I don't know when the desire to adopt for me began, but I feel like it was always there. Even though I have lived in the same area my whole life, there has been wanderlust in my mind and heart and a love for people of other cultures and parts of the world. I felt like a part of me was "out there". I would lay down and dream of traveling to far away places and meeting the children there. God and my family gave me the opportunity to travel to places like Australia, New Zealand, Haiti, Ghana, and Mexico while I was in school.
When Taylor and I were dating, we had talked about our desires for a family and what if we can't "have kids". I remember saying that whether we can have biological kids or not, it's ok, because I wanted to adopt. He agreed.
Jump ahead 5 years and we have been to Honduras 3 or so times. I had initiated conversations about wanting to start the adoption process, but those conversations would be met with a response of overwhelming stress and fear from Taylor. That is, until he met and held the little boy we believe is our son in the summer of 2017. He describes that moment as an overwhelming peace where all of his apprehensions were stilled and a passion to be this little guy's dad took over. It gives me such joy to see him caught up in thoughts and desires of what kind of dad he is going to be and how much he loves this little boy. We love him so much.
We inquired about adoption but were told it would not be possible. However, due to some changing circumstances that we discovered during our Christmas visit, it is now possibly possible. So, we started the adoption process in February and sent our dossier to Honduras at the beginning of June. While we don't know what the future holds, we truly believe that God lead us to this little boy and He has given us confirmation along the way.
A really cool story to end on - I was talking to another church's youth leader at middle school camp this summer about our adoption journey. Another youth leader overheard and asked, "Did you say you're adopting?" "Yes", I answered. "Is it a boy?" she asked. "Yes", I answered. She replied, "I never told you this, but one of the first years at camp with you and Taylor were leading worship, I had a vision that you were walking away with a toddler and you were on each side of him holding his hands". I had prayed earlier that day or day before that God would give me confirmation that this was our child. What a great and personal God we serve.
We recently received word that we were awarded a $3000 matching grant through Lifesong for Orphans. That means that each gift received will essentially be doubled until the $3000 is reached!
I cannot post names, photos, or videos of "our" child so if you would like to know more, you can contact me personally :)
STRIPE charges an online processing fee (2.2% +.30 USD per transaction). Your donations will be decreased by this amount. You may also send a check payable to “Lifesong for Orphans”. In the memo line please write “Dorn 7778”, to ensure it is credited to our account. Please mail to Lifesong for Orphans, PO Box 40, Gridley, IL 61744.
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