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Saturday, November 12, 2011

Adoption Announcement

We have learned that we will be unable to have children on our own at this time. Kara has been diagnosed with a disorder that would only allow us to get pregnant through medical intervention such as IVF. While we have absolutely nothing against this, we feel that God has been preparing and is leading us through a different path to grow our family at this time.

We are very excited to share that we are going to begin the process of international adoption through Bethany Christian Services. We had always talked about how we would like to have children of our own and then adopt a child. Through this journey so far, we have been reminded that God will ask us to wait for things we desire in order for Him to work in ways that we could never imagine. We know that any child God blesses us with is a true gift from him. We are very excited to begin this journey and welcome a long awaited child in our home.

We hope to adopt a child under the age of 18 months from either Columbia or Ethiopia. At this time, we are just beginning the process. We are expecting the home study and a final country-specific application to take us somewhere around six months or more to complete, and then we expect roughly a one-year wait to be matched to a child.
It is typical for an international adoption to cost somewhere between $30,000 to $40,000. Included in this total are our fees to Bethany, travel and stay in the country, translation of documents, immigration fees, fees to the orphanage, etc.

Even though we are very excited, we are also very anxious for the challenges ahead. We know prayer can be a powerful thing, and would humbly like to ask for your prayers above all else.  Prayers for this future child, their birth family, for those who will be caring for this child temporarily in their place, and for all orphans who deserve a loving home. We pray for God to continue to guide as well, help us to be patient, and that we may easily overcome any obstacles we may encounter.

We want to be very open regarding this process. If anyone has any specific questions, please free to contact us. We will also be sharing details and information as we gather it on this blog. We are looking forward to sharing this journey with you!


“ And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me” – Matthew 18:5

psst – We want to make a side note about the whole money issue (which is hard because we hate this part! But people have already asked…) Can we afford the costs of an adoption? No. Are we going to ask you for money? No. We don’t want anyone to feel obligated to help us financially as that is such a sensitive issue. If you do feel that you might want to help, we hope you pray about it first. Even though it would help us out, we know it will help a child even more. If you do decide to bless us financially, please please know that we are very thankful, extremely humbled, and pray that God will help us to use it wisely. We are currently working on a fund through our church for people to donate to instead of directly to us, so if you are interested- either let us know or we will post more information about it as we get it.

5 comments:

  1. We are so excited for you guys and promise you our support and prayers! Adoption is such an amazing miracle! Amy Sluiter

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  2. Just wanted to let you know we're thinking of and praying for you guys. We'd like to donate to your adoption fund, so keep us posted on how best to do that, OK? You are going to be awesome parents!

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  3. Wow guys!! We are happy for you to be at this point and will pray for you in the journey. Loved reading your story and are eager to see how God works out the rest of the story to bring a very special child to your home. We are having Orphan Sunday at church tomorrow by the way. :) You are part of God's answer to such a great need. Love you guys. Wendi

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  4. Kara, this is such lovely news. I couldn't be happier for you. Looking forward to your upcoming posts regarding this process. Praying for you and wishing you the absolute best. :)

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  5. What amazing news guys! We will pray for you as you go through the adoption process!

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