East Texas

By JACQUE HILBURN
Staff Writer

When Joe and Gwen Thompson, of Whitehouse, decided a few years ago to become foster parents, they hoped it would lead to something permanent.

They had two biological children, but there was a tug at their hearts that the family wasn't quite complete.

The couple started working with Christian Homes and Family Services, a firm specializing in linking foster infants and children to loving parents.

When 3-year-old Chloe scampered into their lives two years ago, the family was smitten.

"She's just so lovable and sweet," Thompson said. "She really makes you smile."

The youngster's permanent place in the family was finalized last week during a special ceremony, held in conjunction with National Adoption Day.

Her adoption means Chloe also has two new siblings, Miranda, 16, and Matt, 13.

Some families with teens would view a bunch of kiddy toys scattered around the living room as clutter.

The Thompsons call it an answer to a prayer.

"We're back to Barbies and Dora," said Mrs. Thompson. "It's a little different because we had gotten past that with our other two kids, but we're having fun. It's not always easy - we just leave it in God's hands."


EXPLODING NEED

The mission of Christian Homes and Family Services is to honor God through compassionate care of individuals and families. That includes counseling, maternity care, adoption and foster care, agency officials said.

CHFS was actually formed from two agencies - Christian Homes of Abilene, which started in 1962 as a foster care agency for needy children; and Christian Services of East Texas, a ministry started in 1978 by Tyler's Glenwood Church of Christ.

It is licensed by the state to provide maternity and foster care, and adoption assistance.

Since its inception, the entity has placed more than 1,600 babies and children into loving, adoptive homes. Almost 2,200 women received maternity care; another 1,343 foster children were cared for in loving, supportive homes,

Those numbers are meaningful, but the numbers of children who need support is exploding, said Brad Spradlin, CHFS vice president of development.

"The scariest figures involve girls, ages 14 to 17, who are in foster care and pregnant," he said. "That takes a really special parent."

When a young woman with an unplanned pregnancy reaches out to CHFS, the group responds with housing, food, clothing, medical care, legal services, moral support, counseling and, if needed, foster care for the newborn.

The agency's foster parents of newborns work with state officials to care for babies who leave the hospital before they are legally cleared for adoption into a new family.

When children are placed into foster care because of abuse or neglect, the agency strives to place youngsters with families prepared to adopt.

CHFS officials said the choices associated with handling unplanned pregnancies are also changing.

"We're seeing an upsurge from the number of adoption inquiries from parents wanting to adopt," Spradlin said. "We're not seeing an upsurge from young ladies wanting to place. There is a trend in young ladies wanting to keep their babies, thinking they would get support from family."

As parenting responsibilities grow, family support often lessens.

When the stress becomes too much, many of those children land in foster care, he said.


CHLOE COMES HOME

Chloe wasn't the first foster child welcomed into the Thompsons' home.

Thompson said he first learned of the great need for loving homes through mission work at a Mexican orphanage filled with youngsters.

"They were so happy to have you there," he said. "Anything you can give them, even a few minutes of your time, they really appreciate it."

After that experience, the couple decided to become foster parents. They cared for several children, some longer than others, but the repeated good byes were becoming more difficult.

"We could tell it was taking a toll on our children," said Mrs. Thompson. "We decided to let the kids grow up a little. When they got older, they began asking, 'when are we going to do that again?'"

In a twist of fate, they saw a CHFS flyer, outlining its services, and decided to check it out.

Over the next few months, they worked to become dual licensed to care for and adopt a foster child.

A few weeks later, Chloe arrived.

"We were expecting she would be returned to her mom," Mrs. Thompson said.

Ultimately, however, the girl's parents signed away their rights, paving the way for her adoption.

The Thompsons were delighted.

They worked with state officials to finalize her permanent role in the family.

Mrs. Thompson hopes other families do the same, especially for growing legions of older children, who are growing up in foster care only to be cut from assistance when they reach 18.

"It kills me to know some kids are aging out of the system," she said, voice cracking with emotion. "They have no family to go home to for Christmas, no roots, nothing to cling to. I saw figures that indicated there are 350 foster homes and 35,000 children in the system."

Those numbers are hard to ignore, Thompson said.

"We're going to open it up to God," he said. "If we're meant to have another, we will. We haven't really said 'no.'" For more information, call 903-509-0558, or visit www.christianhomes.com.

Miranda Thompson, 16, Matt Thompson, 13, Chloe Thompson, 5, Gwen Thompson, 36, and Joe Thompson, 44, of Whitehouse, sit on the sofa in their home on Wednesday. Chloe was adopted into the Thompson family on Friday, November 16.
((Staff Photo By Tom Turner))