A Blessing From Uncle Sam

David and Thelma Ward attracted
national media coverage when a one-time adoption credit led to a $54,000
tax refund. Thelma calls the unexpected bonanza an example of God at
work in their lives.

“We’re a blessed family,” says the North
Carolina homemaker, who quit her job in 2008 to devote all her time to
caring for their five adopted children. “You hear about good things
happening to other people, but it’s way out yonder.”

Even with the refund, the Wards face
challenges. They need a home makeover—windows, carpeting and appliances
need replacing, and their washing machine, dryer and stove get a fierce
workout.

The Smithville couple, who are members
of a Holiness church in Selma, N.C., have raised six of their own
children, now ages 21 to 26. They also have provided foster care for
more than 100 children over the years.

Now between the ages of 3 and 17, their
adopted children—who are black, white and racially mixed—were foster
kids with nowhere else to go. Their youngest daughter has a heart
condition; others have assorted special needs.

The children’s various situations require occupational
and other forms of therapy, counseling and doctor visits, prompting
Thelma to remark: “Don’t adopt a child for the money. It’s not there.”

The Wards now manage on an income of
just over $40,000 a year after David’s employer reduced his salary last
year by more than $7,000.

Instead of complaining, Thelma says they are grateful he still has a job and health insurance.

“It wouldn’t be this easy if we didn’t
have Christ in our life,” she says. “Without a Holy Ghost-filled husband
and a pastor who prays for you, it wouldn’t be so easy.”

Lessons for Lean Living