Josh and Mary Beth's (Third) Adoption Story

You know when a family is currently in their FOURTH adoption process, their words are worth listening to. Josh and Mary Beth have loved big and lost big in adoption and yet they continue to love big because Jesus has loved them and they believe He's worth it all. I'm so grateful to call them friends and I know your heart will be strengthened by their story. Mary Beth shares below: We are Josh and Mary Beth, and our family could not be more excited to welcome our sweet boy into our lives. What a journey! I cannot tell you how many adoptive families start their story with “our journey has been a little bit different...” because they all are. I have found myself saying that...

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Bryan and Jayne's Adoption Story: Established Steps

"The heart of a man plans his way but the Lord establishes his steps.” Proverbs 16:9 Sit down and chat with any adoptive parent and they will tell you that their adoption journey did not look exactly how they thought it would. Hearts hold the hopes, dreams, and plans for how an adoption will play out. But ultimately, only the Lord’s plan will stand. Bryan and Jayne know this well and yet, they are quick to share about God's care each and every step of the way. I hope that hearing about their story will encourage your heart that His ways are good even though they are so mysterious! Bryan writes, “Four years ago when our older daughter was one year old we decided it was time to start working...

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Ryan and Christi's Adoption Story: Our Multitasking God

When Ryan and Christi contacted me, the Lord had already been speaking to their hearts about bringing home a daughter through adoption. They had chosen her name-a precious declaration of God's promises, and were praying along with their boys for her and her birth mom. They got started with me and began presenting their profile to expectant mamas, faithfully praying for each. As a family, they fixed their eyes on Jesus and sought to glorify God with faith as they waited. Five months later, the Lord connected their hearts with the heart of an expectant mama. There really aren't words to describe the awe of finally hearing that you are chosen! They celebrated the new year with the birth...

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Kevin and Katie's Adoption Story: Love Never Ends

Families come to adoption from many different circumstances filled with a vast array of emotions. As Kevin and Katie first shared with me about their family and the loss of their daughter, I could sense both the deep sorrow and deep hope their hearts held as they considered adoption. I have never lost a child and I won't pretend to know what it's like. But as I walk with adoptive families who are grieving it is my heart's desire to love well with much compassion and sensitivity. We talked at length about what adoption situations might be best for them to minimize risks as much as possible. And we prayed that God would grant them their desire to adopt a baby girl. "The very first time we...

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Cary and Sami's Adoption Story: God's Good Timing

Chosen the first time they presented their profile. Love poured out on the brave expectant mama who had chosen them. A beautiful daughter soon in their arms. Parenthood finally beginning-the answer to years of prayers. A home filled with the sweet baby murmurs they had longed for. Then, the unexpected: a brain tumor. And still, not skipping a beat, Sami and Cary walk on with hearts full of faith and gratitude, choosing to praise Him, their eyes wide open to all the ways God is at work. Sami shares, "Cary and I have been overwhelmed by God's goodness and His faithfulness through our adoption process. We have also learned so much about complete surrender and giving everything to Him. Leading...

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Adoption Story: Jesse and Kelly

“A baby is a dancing joy of life.” — Debasish Mridha The joy that this sweet child has brought to his parents is unmistakable! Jesse and Kelly are so clearly bursting with love for their son and it makes my heart so happy to see what God has done in their adoption story. Jesse and Kelly began seeing adoption situations in March and were matched a month later. They got to know the expectant mama they connected with and prepared their hearts and home to become parents. But in July they experienced heart break as things didn't go as planned and they were back to waiting again. God wasn't finished with their adoption story and they didn't give up hope. Eight weeks later they were matched...

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Happy Fourth of July from Adoptive Families

It's such a joy and honor to watch God work in the lives of so many adoptive families. Happy 4th of July from some of my special adoptive families! ...

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Jon and Melanie's Adoption Story: Lifting Their Hearts to God

“Waiting on God requires the willingness to bear uncertainty, to carry within oneself the unanswered question, lifting the heart to God about it whenever it intrudes upon one's thoughts.” - Elisabeth Elliot - Every adoption involves waiting and waiting, however long it lasts, is never easy. There are so many different ways that people respond to the wait. Some focus on those around them, seeking to love the precious people already in their lives. Others get angry, placing blame on someone/anyone for why they are waiting, even blaming God. Still others want to give up or sadly, they do give up. And then there are those who wait with a lifted up heart, going to God about it, casting their...

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Adoption Story: Dave and Amy's Twins

Dave and Amy are two special parts of the adoption community and they have been an important source of encouragement for many adoptive families. God has given this couple huge hearts filled with passion for adoption. They helped launch their church’s adoption, foster care, and orphan care ministry and they serve as the leaders of the ministry there. I feel so grateful to call them my friends! I mean, who doesn't want to hear about TWINS?! When Dave and Amy got started on their second adoption we learned about an expectant mama due with twins. Dave and Amy's lives were already pretty crazy busy with the two little ones they had at home but they were filled with faith and excitement to put their...

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Adoption Update: Our Daughter, Keziah

There is so much to say...so, so much to attempt to convey about the heartbreaking and breathtaking beauty of adoption. But for today, we invite you to rejoice along with us in the gift of our daughter, Lamia Keziah (Luh-mee-uh KEZ-ee-uh). The name "Keziah" comes from the book of Job in the Bible; Keziah was one Job's daughters during the time of restoration and renewal God brought about in his life-a reminder of God's redeeming love. Lamia is the beautiful name that her brave birth mom chose for her. We pray that Keziah's life is marked by the selfless love of of her birth mom as well as the unchanging love of our Heavenly Father. Our sweet girl was born on Thursday morning...

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