Ben Eubanks’ Post

The last one. This is likely the last picture I'll have with little Annie before her name changes. Before her life changes. Before she joins our forever family. It's been a long and challenging 15 months since she first came to be with us. It was meant to be. She went into foster care (again) at the age of 2 because nobody was taking care of her. The family that took her in at first lived hours away from her hometown. It was a fresh start. But they had too many young kids of their own to give her the time she needed. They couldn't keep her, but they also didn't want her to go to just anyone, because Annie had some challenges that weren't insignificant. She didn't speak. She didn't interact. She was in her own little world, shut off mentally and emotionally to protect her from everything she'd been through. At the same time, several hours away, our social worker told us that there was a little girl that needed a home. We'd just been certified and wanted to meet her. At the meeting, we realized something truly amazing. The foster mom and dad who were taking care of Annie were best friends with the son of my wife's matron of honor at our wedding over 17 years ago. Translation: we weren't just *anyone*, we were friends of the family, and that trust was the key to unlocking Annie's future. Annie came home with us in March of 2024. Countless doctor's visits, therapies, and social worker check-ins have passed since then. Today, we are planning for her upcoming 4th birthday, but not before we celebrate her adoption day. ❤❤❤ She grew up with nobody watching out for her. She has had problems with neglect, with autism, with abuse, and other challenges that no child should EVER have to worry about. But by the grace of God she's ended up in our family and we all have the opportunity to love ON her and to learn FROM her. --- If you know a foster parent, shoot them a text of encouragement. Give them a hug when you see them. It's hard to explain the emotions and how difficult it can be. If you want to support more, there are great foster support charities like Alabama Baptist Children's Homes & Family Ministries all over that use donations to make sure these kids have clean clothes, good hygiene, a fun Christmas, or other needs. We're grateful to them for their support through our home study and the entire journey, and donations there help make sure that kids have what they need when they are pulled from an unsafe or unstable environment. Or how about considering stepping up? 400,000 <-- that's how many kids are in foster care in the US right now (look up your own country's numbers if you are elsewhere--it will likely shock you). One of those lives could be changed by you and you don't even know it yet. Little Annie still has a long way to go. Her difficulties aren't over. But my heart is full because she's going to make that journey as a member of the Eubanks household. Here's to our new, combined future together as a family.