Why Adoption?

Tyler and I have felt led to adoption for many, many years.  People adopt for many reasons, and adoptive parents in all situations deserve respect and support for their decision.  In our case, adoption was our first choice because we feel like God has called us to be parents to a child who has no one.  I don't know why God chose us for this, but I know that my heart is absolutely FULL and overflowing with love for the children of the world who have no mommy to tuck them in at night, kiss them every morning, read to them, and teach them God's Word.  I know that God gave me that love and passion for a reason.  Not only did God place that love in my heart. but he placed it in Tyler's heart too, and then he brought us together to be life long team mates.

When I was in elementary school, I became friends with a sweet little girl who had been adopted from Korea.  She was so smart, funny, and vibrant.  This was my first encounter with adoption.  To me, she looked different from her parents, but was 100% theirs and was treated as such.  I never really thought much about the fact that she had been adopted or that her hair and eyes didn't match theirs.  I just saw her as my friend and her parents' daughter, a sweet little girl who I liked playing with.

Then in middle school, I began a babysitting job that would open my eyes to the true miracle of adoption.  Little did I know that a part-time job would be God's way of planting this adoption seed in my heart.  The sweet baby boy that I was babysitting had been adopted a few years prior from Russia.  He was such a bundle of joy.  As he grew, I continued to be his family's babysitter.  I couldn't help but notice how much joy he brought to his family and wonder how things would be different for all of them if his parents hadn't followed the call to adoption.  He continued to grow and is now a very intelligent, mature young man.  Still to this day, it amazes me what wonderful things God does through adoption.

Gabriella and I at the DR orphanage

As a young couple, I shared my desire for adoption with Tyler.  He was totally for it from the very first time I mentioned it.  God put us together for many reasons, but I know that our desire for adoption was no coincidence.  He gave us a common passion for fatherless.  In high school, we were blessed to go on a mission trip with our senior class to the Dominican Republic.  There we were able minister first hand in an orphanage.  My heart was bursting with love for these children.  God was using all our life circumstances to bring us closer to his plan for our lives. 

Tyler and little man playing

As I write this and look back on the memories of my life, I know that from the moment I was born, God has been molding me and making me into what He wants for my life.  Everything that has happened has happened for a reason.  And now Tyler and I stand side by side, ready to take this next step on our wonderful journey with the Lord.  I can tell you this, life is never boring when you're following God!  He calls us all every day to follow in His steps of love for other,s and then sometimes, He calls us to do things that are bigger than ourselves.  Do I have doubts and fears?  Of course!  I'm human and imperfect!  But through it all, Tyler and I both want to follow God's calling.  We want Him to use us to do His will.  And I pray that through our lives, others see HIM and are called to follow Him.