Adoption is one of the kindest things we can do.
The feeling of providing a home for someone who has experienced being unwanted is one of the best feelings you could possibly have. There’re really very few things that come close. Many of us that go down the road of adoption usually never take it back and are delighted to be able to step up to the challenge.
For a woman named Autumn, this wasn’t a challenge as it was a mere duty. A duty to provide a home full of love for someone who desperately needed it. She had mentioned she was intent on adopting when suddenly, her church friend who had worked at a teen shelter had important information to share.
Instagram-autumndmoore Source: Instagram-autumndmoore“July 15, 2019. The text read, ‘Hey, Autumn. Are you still interested in foster care? Remember when you said to let you know when I thought I had someone who would potentially be a good fit? Well, I think I have someone…’
After about 8 months, It seems Autumn’s wishes have been granted. She was excited to learn the news, despite the fact of introducing a teenager in her household with a younger child. It apparently seems to be a common fear that bringing in older kids into the house with a younger one could cause behavioral issues down the road.
Instagram-autumndmoore Source: Instagram-autumndmooreAutumn wasn’t buying any of it because she knew that at the end of the day, teenagers are just teenagers.
They are bigger kids who still need support, love, and care just like any child does. It was her dream to make sure this plan goes off without a hitch. The teen’s name was Mara. Autumn began working alongside Mara’s caseworker to try and gain custody.
She went out to a Rachel Hollis conference and was asked to write down dreams and goals in life. At the top of her list, fostering was written as Autumn’s top choice. It’s enough to melt our hearts into tiny pieces!
Instagram-autumndmoore Source: Instagram-autumndmooreThe thought of a child going through the desperate need of not having a place to call home really affected Autumn. She took the time to go through several agencies to ensure she knew everything about the fostering process as she truly felt it was her calling.
[/imgsrc]After arriving from the conference, Autumn and her husband attended church that weekend. Coincidentally, the event planned that weekend was a movie called, “Instant Family” which is about fostering and adopting. Instantly, a stream of tears went down Autumn’s face despite already seeing the movie for the second time. Her husband, Josh, realized how passionate she had become about adopting.
Instagram-autumndmoore Source: Instagram-autumndmooreSix days later, the very excited mom-to-be got to go meet Mara at the shelter for the first time.
They exchanged greetings and immediately began opening up to each other. Mara spoke about her background and story as to how she became involved in the foster care system. After a good cry and amazing talks, Autumn knew Mara would be the one she would take in with open arms.
Instagram-autumndmoore Source: Instagram-autumndmoore“God had already shown me that this beautiful, brown-eyed girl was supposed to be with us,” Mara said. “We had a good cry that day together, and I walked away knowing I was capable of loving this girl in the same way that I loved my other two girls. Three weeks later, Mara and her caseworker arrived at our home along with all of Mara’s belongings.”
At first, it was a little strange getting used to being around a family and home, but Mara fit in just like a hand inside a glove. She was able to get a job, began going to school, and even began making new friends. Her life took a change for the better and it was beginning to show!
Instagram-autumndmoore Source: Instagram-autumndmooreThe family easily looks happier than they ever were before!
The selfless mom recalls a time when the gang was in their car as her husband drove them to grab a bite to eat. The classic family conversations took place with jokes being tossed as well as the follow-up laughters. What caught Autumn’s attention was how normal everything seemed: like life wouldn’t be the same without Mara in it.
Instagram-autumndmoore Source: Instagram-autumndmooreMara has worked incredibly hard to be where she is now.
She is the result of a child who has been in a handful of homes before and was just beginning to give her new one a shot. It’s a tough reality most of these kids go through, which is why when they decide to go for adoption it makes them look even braver than ever. They really are as tough as they come.
Instagram-autumndmoore Source: Instagram-autumndmooreWe’re so glad this family is embracing the love of fostering someone like Mara. It’s the power of love and selflessness that wins the day, after all. Autumn couldn’t be happier with her decision and we hope it has inspired you to go and adopt the same way.
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Source: autumndmoore , Lovewhatmatters