When I got the first phone call from Hailen and Adam about adoption, it was a pleasure to hear their excitement and passion. I didn't know then what was in store for their adoption journey, and all the really hard twists and turns they would have in the process. This was going to be a story that was made sweeter through some very hard circumstances. I'm thankful that I had the privilege of seeing their dreams come true. Here is their story... "Adam and I have wanted to grow our family for years now. Over a year ago, we began our adoption journey. I always knew I wanted to adopt growing up, an ..read more

Stephanie & Derek’s Adoption Story “We first thought about adoption in 2010 when our first biological daughter was 2. While talking about growing our family, my husband said, “We could look into adoption.” I replied that was something I was open to. We ended up having our second daughter two years later. For years we had that desire to adopt, but just never felt called to act on it. One night in 2017, I had a dream that I went to the hospital having pain that felt like labor but not looking pregnant. The doctor came in and said, “You are having a baby, congratulations, it’s a boy.” I yell ..read more

This post's title, "Anything is a blessing that makes us pray", is a quote from Charles H. Spurgeon, the influential English preacher from the 1800s. Nick and Kama have been touched and challenged by his words over the years. This particular quote reminded them that the heartaches of this life give us an opportunity to press in to God's presence. Their adoption journey prior to, and since working with me at Christian Adoption Consultants was hard, but as Kama says, "I must tell you; this was the most painful process that I have ever been through, even more painful than childbirth. But, wow, w ..read more

Jim and Sara had just completed their Home Study when they got in touch with me. They were excited to proceed using Christian Adoption Consultants. One service we provided was creating a professional Family Profile, which when complete meant they were ready to present to adoption situations. A big surprise came their way when just two months later, interestingly enough right in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, they heard about a 'stork drop'; a baby boy just born a few days before. Sara shares their story: "We were trying to begin a family since we were married in 2015. After four failed ..read more

We have had the honor of serving an amazing couple during their adoption journey to their precious daughter. Adam and Katelyn’s baby girl was born January 1st – talk about Happy New Year! What more of an amazing and beautiful way to begin a new year than to welcome your child home through adoption! Katelyn shares their story: “The idea of adoption was placed on my heart when I was a teenager. I truly knew in my heart I was going to be an adoptive momma someday. Although I had no idea what that would look like, I felt God tugging me in that direction all those years ago. Fast forward to 2016 ..read more

Brian and Sara were referred to us by one of our amazing families, Brandon & Kathryn (Read their beautiful story here). They contacted us in mid-March 2019, signed on with me at Christian Adoption Consultants in early April, and we got their profile completed within 3 weeks (They were rocking and rolling on things!). They had previously been licensed through their state's foster/adoptive care system. They pursued domestic adoption, and God opened a door for them to adopt a precious baby boy from their home state of Iowa (my native state!) three months after their initial contact with me ..read more

Among all non-Caucasian children who are adopted, 73% of them are adopted into Caucasian families. There are some very real things to consider with transracial adoption. Adopting transracially isn’t for everyone, and that’s okay. We were not all meant to be the same. As adoption consultants wit Christian Adoption Consultants we recommend our families having some frank and open conversations as a couple before adopting transracially is really important. Family dynamics, what cultural customs you will or won’t embrace, how you walk your child through concepts of race and ethnicity, and your geo ..read more

Thanks for reading Part 1 and Part 2 of this post, talking about how transracial adoption makes you ‘stick out’ and because of that you get the ’20 questions’ that often come. Today’s post is all about where it becomes very real. It can hit you in the face and not back down. It stings every time you enter a certain situation. It makes you want to throw your hands in the air and ask God why he made people different because some people will just never understand. I have the privilege and responsibility as an adoptive mom and adoption consultant with Christian Adoption Consultants, to walk throu ..read more

This was us - 6 kids, aged 6 years old and younger! And yes, we hiked the mountains in Virginia together! In Part 1 of this post I talked about how we are a walking billboard for transracial adoption. Then comes the questions from people. You have several choices in how you respond to people’s questions: you can educate, ignore, stand up for what is right, and respond with laughter. As an adoption consultant with Christian Adoption Consultants I work tirelessly to support and encourage my families in every realm of their adoption journey. One way is having open and honest conversations about ..read more

It is obvious to say to most people when they see us out in public, but we don’t share the same skin color as our children (except 1). It has been obvious since our first outing with our oldest where there were whispers in the Burger King play area that she was not our biological daughter. We actually heard them whisper, “They have a black baby.” From that moment on we became a walking billboard to the world: for foster care and adoption. We were a walking billboard because we stuck out like having a huge sign above your head announcing that we were foster parents/adoptive parents. You can’t ..read more