Foster parents make such a difference in the lives of children in need of love and security.
They are selfless and generous, opening their homes to the most vulnerable members of our society.
In doing so, they often see God’s divine plan unfolding in their lives.
Colorado mom Katie Page had always wanted to be a mother.
But during her marriage, she struggled with infertility and then ended up divorced in her early thirties.
Her love for children and desire to be a mother could not be dismissed, and she decided to become a foster parent three years ago.
She fostered four children before receiving a call about a little boy who had been abandoned at the hospital.
Katie immediately fell in love with Grayson, who was born addicted to methamphetamines.
Although he faced challenges greater than any she had experienced with her other foster children, Katie decided to apply to adopt the little boy.
It became official in May of 2017.
A mere month later, Katie received another call about a little girl – again, abandoned at the hospital and addicted to methamphetamines.
She had experience with this because of Grayson, and brought the little girl home.
She was shocked when she got home and looked at the information on the baby’s medical bracelet for the first time.
The name given to the hospital by the birth mother was the same one left when Grayson was abandoned.
Katie didn’t immediately jump to conclusions, but the name was a bit uncommon for it to be a coincidence.
When she spoke to her caseworkers, the two children’s stories were eerily similar.
Katie knew that the birth mother had not given her real name when she gave up Grayson, but she explained the moment as “surreal” in an appearance on Good Morning America.
She remembers telling herself, “Something about this is telling me to say yes to this. I’m telling you, God is telling you to say yes and I do not know why.”
Katie requested a DNA test, and sure enough, Grayson and the baby – now named Hannah – were biological siblings.
Now she understands that the voice in her head telling her to take Hannah home was God. She now sees a deeper meaning and purpose brought about by her work with foster children.
On December 28th of last year, Katie officially adopted Hannah, telling Good Morning America, “I don’t know that I believed in miracles for sure, [but] I have no doubt now.”
Katie recently found out that Grayson and Hannah have another sibling in the foster care system.
In an effort to keep the little family together, Katie has applied to adopt the 5-month-old as well.
“I was a single woman in a four-bedroom house and now every room in my house is full. It’s never dull,” Katie told GMA.
Mommy Underground recently brought you the story of Nicole Alles, a foster mom who decided to adopt a seriously ill little boy. She and her family also experienced an adoption miracle.
It is estimated that there are more than 400,000 children in foster care in America in any given year.
Many are older children who are considered more difficult to adopt-out because many couples are looking for infants or toddlers.
But the bond between a child and their foster parents can last a lifetime – and make all the difference in the world.
KidSave reports that, among children who aged out of foster care at age 18, 33 percent are homeless, 46 percent are unemployed, and 66 percent of males and 33 percent of females had spent at least some time in jail.
They are at a much higher risk of doing drugs, turning to prostitution, or becoming the victims of trafficking operations.
The life-changing gift given by foster parents in America today is one of hope — of teaching a child what love and security is.
Even among children who did not end up being adopted, temporary fostering can give them a foundation of values and teach them to trust. These bonds often last a lifetime, even if they are adopted later by another family.
“Children cannot raise themselves. Without families, being shuffled from one foster home to another the odds are significantly against them growing into productive citizens – and the loss to society is devastating,” says KidSave.
Foster parents like Katie Page who answer God’s call to save our nation’s children are true heroes.
As Katie remarked when she unexpectedly found herself adopting three siblings,“God doesn’t give you more than you can handle.”
And more often than not, God gives you a miracle.
Do you have a heartwarming or miraculous foster care or adoption story? Leave us your comments.