WHY ADOPTION??

I thought it would be best, as we set out upon this adventure, to cover some of the basics. Some of you may be wondering why we have decided to adopt.

For James, the passion to adopt began early in his life. As a young boy, he often begged his parents to adopt a little boy, thereby providing him with a brother. Then, as he grew up, this was just a funny story he and his parents liked to recount. The issue of adoption would resurface for him many years later as a married man and after our loss (and first of two stillbirths) of Elijah Mark.

While living in Findlay, Ohio, we were introduced to some, now, dear friends, Dave and Kathy. They had two biological children and two adopted children. (One couldn't help but notice as two of the children are from China). We began meeting with their family and two other couples for "coffee and conversation" where we would talk about theology, politics and other taboo issues. One night, we finally inquired about their decision to adopt. Though I can't remember everything she said, a couple of Kathy's comments struck me. She talked about how she felt like she was plucking a child out of Satan's grasp. That they were taking a child with no future, no family, no "connections", no inheritance and placing him into a family where he would be called SON. He would now have all the full rights and inheritances of their family and they would love him implicitly. Then they asked us this question: "Is there any more accurate picture of God's love for us?"

I know that there is scripture that talks about caring for widows and orphans. And I wish I could tell you this is what swayed me. But it was not. This conversation changed my life forever. Suddenly, James and I became passionate about adoption. We began to pray about the possibility that God may be calling us to adopt.

We had been trying to conceive, for some time, following our loss of Elijah. Finally, we decided to start praying and asking God for the $250 application fee for America World Adoption Association. It didn't come. Many times, it seemed like an opportunity for the money presented itself but again and again we felt the Lord telling us NO. At the time, I was frustrated and confused. Why wouldn't the Lord want us to adopt?? That was late 2oo4.

One month later, we discovered we were most miraculously and blessedly pregnant with Halle Ruth. She was born on June 20, 2005. Judah James William joined us three years later on July 7, 2008, and has been as much of a blessing. Then, on May 9th, 2009, we lost Jeremiah David to stillbirth number two.

The issue of international adoption surfaced again. The difference was, this time, it was confirmed in us again and again. People sent cards, and took collections to show us their support after our loss. When all was said and done, one mere week after burying our third son, we had been GIVEN the application fee ($250) plus our first program installment fee ($1500). In addition, a friend from Findlay sent a card telling us that they, through World Vision, had sent a donation in Jeremiah's name to help support orphans in Africa. We were stunned. So we have begun the journey . . .

The Lord has most miraculously placed a desire to adopt in our hearts and I can't begin to tell you how passionate we are about it. If I had wealth untold, I believe I would adopt one from every country I was able. It is, indeed, such a beautiful picture of what Christ has done for us.