“Thank God for COVID!” That’s not a phrase most of us have uttered. We are four years post-pandemic and the majority feeling is gratitude toward seeing those uncertain times in the rearview mirror. Yet, leave it to our incredible, sovereign God to birth beautiful blessings amid the COVID chaos. While I’m confident the Fauss family doesn’t count COVID itself in the pros column, they sure took advantage of the extra time that stay-at-home orders gave them to reflect and hear the voice of God on an important next step for their family: foster care and adoption.
The Fausses always felt called to foster, but it wasn’t until the peak of the COVID pandemic that God prompted them to begin the process. They attended a foster care interest meeting hosted by Church of Living Hope in Tyler, TX, an active partner of Backyard Orphans. With the support of their friends and family, they began the process of becoming licensed foster parents. The season of preparation was filled with prayer, counsel, and training.
Once they were prayed up, trained up, and licensed, the Fausses excitedly awaited their first placement. Finally, the call came and they welcomed home “two under two”! A one-year-old boy and a two-year-old girl. What a whirlwind this was! Adjusting to life with kids brings unique challenges, especially with little ones who struggle to sleep through the night or battle physical and emotional challenges. But, as all first-time parents do, they learned as they went and adapted quickly to their new lifestyle. They sought to help the children feel as safe as possible and accepted them fully as part of their family.
After 13 months of living together, the children were reunited with their biological parents. As it can be assumed, this wasn’t an easy goodbye for the Fausses. There is both joy and heartbreak felt when children in foster care return home. The best-case scenario is always for families to be restored, but that truth doesn’t take away the sting of separation for a foster family.
When they were ready, they spoke with their child-placing agency about opening their home again. This time, however, they expressed interest in welcoming children who were awaiting adoption. The circumstances that followed were God-ordained and orchestrated in His timing. After several visits and meetings, and lots of prayer, they received five–yes, FIVE–children into their home. The kids had been living separately, and the Fausses were their last chance of being adopted into a forever family together. What a miracle!
The road to adoption isn’t easy! For this family, in particular, adjustment was the biggest hurdle. Not only did the kids have to adjust to new foster parents, but they also had to reacclimate to one another after living separately for so long. And parents, you know the hustle that is school, church, appointments, and extracurriculars? Well, top that off with court dates and regular visits from child welfare and life gets even busier!
The Fausses leaned on their church family for support and encouragement every step of the way. As they showered their kids with unconditional love, so did their church! Now, every week, their five kids are developing positive relationships with adults and peers as they learn about Jesus! Additionally, the church has been a refuge for them as parents. It’s a place where they can share struggles and receive encouragement along the journey. “Healing takes time,” they shared, “and these kids have a lot to heal from. Sometimes our patience runs thin, but our church and family are always there to support, listen, and pray. This journey has made us look to God for His grace and love. He has helped us see our kids through His eyes.”
Foster care and adoption are full of beauty and brokenness, joy and heartache. But when we surrender the journey to God, He grants us stamina for every wind in the road. Siblings once living in separate foster homes are now reunited and thriving. While the path wasn’t easy, God provided everything they needed. It takes a village and they had a great one through the local church. The Fauss family now claims Psalm 126:3 as a life verse, “The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.”