The Beginning

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11 


We have been asked to keep a blog of our journey to Daniel and Matthew (Edward and Percy) and so we begin.  Please join us here for adoption updates and prayer requests.

In 2005 we adopted our youngest son, Joshua, from northern China. It was an incredible adventure but  for the most part we were very alone in our excitement.  How things have changed! We have already been contacted by some amazing people who have adopted children from the same orphanage as Daniel and Matthew. They have pictures and videos of them that they have shared with us. Some have spent the day with our children and have insights to share. This is an incredible blessing! Many of you have asked how we came to know of and desire to adopt these boys. This is the story.

It started innocently enough. We received an email from The Shepherd's Crook ministry about their situation.  We looked at their picture, read their story, and prayed they would find a family. We didn't think to pray about adopting them. That was out of the question.

A month passed. Another email. Edward and Percy still didn't have a family. This time, still not thinking about adoption, I mentioned it to my husband. His response surprised me:

"You've inquired, right?"

That was all it took. I inquired and found out that there was no one else. My husband called from work to find out how the conversation had gone.

"What did you find out about our boys?" he asked. I almost didn't need to answer. The fact that he said "our"  was a greater answer than any response from an agency. God was preparing all of our hearts for these boys.

That evening we had a family meeting. The decision was unanimous and adamant. The answers were given before the question was out. We all completely and eagerly wanted to pursue this adoption.

It was a few days later that Joshua, our 12 year old son- adopted from China in 2005- came to me. Seeing his concerned face, I immediately made an assumption that is common for moms of little boys:

"Did you break something, Joshua?"

"No, well, sort of. I kinda broke a promise."

"What  promise?"

"Well, do you remember when you told me I could pray for a Chinese brother?"

"Yes." It was a long time ago, over a year.

"Well, I didn't pray for one. I have been praying for two."

Two boys. Two boys waiting for us in China. Daniel and Matthew. Our sons.

Daniel

Matthew

Aren't they beautiful? And they're our sons!

This video has our beautiful boys in it. The boy who makes a face at the McDonald's food (and waves his hand like he doesn't like it) is our handsome son Daniel and the little boy who is standing above the table with the outstretched arms and giant, beautiful smile is our precious Matthew. But the ending scene is what warms and breaks our hearts. Look at the big smile on our Daniel's face!

Please pray for our sons Daniel and Matthew! Pray the Lord will prepare their hearts for knowledge of Him and will prepare them to be in a family.