Daniel is an engineer and Stacy is a speech-language pathologist turned stay-at-home and homeschooling mom. They have been married for 9 years and have 5 children. Three biological children: Noah (5), Eli (3), and Emma (1), and two daughters through adoption: Selah and Haven (“Lisi”). Haven passed away before they could bring her home from China but she will forever be their daughter. Selah (2) from Democratic Republic of the Congo in central Africa. However, although her adoption is complete she is unable to come home due to an exit letter suspension that has been in place since September 2013. They are hopeful she will be released from DRC and able to join her family soon.
Thru the process of waiting for Selah, Daniel and Stacy knew God was stretching them. He was teaching them lessons on waiting, perseverance, and that anything worth having is hard. They began to focus more on Selah and the children waiting rather than their dream to adopt a young baby. They began to realize that no adoption is a non-special needs adoption. All children come home with some sort of special needs. The things that used to scare them, such as disabilities, didn’t seem so scary anymore. After all, it’s not about fulfilling our needs as parents but about the children. It’s about giving a child a home that needs one. And knowing it will be messy and hard.
Daniel and Stacy had felt the call to adopt for many years and knew God had led them to adopt from Congo. However, after completely emotionally drained, they didn’t know if they would ever adopt internationally again.
One night, Stacy found a little girl listed on an adoption photolisting. She was nearly 3 years old and had down syndrome. Daniel and Stacy spent much time in prayer and research. They both felt drawn to this little girl. Finally, the agency sent a couple of videos and when they saw Lisi smiling at the camera, they both broke down in tears. They knew she was their daughter. They made it official with the agency on Lisi’s 3rd birthday.
Daniel and Stacy raced to submit their dossier to China and bring Lisi home. They were DTC in September and was hoping to bring her home soon. But everything changed with one phone call. On October 8th, “Lisi”, our Haven, passed away tragically in an accident at the foster home. Daniel and Stacy have mourned the passing of the daughter and will always wonder why they weren’t able to bring her home.
However, they felt that Haven started something within them. A desire to adopt a child with Down syndrome. In time, they knew God would lead them to a precious child with Down syndrome. And He did just that.
Daniel and Stacy are moving forward and adopting “Nissa.” While adopting Haven, Stacy loved Nissa from afar. She is an incredible child and will be a gift! Now Haven’s legacy is that she ignited a desire for a child with Down syndrome and ultimately led them to Nissa.
Adoption is hard and Daniel and Stacy’s journey has been filled with loss and heartache and uncertainty. However, the call to adopt remains clear in the hearts and they have no regrets. Loving Selah and fighting for her for 3 years (and counting), loving (and losing) Haven, but being a forever family in Heaven, and now loving Nissa and praying to bring her home. These children are precious and worth it!
Daniel and Stacy are hopeful they will bring Nissa….our Zoey Hope…home soon. Thank you for your prayers and support.
12/15/15—LOA RECVD
Follow the family’s adoption journey on their blog at abbacry.blogspot.com