We have a very special adoption to celebrate from September!
Kane Patton retired from foster care on September 6, 2022. He was one of the first children who was welcomed into a home through our Moberly office!
His parents, Kevin and Kayla, started their foster care journey in 2020. Kayla felt the calling to foster as a teenager after hearing someone speak about foster care at her church.
“In my head, I knew that I wanted to do that one day,” she shared.
She had spoken to Kevin before about fostering, but the timing had never felt quite right; they were busy balancing their full-time jobs and parenting two young boys. Then, they learned that Kevin’s cousin had passed away, leaving behind a daughter who entered foster care.
After spending hours on the phone, Kayla received word that Kevin’s cousin’s daughter was living with relatives on her mother’s side of the family. However, they wanted to get licensed so they would be easier to contact if something should happen.
“Around that time, we saw on Facebook that Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries was hosting a STARS class,” Kayla said. “We would do our homework together, talking, spending time with each other, and feeling out how we each were feeling.”
After receiving their license, their plan was to welcome children here and there for shorter periods of time. Then, they got the call about Kane.
“None of the other calls worked out, but then a little baby came across,” Kayla said. “They called and asked if we wanted him and I just said, ‘Yes.’ I didn’t ask, I didn’t think – yes was the only answer.”
As they welcomed Kane into their home, he was showered with affection from their family and community. As they celebrated firsts, he was surrounded by love; over 45 adults gathered for his first birthday party.
“They didn’t necessarily have a kid at the party, they just wanted to be there for him,” Kayla said. “So that was amazing.”
However, things were not always easy. Kane struggled with illness, and was hospitalized multiple times as an infant. Additionally, there was a season of uncertainty when Kane was almost moved to live with two biological relatives.
“God was there the whole time,” Kayla said. “It was really hard for us to think about moving him four hours away after a year of him being in our home. We prayed about it, and we definitely wanted what God wanted, but at the same time, our hearts were hurting.”
Kayla shared that their prayer was to “let God’s will be what God’s will is,” but she knew in her heart that Kane would find permanency with their family.
“I couldn’t give a reason, I couldn’t give facts, it’s just that feeling. That showed me that God was there with me.”
We are overjoyed for this family as they celebrate Kane’s adoption!
Related Stories View All
