Blog

We’re Adopting! - Guest blogger, soon-to-be Adoptive Mom

Posted by Shaylee Honey on February 06, 2012 at 12:04 pm

A CH&FS adoptive mom blogs about the beginning of their adoption process, how they came to adoption and their feelings on what lies ahead of them.

We're Adopting!

I know our announcement to adopt came as a big surprise to many of our friends and family. I promise that we were not trying to keep anything from anyone, and I hope we haven't hurt anyone's feelings by them finding out this news in a non-personalized way. It's something we prayed about for a long time, and once we felt the Lord telling us this was His plan for us, we just went for it! I thought ya'll might like some background info on our reason to adopt and such though, so I wanted to write an entry about that...

As most of you know, we often refer to L as our miracle-girl. We were TTC for a long time (well, OK, anytime you want to be pregnant and you aren't, it seems like a long time! lol) and then found out DH had cancer. We were told it was very likely we would not be able to get pregnant on our own...but God had different plans:) Just two months after DH's surgery, we found out we were expecting! I guess a big part of me thought that since we were able to get pregnant with her that once we were ready for another child we would be able to get pregnant again...but that just hasn't happened the way I thought it would.

After TTC for over a year, we began talking with my OB about possible problems. DH went through some testing and I had a laparoscopy done, and our dr was convinced we would be pregnant very quickly...but again, it just didn't happen the way we thought it would, or hoped it would. I always thought I would want to go through fertility treatments, but once I was faced with that possibility and prayed about it, I just did not feel a peace about it at all. I had no desire to go that route, yet I was desiring a child so badly...I didn't understand...until we started praying about adoption.

I think adopting a child had always been in the back of mind. "I'd love to adopt a baby one day...once our kids are older maybe..." but as I began praying through adoption and looking into it more, my whole thought process began to change on it. Without realizing it at first, my prayers had changed from "Lord, please let me get pregnant," to "Lord, please expand our family and bless us with a child." I also started thinking of how our daughter would pray each evening, "Lord, thank you for my baby brother and sister." She wasn't asking for God to give her a baby brother and sister--she was praying for them as if they already existed...and I began to wonder, does our baby already exist? Is our daughter or son (or both!) already growing inside of their birthmommy's belly? And as I sifted and prayed through these thoughts, I began to have this overwhelming desire to parent this child that I did not even know. I began to view our struggle to conceive again as a blessing--had we not struggled in this way, adoption would probably have just stayed in the back of our minds. But because of our struggle to conceive a child on our own, God was growing within us a desire to expand our family, and He was showing us that He had CALLED us to adopt.

I began researching agencies, but just did not feel a peace about any of them. I really wanted to find a well-established Christian agency that was near our area, but I couldn't find anything that matched up to what we wanted...until a good friend of ours "just happened" to mention Christian Homes in Abilene. I immediately got on their website (http://www.christianhomes.com) and felt an instant connection with this agency! She told us about Christian Homes at our Annual New Year's Eve party we have to celebrate DH being cancer free--this last year, we celebrated him being cancer-free for FIVE years...and then we came home and rang in the new year by filling out our pre-adoption application! What an exciting start to 2012!

The agency allowed us to get the necessary information in quickly and invited us to attend their winter orientation--there "just happened" to be one spot left for it! We attended this past weekend and it totally affirmed our decision to use this agency! The staff is just wonderful and full of Christ's love. I love the ministry that they provide to birthmothers, and I cannot wait to adopt through them!

To read more about this wonderful family and their adoption follow their blog at http://w4baby.blogspot.com/ If your interested in adoption and would like to know more, please call Christian Homes at 1.800.592.4725

“Think of giving not as a duty but as a privilege…”

Posted by Shaylee Honey on November 29, 2011 at 8:43 am

The Koshy family of the Houston area guest blogs today about giving and Christian Homes & Family Services.

Yet another year is coming to close and we approach the season of Thanksgiving and Christmas. I especially love this time of year as many do not because of the gifts, but the time we get to spend with family, friends and just kind of wind down the year.

Every year around this time Sheena and I try to contribute or donate to someone that is less fortunate and try to help them enjoy the season as we do. We donate money through out the year but during this time, we try to adopt a family and actually get them the items that they need/want. We also try to avoid big organizations that usually receive plenty throughout the year and focus on the not so large organizations.

