The "A" Word ...

ADOPTION

Now, if you know us, you know that both our boys are adopted. Ivan from Russia in a process that took 3 years, and Thor as a "surprise" in a private domestic adoption. We are so very thankful for both of them and God has known all along WHO the best kids are for our family. Our role has been to be open to what God wants us to do. Whether it was saying "yes" to the 8-month old we met in Russia to saying "yes" to the 3 month old we met near home. Even in where we go and what we do, whether it be serving somewhere or in answering the phone when it rings, God very often has called me to be open to the possibility and that has been enough. Being open to serving at church, but then not being called to the position. Being open to a job, and then not getting it. Being open to move, and then staying put.

Being open to hosting two orphans from Latvia ...
Being open to adopting two orphans from Latvia ...

... and not knowing what God will ask us to do in the future.

To answer the question that has been asked:
We don't know if we will adopt the Vlad and Dima or not.

New Horizons is a HOSTING agency and NOT an ADOPTION agency.
The hope and prayer is that if these boys want to find their forever family here in the U.S., that they will.
Maybe it is us ...
and MAYBE IT IS YOU!
You are at least curious enough to read this, right?

So with that said (and I have said most every time that I have had this conversation),
we will not be discussing adoption for the next month. We will not use the word. And we would appreciate your not bringing up the word or the idea with us. Vlad and Dima are old enough to understand what adoption means, coming from an orphanage where other children who have been "hosted" have been adopted as well. But at 16 years old, they will age out of the orphanage and be on their own. They are old enough to have an opinion about leaving their home country. And they need to be able to express that.
So the choice is not just about what WE may or may not want for them!

If you are interested in meeting them with the idea of adoption, contact New Horizons, not us.

Thank you!

If you have a question or need further clarification, email (or post) and we will try to respond. Dave and the boys are on their way now and will be here soon so the window of free conversation is just about closed.