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Duncan and Kristen Wingard married in 2015 after graduating college and knew that adoption would be in their future. After having their two boys in 2019 and 2021, in November 2022 they decided to start the international adoption process to give a well deserving child a loving and caring home.

As you know, international adoption is a very extensive and expensive process. The Wingard’s started financially saving over a year ago with the plan that they would be able to fully fund this adoption themselves. With the extensive process international adoption is, the Wingard family also anticipated that they would be waiting years to be matched, but God had other plans.

They are thrilled to share that on May 19 they were matched with the sweetest little girl, “S”. “S” is 2. 5 years old with an infectious smile and a list of special needs.

While the Wingard family takes great pride in knowing that they have been chosen to be “S” family, they now find themselves without the time to save like they originally planned.

The Wingard family is eternally grateful for your generosity and financial support to bring “S” home. If you are not in a situation to support financially, they ask and appreciate your prayers for “S” and her future.

7/31/2023 — TRAVELING in AUGUST

$438.15 has been donated towards the cost of our adoption!

Make the most of your gift, consider sending a check! Online donations to children with committed families incur a 3% PayPal transaction fee.

Michelle was a single mother for over 22 years. She has four adult biological children, four adopted children and eight grandchildren. She adopted two special needs children from US Foster Care in 2012 prior to her international adoptions. She adopted a little boy from China in 2014 and an older girl (11 years old) from China in 2016 with Cerebral Palsy. Both China adoptions were with the amazing help of Reece’s Rainbow as a single mom.

Michelle met Steven and he immediately fell in love with the children. He fell in love with the big family and how close knit and family oriented they were. He became an instant dad and granddad. They married and are now in process to add two more children from Bulgaria to their family!

Michelle is able to stay home and school the children. Family is very important to everyone in the family. On Friday nights they all make sure they do not miss the Family Movie night. They order pizza and they all take turns picking the movie each week. They all gather around and enjoy the night together.

Trevor (14yrs) is working on learning how to be a sports commentator. Arianna (13yrs) has been participating in pageants. She is the current Pennsylvania Miss Amazing Pre-Teen Queen. She is also working toward opening her own non-profit to help others with disabilities heal with the power of animals. Brennan (11yrs) participates in dog shows. He is a top 15 Junior Showmanship Competitor in Collies in the US. Tynsleigh (18yrs) is working hard on life skills and soccer.

They can’t wait to see who will join their family next!

8/25/2023 — COURT PASSED; FINAL TRIP in SEPTEMBER

$4,604.95 has been donated towards the cost of our adoption!

Make the most of your gift, consider sending a check! Online donations to children with committed families incur a 3% PayPal transaction fee.

Isabella knew that one day she would grow her family through adoption, when she was a young girl watching Adoption Stories on TV. Though she never imagined ever going the route of international special needs adoption, until she was introduced to Reece’s Rainbow.

She saw a social media post of a single mom adopting a little girl with Down syndrome from Bulgaria. At the time many things went against her being able to start the process. So she spent the next 5 years researching, donating, and supporting other families in process and waiting for the moment to be able to start the process herself. The day she has been praying for has finally come and she is so excited. She is hoping to adopt a little girl from Armenia that was once listed on RR before advocating stopped for that country. Knowing that the little girl she first saw and fell in love with is possibly still waiting for a family, she is going full speed and doing everything she can to raise the money needed.

All donations and prayers are appreciated!!!

4/19/2022 — AWAITING USCIS APPROVAL

$1,722.13 has been donated towards the cost of our adoption!

Make the most of your gift, consider sending a check! Online donations to children with committed families incur a 3% PayPal transaction fee.

Ukraine

 

The two girls came home in late 2021; Percy came home in January 2022!

I am happy to introduce you to the Umstead family. They are a family of 11! Tom and Heather have 4 biological children who are all adults. Tom, along with his brother-in-law, father-in-law and son, own their own business where they cut trees and sell the timber. Heather stays at home with the kids and grandkids and cares for the home duties.

The Umsteads had their children young and were just reaching the time in life where things were starting to slow down, and they were looking forward to more time with each other and possibly some traveling. About that time, they began to feel a nudge from God to be completely surrendered to Him. They wanted to give their lives back to God so He could use them as a blessing to others. That is when adoption was placed on their hearts. Not just adoption but they researched and found the greatest need was children with Down syndrome. Asia in particular had a great number of boys with Down syndrome in orphanages.

