Hello friends and family!
Thank you for taking an interest in our adoption story! Your support means the world to us. Here's a little about us and our journey so far:
Alex works as a heavy equipment operator and Kendal is entering her ninth year as an elementary teacher. We share a love for the outdoors—whether it's swimming, hiking, fishing, or boating. We also enjoy exploring little beach towns along the coasts of Washington and Oregon, and our loyal Labrador, Dozer, is always by our side. Alex is often found playing his guitar or riding his motorcycle, while Kendal finds joy working in our garden.
The idea of adoption first took root in Kendal's heart when she was young; growing up surrounded by friends and neighbors whose lives were touched by adoption. After college, her experiences volunteering at an orphanage in Tanzania deepened her understanding of the adoption process. Later, as she began her teaching career, Kendal was further moved by the stories of her students who had been adopted from foster care, witnessing firsthand the incredible hurdles they overcame and the unwavering dedication of their parents.
While Kendal’s calling to adoption grew naturally over the years, Alex's was different. Initially, adoption wasn't something he had given much thought to. However, over the past 15 years, he lived across the street from the Woodruffs, neighbors we love dearly. Their family, beautifully knit together through adoption, left a lasting impression on Alex. Seeing how their family came together and flourished encouraged Alex to consider this path as well.
At the start of our marriage, we discussed trying for biological children first and then pursuing adoption. After two years of fertility treatments and health challenges, we felt a deeper calling to change course and embrace the path of adoption. With the guidance of our family, pastors, counselors, and friends who had adopted, we spent several months in prayer before signing on with Christian Adoption Consultants to begin domestic infant adoption.
As we are studying and completing educational training, we are gaining a deeper understanding of the complex and poignant beauty of adoption. Our hearts are filled with immense love for the expecting parents and profound gratitude for the mother who not only chose to give our child life, but also planned a future for them filled with hope and purpose. We ask for your prayers for our expectant family, that they may find strength and grace during their nine-month marathon of selfless love. Our hearts ache for them as we await the bittersweet day when we finally meet.
As they make this brave decision, we too are preparing for this baby, navigating every daunting obstacle—finances, legal complexities, intensive interviews, and home inspections, all to prove our readiness as parents. Yet, we tackle this long process with joyful hearts, eagerly awaiting our baby’s arrival. Our child is chosen and loved beyond words by God and our two families.
This will be the greatest joy and highest calling of our lives. Thank you for walking beside us!
Much love and gratitude, Alex and Kendal
