begin engaging in bad activities with the hope of rushing the inevitable dismissal of me from the Carter family. However, through constant affirmation from my parents, I learned that I was here to stay and did not have to worry about being sent away. The constant love I received overpowered the fear that I imagined. I would encourage those who are considering adopting a child to know that it is the best thing you can do for the child, but also know that it will take time. Let me also add, depending on the age, the process and challenge may be a little harder. There is a difference in adopting a child at birth (which I was) and a child who has already experience various homes and families.
7.
Once a year we partner with an adoption agency and have them come and share information on how to adopt a child or children. I believe that sharing information about adoption can help ease the untruths that prospective parents may have.
8.
My purpose is to Empower People to Live Beyond Limitations, which is taken from John 10:10 where Jesus says, “I come that you might have life and have it more abundantly.” A lot of kids who were adopted or in the foster care system has already developed self-limitations and low self-esteem and this is preventing them from becoming their best. I believe, with God and proper programs, education, and a self-determined will, there is no limitation that a person cannot conquer. My goal is to use my story to encourage, my calling to ministry to inform, my position as pastor to empower, and my pain to help create people’s purpose.
9.
I would like to have a legacy where people can say that as a result of my story, they have been able to overcome their feelings of rejection, abandonment, and fears. In order to achieve this legacy goal, I will work through the ministry platform as Pastor to empower the people in the community where I am serving as a community leader. I believe that if I impact the local community, the legacy that I desire to leave will inevitably be achieved.
5.
Children who are in foster care deal with uncertainties of unconditional love. The foster care system creates an environment where children are often transitioned from home to home for short periods. Consequentially they can never build an environment that is healthy, stable and strong enough for the foundation of love needed. In addition, foster kids are usually old enough to know that they are being added to another family that may already have existing children. These kids feel “added” instead of “included”. It becomes hard to for them to open up and trust. They fear the possibility of being transferred to another home, which results in another rejection experience for them that is out of their control.
6.
Some people fear that the child will not adjust to their environment. They don’t understand that it takes time for a child to know that they are with a family who will love them unconditionally. When I learned I was adopted, I thought that if my biological parents gave me up, then it is only a matter of time before my adopted parents would give me up. I
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