Meet the Families :: The Gardner Family
I want to introduce you to the Gardner Family. They are adopting from Eastern Europe! You can follow their adoption journey on their blog!
I've asked some questions to help you get to know TJ and Danielle.
Tell me about yourself and your family. As a teenager, I went to the Dominican Republic to work at an orphanage. It was a life changing experience. I knew from that moment on I would adopt.
I was blessed to marry a Godly husband whom I consider my best friend. We have been married 5 years. We share a passion for orphans and have waited(not always patiently)for God's perfect timing. We have 2 amazing children who are almost 6 and almost 2. My hearts desire has always been to have children. I didn't dream of a career I dreamed of being a mom. I have prayed for my family since I was a teenager. God has blessed us and we are so excited about the journey ahead.
What can you tell me about the child you are adopting?
I can tell you that it's amazing how much our whole family is in love with a little boy we have only seen in pictures. I have heard he is a laid back little guy and this is exactly how I picture him. My oldest tells everyone about him and in turn shares the message of those still waiting. She is a bold determined little girl who is now praying and advocating on her Facebook page: Little Orphan Advocate. Pictures of him are on our computer, phones, frames ect... My almost 2 year old will quickly tell you "Keegan" when he sees him. When the screens times out he will ask continuously "Keegan, Keegan, Keegan" until you turn it back on. We are ALL ready to get him home!
Tell me why you decided to adopt a child with special needs? For some people this is an easy decision. I have to be honest and say it was not for us. We have always wanted to adopt, but had never considered special needs. We felt inadequate and honestly intimidated by the unknowns. God really began to break my heart for his children. The fear of the unknown faded and the desire to bring home a child with Down syndrome grew and grew. I approached my husband and we prayed about it and learned as much as we could together. We knew we were being called but weren't sure when. We had seen Keegan and prayed for him to find a family. When it was announced that his orphanage would be closing and this 1 year old would be sent to an adult mental institution, my heart was so broken. I cried all day. I started praying he would find a family but quickly that grew into praying we were his family. God really showed us that if He is leading we just have to follow and trust Him. It's amazing to see how our lives have been changed already and he's not even home yet!
What would be your advice to anyone wanting to adopt? I would say let go of all your perfect ideas about how it will go and know that the end goal is bringing a child home! There are bumps, and you may have some bruises along the way but that is parenting! You do whatever it takes for your child no matter how long it takes to do it. The end goal is worth it!
Ways you can help families who are adopting: Share the message of those still waiting for the loving arms of a parent. Pray for those who are on the journey to their child. Share the fundraisers and help them financially if you can. Finances hold so many back and cause children to wait much longer than they should. Be encouraging and let the families know you care. Take a second to understand all that goes into it. It really is a paper pregnancy and the paperwork is only a small portion of what goes into it. Every ounce of your time, energy, finances, emotions etc... are poured out in bringing your child home. A simple kind word from a stranger goes a long way.
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For other ways to help the children from Reece's Rainbow, please read the Ways You Can Help page on the Reece's Rainbow site! Are you adopting? If you'd like to be featured on the 'Meet the Families' segment, please CLICK HERE. We'd love to feature your family!
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