One Family's Adoption Journey

David and Colleen Leonard are the proud parents of two amazing children. Both were brought to their family by God through adoption. God began preparing Colleen for adoption in her childhood?her mother was an orphan and grew up in an orphanage. This brought an early awareness of an orphan?s needs to Colleen?s heart. She hoped to one day give a child the home her mother never had. The Leonards felt led to imitate the beautiful picture of our adoption into God?s family through Christ.

As a young adult Colleen had great interest in Russia, almost going there as a missionary. Consequently, the Leonards began searching profiles of infants there. They fell in love with a baby boy named Sergei. After a long legal process, and much prayer, it was time to fly to Russia and bring Mason, as they would name him, home.

Before departing the States, they discovered Colleen?s visa information had been lost. A phone call to the Russian adoption office placed them in contact with a woman who was working her last day in that position. She knew exactly who to call, and Colleen?s visa was issued without additional paperwork! After landing in Russia, on their way to court, their car was pulled over by another car. Their driver got out and a large Russian man got in. They were surprised as he introduced himself and then declared, ?I fear God and I?m here to help you.? Clearly, God was at work in these instances and many others throughout the adoption process.

Colleen?s visa, the believer who took over driving? these evidences became standing stones of God?s faithfulness the Leonard?s returned to when Mason?s physical needs and limitations, due to a brain injury, became apparent. ?Everything God did in Mason?s adoption was to set up a stone of remembrance for me, so when things got more difficult with Mason?s special needs, we wouldn?t question our decision to adopt.? Colleen also continues to pray through verses she gathered before and during Mason?s adoption. One of her favorites is Psalm 138:8 (NASB): ?The LORD will accomplish what concerns me; Your lovingkindness, O LORD, is everlasting; do not forsake the works of Your hands.?

When Mason was five, the Leonards felt called to adopt again. They had always wanted two children. David felt they should be trained as foster care providers and prayed that God would bring them another child. An infant, Sarah, and her five-year-old brother were placed with the family. Sarah?s brother was eventually adopted by his birth father. Sarah?s parents relinquished their rights, freeing her to be adopted by the Leonards, largely due to her brother?s glowing reports of his time spent with their family. Once again, they could see God orchestrating every detail. Sarah, now six years old, demonstrates a heart for special needs children. She loves to attend the Chameleon?s class (Colonial?s special needs Sunday school class) with her big brother Mason. Her parents have also observed that Sarah notices special needs children in public and seeks them out.

Colleen has been blessed to speak to advocacy groups, newspapers, and community organizations, regarding being a parent of a special needs child. She shares this advice, learned while walking with God through this ongoing journey: ?First of all, pray! Secondly, have someone who partners with you and is an outside source of support for your family. Thirdly, press on and press forward. God may call you to do things that do not go smoothly. I?ve found that God gave me way more than I thought I could handle and faithfully carried me through.?

?Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God? (1 Corinthians 1:3-4, NASB).

Source: http://www.colonial.org/magazine_articles/2011/0611AdoptionJourney.html

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