We had been talking about adoption since we got married about 3 years ago. It seemed like it would be a good idea years down the road after we were finished with seminary and had already extended the branches of the Milner family tree with a few biological children. Our conversation changed however over the course of last semester as Leigh took a seminary class entitled Together for Adoption. We read a number of books together and attended a conference at the seminary over the subject and gradually grew in our understanding of biblical adoption. We began mulling over the implications of our own adoption as children of the promise (Romans 9:8), adopted sons and co-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17). We were also challenged to consider how we might personally respond to the biblical mandate to "look after orphans and widows in their distress" (James 1:27). Not everyone is called to adopt, but everyone is called to care for the orphan in one way or another. We personally feel it is our call to take one of these little ones into our home and raise them to fear the Lord. We have chosen to adopt domestically and are trusting in the Lords provision in this season of life.
