Dean and Tara Dekkers
Church: Bethel Christian Reformed Church, Sioux Center Iowa
Children: Damon (14); Lane (12); Ella (11); Anaka (9)
“We must be willing to let go of the life we planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us.” Adoption has been in Tara’s heart for many years and in December of 2013 God opened the hearts of our family to take the steps to move forward with our adoption journey. People have asked “why adopt, you have four children, your children are older, why would you adopt a baby” Our only answer is because God called us and even if we do not understand His timing we know that He has a plan for our family. Our family could not be more excited to open our hearts and home to a new little one to love. We became home study approved for a domestic adoption in May 2014. A verse and a quote that I found during this time sums up our feelings
“For I know the plans I have for you ’declares the Lord…” Jeremiah 29:11
“Sometimes the best thing you can do is not think, not wonder, not imagine, not obsess. Just breathe and have faith that everything will work out for the best.”
God has shown us time and time again during this adoption journey that He is walking with us and leading the way. When we question how we would have the finances for the home study and the adoption fees, God has provided for us time and time again. God has sent people into our lives to offer us emotional support and prayers during this time. We are so blessed to have an organization like Katelyn’s Fund so close by for support as we wait. We were blessed to be able to meet with the board of Katelyn’s Fund to talk to them about our adoption journey, all the ups and downs, and have them pray for us. Although our adoption journey is not yet complete as we wait to be matched with our little one, we are so grateful for the grant we received from Katelyn’s Fund for to use after we are placed with a child. As we wait for the next chapter in our adoption, a quote sent to us by a friend helps remind us it is all in God’s hands.
“Don’t run ahead of God’s plan; don’t be impatient in your wait. Enjoy the journey of adoption, of building your family, the family that God has for you and the child that God has meant for your family.”
Our family is so excited to see how our adoption moves forward and can’t wait to love another child in our family.
