Celebrating the Runnels’ Foster and Adoption Journey
On September 23, 2022, after six months of preparation and prayer, the Runnels family began their fostering journey. That day, they received a life-changing phone call: two siblings, a baby boy just seven weeks old and his 11-month-old sister, needed a safe and loving home. Within two hours, CPS arrived at their door, placing the two children in their care.
As the Runnels would later learn, the children’s mother was herself underage and a victim of challenging circumstances. For a year and a half, the court worked tirelessly to give the young mother every chance to reunite with her children. However, without the support of a family and due to her own struggles, parental rights were ultimately terminated.
The Runnels, who originally planned to foster, were faced with a profound decision when CPS and their foster agency explained the children would soon be placed for adoption. Through deep prayer and discernment, the Runnels received a clear message: “do whatever is best for these two.”
The journey didn’t stop there. After nearly 860 days in care, the Runnels are now set to finalize the adoption of these precious siblings in early 2025. But just as the appeals process was nearing its conclusion, the Runnels received another phone call: a five-month-old baby boy a sibling of the two children already in their care needed a home. Without hesitation, they said yes, embracing the call to foster once more.
After 200 days in care, CPS has shifted its goal for the baby boy to adoption as well. If all goes as planned, the Runnels will officially become a family of five by summer 2025.
This journey is a testament to their faith, resilience, and unwavering commitment to these children. It also highlights the importance of fostering and adoption in providing children with love, stability, and opportunity.
However, fostering and adoption come with significant challenges; emotional, physical, and financial. Families like the Runnels rely on community support to ensure children have access to the resources they need, such as:
▪︎Childcare for working parents balancing careers and caregiving.
▪︎Educational opportunities to help children thrive in school and beyond.
▪︎Therapeutic services to address emotional and developmental needs.
▪︎Daily essentials like clothing, food, and supplies to make a house feel like home.
If you feel called to support families like the Runnels, consider donating to organizations that provide for foster and adoptive families or reaching out to offer direct assistance. Together, we can help ensure that every child has the chance to grow up in a loving, supportive environment.
Thank you, Runnels family, for answering the call to foster and now adopt. Your journey is an inspiration, and we stand with you every step of the way. ❤️
