1990
Leesa Wallace now understood the
grief swollen hearts of others. Her precious Caitlin, born just three months
earlier with trisomy-19, fought for her life. Worship music lilted in the
background of the hospital room, and the baby responded to it as she always had. Yet this time, she was too weak for her arms
and legs to flail and reach toward heaven. This time, only her eyes danced in
rhythm to the heartbeat of the Father.
As the music paused between songs, the baby gave up her fight and flew
into the arms of the Savior who had loved her first. And a gaping wound rent Leesa’s heart,
leaving a hole. She clutched the trembling hand of her husband, and together
they cried.
1999
Since Caitlin’s death, three more
daughters were born into the Wallace household to join big brother, Zachory,
but the family was incomplete. Leesa
knew on the inside—had always known—that God wanted her to have a medically
fragile child. Not one to replace Caitlin, but one chosen by the Father to
love, serve, and bless.
The seed, planted by the Father,
began germinating. The knowing became
inescapable. It was time. After taking adoption classes through the state of
Louisiana, the Wallace family began searching for their special child, and
Leesa was led to Adopt America, a national organization representing children
for adoption with special needs. The
process with Louisiana was slow and painstaking. But Adopt America found a
child almost immediately and agreed to work between states to unite their
family with a child.
Louisiana joined hands with Adopt
America and the state of Texas. There was a seven month old boy, Matthew,
living in a foster home in San Antonio, born with spina bifida. Leesa was given
the names and phone number for the foster parents, and God was the orchestra
leader bringing every instrument of His service into play. And this was only the warm-up.
After dinner one evening, Leesa
phoned San Antonio. Foster parent, Dennis
Snyder, answered. They chatted and in
their discourse Leesa asked, “Why do you foster children who are medically
challenged?” His reply would send
electricity jolting through her body.
This couple had a heart for fragile children because they had a daughter
born with trisomy-18, who died at age nine.
When Mr. Snyder asked, “Why do you
want to adopt a medically fragile child?” Leesa told him about Caitlin. Immediately,
Dennis called his wife to the extension. She asked; and Leesa explained that they had
previously lived in Round Rock, Texas, approximately sixty miles from the Snyder’s
home in San Antonio.
Long faded memories began popping
in Leesa as Jeanne Snyder peppered her with questions. In which Texas cemetery
had Caitlin been buried? And when? Leesa’s pulse escalated as she told Jeanne the
specific name of the cemetery. As things
turned out, the Snyders had started a support group for families who had
children with trisomy, and when they learned a young family in Round Rock had
lost their daughter, Jeanne had made the drive to attend the funeral. Yes.
Jeanne Snyder had been at Caitlin’s funeral.
As the conversation continued to
unfold, Leesa realized she had gone to one of the San Antonio support group
meetings shortly after Caitlin was born, and though names had withered with
time, it was the Snyder’s home where she had sat and shared about her special
daughter. Yes. Matthew was being fostered in this same home. A knowing settled
over Leesa. And, God, the Maestro, lifted his baton in prelude.
The social worker in Texas was
eager to find a Hispanic home for this child who was both white and Hispanic in
heritage. This woman chose to be uncooperative and launched a campaign to find Matthew
a Hispanic home. Her final ploy sent devastating breakers into the coastline of
Leesa’s heart. The Texas social worker decided to do an expanded feature,
advertising Matthew on Texas television despite protests by the Snyders and the
Wallaces. Matthew was a cute and gregarious baby. His potential was unknown, and he was passing
huge developmental milestones. Who wouldn’t want to adopt him?
But in the end, not a single
person made contact to ask more questions about adopting Matthew. This mother and son were meant to be
together. The Heavenly Conductor brought
His masterpiece to conclusion. Matthew
Wallace’s adoption was finalized September of 2000.
2012
Today, Matthew is thirteen. He recently went to med-camp, and he has
overcome many adversities through the help of his loving parents. The Snyders
are still involved in Matthew’s life, playing an extended family role.
God places the lonely in families. Psalm 68:6A
(Left to Right) The Wallace Children: Kimberlee, Sadie, Zachory, Matthew, and Meghann
Paul and Leesa Wallace pastor a church in Shreveport, LA. Our family was privileged to be apart of their church family for many years. God directed me to share this part of their story with you. Live blessed! Ann McCauley
Listen for His Whispers
