The family I would like to introduce to you on this final day of National Adoption Month is one that started their adoption journey, as many of us do, with a diagnosis of infertility.
Prior to that diagnosis it may have seemed like there was all the time in the world to begin a family.
The wife had discovered great satisfaction in her work as an educator, working over the years as a bilingual teacher; a reading specialist; and finally as a college professor preparing others to be teachers of excellence. She had even taken groups of her students overseas to the school she attended as the daughter of missionaries, where the college students could acquire hands-on experience while she provided in-service training for the teachers and faculty.
However, her diagnosis sparked a yearning that wouldn't find fulfillment in all of her academic successes. Almost immediately, she and her husband considered adoption. When a private adoption opportunity fell through after having already met and spent time with a special little boy, they turned to the foster/adopt system in their state. In November of 2001 they welcomed brothers into their home. The boys were then 3 (almost 4) and 6 years old. Although they were placed with adoption as the goal, their case went into a prolonged court battle and resulted in two years of emotional uncertainty.
Thankfully, God answered many prayers and those two little boys became their forever sons. A couple of years later, God then surprised them with another little boy - this time through pregnancy! His arrival was followed by that of yet another son, making a beautiful family of four handsome boys and a mother who secretly longed for just one more gift: that of a daughter.
Terri's boys
Of course, I am writing about my own sister Terri. I have mentioned her adoption journey here before, when they first began almost 17 months ago. At this moment, their dossier is in Taiwan and they are simply waiting for the referral of a waiting child - a little girl they already love and have named Sophia.
I would like to ask for your prayers for Terri, her husband Dave, and their four boys as they wait during these long months of anticipation. They have invested much time and energy into efforts to fundraise for their adoption, selling lovely Chinese Christmas ornaments, hosting a large garage sale and printing beautiful cookbooks. Even so, adoption is very expensive and they are still waiting, working and trusting God for the provision of additional finances to bring Sophia home. Please pray that God will move mightily on their behalf and that they will be encouraged in special ways this Christmas season!
Prior to that diagnosis it may have seemed like there was all the time in the world to begin a family.
The wife had discovered great satisfaction in her work as an educator, working over the years as a bilingual teacher; a reading specialist; and finally as a college professor preparing others to be teachers of excellence. She had even taken groups of her students overseas to the school she attended as the daughter of missionaries, where the college students could acquire hands-on experience while she provided in-service training for the teachers and faculty.
However, her diagnosis sparked a yearning that wouldn't find fulfillment in all of her academic successes. Almost immediately, she and her husband considered adoption. When a private adoption opportunity fell through after having already met and spent time with a special little boy, they turned to the foster/adopt system in their state. In November of 2001 they welcomed brothers into their home. The boys were then 3 (almost 4) and 6 years old. Although they were placed with adoption as the goal, their case went into a prolonged court battle and resulted in two years of emotional uncertainty.
Thankfully, God answered many prayers and those two little boys became their forever sons. A couple of years later, God then surprised them with another little boy - this time through pregnancy! His arrival was followed by that of yet another son, making a beautiful family of four handsome boys and a mother who secretly longed for just one more gift: that of a daughter.
Terri's boysOf course, I am writing about my own sister Terri. I have mentioned her adoption journey here before, when they first began almost 17 months ago. At this moment, their dossier is in Taiwan and they are simply waiting for the referral of a waiting child - a little girl they already love and have named Sophia.
I would like to ask for your prayers for Terri, her husband Dave, and their four boys as they wait during these long months of anticipation. They have invested much time and energy into efforts to fundraise for their adoption, selling lovely Chinese Christmas ornaments, hosting a large garage sale and printing beautiful cookbooks. Even so, adoption is very expensive and they are still waiting, working and trusting God for the provision of additional finances to bring Sophia home. Please pray that God will move mightily on their behalf and that they will be encouraged in special ways this Christmas season!
3 comments:
Thanks, Steph! You write so beautifully...love you!
Nice job Steph!! I agree with Terri, you do write SO beautifully!! Praying for you as your adoption comes to a close and of course for Terri as she awaits God's perfect timing to welcome Sophia into their home.
God Bless You and your Family
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