It’s hard to say exactly when our journey began. I (Carmen) first thought about adopting when I was a teenager. Then, again in my twenties, I read a story in Guidepost magazine about a woman who adopted two Asian girls - I’m guessing from Korea. At the time I remember thinking that was something I would like to do, some day. Then after Sydney was born, we were unable to have any more biological children and I began, once again, to think about adopting.

In 2001 I began teaching preschool and one of my co-workers had just adopted a little girl from China. Over the next couple of years several families came into my life who had adopted from China. I had thought and prayed the last two years about adopting from China and had come to have a strong desire to do so. Now to convince Kyle! At this point I need to say that Kyle and I are not quick to make decisions. Deciding what to eat at Taco Bell can be time-consuming, so deciding to adopt from China was a long and prayerful process. Kyle was unsure about adopting, so finally in frustration I gave it to God and told Him that if it were His will to adopt then I would wait for Kyle to make the next move. (Why is it that it takes us giving up on our own efforts to finally give it to God?) Approximately a week later Kyle broached the subject of adopting to me. We began looking into our options and seeking God’s will.

In December, 2004 we decided to pursue adopting from China. Our first obstacle was how on earth to fund adopting. Kyle came up with the plan to print a dessert cookbook. We asked our family and friends to provide recipes and help us sell the books. We included stories of families who had adopted internationally. The printing company where Kyle worked and his co-workers helped print and collate the books. To date, the books have brought in between eight to nine thousand dollars. That has been an enormous blessing!

In April, 2005 we began the paperwork trail to adopt. At that time the average wait for a child was such that we would have traveled around May of 2006. The wait drastically increased and at times it seemed we would never see the end. We are so very thankful to be at the end of this leg of the journey and eager to begin a new journey with our Lydia.