All of Life Interview - Remington Stoddard

Name *	Remington Stoddard
What is your vocation? *	Adoptions Specialist
How would you describe your work?*	I work with kids and families to try to help kids find a forever home that will love them, meet their needs, and help them heal from their past traumas of abuse, neglect, and unimaginable loss. I bear the burden of finding those families, and making sure that they are equipped to meet the needs of those kids and help them heal even after I am out of the picture. I also advocate for these children and their families in court and fight for what is best for the kids.
As an image-bearer of God, how does your work reflect some aspect of God’s work?*	My favorite thing about my work is that I get to be a part of healing broken things. When a kid comes to me with unspeakable hurt and trauma, I love that i get to be a part of helping them find a new, loving start just like how God takes us out of our darkest spots and adopts us into his family and loves us no matter what as we heal in our broken places.
How does your work give you a unique vantage point into the brokenness of the world?*	I think part of what people don't realize is that the hurt that kids experience doesn't end with adoption. They can hurt for the rest of their lives, but some find healing and that's why i do what i do. Even healthy babies who go straight to their adoptive families days after they are born can experience deep hurt, showing me that we were truly meant to be with our families. But becuase this is a sinful and broken world, kids don't always get to stay with their families. The truly unique vantage point i get to have is the new start. The brokenness beginning to heal through a family loving someone unconditionally and the way that represents God's grace and love is amazing to me.
Jesus commands us to “love our neighbors as ourselves.” How does your work function as an opportunity to love and serve others?*	My work is often abnormal, unexpected hours, and rolling with the punches as they come. Working with people is unpredictable and messy, and when kids and their adoptive families come to me, they have often been through many case managers with all different work ethics. They can still feel fearful of DCS and burnt out on the struggle for permanency. I get to walk with them and listen to their hurting places. It's not the norm in my job to take the time to listen to foster moms vent to me about how burnt out they are, or spend more than a half hour finding out how a kid is really doing below the surface, but doing so is where i get to love people, and show them the love of Jesus on a personal level.