Sheena did all the research and found this great organization (Christian Homes and Family Services). They have eight apartments that offer up to women with unplanned pregnancies free of charge. In addition to providing for a birth mother's physical needs, they also help them continue her education, provide counseling, and help her think through and plan for life after her baby is born. Most importantly, if she choose to place her baby for adoption, they will help her select a wonderful, Christian couple to be her baby's parents.

We chose to buy each of the eight occupants all the necessary items that were listed and basically made care packages. Usually these are all donated items, but we decided to buy them all brand new basics to get them started. It sounds pretty easy, but there were a few exhausting trips to Walmart and a lot of toting things back and forth.

The next feat was to get all these items to Abilene, TX which is where the organization is. Luckily, a board member from the organization lives in Katy and was more than willing to haul it out there. I was actually contemplating making the 6 hours drive out there, its the least we could do.

Here's a few of the items we bought:

Bible (Women's Devotional or Daily Devotional Bible)
Journal
Pens
Frying pan, small pot and cookie sheet
Cooking utensils such as a knife, spatula, wooden spoons
Plates, glasses and flatware for no more than four
Cup towels and dishcloths
Dish Drainer Sheets for a twin or double bed
Pillows Bedding sets
Bath, hand towels, and washcloths
Bath mat
Standard shower curtain
Shampoo, conditioner, bath and hand soap
Deodorant and body lotion
Disposable razors
Toothpaste and toothbrush
Mouthwash

It is so easy to cut a check to someone or hand some cash to a worthy cause, but when you have to spend some time to actually do something meaningful it is a little more WORK (I'm lazy if you didn't catch on). This was the biggest task we've taken on and it took me a little time to get ramped up on doing the work. Sheena on the other hand blows my mind on how energetic and enthusiastic she was through the process, it says a lot about her. After our second trip to Walmart and slowly seeing the accumulation of items that we were going to donate, I could only imagine how the person on the other end would feel. It was all worth it!

I've always wanted to help out the community and figured monetary contributions would suffice BUT it is definetly more rewarding getting knowing that you have personally made a difference. Since we have been doing this the past few years I hope I can continue to do this not just once a year but through out the year. We have so much and are blessed beyond belief and there are people that are in need 365 days out of the year. Lastly, Introducing the act of giving to my daughter can only help her be a role model in this world, and I think it was just a great bonding experience for the family. My favorite little helper!

Let us not be satisfied with just giving money. Money is not enough, money can be got, but they need your hearts to love them. So, spread your love everywhere you go.
Mother Teresa

CHFS New Employee Spotlight - Carla Riediger

Posted by Shaylee Honey on August 31, 2011 at 6:58 am

It has always been Carla Riediger's dream to work for a non-profit organization that ministered to others. After spending five years at Abilene Christian University as an Administrative Assistant, Carla heard of the open position at Christian Homes & Family Services as a Social Services Assistant and just knew she couldn't pass it up. Since May 1, 2011, Carla has been working as a Social Services Assistant and has been staying very busy entering all intakes, managing case files and all legal work for maternity clients and foster children. She has also been keeping busy with her part time class schedule at ACU studying to receive a degree in Liberal Arts in December of 2012. Carla is married to Ken who is a Registered Nurse in the Wound Care Center at Abilene Regional Medical Center, and they have four children and five grandchildren.

CHFS New Employee Spotlight - Shaylee Honey

Posted by Shaylee Honey on August 24, 2011 at 10:42 am

Adoption has been a lifelong passion for the newest member of the Christian Homes & Family Services staff, Shaylee Honey. Shaylee comes from a family of nine children, three of whom were adopted at a young age. She brings personal knowledge and experience on foster care and adoption having gone through so many of the trials and triumphs with her own family. Growing up and seeing the joy and love from fostering and adoption fueled Shaylee's desire to work in the adoption ministry. Shaylee joined Christian Homes as the Marketing Coordinator in June upon her graduation from ACU with a Bachelors of Science degree in Advertising and Public Relations. Enthusiasm, innovation, and new ideas are just a few of things that Shaylee has brought to this wonderful ministry.

Shaylee Honey

CHFS New Employee Spotlight - Amy Munoz

Posted by Shaylee Honey on August 18, 2011 at 5:27 am

Amy Munoz is the newest North Texas Family Services Caseworker. Since Amy started working for Christian Homes in March of 2011 she has been staying very busy meeting and building relationships with adoptive couples and completing adoption home studies. Right after Amy graduated from the University of Texas in Arlington, with a Master of Science in Social Work, she began her career with Child Protective Services as a Child Abuse Investigator. Amy also worked 3 years in the children's ministry as a pre-school teacher at Young Children's World at The Hills Church of Christ. After staying home full time to care for her children for a few years Amy felt God calling her back into the field of social work but was unsure of where the Lord would lead her. Her love for children and a desire to work in a Christian agency with Christian people lead her to Christian Homes & Family Services. She feels so blessed and thankful to be employed with this agency. Amy and her husband Breck have been married for 12 years and have three children, Ashley (7), Dylan (6) and Brady (3).

