Not the problem adoptions being portrayed regularly in the American press, but the ordinary adoptions that occur daily all over the country—adoptions that bring joy to all those involved. This is the story of such an adoption and I believe it is characteristic of most.
My
wife Kim and I met when we were very young.
Although I don’t remember our first meeting, I
imagine it was in Sunday school. We grew up together,
but did not date until after my junior year of
college. We began dating only as friends, and
developed a close romantic relationship after a few
years. 
Kim and I began our married life together in
May of 1986. We decided, within the first year of our
marriage, that we needed to “act out” our
pro-life beliefs if we were to call ourselves
pro-life advocates. We began to offer our home for
room and board to young women in “crisis”
pregnancies. We also offered financial aid and an
introduction to a pro-life crisis pregnancy center
and adoption agency.
In 1988 Kim got pregnant. For a few short days this was the happiest time in our lives. We were grateful for God’s blessing, and excited about raising the child whom He had given us. Then Kim suffered a miscarriage.
Thus
began our quest for a child and our trek down the
dark and lonely path of infertility. Our involvement
in fertility counseling strengthened our pro-life
convictions by causing us to research the side
effects of contraception. 
We initiated adoption
proceedings through
Bethany Christian Services, with
the intention of putting our names on the list of
potential adoptive parents. Our offers of help to
young women now took on a deeper meaning, because we
were now one of the prospective adoptive couples. We
were able to help a small group of women choose life
for their babies, although none of them needed to
take advantage of our offers of financial assistance
or housing.
While we were preparing ourselves for the adoption process through counseling from Bethany, we told our friends and coworkers that we were looking into adoption. Many of these people counseled us against adoption, expressing fear that we might get hurt. In January 1995 we were introduced to a young lady named Wendy. Wendy came to our house and told us the story of her rape and the resultant pregnancy. Her parents, already helping her to raise her daughter, told her that they would not allow another child in the house—she would have to get an abortion. She was counseled toward abortion by most of her friends, family and even some clergy. One friend took her to an abortion clinic. The clinic turned out to be a pro-life counseling agency. This agency made Wendy think about what she had been advised to do. She decided not to have an abortion and was now motivated to find another plan.
We applauded Wendy’s decision to carry the child to term, and gave her the phone number of Bethany Christian Services. Wendy called Bethany after leaving our house, and soon began counseling with the same social worker that Kim and I had been seeing regarding our desire to adopt. Later, Wendy told us that the baby would be a mixed-race child. In March she told us that he was a boy, and asked us if we were interested in adopting him.
Kim and I had been seeking the adoption of a Caucasian baby girl. The idea of adopting a mixed-race baby boy brought up new questions that we needed to answer. In Romans 8:28 Paul said, “We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” We accepted God’s apparent leading, and began to seek the adoption of Wendy's baby. In May we were called to the hospital. We helped Wendy through the labor. Kim had the privilege of being in the delivery room when David was born. She was even asked to cut the umbilical cord. David spent that night in the hospital room with his birth mom and then came home with us the next night.
We called Wendy a couple of days later to see how she was doing. She said that she had been crying because she couldn't remember what David looked like. We invited her to our house to spend some time with David and made it clear that she would always be welcome in our home. This began a new and wonderful stage in our relationship with Wendy. We want David to grow up learning about the wonderful decision that his birth-mother made, and we want him always to honor her for her brave and selfless choices.
Kim has made two baby books about David—one for each mother. We always get double prints of our photographs so Wendy can have a set. Wendy and David's step sister, Kathy, came to his first birthday party. David has a special relationship with Wendy and Kathy. We plan on having David give a gift and a card to Wendy on her birthday, his birthday, and Christmas each year. He will grow up knowing that he is adopted and, when he asks about his birth mother, he will be happy to find out that she is his special friend, Wendy.
Virginia
state law requires several “home-studies”
after a child is placed with the adoptive parents. We
enjoyed showing David off during each of these
visits. Some visits to the local courthouse were
required. 
We held special outings with Wendy after
these court dates. Each step of the way Wendy helped
to calm our fears that we could still lose David. We
believe that Wendy makes the model birth mother. She
loves David tremendously and shows that love by
strengthening our relationship with David.
David’s adoption was finalized a year ago. He is 3 years old and now has our last name. The only stage of this adoption that was uncomfortable for us was the court date when Wendy signed away her parental rights. Kim and I were seated at one table and Wendy was seated across the aisle. We were termed plaintiff and Wendy the defendant. The whole setup had an adversarial dimension that none of us liked. We have never considered ourselves on one side of this situation and Wendy on the other side. We were three adults working together to this child.
Our love for David goes beyond all of the boundaries that I ever imagined. My parents are missionaries to South Africa and are having a tough time being away from this bundle of joy during his early formative years. Unfortunately, Kim’s parents have turned their backs on David because of his racial heritage. We pray that God will work on their hearts and bring them to a place where they accept all of God’s children the same, regardless of race. Then David will be able to experience the wonderful relationship that only grandparents can bring.
David, meaning “beloved one,” has brought more joy into our lives than I can express. His birth also brought a very special young lady into our lives and we love her dearly.
Yes, adoption is a wonderful thing. I praise God that He allowed us to become adoptive parents.