SAN ANTONIO \u2013 A San Antonio couple married for more than 36 years has opened their home to children in need, adopting six kids over the years \u2014 most recently two sisters whose long road through the foster care system tested the entire family.<\/p>\n
Michael and Connie Hendon said fostering and adopting wasn\u2019t a spontaneous decision, but something rooted deeply in their faith.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the Bible, James says that the truest form of religion is to care for the widows and the orphans,\u201d Connie Hendon said. \u201cAnd we have really been called to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n
For the two younger girls, the journey into their new family began after years of instability.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was hard,\u201d Ariana Hendond said. \u201cIt was really hard to keep up with having no family with us and moving from house to house.\u201d<\/p>\n
Everything changed one Christmas when the girls opened a small gift in the family car.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt had a note that said, \u2018Do you want to be our forever daughters?\u2019\u201dAmberly Hendon recalled. \u201cThat was the best present ever.\u201d<\/p>\n
But the family soon learned that the emotional commitment was only one part of the process. The legal journey stretched far longer than they expected.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was three years ago this coming Christmas,\u201d Connie Hendon said. \u201cWe thought the process was handled. It turned out to be almost three more years to go through the legal system \u2014 the caseworkers, the appointments \u2014 everyone telling you what to do.\u201d<\/p>\n
Frequent staff turnover and a rotating list of caseworkers added to the uncertainty.<\/p>\n
The girls felt those disruptions, too.<\/p>\n
Still, the family stayed committed.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we made that pledge to them, that was really a change for all of us,\u201d Michael Hendon said.<\/p>\n
They said the process required patience, honesty and ongoing support \u2014 not just at home, but through their church and extended community.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know that you can do it without a community,\u201d Connie Hendon said. \u201cIt truly takes a village.\u201d<\/p>\n
The couple admits fostering isn\u2019t easy. There were moments of doubt.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere would be times where I\u2019m like, \u2018I\u2019m done,\u2019\u201d Connie Hendon said. \u201cAnd he\u2019d say, \u2018No, we\u2019re not\u2026 here\u2019s the perspective.\u2019 And I\u2019d think, OK, one more day.\u201d<\/p>\n
But they say the rewards outweigh the challenges.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to really invest in these kids,\u201d Michael Hendon said. \u201cSometimes it\u2019s really hard\u2026 but the work we do together and individually has really impacted our lives.\u201d<\/p>\n
The couple hopes their story encourages others to consider fostering \u2014 but to do so with a full understanding of the responsibility.<\/p>\n
\u201cI would say the need is real,\u201d Connie Hendon said. \u201cBut if you jump in, make sure you understand that need. The last thing a child needs is another transition. A placement that fails is a broken part they carry to the next home.\u201d<\/p>\n
Now, with the adoption complete, the family says the girls finally have something they waited years to hear: certainty.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re not your kids until they\u2019re your kids,\u201d Michael said. \u201cThey\u2019re the state\u2019s kids \u2014 and that breaks your heart. But now they\u2019re our kids, and they have a home forever.\u201d<\/p>\n
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