Amy Munoz

CHFS New Employee Spotlight - Melanie Wallace

Posted by Shaylee Honey on August 08, 2011 at 6:03 am

At a young age Melanie Wallace was drawn towards adoption. She attended Lamar University where she received her bachelors in Social Work. This helped to get her one step closer to fulfilling her dream of working with children and families. After graduation from Lamar, Melanie began work as a Family Preservation Caseworker. She was employed by the state for five years until she resigned to do short term missions with her husband. Two years later, desiring to once again work with families, Melanie began contracting with Texas Department of Family and Protective Services conducting Home Assessments. She also contracted with DePelchin Children's Center to work in the area of Post-Adoption. In 2011 Melanie joined the CHFS ministry as a Family Caseworker. She has been married to her husband for almost 18 years and they have one son, Caleb, who is 12 years of age.

Melanie Wallace

Save the Date: Summer and Fall Events!

Posted by Shaylee Honey on July 06, 2011 at 11:49 am

It's never too early to plan ahead... mark your calendar now for these summer and fall events!

Summer Adoption Orientation
Friday & Saturday, July 15th & 16th
Abilene, Texas

Summer Board of Trustees Meeting
Saturday, August 27th
Tyler, Texas

East Texas Foster Family Picnic
Saturday, August 27th
GABC Retreat Center - Lake Tyler - Tyler, Texas

Fall Adoption Orientation
Friday & Saturday, September 30th - October 1st
Abilene, Texas

7th Annual Red River Charity Golf Classic
Monday, October 3rd - 1 p.m. Shotgun
Paris Golf & Country Club - Paris, Texas
Contact Kathryn Bashaw at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 817.428.1441

Adoption: Chosen or Placed

Posted by Shaylee Honey on January 10, 2011 at 7:11 am

Lauren Ramirez, Abilene Christian University student, guest blogs today about adoptee and former Christian Homes & Family Services intern Erin Hanner.

Erin Hanner knows she is blessed, not ditched.

Adoption is a topic some people choose to keep quiet about or become strangely awkward when it is mentioned. For Erin Hanner, adoption is what gave her life and a family that showers her with love, safety and a place to call home.

"My parents would always tell me that I was chosen but that they were stuck with my brothers," said Hanner. "That was their way of telling me I was adopted but it took a few years for me to really understand that."

When she finally understood the act of adoption, Hanner said she experienced feelings of shock. It took some close friends and long talks for her to realize that she was truly blessed and that adoption was not a shameful thing.

After the confusion subsided, Hanner said it didn't take long for her to embrace the truth and know that her family was her own; she belonged just as much as her brothers. Hanner said she was never treated differently, favored or belittled. Her family has instilled the same values with her as they did her brothers and in her mind, that's exactly how it should be. Now, if you were to ask her brothers if she was treated differently they may say she was spoiled, but to Hanner, that's just because she's the baby and rightfully so.

Now in college in Abilene, Hanner has interned with the local adoption and foster agency, Christian Homes & Family Services. Her family has always been involved with the organization so it was the perfect fit for Hanner to gain work experience. Her parents, Mark and Jana Hanner, served on the board of directors for Christian Homes for numerous years; Jana Hanner served as president in the past.

Christian Homes & Family Services has been in Abilene for more than 40 years serving young women who are experiencing an unplanned pregnancy as well as families who are looking to foster or adopt a child. The young women are provided housing, food, medical care and especially moral support and comfort in their time of struggle.

During her internship, Hanner helped plan numerous events and assisted in keeping the shows running smoothly. Although she did not expect to work directly with the couples who were considering adoption, she always found ways to be a part of their lives. Hanner looked forward most to events where she could spend time with these couples getting to know them; talking, laughing and even sometimes crying. Hanner would then take part in praying over the soon-to-be adoptive parents and their new journey of creating a family.

Although a lot of work experience was gained, including dealing with caterers and seating charts, Hanner said she most appreciated the community and family that were built in Christian Homes & Family Services.

"Birth mothers placing their baby up for adoption shouldn't be nervous. Christian Homes is going to take them in, love them and find their child a loving home with parents who will raise them in the way their birth mother wishes she could," Hanner said.

