Many of you have already heard, but just in case you haven't, we wanted to share some wonderful news. We are in the process of adopting a child and we couldn't be more excited about this journey! We have completed all of the necessary steps and we are officially "waiting" (which can sometimes be the hardest part). We've seen so many sweet ways that God has chosen to shape and form families; we're humbled that He is using this story to form ours!
Adoption has given us a real understanding of who we are as children of God. He loves us unconditionally and seeks to have an initimate relationship with every one of us. All who have a relationship with God know the beauty of adoption as we've all been adopted as sons and daughters into His family!
We have been surrounded by joyous adoption stories our entire lives. Between coaches, friends, role models, babysitters and family members we have seen and known incredible stories of people being blessed by adoption. God has used each and every one of the people below to help shape and mold us in some form or fashion in our lives.
Enjoy the photos below, we pray they bring joy to your day. For us, these photos are portraits of HOPE that we continue to cling on to each day!
Chris Renner and his family, Avery, Mason and wife, Jill. Chris was Will's high school basketball coach that led them to a State Championship in 1999. The summer prior to the season he also led Will and some other basketball players to the Dominican Republic on a mission trip. This was Will's first trip to the D.R. which began a passion that grew over time. Chris and his family were also our very first supporters and continue to this day. We are grateful to Chris's birthparents for loving him so deeply to allow his adoptive parents to raise him to be an incredible Godly man.
Louis Fowler and his family, Harrison, Lloyd, Elliott and Diane. Will has known the Fowler family for about 15 years and has watched the boys grow up into men that are passionate about Jesus. Louis has surpassed on the opportunity for a spring break vacation two years in a row to bring his entire family to the Dominican Republic on a mission trip. It has been a true joy to serve along side of them and watch them develop a transforming partnership with Kerlyn Pena and a little girl from our G.O. School. We are grateful to Louis' birthparents and adoptive parents for their love for him that has allowed him to lead a family that is committed to Jesus Christ!
Bernie Minnis with his wife, Sarah and son, Tripp. Bernie and Will have been friends for 17 years and shared many fun adventures together. The best adventure has been the process of sanctication. They've both challenged each other in their walk as Christians and the Holy Spirit has used both of them to push one another through difficult times. When Sarah said yes to marry Bernie she and Audrey became friends instantly. They have an incredible friendship that allows them to laugh together, cry together, celebrate together and grieve together. We owe a huge thanks to Bernie's birthparents and adoptive parents for raising a wonderful man that married a wonderul woman that will raise incredible children!
Dana Corson with her husband, Scot and daughter, Norah. Dana married Will's best friend from his childhood and we couldn't be more blessed. As much as we love Scot, we jumped with joy when Dana said yes to spend her life with him. Without even knowing, Dana has challenged us in our lives to grow deeper in our knowlege of Scripture. She always encourages us with kind words regarding our ministry in the Dominican Republic and Haiti. We love our time with her and are thrilled that they live around the corner from Will's parents so we can see her, Scot and baby Norah on a regular basis while in the States. We're just a couple of the multitude of people that are blessed by the love that Dana's birthparents and adoptive parents have shown for her. Thank you for placing her in our life.
Lynne Benefiel with her family, David, Craig and William. Lynne has known Will since he was in diapers. She babysat for Will and his siblings when they lived in California. They took amazing trips together to Disneyland and she even loved us Partin kids when we were rotten. Will is so fond of Lynne that he asked her to marry him when he was around 6 years old. She has been such an encouragement to us throughout our marriage and life in ministry. The Benefiel family has supported us from the beginning and we know how excited she'll be when we receive the call to go and meet our child. We had the honor of knowing Lynne's mom before she passed and we still attend church with her father. They raised her to be a woman that loves unconditionally as Christ loves us and we are proud recipents of that love. We also thank her birthparents for allowing us to know and love Lynne and her family.
Sweet little Nora Kate Hyma with her mom's side of the family. Brian and Melissa Hyma (Audrey's sister) gave a precious gift to our entire family over two years ago. God placed it upon their hearts to adopt and six weeks after turning in all of their information they brought home a little girl. After pushing through some heartache in trying to start a family God revealed why His plan is far greater than anything we could ever imagine. Nora has graced our family with so much joy, laughter and love that we give thanks every day for the miracle of adoption. She has a way about her that lights up a room and she certainly takes advantage of it every opportunity she gets. Thank you Brian and Melissa for persevering through difficult times and remaining faithful to God's plan for you two to start a family. You have blazed the trail for us and we can't wait for Nora to have a cousin that shares a similar story. May God bless Brian, Melissa and Nora's birthparents for the love and concern they've shown for her well-being.
Please continue to join us in prayer as this process is new to us. Pray for strength, courage and peace for the birth mom. Pray for patience as we wait. Pray for that sweet baby who God already knows by name who will be joining our family.
We are back in the Dominican safe and sound ready to begin a busy summer of hosting groups that are coming down to serve on the island of Hispaniola. We'll be sure to keep you updated along the way! Thank you so much for your continued love and support as we move forward in this journey.
