Clinton1121web

Forever
Mistie Desper
Home
“We knew that there were children out there
that needed homes and we felt God calling
us to adopt a child that needed one,”
said Denise Coleman.
Denise and husband, Stephen, found
their way to each other while continuing
their education at the University of Southern
Mississippi. Marrying in December 2007,
they began their lives together in Clinton.
As they began careers, the desire to have a
family was soon at the forefront of their
minds and hearts. Denise, a second-grade
special education teacher at Gary Road
Elementary, and already having a love of
children, knew in her heart that she wanted
to share that love with a precious child.
The couple admits that they both felt
God “had called them” to be a beacon for
children in the area who needed loving,
nurturing homes. The Colemans leaned on
their faith and trusted the path the Lord had
set out before them as they eagerly opened
their home to foster children.
On Mother’s Day weekend in 2015,
Stephen and Denise received the call from
Southern Christian Services to take in a
foster. Little did they know that this young
foster, a bouncing 16-month-old little boy,
would change their lives forever.
What initially was to be a temporary
placement for the summer turned into four
years. On March 26, 2019, Jaxson legally
became their adopted son. He was part of a
large adoption ceremony that took place at
the Hinds County Courthouse. The couple
admitted to having a variety of emotions over
Jaxson’s adoption. Being elated and eager to
make it official, they also had a “sense of relief”
in knowing now that he would be theirs
forever. Denise added, “We simply wanted
him to grow up being loved, cared for, and
knowing that he would be ok and not have to
worry about whether or not he was going to
have to leave our home or get to stay was a
great relief. We also felt sadness because we
knew that that ended a chapter in his life,
a life he had before he came to us.” Stephen
added, “The most rewarding part about
adopting has been knowing that we had
a part in the story of Jaxson’s life.”
Becoming new parents is a time of
unexplainable bliss but also uncertainty and
sometimes fear. Stephen said, “I had to learn
to think of Jaxson first and put his needs
before my own. Being able to watch him grow
on a daily basis and absorb new things all the
time has been an amazing thing to watch.”
Denise added, “Parenting itself can be
tough and challenging, but that’s true for any
parents who have children.” Both Denise and
Stephen were born deaf and wear cochlear
implant processors. She said, “Our hearing
impairments have not presented any challenges
in raising a child.” The Colemans are showing
Jaxson true determination, dedication, and
positivity each day. Denise added, “The thing
he says all the time is ‘I’ve got this.’”
Jaxson attends Northside Elementary,
has three dogs who just happen to be adopted
also, and “loves to go to church with his family
at First Baptist of Clinton.” He loves pizza,
his friends, Minecraft, and sports. He said,
“I love to go out the eat with my family, have
family movie nights, go to church with my
mom and dad, and play Beyblades with my
daddy.”
Denise added, “He has truly blessed us
with his smile, his big heart for others, his silly
sense of humor, his determination to be the
best person he can be. He has blessed us so
much in teaching us how to be godly parents
just as we are teaching him to be a servant for
the Lord.”
Fostering and adopting can be an emotional
roller coaster. For those considering it, Denise
offered, “The advice we would give is to be
patient and have faith in God to be in control
of your adoption journey.” She also adds to
be an advocate for your child when working
through the process making sure that he or
she is really “heard.” She urges, “Make time
to spend together as a family and make
memories, even if you don’t know what will
happen, if the child will leave or get to stay
and be adopted. Those memories are what
you will have together in the long run. Don’t
be afraid to also allow the child to know God.
Take your child to church, let them know
God, and ultimately lead them to have a real
relationship with God because God loves
that precious child too.”
Hometown CLINTON • 35