January God Story — The Bradshaws

Sarah and Brad Bradshaw said they didn’t want to “do” foster care and they didn’t want to “do“ adoption, but now say it has been the GREATEST blessing for their family.

The Bradshaws had been working with a private adoption agency and foster care was mentioned, so a simple Google search led them to The CALL’s website.  Sarah says, “I remember listening to Mary Carol (The CALL Pulaski County Coordinator) speak at the Info Meeting and simultaneously arguing with God. ‘Please don’t make us do THIS.

Please don't ask us to bring all of that baggage and mess into our home...with our children.’ God answered those pleas as only He can. ‘Sarah, first of all, they are not YOUR children, they're Mine. And secondly, why are 'your' children any more important than the rest of My children?’ As I began to sob in the meeting, I knew that we would not be able to unhear or unsee anything that night.”

As they began the process to become foster parents, Sarah shares that The CALL “streamlined the process of certification and made things flow much more efficiently. They were there to answer questions, provide materials, and aid us in finding CPR trainings and support groups. It wasn't until we received our first placement that the CALL MALL served as an invaluable resource.”

When asked about how they have seen God through serving as foster and adoptive parents, Sarah says that there have been so many ways God has shown that He is faithful to journey every step with them and assures them of His provision. From a friend offering a twin box spring and crib before they even mentioned needing those exact two items, to the days when the weight of their journey is overwhelming, and an encouraging card will come in the mail, when a new child is arriving to their home and the last thing they’ve had time to think about is dinner, and a pizza is delivered. Their most significant "God Wink" involves a precious 7 year old living in their home. After 13 months of loving and caring for this sweet girl, they let her go to be reunited with a sibling. Unfortunately, the placement did not work out, and she returned to their home. That first night she was home, Sarah remembers feeling like her sheep had returned. She shares, “God gently nudged my heart and whispered, ‘I brought her to you once, and you let her go. I'm bringing her home to you once again.’ A week later, we committed to being her home forever.”

“God's plans for our family were nothing that we had in mind. They were far better.   As our journey is far from over, we are discovering daily that when we delight in Him, He will give us the desires of our heart. Desires we never knew we had.”