time, I started to see glimpses of my future daughter. A cute little blonde girl, in 3rd grade, would occasionally say hello to me. My daughter Shyley would even have conversations with her during recess. My heart broke when, on the last day of school, I saw that no one was there to pick her up. That’s when I first heard her name – Ashley. In that moment, I prayed that this little girl would be taken care of.
God’s Timing
Over that summer, my wife and I decided to request another foster child. We were told that a girl in my new school needed placement. Her name was Ashley, and she was in 3rd grade. It couldn’t be the same little girl I had seen that last day of school, could it? It was.
A Permanent Place in Our Family
After just over six months of fostering, we decided to take Ashley in as a permanent member of our family. It took God moving me out of my comfort zone and into an entirely new situation to make this adoption possible. My advice to others is to always look for the reason behind God’s changes in your life. What doesn’t make sense one day might turn out to be one of the biggest blessings you will ever receive.
The Power of Faith and Hope in the Fostering Journey
Keep up the faith, burn with hope and continually share God’s love.
– Mark
Interested in becoming a foster parent in Arizona? Learn more about how you can open your home to a child in need at abcsfostercare.com.
Learn more about Arizona Baptist Children’s Services & Family Ministries.
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