An adoption story: God made a way
LONGVIEW, Texas – About two years ago, Pete and Leah Thompson found themselves at a crossroad. They had sensed God calling them to adopt and had been saving and fundraising in an attempt to raise the necessary money. Yet, they didn’t feel they were any closer to new children coming into their home. “For two years, we felt as if we were spinning our wheels,” Leah said. “We worked, saved and never seemed to get any closer to our goal. We still believed God wanted us to adopt, but our whole family was very discouraged.” A friend suggested the couple consider
foster-to-adopt, but the couple was hesitant to look in that direction. They were unsure how that process would affect their son. “However, God wouldn’t let me rest,”
Leah said. “He kept bringing the conver- sation back to my mind. I began to feel like God wanted us to adopt through foster care. I started praying that if this was truly God’s will, he would turn Pete’s heart that way without me pushing him.” One day on the way to church, Pete
suggested the couple go to a Buckner information meeting and find out more about its foster-to-adopt ministry. Pete and Leah attended the next meeting, soaking up every bit of information they could. Pete walked out of the meeting with a
sense he’d just learned how God wanted to add to the Thompson family. After the information meeting in
February, the Thompsons immediately began to fulfill all the requirements to become a licensed foster home. They had been waiting for two years and were not going to wait any longer. After a whirlwind of paperwork and
appointments, the Thompsons officially were a licensed foster home by the end of July, the same day they received their first placements – 2-year-old twins. “We knew they would only be with us a
short time, but our hearts and home were so full!” Leah said. “We loved every minute we shared with those precious little rascals.” Within two months of being licensed, the Thompsons had six placements in their home – including 6-month-old Asa, who they would later adopt. Right before the twins returned to family members, Rebecca and Ryker entered the Thompson home. “Asa was our first little forever gift from
God through all of this roller coaster,” Leah said. “I cannot imagine life without this little boy. He has the most gorgeous smile and contagious laugh. “On Sept. 11, we adopted Rebecca with her million-dollar smile, gorgeous eyes and sweet spirit, and Ryker with his super cute sly grin and mischievousness into our little
circus forever,” Leah said. The Thompsons’ winding road led them
to Buckner, where they fulfilled God’s call- ing upon their lives. Along the way, Buckner helped them navigate the requirements of foster-to-adopt and caring for each child. “I am so very thankful for Buckner
through all of this,” Leah said. “God led us to an agency which pointed us to him at every turn. I can’t imagine embarking on this crazy journey without the love and support we found there. I am reminded constantly this was God’s plan, and it was worth every tear we cried, every court date, family visit, doctor ap- pointment, training, every inconvenience and every bump along the way. Fostering is hard. Adopting is hard. But there was never anything else for us to do. God called us here, and he made a way.”
Based on a first-person testimony written by Leah Thompson for
Buckner.org.
8 BUCKNER TODAY • Spring 2016
JOURNAL
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