As the saying goes, it reallly took a village to help raise our ever growing family. When we moved to Sacramento from San Jose in 1977, with 12 children, I really faced hardships. We left our neighbors, church friends and support, family and friends behind. Jim had a job that often took him out of town. If we tried a new church we stood out. We took up a whole pew. One of our children was deaf, one Downs Syndrome, one paraplegic, a teen and baby, two children who took money out of the offering instead of putting it in, and it was just difficult. I was lonely. The kids kept getting kicked out of school. Our previous Christian school always worked with our children, but here we couldn't even find one who would take our children. We were not adjusting well!
What kept us going? The absolute belief that the children were worth it, the belief that we could make a difference, and the belief of the children that we would solve the problem and find a way to fit in.
Once again we built a support system, we found people that accepted us, didn't judge us, and worked to help support us. The children sometimes brought other children home from school with them and asked me if we could take care of them because they needed a good home.
We organized trainings for families in trouble and helped people who came to us to be foster parents get connected. I think everyone knows how things turned out, but the important thing is that the need is just as present today as ever. Let us help you fulfill your calling. Come on! Despite all the paperwork, roadblocks, and trials, if you are ready to pursue your "calling" give us a call.