National adoption month draws to a close tonight, so I thought I’d slide in one last celebration. Meet our friends, The Scollans, The Clarks, and the Espinos. I think each of these special families would agree, whether they entered the world of adoption a long time ago, several years back or last year, that it’s a beautiful, broken gift.
Here’s a little glimpse into their stories…
The Scollan Family
International or domestic adoption?
Domestic
Adjectives that describe adoption?
tedious
fulfilling
stressful
humbling
One thing adoption has taught you?
We have learned so much about open adoption and how to love a birth mom big.
If someone is considering adoption, what advice would you give them?
I would tell them to be open to new things and be ready to pray for birth mothers all over the world. They are the ones that truly have the hardest jobs.
Best thing about adoption?
The best part about open adoption is knowing that there are so many more people out there that love your child. Ours has family in so many places and we keep in touch weekly with his biological grandmothers and great-grandmother too. He will know his story.
Hardest part of adoption?
The unknown is probably the hardest part of adoption. Not knowing when, where, or if a birth mother will choose your family is hard. The wait is hard, not knowing if the mother will decide to parent. The failed matches are hard and learning that it is ultimately the birth mothers right to parent. The paperwork is tedious, but the love and seeing God’s work makes it all worth it.
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The Clark Family
International or domestic adoption?
Domestic
Hardest aspect of adoption?
Waiting
Best aspect of adoption?
Adoption for us was God’s way of providing for our “hard to place” child and for providing for us. We are the family God intended. He needed us and we needed him. It has been a true joy watching Michael grow into the man he has become. We are so proud of his fathering skills. He needed a stable family that would provide unconditional love and we needed someone to pour our lives and God’s love into. Besides our salvation and decision to marry, adopting Michael is the best thing that has ever happened to us.
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The Espino Family
Domestic or international adoption?
domestic
Adjectives that describe adoption?
beautiful
humbling
stretching
redeeming
One thing adoption has taught you?
That the Lord loves adoption and us. He loves the broken and he wants the saved/redeemed broken kiddos of his to be his hands and feet and do the same for others.
If someone is considering adoption, what advice would you give them?
Do it! Pray and ask the Lord to direct your path, do your work and get educated (get certified, read, communicate with agencies, friends who have adopted.) don’t just sit in the “I would really like to” … “I think the Lord is calling us to…”
Best thing about adoption?
I get to be on the front lines of watching miracles unfold, daily. I get to see the Heart of the Father.
Hardest part of adoption?
Helping try and help and heal the brokenness that comes as a natural result of brokenness in their story.
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I am so grateful to each of these families for sharing. You shine a great light in this world, friends.
If you would like more information about adoption, readers, please ask us. It would be our great joy to answer questions.