If you know me (Lauren) well enough, you know that children with differences have always had a huge place in my heart. It’s one of the beautiful themes that God has woven through my life from as early as I can remember. When we began the adoption process for Luke, Trey and I had many conversations about differences and what we as a family felt we were able to take on. Down syndrome was a difference I was immediately drawn to. Our adoption process with Luke confirmed many things for us as a family. First, it confirmed that we feel very strongly that all children belong in families and that we are a family that wants to make a difference in the orphan crisis. Secondly, it confirmed that we are well equipped to love and raise a child with more significant disabilities. We knew after coming home with Luke that we would likely adopt again.
On our way to China, we met an incredible family (in the Atlanta airport) and had the privilege of walking our entire adoption journey together down to being welcomed back home by our families. The Roush family was adopting their fourth child from China, a precious little girl who happened to have down syndrome. It was on that trip that God used that sweet little one to open up Trey’s heart to the idea of adopting a child with down syndrome.
After countless conversations, Trey and I decided that pursuing the adoption of a child with Down syndrome was what our family was supposed to do. We didn’t come to this decision lightly nor are we naive to the challenges that we will face, but we believe above everything that we are called by God to do this. We also believe that this child will bring immeasurable joy and goodness into our little family and we can’t wait to bring him home.
We do not know specifics about our child at this time, but we will share as we know more. Right now we are hoping to travel to China next spring.
Our goal is to raise $10,000 for this adoption. While we would love your financial support, more than that we ask that you would come alongside of us and pray for this journey. Specifically, we ask that you would pray for our son while he waits for us. That he would be well loved and cared for and that God would prepare his heart for the transition into a family.
We hope that each of you will come alongside of us as we embark on this journey.
Trey, Lauren, Cade, Luke, and Little Boden #3
