When I first entered the foster care arena, I actually thought I could save a child. I thought that I could pour love into a poor, little child and their lives would be fixed. I thought LOVE could fix anything and I also thought I was a pretty good parent. And then, we started to receive placements. I’ll never forget… Read More
I have felt the deep pain and hurt of rejection by the church. When we first decided to adopt Israel, we met with the pastoral staff at the church we were attending. I was so excited to share what we were doing and honestly believed they would be excited as well. My husband tried without success to temper my expectations,… Read More
It’s like running with scissors, we’ve all heard this warning in grade school while picturing the first hapless victim who ran and fell. A schoolyard martyr born from a cautionary real-life tale so the rest of us could remain safe. There are similar warnings in foster care and adoption, urban legends mixed with grains of truth. Stay far from the… Read More
She was 5-years-old with dirt stained, knobby knees protruding from shorts that were a few sizes too big. Her thick, black hair was caught in a pink, plastic barrette. The grime on her legs and arms was layers deep from being homeless and camping in the woods. I knelt down to greet her, but she spun past me and whirled… Read More
“Bio kid”, that’s what I am called at times. I am a bio kid and so is my brother, Silas, because we are surrounded by adopted siblings. I never really think about it like that, but that’s what we are often called. Anyway my name is Bailey Gagnon, I am fifteen years old and I have four adopted siblings. But… Read More
“It’s not safe”. I think that is what I would tell you if you were looking to foster or adopt. I’m not sure that this would be a good slogan for an adoption agency, but after walking this path, I’d think a warning is in order. I would want to tell you that if you choose this path, you will… Read More