On Hanner's foot is a permanent reminder of the reality of her life. A tattoo reads, "There is no fear in love." When observers inquire about the phrase, Hanner shares with them how adopted children feel about adoption and their families. Often times, adopted children don't understand why their birth mom would give them up.

"We love our adoptive families but there is always that doubt," Hanner said.

Hanner may be the exception to the rule on this one. You will never find her shying away from the topic of adoption or keeping her adoption a secret. She wants to tell everyone how cool adoption is, how heroic it is and how at the end of the day, she is the blessed one.

A Story of Value

Posted by Shaylee Honey on January 05, 2011 at 2:11 pm

Today we're excited to have a guest post from Abilene Christian University student Karissa Sherry. Karissa writes of Nancy Miller's legacy.

A dad beams with pride and brags about his daughter's beautiful voice. This is the kind of joy Nancy Miller brought to many lives while fulfilling God's calling for her life. This woman was the first child Miller placed into an adoptive home.

Miller has served with Christian Homes & Family Services for 40 years. She is now retiring from her ministry of caring for women with unplanned pregnancies, placing children to be adopted into loving Christian homes, bringing encouragement to the people she worked with, and leading the organization as president for 32 years.

As a single woman, Miller was able to answer God's calling for her life and devote her entire time to the ministry of Christian Homes.

"I never questioned why God kept me single all these years," Miller said.

Since Miller doesn't have her own family to need her care, she has had the opportunity to dedicate her love and care to the staff and the clients of Christian Homes. In many ways, the staff has become her family.

"I couldn't have done it without the staff I've had," Miller said. "God blessed me with great people to work with. Many have been here for over 25 years and that gives clients a lot of confidence."

The staff is equally grateful.

"When I didn't think I could put one foot in front of the other, here came Nancy with a hug and a sweet smile," said Charlene Walker, former residential and maternity caseworker. "The warmth from her blessed me and wrapped me up. She was like a warm blanket."

God's calling and passion for kids allowed Miller to lead Christian Homes to have great success. The numbers say it all. During Miller's tenure, 2,180 birthmothers were given maternity care, 1,139 children were loved and cared for by committed foster parents, and 1,419 children were adopted by loving families.

One young man approached Miller at a dinner and thanked her for changing his life. He had been adopted from Christian Homes and is now serving in youth ministry. Another family adopted two boys and a little girl through Christian Homes, and they now have nine grandchildren. The first little girl that Miller helped place into a home is now 40 years old and is teaching at a junior college, making her dad proud. Stories such as these are what give Miller's work value.

"It is satisfying to see how those kids have been blessed by their adoptive families," Miller said, "and it is great seeing the birthmothers change their lives through our program. It's a huge decision, and it's a tough one to make. It's a maturing process for them; to see them grow up beautifully is pretty exciting."

Now Miller is entering a new season of her life as she retires from Christian Homes and Family Services. Miller said she wants to do some things she was unable to do while working full time. She is looking forward to visiting her family in College Station, Texas, and seeing her nieces and nephews play in their soccer games and perform in concerts. She also plans to travel to areas of the country she has not yet visited. She also admitted that she "wants to read a book without feeling guilty about it."

"Time flies, it doesn't feel like 40 years," Miller said. "It's been an awesome experience for me, a wonderful experience."

Miller's influence will not end with her retirement. She will continue to bring joy through her actions, through others she has influenced and through her story.

2010 Highlights

Posted by Shaylee Honey on January 05, 2011 at 9:16 am

Disappointment to Joy

Posted by Shaylee Honey on December 27, 2010 at 8:14 am

He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.
Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.

Hard to believe those words from Isaiah were written about Jesus.

Knowing what you and I know about the Prince of Peace, how could anyone say that there is nothing appealing about him? And who in their right mind could possibly despise and reject him? Yet, as we observe history, we know that's exactly what happened and is happening. In the whole scheme of history, taking into account the entire population of planet Earth throughout time, Jesus has indeed largely been ignored, at best; despised and rejected, at worst.

One would be wrong to think that the Christmas story is only about how a little baby and its parents were turned away from a warm and cozy place to stay and forced to take up lodging among animals. The Christmas story isn't about rejection. Au contraire! The Christmas story is about babies and innocence and hope and joy and peace!

It's about hundreds of years of promise that God will do something spectacular for all mankind. It's about God coming to earth as a baby to save us all. It's about angels and heavenly hosts singing because baby HOPE has arrived. It's ultimately about Jesus' infatuation with babies and children and God's call to every one of us to become like a little child.

