Why Adoption?

Although some people to do choose adoption as their first way to build a family, that wasn't how it happened for us. We had always talked about adopting, maybe after we had our own children. However, God had another plan for us, and after 3 miscarriages in 2 years and stumping all the doctors, we felt like God was calling us to adopt all along.  The seeds of adoption were planted long ago when I visited an orphanage in Honduras in 2000. Though these young ladies were loved and cared for, it was not the same as having a family to call your own. Chad had not had these same experiences, but we have dear friends that recently adopted from Bulgaria and we witnessed together how they became a forever family. We also had a family join our church who adopted from China. The pieces were coming together to point us toward adoption.

Once we decided to adopt, we researched domestic infant, foster care and international adoption. We decided on international adoption because of my experiences with orphanages in other countries, and the lesser risk of a failed adoption. After so many losses we just didn't feel like we could handle a birth mother deciding to parent her child instead of choosing adoption for her baby. Then we researched countries and the varying requirements, costs, and wait times. In the end, Bulgaria was the best fit for us. It certainly helped to have our friends as an example of the process! Then we researched agencies that work in Bulgaria. Again, we felt like our friends had such a positive experience that we decided to go with the same agency- All God's Children International (AGCI).

It hasn't been an easy choice, but it is the right one. Some days I still struggle, knowing the long wait we have ahead, knowing that I will not experience motherhood through pregnancy and birth. But, I always come back to the fact that we really have been called to this and we firmly believe this is God's will for our family. One day, when I was struggling with these emotions I asked God, "God, why don't you love us enough to give us children? Why are we going through this pain and struggle?" And God said back to me, "Do you think I love these orphans any less? If you don't take them into your family, who will?" In John 14:18 Jesus reminds us that:

^" I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you."

James 1:27 instructs us to look after widows and orphans.

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. "

While we know this doesn't mean everyone should adopt- we do believe it means that for the Doran family. We invite you to come along on this journey with us!