How Our Story Began

I have met many on line friends who have adopted children with special needs. One such family is the Cornish's, Meredith asked this question: "How did your story begin?", (in regards to our adoption), so this post is my answer. I cannot possibly put in to words quite as eloquently as Meredith did, so please be sure to read her post here.

About four years ago, a poor Guatemalan woman, who thought she was "done" having children, got pregnant. She had already raised her children and was barely able to provide for herself. When she gave birth to a baby boy with Down Syndrome, she knew there was no way she could care for him. I'm not sure of the details, but the baby boy went to live with a foster mommy shortly after birth. In such a poor country, with limited health care and information regarding special needs, this beautiful little baby spent a majority of his time in a crib or a nipnap. He had his diaper changed and was fed, but had limited interaction and physical contact. When he was three months old his forever family found him but the process took until he was 22 mos. old before he could come home.

Twelve years ago a poor Vietnamese farm worker got pregnant. She gave birth to a beautiful little baby girl with Down Syndrome. As far as we know, this woman cared for her child until the child was about 4 or 5. At that time the woman was going to get married and is often the case in poor countries, her child was not accepted. She made the undoubtedly painful decision to place her daughter in an orphanage. There the little girl had no schooling and no therapies. She saw babies come and go, but no one ever came for the little girl. Two families started the process of being this little girls family, but had to stop due to personal reasons. Her American adoption worker had been trying for years to find this little girls family. She contacted a third family in the US, who knew that this little girl was to be their daughter. Her forever family started the process when she was 9 and brought her home shortly after she turned 11.

That is how the story began for Jonathan and Anah. Now they are part of our family and we couldn't be happier or more blessed. They now get fed 3 meals a day with several snacks. They get tucked into a warm bed with clean clothes every night. They get love without end. We share many hugs, kisses and tickles with our little blessings. They have therapies and education, but most of all, they have a family that will tell them of their Savior's love and how He gave His very life so that they could live. Once they realize that, they will have no doubt as to how special they REALLY are! To be chosen as a child of the King, who could ever doubt their worth?!

We ALL have been chosen to be a child of the King, we just have to accept His invitation of adoption. If the Lord sees fit to adopt such sinners as us, and to offer His Son as a living sacrifice for such sinners, who are we to doubt the value He has put on adoption? Has God limited how many children He will adopt? Then why should we put a limit on how many children God has called us to adopt? Whether we are to actually do the adopting, pray for the families or help out financially with adoptions, it is clear that we are to take part in something that is so important to God.

So, on this Ressurection weekend, I ask you to think of "new life". Not only Christ's new life, but the new life He guarantees all who believe in Him, and what He would have you to do with that life. If you would like to see how you can impact an orphan's life, please go and check out Reece's Rainbow, there are many options available to you there.