When I was first asked to share how adoption has affected my life, I was not sure exactly how to express the depth of my thoughts. You see, I am not a writer. I was not adopted. I do not have any adopted children or siblings. In fact, I do not have any direct family connection to adoption. So, my perspective may be a little different.
As a child, I had a couple of friends/classmates that were adopted. It didn’t mean much to me at the time. It was no different to me than those who had step-parents or came from single-parent homes. They just were part of a different type of family than my own…not better or worse, just different. My thinking or understanding did not go beyond that. It wasn’t until adulthood, that I was able to experience and begin to comprehend the immense effect adoption truly has on a family and, on a larger scale, a community.
Several years ago, I was told by a friend that she and her husband were starting the process of possibly adopting a child. I witnessed this process proceed from thought, to paperwork, to home studies, to waiting, to more paperwork and more waiting, and ultimately to the exciting arrival of their daughter. I distinctly remember anxious and excited moments, as any expecting parents would have, along with a few extra complications along the way. I remember discussions of prayer and faithfulness that “God is a keeper of promises.” Their openness about this process allowed family and friends to join them in thought and prayer. There were many people, scattered across the country, all of one mind in prayer for this couple and this child that would one day be part of their family. So, needless to say, when they brought their daughter home, the celebration was widespread.
I have been privileged to be able to interact and love this little girl as she’s grown. She has a grand personality that revels in the joys of life. She shares her Daddy’s love of music and her Mama’s love of shoes and clothes. She looks to them for comfort, with excitement, and with such love. She has grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins that she loves and who love her in return. Her parents exude love for her. Whether it is through their giddy description of what she said during dinner or her recent adventures at the park, or the photos of her latest outfit or accomplishment, the unadulterated love in their voices and on their faces is indisputable. She is part of who they are. She could be no more part of them if she had their DNA. They are part of who she is. She was created by God to be part of this family. Their family was clearly His plan.
These parents are Kory and Jennifer Kraft. Their family story has greatly molded my perspective of adoption. Their openness to share their journey has impacted countless people. All of us that joined in prayer have also been able to join in celebration. Each of us has been touched by their faithfulness. I have been blessed and privileged to be able to share in the joy of their daughter’s life and the amazing little human being that she is. I have witnessed first-hand that one single adoption can be felt throughout an entire community of family and friends. People from many geographical locations and in various stages of life have been touched by this one family. My life is different today for experiencing the faithfulness of Kory and Jennifer. My perspective and understanding have been broadened by my interaction and love for this little girl. (She truly is amazing!)
From my perspective, even though adoption is centered on a child and parents, it affects so many more. It has a profound effect on all those that care about that child and parents. It’s not just another type of family, as I thought when I was young. Adoption is a direct reflection of God’s love and desired relationship with each of us.
As a child, I had a couple of friends/classmates that were adopted. It didn’t mean much to me at the time. It was no different to me than those who had step-parents or came from single-parent homes. They just were part of a different type of family than my own…not better or worse, just different. My thinking or understanding did not go beyond that. It wasn’t until adulthood, that I was able to experience and begin to comprehend the immense effect adoption truly has on a family and, on a larger scale, a community.
Several years ago, I was told by a friend that she and her husband were starting the process of possibly adopting a child. I witnessed this process proceed from thought, to paperwork, to home studies, to waiting, to more paperwork and more waiting, and ultimately to the exciting arrival of their daughter. I distinctly remember anxious and excited moments, as any expecting parents would have, along with a few extra complications along the way. I remember discussions of prayer and faithfulness that “God is a keeper of promises.” Their openness about this process allowed family and friends to join them in thought and prayer. There were many people, scattered across the country, all of one mind in prayer for this couple and this child that would one day be part of their family. So, needless to say, when they brought their daughter home, the celebration was widespread.
I have been privileged to be able to interact and love this little girl as she’s grown. She has a grand personality that revels in the joys of life. She shares her Daddy’s love of music and her Mama’s love of shoes and clothes. She looks to them for comfort, with excitement, and with such love. She has grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins that she loves and who love her in return. Her parents exude love for her. Whether it is through their giddy description of what she said during dinner or her recent adventures at the park, or the photos of her latest outfit or accomplishment, the unadulterated love in their voices and on their faces is indisputable. She is part of who they are. She could be no more part of them if she had their DNA. They are part of who she is. She was created by God to be part of this family. Their family was clearly His plan.
These parents are Kory and Jennifer Kraft. Their family story has greatly molded my perspective of adoption. Their openness to share their journey has impacted countless people. All of us that joined in prayer have also been able to join in celebration. Each of us has been touched by their faithfulness. I have been blessed and privileged to be able to share in the joy of their daughter’s life and the amazing little human being that she is. I have witnessed first-hand that one single adoption can be felt throughout an entire community of family and friends. People from many geographical locations and in various stages of life have been touched by this one family. My life is different today for experiencing the faithfulness of Kory and Jennifer. My perspective and understanding have been broadened by my interaction and love for this little girl. (She truly is amazing!)
From my perspective, even though adoption is centered on a child and parents, it affects so many more. It has a profound effect on all those that care about that child and parents. It’s not just another type of family, as I thought when I was young. Adoption is a direct reflection of God’s love and desired relationship with each of us.
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