And while there is an element of rejection in the whole business of adoption, it's really less about that. Adoption is more about hope and sacrifice and courage and joy and fulfillment. It's about birth mothers--themselves often the victims of rejection and abuse--who muster the courage to make an eternal plan for their babies by placing them in Christian forever families. It's about the joy that babies bring to couples who thought they would never experience the blessings of children. It's about adopted children who, as adults, express deep gratitude for having been reared by loving, believing parents.

The stories of Christmas and Christian Homes have common themes...disappointment turned to joy. Hopelessness transformed into hope.

Christmas is about a baby. Not a king in a palace. Not armies. Not politics. Not strength or power or smarts or wealth. It's about a vulnerable, defenseless baby. A baby! For goodness sakes...a BABY! A baby rejected, now a Savior, alive, and the author of "Peace on Earth to all on whom his favor rests."

Happy Holidays from all of us at Christian Homes & Family Services.

40-Year Career in Adoption Consummated

Posted by Shaylee Honey on December 21, 2010 at 11:22 am

After a 40-year career, President Emeritus Nancy Miller is retiring from the Christian adoption ministry that has been her life's work.

During her remarkable tenure, 2180 birthmothers received free maternity care during their unplanned pregnancies; 1139 children were cared for by devoted foster parents; and 1419 children were placed for adoption into loving Christian homes and families.

Nancy's 40-year career includes two years as a social services caseworker, 32 years as president and the last six committed to building Christian Homes' endowment through the cultivation of gifts from wills and estates.

Her leadership resulted in the expansion of social services programs; a merger with Christian Services of East Texas, a sister foster care agency; and the acquisition of another in Paris, TX. She also directed three capital campaigns that resulted in a 16-bed maternity home and two different offices.

In 1970, Nancy moved to Abilene to begin working for a ministry started by the Highland Church of Christ that would soon be known as Christian Homes of Abilene. For years, the Highland elders served as the ministry's Board of Directors, and the children's committee of the elders met every Monday morning at 6:30 to help guide and grow the ministry.

Later, Nancy was instrumental in the formation of the Christian Child and Family Services Association and was the first woman elected to lead the organization. She also is widely credited for helping ACU establish the only graduate program in social work at a Church of Christ affiliated university. She was honored by her alma mater as the Outstanding Alumnus of the Year in 1997.

Nancy was the first woman to join what was then the largest Kiwanis club in Texas and later was elected the club's first female president. She is the only person who has been elected to serve two non-consecutive terms as Governor of the Kiwanis district encompassing Texas and Oklahoma.

Her entire lifetime has been devoted to Christian service said Gary Miller, chair of the Christian Homes & Family Services Board of Trustees. Christian Home is the thriving ministry it is because of the friends and support Nancy cultivated.

We would love to hear your comments, stories and memories of Nancy. You can leave a comment below and we will share them with Nancy.

North Texas Fall Dinner: Recap

Posted by Shaylee Honey on December 02, 2010 at 12:42 pm

What a wonderful evening November 16th was! It was filled with celebration in several different ways. One celebration of course was the honoring of Nancy Miller and her 40 years of service to the ministry. Another being the celebration of our North Texas office and the physical presence of Christian Homes & Family Services in the metroplex area. People joined us from all over the Dallas/Fort Worth area and some came from as far as Bonham, TX, the hometown of Nancy Miller. Once again, Gary Miller, chair of the Christian Homes Board of Trustees, served as the evening's emcee and did a fabulous job introducing guests, acknowledging generous supporters and telling the story of Christian Homes. Speaking of supporters, we are especially grateful to Rick and Debbie Wessel and the Ard, Eden, Harlow and Hosch families for their sponsorship of the North Texas dinner. Representing the Nancy Miller hosts of the evening were Darla Ard and her son, Ross Harlow, who Darla and her late husband adopted from Christian Homes several years ago. Darla and Ross honored Nancy with words of gratitude, the sweet video and the award and Nancy once again offered her humble thanks and love to each person present.

