After getting married in 2010, Amanda and Jacob Self wanted to start a family. Unfortunately, after a couple of miscarriages, they realized that might not be God’s plan for them.
Amanda suggested foster parenting., but Jacob was hesitant. He wasn’t sure he would be able to give up a child after raising them, but Amanda saw it differently.
"It was about the child needing someone to care for them, and me being able to help," she said in a statement provided to The Huffington Post by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, which she used as an education resource throughout the process.
The couple completed foster care training classes and passed a home study. In October of 2011, they got a call that a 2 year-old named Gina needed a home.
When the Selfs met Gina, they knew what to do. "I knew right then and there that she was mine," Amanda said in the statement. The Louisiana family took Gina home and began the adoption process.
On January 28, 2014, Gina's adoption became official.
This picture of Gina reminds us that there are thosuands of children in foster care, just waiting to be adopted. Soon after Gina was brought home, Amanda miraculously became pregnant. Now, Gina and Jessie are happily siblings and Amanda plans on bringing more foster children into the family.
A family is a wonderful gift to give a child.
(via Facebook.com)