adoption story: mike and rita

“For as long as we have been together we have had adoption on our hearts. After having two kids biologically, we eventually decided to pursue what God had put on our hearts. We went to a local agency and did our home study. For almost 3 years we were a waiting family with them and we were only seeing a couple situations per year. I started to look at consultants and told Mike to say some prayers about being open to the idea. We both prayed that God would make it clear to us. 

We looked at a few and did not feel like it would be a good fit and then I stumbled upon The Joyful Adoption. Hours after filling out an inquiry form, Kristen gave me a call. I knew right away that she was an incredibly perfect fit to help our family, Even in our first conversation she made me feel like I was talking to a dear friend.

When Mike came home from work I asked him what he was thinking after praying about it and he said that he was still praying that God would make it clear. He had brought in the mail with him and opened a letter with a check in it because we had been paying too much into escrow. The check was for the same amount for the consultant fee. We laughed because God couldn't have made it any clearer and even sent us the check to begin. We signed the next day.

Tears fill my eyes as I type this because working with Kristen is the reason that I am typing this with one hand with my beautiful two month old daughter in my other. Through all the ups and downs that adoption undoubtedly brings, she was there for us. We have called her through happy and sad tears and through some of the most difficult and beautiful moments of our lives. Kristen was a rock for us. She gave us thoughtful advice and gave us incredible hope.

The Joyful Adoption introduced us to the most wonderful adoption professionals in the agencies that they work with. They held our hand when we needed it and prayed us through this difficult but beautiful journey that is adoption. 

Our advice to hopeful adoptive families is to never give up hope.

As Kristen would remind us after a difficult no….”Remember, you will bring home a baby. This is just not the one God has planned for you.”

We felt that especially when the mother we were matched with for a few months decided to parent. Without that mother though, we would not have met our daughter.

We have such a beautiful relationship with our daughter's birth mother and we still are filled with gratitude to the mother who we first matched with.

You will never regret loving and praying for each mother whose story you are privileged to hear about. There are many difficult moments in most of our adoption journeys, but when you hold your child, I promise you will know for certain that every single second was worth it. 

We are forever grateful to Kristen and The Joyful Adoption for helping our family receive the greatest gift we will ever receive in our daughter.