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1,406 days ago Alyssa and Lucas joined us in our home.
Today they joined us in our name.
Introducing:
Alyssa Christen Batliner &
Lucas James Batliner!
It's been a hopeful and joyful, yet uncertain, depleting and frustrating journey for all 5 of us, but we made it. We didn't do it alone, though.
God shone His light on our path even at our darkest moments and while He did it through His word, through music, through happy surprises and unexpected rest, He mostly did it through people, His hands and feet. From the very first day so many people have reached in to carry us...
There are definitely as many people as there have been days, but in listing a few (in semi-chronological order), we hope to thank you all :
*The Bair Foundation for training us and walking with us through our foster care season then counseling us when we had the opportunity to take in Alyssa & Lucas,
*Mrs Pat for your persistence and determination throughout,
*Meredith Wright for placing the children with us and walking with us through the custody case,
*Charlie for whole-heartedly embracing the role off big brother from day one (the good, the bad and the ugly),
*BaBa/Mom for dropping everything to spend their first week with us... And with PaPa for dropping everything time and again to love us so well,
*Mom/Pat for letting all 5 of us live you during renovations... And for being their Grandma without hesitation,
*Our family & friends in Charleston, Kansas City and beyond for treating Alyssa & Lucas like Batliners from the beginning,
*JICS teachers, staff and families: First, Mr Schwartz for introducing us in the first place, then so many of you for listening and loving us so well as we've navigated this path we chose,
*FJBC family for being the Christ-centered community that each of the 5 of us needs.
*Moms in Prayer for praying diligently, faithfully, without ceasing for Alyssa & Lucas' best interests and all of our hearts,
*Ocean Sun Counseling for walking alongside us through the hardest parts with laughter and consistency and so much grace,
*Jacqueline Anthony for using your knowledge and experience and strength and courage to fight for our family,
* Emily Ayers for boldly representing Alyssa & Lucas and their best interests,
*Judge Daniel E. Martin for looking at the history and facts of the case, seeing that enough was enough and deciding in Alyssa & Lucas' favor.
Each and every one of you made today possible. You carried us when we were out of strength or energy or hope, and I beg you to KEEP IT UP!
There are thousands upon thousands of children throughout South Carolina and beyond who need safe, loving homes. Please seek out the families called to foster, adopt, etc and carry THEM.
Listen to them, hug them, bring them dinner, babysit for them, make them laugh, ask them how they're doing, pray for them...
They need you more than they will ever tell you, and likely more than they even realize.
The book of James says that true religion is visiting the widows and orphans. I believe that many, many of us are called to open our homes, but all of us are called to carry those who do.
Thank you all so much for carrying us so well!
❤️
Jason, Jenny, Charlie, Alyssa & Lucas Batliner
