Our Stories

My adoption adventure is one of the most exciting things that God has allowed in my life. Picture Indiana Jones except the treasure is not gold or diamonds but even more precious, a child. I was introduced to the concept of adoption when I was very young. My cousin Sarah, who was also my dearest childhood friend, was adopted. I never really thought much about her adoption, only how lucky I was that she was in my family. In addition, my Mother kept foster children when I was young. As an older child, I remember seeing and hearing about the Romanian orphan crisis. They televised babies and children so deprived of any stimulation that they would rock in their cribs. They lived in filth and deprivation. I remember being appalled that someone, somewhere didn’t just go save them. Why would the adults in this world allow such horror. I remember thinking, if I was old enough, I would go. Years later, I had long forgotten about any ideas of adoption, but God had not forgotten. I believe that he began to speak to my heart about a great adventure that would provide for us our fourth child. The only problem was that the concept was totally foreign to my husband, Randy. He had made it clear that three children was enough. I asked him if he would pray about it. His reply was, “I’m afraid to pray about that.” There were many God moments in my adoption adventure but the first was when my husband said that we could adopt. I was an expectant Mother from that moment and began to dream of my fourth child. I wondered where in the world he or she was. Was she even born yet? I started my paperwork immediately. Coincidentally, she was born on October 1st, 2003, and our first official papers were dated in October of 2003.

I believe that God used many things to speak to our hearts about adoption. I need to write them down for fear that I may forget some of the little coincidences and fun little God moments. It is not uncommon when God is trying to get my attention or when I have asked for specific help, that his word comes in many different forms and from many different directions causing me to think, “OK, I hear you”. When I was praying about adoption, I read an adoption story on the Internet that touched my heart. I don’t remember who wrote it, but I remember the main idea was about our adoption into God’s family. My daughter’s adoption is a beautiful picture of my own adoption as a child of God. Isn’t that cool? We are both adopted. Let me explain.

1. Like Teagan, I had been born into a desperate situation and I could do nothing to help myself. Like her, there was a time when I had no idea how much I needed a savior. I had inherited a bummer of a deal. My sin nature would lead to my death.

( Romans 5:12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned, 1 Corinthians 15:21-22 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.)

2. A Mann ( intentional play on words) determined that Teagan was a treasure worth seeking. Thus began our adoption adventure. To us, she is precious and of great value. This is where I get emotional (tears in eyes and all). It has always been difficult for me to imagine that God really adores me. Now I believe and it overwhelms me every time I think about it.

(1 John 3:1, How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!  Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Psalm 139:1-5 O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar, You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord, You hem me in – behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me.  Psalm 13-16 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden f rom you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body, All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.)

3. Teagan’s adoption was expensive. Most adoptions are expensive. If it doesn’t require a great deal of money, you can count on pouring out your life in time, energy, worry, prayer etc…. My adoption cost my heavenly Father his life. (choking down emotion) Do you realize how special that makes me?

(Matthew 26:28 “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”)

4. All adoptions require a legal transaction. Our adoption involved mountains of paper work. I remember sitting in the courtroom in Almaty Kazakhstan. It was very formal. The Kazakh judge entered the court room. He looked like an Asian Danny Sams. Strangely, that calmed my nerves and humored me. My own adoption into God’s kingdom also required a legal transaction. The universal penalty for sin is death. Jesus Christ (Emmanuel – God with us) took care of legal fees by taking my punishment himself. He died for me on a cross and wiped away my bondage to sin. He set me free. (Romans 3:23-26) My heavenly Father is a pretty amazing Daddy.

5. When we took Teagan from the orphanage, she left a dreary old soviet building. Her room there had at least 15-20 old cribs. She had nothing of her own. We had prepared for her a beautiful room in her new home. We painted the walls pink, yellow and green. We filled it with things that we thought a baby girl would love. My heavenly Father is preparing a special place for me too. I can’t wait to see it! He knows me so well and I’m told it will be amazing.

(John 14:2 In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so , I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you may be where I am.” 1 Corinthians 2:9 “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him”)

I am sure that you can think of other correlations between earthly adoption and adoption into God’s family. These are just a few of my favorite. If God speaks to your heart about adoption, I encourage you to step out of the boat. It is an adventure that you don’t want to miss!!

Much love,

Julie Mann