After a personal and special introduction by Sherri Statler, President of Christian Homes, Ruth Graham took the stage and shared her heart. She shared of her father who is doing well and planning to speak again soon. She shared of her family and the difficult trials and tribulations she has been through with her children including unplanned pregnancies, drug addiction and eating disorders. Ruth mentioned that she wished she'd known about Christian Homes & Family Services when her daughter experienced an unplanned pregnancy. She shared of her most recent trial in the near-death accident of her husband and all that she and he are going through because of that. And what she shared next was gripping. Ms. Graham stated that even in the midst of the situation with her husband and all that she's been through with her children, God is still sovereign and he is still good. People often expect that because Ruth is the daughter of Billy Graham she must live under some umbrella of protection from harm, difficult situations and pain. On the contrary, I would say that Ruth Graham has been through much heartache and loss and through it all declares that God is good and that His love is unwavering. Her message was inspiring and genuine and her candid spirit was refreshing. This wonderful evening came to a close with a word of thanks from Gary Miller and a benediction led by member of the Christian Homes Board of Trustees and adoptive father, Benton Clark.

Again, a night like this and in turn, the ministry of Christian Homes & Family Services wouldn't be possible without the support of faithful donors, volunteers, and guests. We are thankful for you.

Seasons of Thanks and Giving

Posted by Shaylee Honey on November 23, 2010 at 6:58 am

For decades, special people throughout the states of Texas and Oklahoma have given generously to Christian Homes through our "Change for Children" change can drive. These good folks deposit their loose change into cans picked up from their church. The donated money is used to find Christian "forever families" for babies and children. Over the years you can only imagine what all has tumbled out of these cans at counting time. Here is a brief list:

Bullets!
Watch batteries
Washers
Pills
Subway tokens
Car wash tokens
Mr. Gatti's tokens
Chuck E Cheese tokens
St. Christopher's medal
Sunflower seeds
Buttons
Slugs
Play coins
Scripture coins
Bent coins
Corroded coins
Unrecognizable coins
Coins with bullet holes
And foreign coins from every nation on earth!

While the above items are of no use when it comes to paying the bills, they do represent the spirit of giving. The same hands that deposited pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters and sometimes bills and checks also dropped in these items. We are thankful!

Here at the doorstep of seasons dedicated to thanks and giving is a good time to make special mention of all of you who make Christian Homes & Family Services possible.

"America runs on Dunkin'," and Christian Homes runs on several things. Of course, we run on money. And to you who have given to this ministry in 2010, we offer a heartfelt Thank You! We could not be here without you.

Christian Homes also runs on volunteers. Many of you have given freely and generously of your time and talents to make life better for birth mothers, assist in the office, temporarily care for a little one in your home or serve in some other way. Thank you! Again, we could not be here without you.

And of course, we could not be here without our generous and gracious Father. He has been so good to this ministry through its nearly 50 years of service. He has been faithful to supply all we need at just the right times. He has put together this group of caring professionals. And he has brought us faithful supporters and friends. Where would we be without Him?

Happy Holidays to all of you! Thank you for your love for children and families.

Abilene Fall Dinner: Recap

Posted by Shaylee Honey on November 22, 2010 at 12:16 pm

The evening of November 9th, friends from Abilene and the surrounding areas gathered in Abilene Christian University's Hunter Welcome Center to celebrate Nancy Miller and her 40 years of service to Christian Homes & Family Services. Dan Garrett, friend to Christian Homes & Nancy Miller served as the evening's emcee and his familiarity with the organization and the night's honoree made the entire evening special. Tribute sponsor for this evening was the Dian Graves Owen Foundation and Nancy Miller hosts included the Dodge Jones Foundation and Mark & Jana Hanner. Christian Homes & Family Services Board of Trustees member Kaye Price-Hawkins honored Nancy by reading The Three Questions and thanked her for her incredible ministry and Christian service. Charlene Walker, retired employee of Christian Homes, offered tribute remarks to Nancy and a few of her memories evoked laughter throughout the room. One memory regarding Nancy and a staff retreat proved too personal to share but with its mention, Charlene had the whole room wondering, "What in the world happened at that staff retreat??" What a sweet walk down memory lane.

Soon after Charlene offered her sincere and hilarious remarks, Mike Schweikhard, Vice Chair of the Christian Homes Board of Trustees took the stage to introduce the video on Nancy and to subsequently formally recognize Nancy for her remarkable service. Mike stated and I quote, "It gives me great pleasure to announce that in your honor, the Christian Homes Board of Trustees has established the Miller Award for Christian Service and Leadership. The symbol of the award is a light and annually the board plans to bestow the award on others who are lights in this world." Nancy, overwhelmed, offered heartfelt thanks and love to each one present. The night concluded with a benediction by Nancy's neighbors and best friends, Jane and Bruce Evans, followed by Dr. Bob Hunter leading in "The Lord Bless You and Keep You." It was the perfect way to end such a special evening.