Almost exactly 12 months after our first contact with Christian Homes, we were back. Older, wiser, and growing more impatient by the day. ;)
They had an orientation coming up! Could we get everything in on time?!?
No matter where we go in life, there will always be such a special place in my heart for our church family at Western Hills in Fort Worth. Our friends did not hesitate one minute when we called desperately trying to get references submitted by the deadline.
A little more about Christian Homes: in 1962, 'Christian Homes of Abilene', a ministry of Highland Church of Christ, provided foster care for young needy children. In 1975, a similar ministry began in Tyler by the Glenwood Church of Christ. This one was called 'Christian Services of East Texas' and focused on children rescued from neglect and abuse. The agencies merged in 1999 and by 2006 was operating under the current name "Christian Homes and Family Services". There are many different agencies and avenues to adopt a child. However, this organization spoke to my heart in their care and ministry to the birth mothers. They are provided free prenatal care, an apartment (when needed), food, clothing, counseling, etc...These costs are not passed on to the adoptive families! The mothers work with their case workers on identifying what is best for their baby. They identify key elements they want for their child. They are shown profiles of couples who match their criteria and make a list of the top three. If the first couple agrees, a match meeting is held and birth mother/caseworker/adoptive couple/adoptive caseworker discuss expectations and compatibility. If everyone agrees, great. If not, the process repeats with the other two choices. If you haven't noticed, these adoptions are all open; however, there are varying degrees of openness. More on that at a later time!
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