On September 1, 2022 our family legally grew! We finalized adoption of our son Olakunle in Nigeria. We spend 2 months living together as a family in Nigeria and made many memories. We had to leave Nigeria on October 13, 2022 to return to the United States to file Olakunle's immigration paperwork. Leaving him in Nigeria was the most painful thing our family has ever experienced. We were fortunate that his orphanage is filled with absolute angels, and we were able to have video calls with him every week. We waited several long months, wishing, praying and hoping for good news. On Monday March 27, 2023 we got the good news that his immigration file was approved! It is time for us to travel back to Nigeria and bring Olakunle home. We appreciate all of the love and support we have received from our family and friends. If you are able to and would like to help us with travel costs as well as some items for his orphanage, please consider donating. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts - Stephen, Kayleigh, Rhett & Olakunle
Monthly Archives: March 2023
It's time to bring Olakunle home!
On September 1, 2022 our family officially grew as we legalized adoption of Olakunle in Lagos Nigeria. This was such a special day for our family. We spent 2 months living in Nigeria together and our family bonded and made many memories. The worst day of our lives was October 13, 2022. This is the day we had to return to the United States to file Immigration paperwork for Olakunle so he could come home. We left Africa with half of our hearts on the other side of the world. We were so fortunate that Ola has so many angels taking care of him and we get to video call him every week. We received the best news on Monday March 27th, 2023 - our little boy's immigration paperwork has been approved and we will travel as soon as we have a date for his Visa appointment at the US Consulate in Lagos, Nigeria! Our family is asking for some help with travel expenses this time around, if you are able. We appreciate all of the love and support we have had throughout this long journey and we cannot wait to have Olakunle home with us!
Arnold's, party of... SIX!!!!
We are ADOPTING FROM INDIA!
Four years ago we were certain that we only wanted two children; but you know what they say, "Make plans and God laughs."
After our surprise third pregnancy, God began to work on our hearts that maybe we were meant to have the bigger family we had decided against. And then God began to warm our hearts to adoption...
With so many children around the world needing a home (140 MILLION worldwide), and recently being blessed with our new country homestead, we know we have been blessed to bless others.
For months I (Megan) have felt like a child was missing. I would count heads, and even when everyone was there, felt like I had missed counting someone. There is a hole in our heart and an empty seat at our table.
And then there's the matter of Leah (our 5yr old daughter), who has been praying for a sister for as long as she's had two brothers. With faith like a child she has been praying in certainty that God is sending her a baby sister from India.
Reid was the slowest to warm, and now the most certain that this is God's plan for our family. We find ourselves laying in bed at night ,daydreaming about our daughter, praying for her, wondering how she'll mold into our family, and being so excited to bring her home.
We have stepped out in MASSIVE FAITH, knowing that an India adoption could come at the cost of $35,000+, but knowing that God's people will join us to fill in the financial gaps and help us bring our daughter home, Even early on we have already seen God begin to move in mighty ways, and can't wait to share with you how God shows His faithfulness through His people.
Thank you in advance for your prayers and for what you feel led to give to bless a child in need of a family.
WE LOVE YOU and are thankful for you!
In His Grip,
Reid, Megan, Andrew, Leah and Seth Arnold
Maranda and Yovanie
Hello,
Thank you for considering us as the parent for you child. We have been trying for many years to have another child for our daughter and we have not been successful. We have decided to adopt as a way to help a child in need of a family and a way for us to grow ours. Our family enjoys traveling, boating, fishing, and camping on our property in Tennessee. We love to visit museums, theme parks, our community park, and watch movies together. We hope that we can make some child/children happy in a safe, loving environment.