Page 83 - Senior Link Magazine Spring 2018 - Online Magazine

book, Joel wrote about that time. At church one Sunday, Joel and Betsy Joel and Betsy don’t see themselves
“When someone asked me how it was heard about a little boy who was as extraordinary. They just know
going, I would say that I could do a about to be turned over to the foster that God gave them the desire to
million things, but it was the million care system. They already had eight, love children. “It’s not about how
and one that became difficult.” and Baby Joelie was only six months many you have,” Joel says. “It’s
old, but the couple knew this child about spending time with them. It’s
In the meantime, Betsy, having was for them. Another love story not easy, but that’s okay. It is a lot
passed her 32nd birthday, began opened when 7-year-old Cameron of work, but it’s worth it. (Loving
to doubt if the Lord had marriage was adopted. Joel said, “It wasn’t our children) is the most important thing
and motherhood in her future. goal to have a large family. We just you can do.” As they approach their
Would she ever meet her “Mr. wanted God to use our family to care 60s, the Tardys agree that they are
Right”? In 1990, after spending the for children who needed us.” finished adding to their family, but
summer with Crusade in Thailand they continue to care for as many
and the Philippines, Betsy wrote The love stories continued to as they can through ministries
Joel to acknowledge the one-year accumulate. Joel and Betsy described like Faithful Heart Foundation in
anniversary of Angie’s death and ask the logistical challenges of not only Thailand.
how he and the boys were doing. raising a lot of children but also of
He didn’t respond immediately - in doing it well. Many times, at the end Their faith is obvious, and they attest
fact, it was several months before of the day, they might be exhausted, to that. The love they have comes
he wrote back. But then a season but someone would need help with from God, and He lives in them and
of friendly letter writing began. homework or just want to talk. Those through them. They would say that’s
They had known each other since of us who have had teenagers know the most important Love Story of
college, but he was her good friend’s what that is like, but when you all, and the one out of which all the
husband; she was his wife’s good have 12 children, it gets quite a bit others have grown.
friend. However, the relationship more complicated. Staying up until
blossomed, and after “accidentally” 2 a.m. can be draining if it happens
being in Dallas at the same time, they too often. When
had a first date. Love Story #2 began. asked how much
Betsy went home to Albuquerque, sleep he gets,
but the two continued to get to know Joel answers, better
each other on a deeper level through “Enough.”
long, expensive phone calls. One water.
of the questions Betsy remembers A few years later,
Joel asking was, “How do you feel their daughter
about big families?” and whether Kasey was born
or not she was open to adoption. with Down’s $10
They seemed to agree on everything, Syndrome. Betsy
except that Betsy remarks, “By big had somehow
family, I thought he meant four or prepared herself per month
five children.” for that news and
knew immediately for first 3 months
They were engaged for seven weeks that the family
before marrying in July, 1991. It would adopt a
had been two years since Angie child with Down’s, Limited time offer.
had passed, and “Look what God too. Another Dealer participation varies.
had done!” Betsy exclaimed. She love story began
immediately became Mom to Daniel, when little Caleb
Kirk and Evan. Baby Kristi was born was welcomed
- then Breanna, David, Emily and into their home.
Joelie. The two-bedroom house got Regina, a young
crowded in a hurry, so Joel converted teenager, who
the garage to a bedroom and the needed a home
carport to an art studio because, by and a family, was
this time, his portraits were attracting the last to arrive.
favorable attention.
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Lubbock Senior Link 83