A Family for Me: Mercedes

JONESBORO, AR (KAIT) - She may have the same first name as a car but young Mercedes said recently that she wants to be a truck driver when she grows up.

"Because they're cool," Mercedes, who is waiting to be adopted, said.

She said the idea of being a truck driver is fun, with an opportunity to play with the buttons and gadgets that goes with driving an 18-wheeler.

Mercedes, who is in foster care, also said the idea of loving trucks does not mean she is a tomboy.

"She's a very energetic little girl. She likes to sing. She likes to dance," adoption specialist Lee Maddox said. "She's definitely a girly girl when she wants to be. She likes to dress up."

She has also moved a lot in recent years, from Jonesboro to Paragould to Little Rock to Harrison, while in foster care.

Maddox said Mercedes is a good child who has faced a lot.

"She's had a lot of moves in her time being in foster care. She does have some, not necessarily behavior problems, but adjusting problems because of being moved that many times. Because of her past. Things that she has yet to overcome," Maddox said.

Right now, Mercedes needs security and stability in her life, Maddox said.

"A child that is raised in a stable environment has that comfort that they are not going to go anywhere. They're going to be at the place they are going to sleep at night. Where Mercedes has been moved around and shuffled around. She doesn't always know that this place that she is staying tonight will be the place that she sleeps tonight or tomorrow night," Maddox said.

Mercedes is also a pretty good bowler and enjoys going to church.

What does she enjoy about going to church?

"Hearing about God and learning new scriptures. Like yesterday, when I went to Vacation Bible School, we learned this verse, 'When you walk through waters, I'll be with you,'" Mercedes said.

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