The past eighteen months have brought incredible blessings and hardships to my family. We have endured many court hearings, agency worker visits, therapy sessions and the list goes on. However, I can honestly say, we would do it all over again. Our family has grown in so many ways. Obviously, the size of our family has multiplied, but we have also developed a deeper faith and love with God as well as each other.

On November 19, 2016, National Adoption Day, our whole extended family and a few close friends filled the courtroom. They say it takes a village to raise a child, our village crowded the court room that day. We were all so excited to finally hear the judge read aloud that the state of Pennsylvania granted the adoption of these three children. There was not a dry eye in the room. Our family was finally complete after the many long months of waiting.

So many people want to ignore or hide the reality that a great deal of children are suffering in the foster care system today. There are too many orphaned children and not enough loving families to invest in the kids lives. I think Robert Frost wrote it best, “Two roads diverged in wood, and I/ I took the one less traveled by,/ And that has made all the difference.” My family took a leap of faith and explored the road less traveled and our lives are forever changed.

I encourage everyone to consider being the loving family these children so desperately need. They did not choose to live in the situations they were born into. The children are not bad people, but they are alone. If you cannot bring a child into your home, find another way to help. There are plenty of opportunities to volunteer, spread awareness, or even just pray for their safety and well-being. I hope you can find it in yourself to physically, financially, or spiritually invest in these children’s lives. It will make all the difference.