Happy 10th Adoption Day!

ADOPTION CREED

Not flesh of my flesh

Nor bone of my bone,

But still miraculously my own.

Never forget for a single minute

You didn't grow under my heart,

But in it.

It was 10 years ago today that our family gathered in the court-house and church-house to adopt Rebecca, Victoria, Susanna, and Cassandra.

The evening before the big day our family including grandparents, great-aunts and an uncle set up for the covenant ceremony and reception to followed.

Here are the two cuties of that special time in our lives: Rebecca had just turned 3 and Victoria was 3 1/2. As you can see they were having a discussion about which hymn to play on the piano.

Things got a little out of hand and the two new sisters had to sit in time-out while big brother Garrison sat guard.



The next morning we arose early to dress in our like-colors! After a few photos we headed to Mclean County Law and Justice Center in downtown Bloomington.

Waiting for the court proceedings to begin.

A friend wrote in the girls scrapbook:

At 10:00 Judge Dozier called his courtroom to order. It was filled with family and friends, excited to witness this blessed event - the adoption of Cassandra, Susanna, Victoria, and Rebecca in to the Sanford Family.

Bob was called to the witness stand first and questioned about their home situation, their support network, homeschooling, and just about anything else you could think of! Despite being under tremendous pressure, he was able to correctly quote each child's full name and birthdate, and even had the courtroom laughing. When asked how all the children got along he said "They treat each other like siblings!"

Katherine was also called to testify, but fortunately escaped relatively unscathed.

Just before Judge Dozier granted the adoption he confided that he, too, was on of 7 children, and that Josh probably didn't stand much of a chance of getting in the bathroom!

When the adoption was complete, the courtroom burst into applause. Everyone was in awe of the way god had worked in the lives of everyone involved to bring this family together.

After 7 (Rebecca) and 6 (Cass, Sus, and Victoria) months of waiting, we were now legally a family of 9! Judge Dozier gave us permission to take a photo with him.

After hugs and pats on the back from family and friends as well as our social workers, we drove to the church. As Bob put it, "We have rendered unto Caesar what is Caesar's now it is time to render unto God what is God's!"

We knew as a family that our four daughters were given to us by God; therefore we wanted to have a ceremony which would bind us together in a covenantal manner. We did this by re-working our wedding liturgy into adoption liturgy.

While the Carmen song Meant For This Moment played, we walked in each carrying a candle to represent how we were individuals before God. The center candle was unlit.

We also re-worded our wedding vows into adoption vows. Pastor Rick Wagner of E-Free is reading them to us asking for our response.

Reading of Vows

Dear Family and Friends, We are gathered together in the presence of God and these witnesses to join these four beautiful girls with this family and commit this union to Him. Adoption is not to be entered into lightly, but reverently, soberly, and in the fear of god. It is a union whereby parents commit themselves to the nurturing, well-being, and love of children not born to them. This union illustrates the holy relationship between Christ and man. therefore, Bob and Katherine desire to vow and covenant before God, a forever adoption in the same manner that our Lord and Savior has adopted us, as expressly stated in Ephesians 1:5, confirming before God that Cassandra, Susanna, Victoria, and Rebecca were predestined to be adopted by them in accordance with our Lord's pleasure and will.

The Vows

Bob and Katherine, will you promise and covenant before God and these witnesses to be loving, and nurturing parents to Cassandra, Susanna, Victoria, and Rebecca, sharing all the Lord has planned for your family, to speak and to listen, to inspire and to respond, using scripture as your guide to educate and train them, and in all circumstances of your life together, to be faithful parents, just as the Lord has adopted you, and been faithful to you?

We answered: We do!

Will you Josh, Taylor (Garrison), and Melinda covenant before God to accept Cassandra, Susanna, Victoria, and Rebecca to be your sisters, sharing without reservation your parents, your home, and your life, loving and accepting them in your family as Christ has accepted you into His?

They answered: We do.

Will you Cassandra (11 years old), Susanna (8 years old), Victoria, and Rebecca covenant before God to accept Bob and Katherine as your parents, and Josh, Taylor, and Melinda as your siblings, sharing your heart, your love, and your future, fully believing that this is ordained and blessed by God as His plan for your life?

They answered: We do.

We then gave the girls heart-lockets to wear as a reminder of this special day and convenant.

Daddy steps down, lights the center candle and blows out all of the individual candles signifying we are now one family in the Lord.

Then Daddy prayed a prayer committing the children to the Lord followed by the Pastor's prayer of committing this family to the keeping of the Lord.

More hugs and pats on the backs then time for food and fellowship.

The cake says...Happy Adoption Day! Cassandra, Susanna, Victoria, and Rebecca.

The day drew to a close with us back home enjoying the grandparents and extended family. Here is Papa (K. Dad) with the "twins".

From left to right Aunt Lee, Gramma (K. Mom), Aunt Liz, Cass., Meme (B. Mom) and Daddy! Lots of present opening was enjoyed that evening.

A couple weeks later we received in the mail a gift from Lisa English, a scrapbook of the adoption. It is a wonderful keepsake!


The Lord truly blessed us that day with giving us forever our four daughters. Though the journey has not been easy these past 10 years, we can honestly say we are very thankful for our daughters and the many things we have learned from the Lord by having them in our family.


Happy 10th Adoption Day, girls! Love, Dad and Mom