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Written by Michelle Rinella, Adoptive Mother
 Like many adoptive families, infertility
opened the door to adoption for our family. Devastated after a few miscarriages
but determined to have the family we dreamed of, we turned to adoption and
eventually travelled to China to adopt our son, Matteo.
Although our prayers were answered with a little boy, our adoption journey
that began in September of 2005, actually included plans to adopt a non
special needs little girl.
During the home study process we considered special needs adoption and
the only special need we discussed at any length was cleft lip and palate.
We had no real inclination to pursue a special needs adoption at that time
but we considered it a possibility for the future.
Then, in March 2006, our agency posted a new waiting children’s list
that showed the name, sex, and birth date of children available for adoption.
I opened the list out of curiosity and one little boy’s name stuck out
to me. Every week I would check the list and pray for that child. Although
we never discussed it until months later, my husband was also curious about
the same child. We continued discussions about cleft lip and palate and how
we should tell our agency we would consider a child with that particular need.
Finally, in June I requested a password to see this particular child’s
picture and see what condition he had. There sat our beautiful child on a little
white chair. He had a cleft lip and palate. I printed his picture and waited
for John to come home from work. When he picked up the picture his first words
were, “Shell, I think I’m looking at our son.” I’ll
never forget that moment and I am so thankful that we were able to hear God
speak so clearly.
We couldn’t be happier with the life we have now even though it hardly
resembles the one we expected. After all, life doesn’t always meet our
expectations—sometimes it exceeds them. We know now that our journey,
though far from over, has been orchestrated by God to bring our family together
to live the lives He has planned for us.
For more information about the Mary Kendall Adoption Program call (270)
683-3723 or click on adoption button left.
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