We are Amy and Shane.

In 2009, we were living a ‘normal’ life with our 2 sons Jonah and Landon. But God started speaking to our hearts about His heart for the orphan. So we started the international adoption journey and quickly brought home our newest sons from Ethiopia- Abuzaid and Kalid, who were 3 and 5 at the time. Their transition has been incredible and we have been so content with our little family of 6. We had been praying for all the waiting kids ever since we came home in 2010- praying that families would be open to older kids; praying that these kids (especially the boys) who wait while all the younger kids come and go, would finally be told it was their turn. But we ‘knew’ we were done. We already had 4 boys and Shane is the sole provider at our house. Four boys take a lot of energy and a lot of resources and we felt ok with ‘just’ praying for the boys to find homes.

Then, these amazing adoptive moms from different places around the country started planning an auction to raise funds to bring these boys home. I was in awe of their hearts- the work they were putting in to fight for these boys- to fight for a future for them. They didn’t have to do this- this was something God placed on their hearts and He was behind it all. God used this auction to show my husband and me that He could help us do more than pray. It all seemed so crazy when I first brought it up to Shane- another boy?? 5 boys in our house?? Paying for all the food that 5 teenage boys will eventually be consuming?? How would this all work?? Well, the funny thing is that God has been prepping us for this for a year and a half (as long as T has been in the orphanage). He put the older boys on our hearts to pray for. He blessed us with a larger home that has plenty of space for another child. He has surrounded us with friends and family who love our boys and support us in our journey no matter what we decide to do. He has it all covered.

So we committed this decision to prayer- LOTS of prayer! I asked many friends to join us in prayer. I would look at the waiting boys every day- praying for them. Then one day, when I looked at T, I truly can say that he just looked like my son to me. He looked like he belonged in our family. After some undeniable God moments, Shane decided he should be in our family too.

We know it won’t be easy- there are lots of things about adoption that can be difficult, but there are lots of things about parenting any children that are difficult! We know that all 4 of our boys are behind us 100% and can’t wait to bring their new brother home. We know that God’s heart is for the orphan and that He loves T even more than we do and was rejoicing even more than we were when we decided to bring him home.

You are all a part of T’s story- we will be able to tell him that people from all over the country followed his journey and prayed him home, celebrating that he finally found a family.