How We Decided to Adopt From Ethiopia

To be honest, our decision started after loosing two babies due to miscarriage this past year. We were both very emotionally hurt and couldn't fathom going through that pain again. We then started to research adoption and found that there are many options out there and many, many children who need stable, loving homes. The more we researched and healed emotionally, the more we felt that God was tugging on our hearts to adopt, and it slowly changed into our hearts desire, instead of a way to avoid being hurt again. We know that this will not be easier than going through another pregnancy (although my pregnancies are very hard on me, even when there is a healthy baby), but feel amazing peace from the Lord that this is what he wants for our family.


Once we decided to adopt, we went on another huge journey of ups and downs emotionally as we researched agencies and tried to decide domestic vs. international. Everything logically pointed towards domestic- less travel, less paperwork, less cost, etc., but as we reseached, our hearts kept being pulled back to Ethiopia. We finally narrowed it down to an African-American infant program and Ethiopia and really wrestled with the decision for several months. We didn't feel released from either one, and I drove Brent crazy comparing them and discussing things endlessly. We both knew that this was a huge decision and wanted complete peace from the Lord and complete agreement between the two of us. We started attending seminars and finally, on Sept. 20th we finished one of the seminars and looked at each other and said, "This is it!" I cried tears of joy as we felt such amazing peace that surpasses understanding. The costs, paperwork and travel should make us worried and anxious, let alone the transition and unknowns that adoption brings, but both of us are thrilled beyond belief and certain that this is what God has for us.


The agency we chose is called Dove Adoptions, Int., and ironically enough is in Banks, OR! Who would have thought that it would be in my hometown and literally two doors down from Brent's work? The social worker actually lives in the house I grew up in! We are very pleased with our choice, and especially love that they were on of the first agencies in Ethiopia. They have a very good reputation with the orphanage they work with and are small enough to give us very personal service. :)