The Hendersons


Our Story 

JT grew up in Louisville, KY where he dreamed of playing for the Lakers and the Cubs. Those dreams did not come to fruition but he did have a career as a college basketball coach in the SEC. Currently, JT works in development for Family & Children's Place, a non-profit agency that supports children who are victims of abuse. He also serves as an Elder at The Avenue Church, a church plant on campus at the University of Louisville.  Did you know that JT is BFF with the President  and was nicknamed "The Mouthpiece of Middle America" by ABC News?

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Natalie grew up in rural Kentucky. She graduated college with aspirations of being a high school English teacher but quickly decided teaching was not for her. She embarked on a journey to become a physician that took her to places like Dominica, Dallas, New York City and Somerset, KY. She is currently a third-year pediatric intern with plans to pursue a career in pediatric intensive care.

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After battling with infertility for over a year, we decided to adopt from Ethiopia. Eight months later, we brought Tedi (then 3) home. We did not have enough excitement in our house so in July 2012, we adopted Chernet, a five years old Ethiopian-born boy who is diagnosed with HIV.  We have been moved to help eradicate the stigma associated with HIV and encouage others to advocate for and adopt these children. Our lives have not been the same since we said "yes" to adoption and God.  He has molded us in ways we could not have imagined.

Tedi and Chernet are both in Kindergarten.  They love soccer, running and being loud!

Follow us as we navigate parenthood and our lives as adoption advocates. 

Tedi, Natalie, JT

 
JT, Chernet, Natalie finally meeting in Ethiopia


Henderson Family Mission Statement

48" x 36" Mission Statement that hangs in our dining room with our city's skyline as the backdrop

Our family's mission is to strive to make each other better and to joyfully embody these principles: 
FOLLOW God's path for our family, no matter how difficult;
Genesis 18:19 "For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice, so that the Lord may bring what He has promised him."


LOVE and serve those around us;
Mark 12:31 "Love your neighbor as yourself."


ADVOCATE and seek justice for those less fortunate than us; 
Isaiah 1:17 "Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause."


GIVE generously of our time, effort, resources and money.
Matthew 6:19-21 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

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Interested in developing your own Family Mission Statement?  Contact our friend, Chris Diggs of Haymaker Company at cmdiggs@gmail.com for creative ideas and design work.