25 Mar From Survival to Abundance

Childhood should be a carefree time filled with laughter and love. A place where a child is safe and secure in the arms of loving parents. But for two-year-old Lewis, that wasn’t the case. On a normal day in April, there was an unexpected knock at his family’s door and a CPS caseworker entered the home. Without any notice, she announced that she was there to remove Lewis from the only family he knew because it was no longer safe for him to be there. It was a very traumatic moment for everyone. Lewis was too young to understand what was happening, only that everyone he had known and loved was gone in an instant. The first days and weeks were filled with the trauma of looking for the family he had lost. With very little language, he couldn’t communicate his feelings of grief and loss. His eyes looked vacant, filled with trauma and fear.

But God’s providential hand was on Lewis’ life. He was placed into the foster home of Brady and Jan Simmons. The Simmons have been fostering for Loving Alternative for over 10 years and have helped many children find hope and healing from the trauma in their lives. They have a special God-given gift of working with hurting children. When Lewis joined their family, he had significant behavior issues due to the trauma he had experienced. The loving-kindness and compassion of the Simmons family began to disarm his fears and provided a place where he could find unconditional love and begin the healing process. Lewis grew and blossomed under their insightful and nurturing care. Survival behaviors gave way to a strong and loving attachment to his new family.

Brady and Jan had four children and felt their family was complete until they met Lewis. There is something uniquely special about Lewis. He brought a new sense of joy and wonder to their family. They quickly fell in love with him and knew their family would not be complete without him. They made the decision to adopt Lewis.

May 14, 2021 was a day of great rejoicing as Lewis became a permanent member of the Simmons family through adoption.

Lewis has blossomed into a secure and happy boy who is confident in the love of his adoptive parents. The fear and trauma he once knew have given way to security and abundance. His eyes are now filled with life and joy. God has done a marvelous thing!

God has sent us to, “comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve, to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning and the garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.” Isaiah 61:2-3

Carol Morgan

Loving Alternative Program Director