We began our adoption journey with another agency, and once we completed our home study, they encouraged us to share it with other agencies to increase our chances of being matched. Knowing that many agencies in Kansas City are well-connected, the agency specifically recommended Christian Family Services (CFS), recognizing a strong alignment in values and approach.
From our very first meeting with Susan Timmons at CFS, we experienced an immediate sense of encouragement and support. Susan brought a clear “yes, and” attitude to the table—she understood the work we’d already done and focused right away on how to build upon it. She streamlined what could have been a complicated process. It was such a relief to feel we had yet another advocate in our corner.
We first learned about the expectant mother about a month before we eventually met our sweet Berklee—but, as fate would have it, we never met her in person before the birth. About 24 hours after she chose us, she went into labor early. We will never forget the phone call from Susan letting us know we had been chosen—and that the expectant mother was already in labor. Talk about uncontrollable tears and emotions!
What makes this story even more extraordinary is the timing. If it hadn’t been for Susan’s dedication to outreach, Berklee’s birth mother might never have learned about CFS. Susan had re-stocked a local health department with CFS materials just days before the birth mother happened to pick one up.
Throughout the process, Susan maintained a prompt and supportive feedback loop. Even when there wasn’t new information to share, she always had a helpful suggestion, word of encouragement, or useful resource to offer. That level of care and commitment meant the world to us.
To any prospective adoptive families or expectant mothers considering Christian Family Services, we can’t recommend them highly enough. They made an emotional, complex process feel as smooth, supportive, and hopeful as it possibly could be.
