Adopting Shawn

We are Earnest and Betty Reeves, foster parents since 2002. Our first experience with the foster care system was on September 11, 2001 when Christel, one of the workers from Harford County Department of Social Services came to our home to begin our home study. From September 2001 until February 2002, we went through the process to be licensed to become foster/adoptive parents. Quite honestly, we never considered adoption. In fact we thought we were just getting into it to provide foster care. I had quit work to provide "day care" for my first grandchild, Madison born May 10, 2001. My husband and I had raised our two children and were going to be grandparents. It never crossed our minds that we could be starting all over again.

I had thought about foster care years earlier, but had the misconception that if I was going to be a foster mom, I couldn't work. I learned that was not true. I believe there are more families that would become foster/adoptive parents, but they have preconceived ideas or fears that keep them from making that first phone call.

On March 6, 2002, our lives would be changed forever. Shawn, who was taken from his birth parents for neglect, came to live with us as a foster baby. He was 3 weeks old and I remember he was the scrawniest baby I think I'd ever seen. We just fell in love right away. As the weeks and months passed, it became obvious that his birth parents probably wouldn't be getting him back. We let the workers know that we wanted to adopt Shawn. It is my sincere belief that God purposed for Shawn to become our son. The process to adopt him was all taken care of by Social Services and was actually quite a smooth process. There were events along the way where we became skeptical and fearful that his birth parents would resurface and decide they wanted him back. But God kept watch over our family and Shawn and on July 24, 2002, Shawn was legally ours - the adoption was final. What a day for celebration!!

...next Maria

We had heard that Shawn's birth parents had another baby in January 2003. We began praying that God would have His hand in her little life and protect her from any harm. I knew in my heart that she would one day become a part of our family. On February 27, 2004, we got the call we had been waiting for. Maria was at Social Services office and we could pick her up. At that time she was 13 months old. She too had been taken for neglect. We are going through the process to adopt her.

...and now the ministry - Loved By Choice

In July 2004, I was blessed to be able to attend the AdoptUSKids National Adoption and Foster Care Recruitment Summit in Washington D.C. The idea behind this summit was to bridge the faith based community with adoption and foster care professionals in finding homes for the 129,000 children waiting to be adopted. I struggled with the idea of attending this event by myself, but I felt like God was telling me to go. Had I not gone, I would have totally missed out on the blessing God wanted to give me - and that was starting this ministry "Loved By Choice". There were speakers from other organizations presenting ideas on what they had done and there was just so much information -- it was truly awesome.

For anyone who knows me, they know this is not me. I am not a public speaker or a leader. So many times in the past several months I have heard "step outside your comfort zone". I am truly outside my "comfort zone" and realize it is there that I have to depend totally on God. I am trusting God to give me wisdom and resources in developing this ministry for His glory. I feel truly blessed that God has entrusted such an important ministry to me. I have a love for children and for God and with faith (even the size of a mustard seed) I know all things are possible.

Several agencies have helped me with sending literature that I can use in this ministry. All I had to do was ask and packages were in the mail. Susan at AdoptUSKids has been truly wonderful in sending me information. We have shared numerous emails and I would really like to meet her, which I plan to do in the near future. Family Life - Hope For Orphans has also sent out material that has helped me get this ministry started. The Dave Thomas Foundation and Shaohannah's Hope (Steven Curtis Chapman's website) have sent me material that I requested. My pastors, Pastor Howard and Naomi Hancock and Pastor Jude and Suzi Nowak have given me the support I needed and encouraged me in this endeavor. We now have a Foster/Adoption ministry in our church (www.edgemerecog.org). Thanks to all of you who helped.

A special thanks to my brother, Gary Morris, who made this website possible. After receiving the information I mailed him, he had this website up and running overnight. I love you!

With God's help and your continued prayers, we can find homes for the 129,000 children longing to be part of a "forever family".

God Bless,

Betty