Why Adopt?

We believe the answer to this question has evolved over the past 9 months. We have learned so much that has changed who we are and our motivation for adopting. Initially, we would have answered that question something like this... "We are unable to naturally have children and there are some many in need. It is the way for us to have children." As we have learned and changed and grown in the Lord, that answer has changed. Yes, the answer above is still accurate, but the question would probably be answered more like this..."Because we feel the Lord has called us to adopt. He has called us to open our hearts and our home to those less fortuante than us. There are 147 million orphans in this world, we all need to do our part to make a difference as a whole."

Why are we writting this post you ask, for a number of reasons. We initially (when we first applied for adoption), had talked about only adopting a sibling group (mainly for financial reasons), but then changed our hearts and put ourselves on the list for both individual infant, either gender, or siblings under 3. Now that we are getting close to a referral for both individual child or siblings, many people have been asking if we will wait for a sibling group. We have been praying since day one for the child or children that God has for us. For God to prepare them for us and us for them. We have decided that when we do get a referral of either individual infant or sibling, we will pray over that referral and trust in what the Lord tells us. God has an ultimate plan for us and we are doing our best to let go of 'our plans' and trust God to guide us in his ultimate will. So, at this point, we still don't know. We may get a sibling referral that is perfect for us, or we may get a referral of an individual little one. God has his perfect plan in this situation and we are trusting in him. (Prov. 16:9 - The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.)

So to answer the questions that most people ask us... We are adopting because the Lord has called us to. He has placed it on our hearts to love and open our hearts and home to an orphan. We do not know if we will get a referral of one or two children. We are trusting the Lord to provide what he desires for us. Will we adopt again if we only get on child? We will have to wait and see, we say yes, but the Lord may have other plans. We also say we may adopt again if we get two, it depends on where the Lord leads us. It's an exciting journey and is getting more exciting as we put each and every part of our lives into his perfect hands.

Thank you for your time in reading this. We hope for those of you who have questions, we have answered some of those. We ask you to contuinue to pray for the Lord's blessings and guidance in the steps and decisions that still await us in the future. We made a pretty cool video from pictures we got off the internet and other people's blogs. If we get a chance we will post it later.

Blessings....Dan and Tara Jean