You're adopting, now what?

Several times a day, I walk by a room in our home that is nearly empty. I look through the door and see a large giraffe some dear friends gave us a while ago for our baby's room. This giraffe will always be special to us. It is a visual reminder that before our child is born, people are already praying for him or her. As "someday parents" who have prayed a long time for this child, it is so encouraging to know others are praying as well. At times, I go in the baby's room and stand and look around. I imagine what it will be like someday. I know some nights I'll be picking the child up and wiping away his or her tears, I know other days I will be rocking him or her to sleep and other times we'll be playing and having fun. I can't wait to walk in there and see our baby stand-up and smile - anticipating us coming to lift him or her from the crib. When we began the adoption the process, I really protected my heart and even my emotions. I still do. But as time goes on, I'm allowing myself feel the future. I have prayed about this a lot and I feel this what God wants of me. I'm allowing myself to ask questions, to wonder what it will be like to parent an adopted child. We've done a lot of research, talked to a lot of people, read a lot of books - but none of that can really prepare my heart. That's for God to do and I leave it to him to change my heart. The one consistent thing about this adoption process is waiting. That's what we are doing. We are waiting and praying. It's actually a really good place to be. We know we may be waiting and praying for years and we're okay with that. Sure, we want things sooner - but we're learning patience. We have seen Satan try and take us down through this process. He tries to discourage us and I know he's ramping up his efforts, but life experience and knowledge and faith and verses from the bible remind us our God is victorious and the battle is already won. You know another thing I have really appreciated about this process? I've significantly increased how much I pray. I communicate with God a lot more often and I'm my relationship with him is growing and changing and I know it will continue to do so. So today, I wait. I'll walk into the baby's room this evening - which until a few weeks ago, I called the extra bedroom and I'll pray. I'll pray for our child's birth-mother, I'll pray for the birth-mother's heart, for her life, for her safety, for her protection and I'll pray for her child. I'll pray that she'll be pleased with how we raise her child, that God will bless her in mighty ways for sacrificing and that God will meet all of her needs. This is a beautiful time in our lives. We are getting an education that money can't buy, but one only the holy spirit can provide. I will forever treasure these days and the time with Danielle that I really cherish. Ryan

Our News

Family & Friends,   We have some news to share with you - and we know it will come as a surprise for some, but we feel now is the right time to share with you.  Danielle and I have begun the process of adopting a child.  We began praying about this a long time ago.  Both of us thought about it before we got married and we discussed it more after marriage.  The Lord used a conference that Danielle attended last year to make it clear to us that he was calling us to adopt a child.  At the root of this calling for us is: How do we give back what we have been given?  We are often reminded that to whom much is given, even more is expected.  We know we have been given a lot in life and we know even more is expected of us - and this is part of that.   While volunteering at the church early last year, Danielle came across an adoption agency.  We did some investigating and decided to go with them.  Since this is on the internet, we are being a bit a vague on a few things like the agency, but you are welcome to ask us anything individually over email, the phone or any other private way of communicating!  Back to the agency...we chose this particular agency because it is there for the mother, her family and the child which directly lines up with our purpose and values.   So, how did we get to today?  Beginning last fall, we filled out a lot of paperwork, attended a meeting, filled out some more paperwork, attended some weekly classes through the winter and filled out a lot more paperwork!  We were interviewed individually and together in the Spring - both by the agency and a psychiatrist.  We then had our home-study earlier this Summer, another round of interviews and a final home-study.  Danielle made some scrapbooks for prospective birth-mothers to look at and our home-study was just recently approved - which brings us to today.   Later this month, we will officially begin waiting for the child the Lord has for us.  This could take weeks, it could take months, it could take years.  However long it takes, we know this is what God has called us to do and we are preparing as best we can for the child he will provide for us.  As we talked about what God was asking of us, we felt the Lord calling us to be open to a few things.  One of those is that we are open to loving a child with disabilities, another is that we are open to loving a child of another race.   I expect you to be wondering right now if we are unable to have children of our own.  As far as we know, we can!  We have been called to adoption at this time in our lives and have responded to the call.  We have no idea what the future holds, how many children we will have, if we will adopt again or get pregnant.    This is a lot to process right now and we want you to feel free to ask either of us questions.  We will be posting more on this in the days ahead and we will also be making our blog private to protect our information and give you more access in our lives during this exciting time.  It is our prayer that we will honor the Lord as we pursue what he has in store for us.  We appreciate your prayers and support going forward and are so thankful to have you part of our lives and this great journey!   Much more to come in the days and weeks ahead.   Love, Ryan & Danielle