Putting the Pieces Together

Putting the Pieces Together

Mar 30, 2020 | Parenting

Have you ever stared at the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle and wondered what two pieces go together? You could look at the overall picture on the cover of the box, but what if you don’t have this to look at? Only later you when the puzzle is assembled do you see the magic...
Hope in the Midst of Difficulties

Hope in the Midst of Difficulties

Feb 29, 2020 | Challenges In Adoption

There are many ups and downs in adopting children. We went through times of total frustration and disappointment when our sons rebelled and willfully disobeyed. Many times, we felt as though we had no hope, and we poured out our emotions to God in prayer and tears....
The Best Part of Adoption

The Best Part of Adoption

Jan 31, 2020 | Parenting

There are many high points in adoption, including the day that we are told that our adoption has been finalized. We still recall our emotions when, as we sat in the courtroom in another country, we were told we had crested that mountain top! However, I was to learn...
Adoption is a Two-Way Street

Adoption is a Two-Way Street

Dec 31, 2019 | Challenges In Adoption

Many of us think of adoption as a one-sided transaction. The parents choose to adopt their children in order to make them part of their family. This is the case with infants and small children. On the other hand, there are many adoptions (especially of children who...
Climbing Trees

Climbing Trees

Nov 30, 2019 | Children's Adaptation

Shortly after we adopted our sons, we discovered they were avid tree climbers. We could hardly let them outdoors without finding them up in the trees. It was their way of getting a perspective that they would not get any other way. Thankfully, they never fell or...

Too Old to Blush

Oct 31, 2019 | Challenges In Adoption

One of the challenges in adoption is knowing how to respond to our children when they act out. This is more of a challenge as they grow older and have been in our family for a longer period of time. In fact, just when you think you know the rules, the rules seem to...

The Givens of Adoption

Sep 28, 2019 | Parenting

As parents, we enter adoption with a lot of unknowns. We question whether our new child(ren) will possess giftedness or special ability. We question the reasons for the events that led to their availability for adoption. We wonder about their future and if and whom...

Marriage in Adoption

Aug 31, 2019 | Children's Adaptation

How do our adopted children view marriage and family? This is not a simple question to answer, because many of them start out with a dysfunctional view of the family and of their birth parents. They may have had a positive experience with one member of their family,...

Acute Medical History in Adoption

Jul 31, 2019 | Challenges In Adoption

Recently, I was discussing a medical history of a potential adoptee with his future parents. We talked about a specific issue regarding his health and prognosis. Medical diagnoses and care vary greatly from place to place. The accuracy of the diagnosis can even vary...