The Bryan family is growing...

It has been a journey... A few years ago, we have felt that God wanted us to expand our family. However, we both felt that He wanted us to look beyond and consider helping a child in need. Following a period of prayer and seeking guidance from others who had experienced the joy and struggle of adoption, we both agreed that we wanted to pursue expanding our family. After talking with our agency, we realized that there is a need for adoptive families for children in China and both felt that that's where the Lord is leading us. We wanted to be obedient to His calling, to help a child in need and do our best to model God's love for His people. He calls us to love and help the orphans (James 1:27), and as Chris always said, "We have more love to give!"

So here we are today. We have officially started the process of adoption. We told our kids about it, and they were both ECSTATIC about being a big-big brother and a big sister. If you see them, that will probably be the first thing they will tell you about it.

Our family is excited. We realize that it will be a long and a complicated process but it is so worth it. We would covet your prayers for us in this phase and for the child that the Lord has for us in China.

Hinton Family Adoption

We are Mark and Renee'. We have been married 24.5 years. We have four children: three biological 18 year-olds and an adopted 5 year-old son, Ian. After adopting Ian in 2014, we honestly thought we were done growing our family. We were both close to turning 50 and had started child-raising all over again with a special needs child. Since Ian came home with us, he has made so much progress and continues to amaze us how he is thriving.

Earlier this year we learned of a child needing a forever family. We learned of this at the same time, but neither one of us mentioned it to the other at the time. We later discovered that God had been moving in both of us that we needed to adopt again, and this was the child. Soon after accepting the referral of this child, we learned of another child also in need of a forever family. When presented with this 2nd referral, neither of us hesitated in agreeing that we were being led to adopt 2 children. In the span of a month, we went from thinking our family was complete to beginning the process of adopting two more children.

As you may know, international adoption comes with many expenses. To date we've had a yard sale, with others to follow, to raise funds; we've had a t-shirt fundraiser; have applied for several adoption grants, and plan to apply for several more. Not knowing exactly how this adoption process would go, we stepped out on faith that God will provide throughout the process. We ask for your prayers as we embark on this journey, and if you feel led to be a part of our adoption through giving to help offset the costs, we would be forever grateful. All donations will go directly to our adoption agency to pay fees or offset expenses.

Waiting for a family

I've lost my only daughter to a brain tumor. And, I want a family. I can provide and give what is needed to raise a family. But, I am getting older, so I think I would be best at having older children .But,I am willing to expand my horizons on that. I am really interested in the two sisters but I would like to be given the chance to become a foster or a forever home for anyone.

Divinely Chosen

I thought my dreams of having another child were forever shattered when I went through my divorce! I had longed for another child for years, and had tried in vitro fertilization while I was married, with no success. Emily expressed that she wanted a sibling, and as an only child myself, I wanted a bigger family for her life experience. But, as I started my family later in life and as a single mother, I was convinced that adoption was nearly impossible (after inquiring with domestic adoption agencies) and that I had somehow missed out on the opportunity for more children. Moreover, I thought God had placed this longing in my heart, but was not going to fulfill it.

Then, I met a patient who told me she had adopted a child from Khazakstan as a single mother. I inquired about Khazakstan adoptions and was led to Nightlight Christian Adoptions in Loveland, Colorado. Kate, from Nightlight, said that Khazakstan had recently closed adoptions to single moms, but Kyrgystan was still open. She encouraged me to do my research and meet with her. After meeting with her, I started my homestudy process, completing it the following year. During that time, I flippantly signed up for Eharmony out of complete curiosity, and not expecting to truly meet "The One". I had a few nice dates, and some nice meals. Then, I met Todd! He was completely different than the men I had dated: reserved, courteous, and filled with the Holy Spirit!

I told him early in the dating process about my dreams and intentions to expand my family. As he had adult children, I wanted to give him an exit strategy, as I was convinced he would not be interested in the whole adoption thing. I even told him, "This train is on the adoption track. You are welcome to jump off, or stay on, but this train is leaving the station." Ha! Boy was I wrong! He promptly retorted, "Well, I guess I'm getting on the train with you!"

What a blessing he has been for me and Emily! He has not only opened his heart to me and Emily, but he has joined our homestudy for our Kyrgystan adoption. Moreover, he has proposed to us, asking us to join his family! We are currently planning our wedding for July 3, 2017! So, now WE are adopting! We are so excited and are asking those who would like to give a wedding gift, to consider contributing to our adoption fund.

I remain continually amazed at God's blessings and provisions, even when I have been convinced there is no way! He has brought this amazing man into our lives, who is supportive of this adoption dream and who desires to participate in this miraculous journey. We look forward to seeing how He brings these desires to fruition, and can't wait to celebrate our joy of being a forever family to our adopted child with friends and family!

Divinely Chosen

I thought my dreams of having another child were forever shattered when I went through my divorce! I had longed for another child for years, and had tried in vitro fertilization while I was married, with no success. Emily expressed that she wanted a sibling, and as an only child myself, I wanted a bigger family for her life experience. But, as I started my family later in life and as a single mother, I was convinced that adoption was nearly impossible (after inquiring with domestic adoption agencies) and that I had somehow missed out on the opportunity for more children. Moreover, I thought God had placed this longing in my heart, but was not going to fulfill it.

Then, I met a patient who told me she had adopted a child from Khazakstan as a single mother. I inquired about Khazakstan adoptions and was led to Nightlight Christian Adoptions in Loveland, Colorado. Kate, from Nightlight, said that Khazakstan had recently closed adoptions to single moms, but Kyrgystan was still open. She encouraged me to do my research and meet with her. After meeting with her, I started my homestudy process, completing it the following year. During that time, I flippantly signed up for Eharmony out of complete curiosity, and not expecting to truly meet "The One". I had a few nice dates, and some nice meals. Then, I met Todd! He was completely different than the men I had dated: reserved, courteous, and filled with the Holy Spirit!

I told him early in the dating process about my dreams and intentions to expand my family. As he had adult children, I wanted to give him an exit strategy, as I was convinced he would not be interested in the whole adoption thing. I even told him, "This train is on the adoption track. You are welcome to jump off, or stay on, but this train is leaving the station." Ha! Boy was I wrong! He promptly retorted, "Well, I guess I'm getting on the train with you!"

What a blessing he has been for me and Emily! He has not only opened his heart to me and Emily, but he has joined our homestudy for our Kyrgystan adoption. Moreover, he has proposed to us, asking us to join his family! We are currently planning our wedding for July 3, 2017! So, now WE are adopting! We are so excited and are asking those who would like to give a wedding gift, to consider contributing to our adoption fund.

I remain continually amazed at God's blessings and provisions, even when I have been convinced there is no way! He has brought this amazing man into our lives, who is supportive of this adoption dream and who desires to participate in this miraculous journey. We look forward to seeing how He brings these desires to fruition, and can't wait to celebrate our joy of being a forever family to our adopted child with friends and family!