It's January 1, 2010. I am home in Colorado for winter break. Daniel is home in California. From more than a thousand miles away we come up with the same New Year's resolution: to run a marathon. We got off to a slow start. I was running a little, but Daniel didn't have any running shoes. I eventually convinced him that it was high time he finally invest in some shoes and start running with me. It worked because he likes spending time with me... and wanted to run a marathon.
On Tuesday, July 13th at 2:30pm, Daniel and I officially paid and registered for the California International Marathon. It was a big moment and it was really scary. I think the only thing that would be harder for me than finishing a marathon would be NOT finishing. Once you commit, you either succeed or fail; there is no in between. We can't even get a refund!
Daniel and I not only decided to run a marathon, we also decided to use the marathon to raise money for a worthy cause. It took a lot of though and prayer--there are a LOT of needs and worthy causes out there. One cause though, rose to the surface in my mind.
This is their story (by Becky):
Mark and I met in high school, dated for five years, and got married in March of 2003. We spent the next 6 years LOVING marriage...and constantly answering the question "So when are you going to have a baby?"
Meanwhile, a passion was growing in our hearts.
Sometime in late 2008, we began to agree that it was time to start a family. However, our hearts were not intent on having a baby. After years of dreaming, praying, researching, and learning, we knew that our first child would be adopted.
In May of 2009, we began the process of pursuing a baby boy from Ethiopia. We also began answering the question, "Why adoption?"
This is a tough question for us to answer. But you see, there are children, all over the world, living with no parents. NO PARENTS. What must life be like as an infant, a two-year-old, a 10-year-old, with no one to call "mom." What is it like when no one rocks you to sleep...or brushes your hair...or bakes you a birthday cake?
None of us can even begin to imagine what these children, and their communities, are facing. The obstacles. The grief. The hopelessness. The extreme challenges of being a child with no family. Of being a community with no parenting adults.
So, perhaps, the easiest answer that we can give is that we can't imagine NOT adopting. We are compelled and called and MUST do it.
In April 2010, we completed the last piece of paperwork and are now waiting to be matched with a child - the child that God has already chosen for us.
Thank you so much for supporting Stephanie and Daniel - and for supporting us. We will not ever be able to fully express our gratitude for them and for you.
Meanwhile, a passion was growing in our hearts.
Sometime in late 2008, we began to agree that it was time to start a family. However, our hearts were not intent on having a baby. After years of dreaming, praying, researching, and learning, we knew that our first child would be adopted.
In May of 2009, we began the process of pursuing a baby boy from Ethiopia. We also began answering the question, "Why adoption?"
This is a tough question for us to answer. But you see, there are children, all over the world, living with no parents. NO PARENTS. What must life be like as an infant, a two-year-old, a 10-year-old, with no one to call "mom." What is it like when no one rocks you to sleep...or brushes your hair...or bakes you a birthday cake?
None of us can even begin to imagine what these children, and their communities, are facing. The obstacles. The grief. The hopelessness. The extreme challenges of being a child with no family. Of being a community with no parenting adults.
So, perhaps, the easiest answer that we can give is that we can't imagine NOT adopting. We are compelled and called and MUST do it.
In April 2010, we completed the last piece of paperwork and are now waiting to be matched with a child - the child that God has already chosen for us.
Thank you so much for supporting Stephanie and Daniel - and for supporting us. We will not ever be able to fully express our gratitude for them and for you.
This is how our stories crossed paths:
I got to know Becky when she coached my volleyball team when I was in eighth grade. Her sister, Emily, played with me. Our families went to the same school and church for a while when I was younger.
One day about a year-and-a-half ago, my mom told me that Becky and Mark were adopting and had a blog about it. I read about their story and was very inspired. I have been following the story ever since via Becky's blog.
Racing for the Kid,
Steph