Enter their 4th son, Samuel! Samuel was adopted in 2017; he was 3 when the Umstead’s brought him home. He has Down syndrome and an extra surprise of Autism. Samuel fit into their family like only God could do. Autism was not a disability they thought they were open to, but they would not change a thing about Samuel. They were over the moon about Samuel and did not plan on a return trip to Asia. However, during the visit to the orphanage, Tom met Joy (formerly Caroline on RR). Joy shared a crib with Samuel, and they lived in that small space together for 3 years. So as soon as they returned to the US they began advocating for Joy. When their year was up, and no one submitted for Joy they knew they had to go back for her. Joy came home in 2019. Joy rocked the extra chromosome along with a heart defect that eventually will need another surgery, but you would never know! Joy is amazing! She is such a quick learner and is thriving in her new family.

Prior to adopting Joy, the Umstead’s learned of a little guy in the same orphanage as their children. His name is Auden, and they were drawn to him. During the visit at the orphanage when adopting Joy, they asked to see and spend time with Auden. They were able to see him but were not given permission to interact with him. Auden was not doing well. They committed at that moment to return for him as soon as possible. They spoke with friends and were able to get Auden out of the orphanage and into a healing home until they would be permitted to return for him.

That takes us to today. The Umstead’s have submitted their dossier and they are just waiting for the travel suspension to be lifted so they can make their final trip to bring home their last son,  who will be named Moses John.  Along with your financial support (because fundraising is hard with Samuel and Joy) they would appreciate your prayers.

3/16/2021 — AWAITING TRAVEL

$1,396.46 has been donated towards the cost of our adoption!

Make the most of your gift, consider sending a check! Online donations to children with committed families incur a 3% PayPal transaction fee.

 

Bulgaria

Follow the family’s adoption journey on their blog at www.writteninyourbook.blogspot.com

 

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERASadler 1049Bulgaria

 

Please follow our blog and join us on our journey! www.bulgariabound2015.blogspot.com

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China

Follow the family’s adoption journey on their blog at gandehumphreysfamily.blogspot.com

Caden

China

Follow the family’s adoption journey on their blog at theyoungpages.com/jodis_blog12314206_10153611220011072_64828746499982925_o-2015

Reed Girls

2015

2015

China

 

 

Follow the family’s adoption journey on their blog at www.paintingbeautyfromashes.com

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2015

2015

Bulgaria

Follow the family’s adoption journey on their blog at beyondwhatmyeyeshaveseen.blogspot.com

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Follow the family’s adoption journey on their blog at  9willbejustfine.blogspot.com

Jase (Jais) 2014

Jase (Jais) 2014

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Jeremy 2014

JohnsonJohnson-2Bulgaria


Follow the family’s adoption journey on their blog at aservantinhousebeautiful.blogspot.com

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Follow the family’s adoption journey on their blog at homeismeanttobeshared.blogspot.com

Savannah20331213725 NataleeUKRAINE

Follow the family’s adoption journey on their blog at www.marianaorphanfund.blogspot.com

carpentergirls

fitch2017Ukraine

 

Follow the Fitch family’s adoption journey on their blog at findingthea.blogspot.com

 

Ukraine

Follow the Basile family’s adoption journey on their blog at www.hopefulheartadoption.blogspot.com

 

Ukraine

 

Follow the Kimble family’s adoption journey on their blog at missionforgod-kathleen.blogspot.com

themannfamilyHONG KONG

 We had an absolutely awesome time in Hong Kong.

Our social worker was an excellent tour guide and we saw many of the sights and learned about the history of the city.  It was a once in a lifetime experience for all of us, and that does not include the most wonderful part of the journey!!!!   Jacob took to our family immediately, he must have felt the love that we have had for him for so long.  The orphanage staff was wonderful to us and our family.  There was a very tearful goodbye when we took Jacob home.

The staff could not grieve for very long, because they had other children to care for that are still waiting for their forever families.  I do not think that I will ever have the right words to express how we all felt, all I can say is that he is the most precious gift our family has ever received.  He is funny and engaging and is already flirting with Emily and Erika’s friends.