Our Adoption Story and some pictures of Henry

National Orphan Sunday was November 6th this year. One of our pastors asked us to write our story. This is the letter that he shared:

"There were lots of reasons why we thought adoption wasn't for us. We already had 5 kids. People would stare when we entered a room. We certainly didn't plan to adopt a child with special needs. We already have TWO! Surely, that's enough.... Adopting would mean buying a different vehicle. Our van was already full at 7. Literally no more room. We could go on and on about how we just knew it wasn't for us. Even in the middle of all of that, we were SO PRO-ADOPTION! We just couldn't see it working for OUR family.

Then the Lord stepped in and introduced us to HIS plan for OUR family. He began by convicting us of some sin. A great place to start, huh? Selfishness mostly. We still held onto illusions of control in our lives. Once the Lord opened our eyes and, more importantly, our hearts to what he was calling us to do we were all in. Our hearts began to break for what breaks his regarding adoption and how it relates to abortion. The Lord reminded us of how lucky we were to have Jonas, our 4 year old son with Down Syndrome. He was healthy and such an amazing blessing to our family. Did you know that most babies with Down Syndrome in the US never get the chance to be born?! 90% that are diagnosed before birth are ABORTED! We believe that all life has value. Abortion is never okay. That's what the bible teaches. But lets put that into real life. Where are the homes for these unwanted children to go to? These families facing a prenatal diagnosis of Down Syndrome or anything out of the realm of typical are led to believe that their child's life isn't worth living. Since I believe differently, what am I going to do about it. Its not enough to say its wrong for the child to die. The child needs to be provided with a LIFE. An alternative to death. That's what God was calling us to do. Once the Lord changed our hearts, the actions came naturally.

We listed our family with the National Down Syndrome Adoption Network and 6 weeks later got a call. There was a family here in Houston that had a precious baby boy at 30 weeks with Down Syndrome. They are here from China on a work visa. Dad tried for months to secure a greencard so that they could stay in the US with their son. He was denied each time. They LOVE their son. So much that they are willing to give him up. They knew first hand what he would be facing in China. No real medical care, no therapies, no education. Children born with DS in China are hidden or institutionalized. So they made the choice for LIFE here in the US.

We have come to know and love this sweet birth family. The Lord has placed them in our lives as well as our new son. This is not at all what we expected. Its nothing like any adoption I have ever heard of. We got more than just a baby. We got a whole family! The Lord continues to provide ways for us to show the love of Christ to this family that has never heard the gospel. "

Now, I realized I hadn't posted any pictures of little Henry in a LONG time. Took these beauties yesterday.

Don't you just want to squeeze those cheeks?! He's so smoochable!

Have a Merry Christmas!