FAQs

1. Why are you adopting?
Because God has gradually and persistently stirring in our hearts the need to care for orphans and vulnerable children. Through much wrestling, talking, tears, prayers, resisting, seeking, and finally submitting and surrendering, we have decided to take a step of faith and obedience to pursue adoption as the next step in growing our family. It is not a decision we take lightly but one that we are excited to pursue because we have total peace and confidence that God has called us to do this.

Because the need is great. Until Christ's return and the final redemption of the world there will be broken families and the need for the work of adoption.

Because Jesus said, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me." ~Matthew 16:24. We know that for us at this point in our lives, this means we are to follow the call to adopt.

Because adoption is Biblical; we are adopted in Christ.

Because we have been given so much and have so much to give. This is not about saving a child. It is about growing our family in a different way and loving a child unconditionally, just as Christ loves us.

"For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will. ~ Ephesians 1:4-5

"We love because he first loved us." ~1 John 4:19

2. Why are you adopting domestically?
As we gathered information about the various adoption options (international, domestic, foster care), it became clear to us that we were to stay local. We felt the least called to international adoption (though the need is certainly great), and while we strongly considered foster care, we weren't at peace with entering into that at this point in our lives. Yet we kept hearing that we were to do something now, not later, as it is so easy to say. After gathering more information about domestic infant adoption, we felt peace and confirmation that this was the direction we were to pursue.

We believe in the sanctity of life and support a birth mother choosing life for her child instead of abortion, even if she does not think she can raise her child herself. What a powerful act of courageous, sacrificial love to birth her child and give the gift of life in an inconvenient, unexpected situation!

3. What is the process?

In early January 2015, we sent in the initial paperwork to start the process of domestic infant adoption through Bethany Christian Services. We have gone through our home study process over the past few months (interviews, physicals, fingerprinting, etc.) and are currently awaiting our final home study approval. Our case worker did give us the unofficial “you will be approved” for which we are excited! 

In May 2015 we officially became a waiting family! We are on a list of families that a birth mother can choose from to be matched with for potential placement of her child. It could be weeks or it could be years after approval until we have a child in our home. 

Once a birth mother chooses us, we will begin a relationship with her and take part in the anticipated adoption plan. The birth mother could change her mind before, during, or after the birth of the child. There is usually an ongoing open relationship with the birth family in this type of adoption. We are ready to be as hospitable as possible throughout this process. Once the child is born, we will likely take him or her home from the hospital with us. The adoption would not be finalized until up to 3 months after birth.

4. Will this be an open adoption?
We hope so! The more we learn about open adoption, the more excited we are with the hope that our child will have a relationship with his or her birth family. The biological family is an integral part of any adopted person's story and we hope there will be some type of ongoing connection.

5. But you can have your "own" kids, why would you adopt?
See FAQ #1. :)

6. Are you taking away the opportunity for couples who have struggled with infertility to adopt an infant?

Great question. We wrestled with this a bit. But, if you were a birth mother trying to choose a family for your child, wouldn't you want to have diverse options? We trust that God is matching us with the child and birth parents that He intended.

7. What type of child do you hope to adopt?
We are open to adopting a child of either gender and any race. Again, we are trusting that God has called us to adopt because there is a specific child that is supposed to be a part of our family.