Journey to Georgia Elizabeth

We always knew we wanted to adopt, we just did not realize it would be our first parenting experience.One night at church (it was Sanctity of Life Sunday), a couple spoke about their adoption We then realized that adoption is Plan A for our lives, not meant as a backup plan.

Our original plans were for domestic adoption but through much prayer and discussion, we were directed to Peru.Now having been to Peru, having studied its history and having a piece of it in our family – we are thrilled and thankful.

We have been home a little over a year now and Georgia Elizabeth is such a part of our hearts that we cannot imagine or even remember what life is like without her.She has brought out so much love in our hearts that we did not know existed. She has been welcomed with such love by everyone – even today at church we could not get through the hall without everyone stopping to say hello to Georgia Elizabeth.

While the process was not always easy, the staff at Villa Hope were so kind and helpful. They continue to be so kind and even personal friends through continued outreach events to keep adopted families together. We attended our first picnic and were so thrilled to see such diversity through other families who parent multicultural families.

While in Peru, the Villa Hope representatives were so much more than translators or legal representatives, they were family. They helped us through our first parenting experiences, encouraged us when we struggled, guided us through a foreign land with grace, all while having fun together.

We now realize that adoption is more than a fall back plan – it is a great way to build a family from the beginning. It is even commissioned by God in James: “True religion is this: caring for widows and orphans.”

- Gregory and Brittney-