MEET THE WHELCHELS - RECIPIENTS OF THE 2009 OREGON FSA CHAPTER AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICE.
If you had attended the FSA West Regional Adoption Conference held in Portland, Oregon in November 2009, you would have seen wonderful pictures of children that were placed in various rooms throughout the conference. The children in those pictures were children photographed by The Linn County Heart Gallery showcasing children available for adoption with the state of Oregon. You would have been privileged to hear Lyn Welchel talk about her experience volunteering with The Heart Gallery as well as her amazing experience adopting two wonderful girls through the state of Oregon. You would have also seen Lyn and her husband, Tom become the recipients of the 2009 Oregon FSA Chapter Award which is given in recognition of outstanding service in support of adoption provided to the community and the membership of Families Supporting Adoption.
Tom and Lyn Whelchel have been married for 23 wonderful years. They have 4 biological children, 3 adopted children, and 2 foster children. From oldest to youngest, they have Mandie 24, Josh 21, Manika 15, Reegan 13, Alyssa 9, Bella 7, Olivia 6, and foster children N and K under 3 years of age. Their oldest son, Josh just recently returned from serving a full time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Denver, Colorado.
Lyn’s inspiration for adoption and foster care came from her Grandparents who took her and her two brothers at a young age into their home after losing their mother to cancer. As Lyn was growing up, their home and hearts were always open to additional children. This was an impactful example to her.
Lyn had the opportunity to work as a Funeral Director for many years, and felt she had found her niche serving and comforting others during one of the most difficult times of their lives. She has always felt drawn to helping others.
A few years ago, Lyn and Tom were asked by their Bishop to take in three children while their mother worked on becoming healthy and able to care for her children. It turned into two years of challenging, yet rewarding foster care. A whole new world opened up for them and they realized their mission in providing forever families for so many children. Eventually, the three foster children returned home to their mother who had made the necessary changes to care for them properly.
Lyn and Tom continued to feel a need to grow their forever family. Lyn started volunteering with The Oregon Heart Gallery and The Lane County Heart Gallery by taking photos and videos of children in need of adoption or foster care. She opened up store fronts in Shopping Malls advertising these children that desperately needed loving homes. Lyn had the unique blessing of taping her own adopted daughters, not knowing that someday, these little girls would become part of their forever family. Bella and Olivia have been such a blessing in the Whelchel family.
Tom is a dedicated father and husband. He works as a Carpenter who owns his own Cabinet shop. He has supported Lyn in her work with Heart Galleries and feels equally passionate about finding forever families for foster children.
About four months ago, they received a call from a caseworker that told them of a fourteen month old niece of Bella and Olivia was in need of a home, and that there was also a little brother to be born in August that would also need a home. Lyn and Tom prayed for inspiration, and felt they needed to take both of the children home.
The last four of Lyn and Tom’s children are African American. Lyn has taught herself to care for their skin and hair and gives classes through DHS to teach other parents. Lyn has also been asked to become a mentor to other adoptive or foster care parents who have special needs children, or are struggling with a particular child in adjusting to foster care or adoption.
The Whelchel’s have been incredibly blessed by these opportunities to bring these precious children into their home, and help others find and adjust healthily to their new families. They thank Heavenly Father each day for such blessings.
http://www.oregonheartgallery.org/
OUR MISSION:
A Family for Every Child
Is Dedicated to Finding
Loving, Permanent Families
For Every Waiting Foster Child.
