The Renier Family

Alexander: the sweetest boy in the world!!!

My husband and I always knew that one day we would love to adopt a child. Adoption is something we both held close to our hearts because I was adopted as an infant. After lots of prayers and a leading from God in fall of 2006 we decided to pursue adoption. That’s when all the question marks danced around in our heads. Do we adopt domestically or internationally and what agency should we work with?

Once coming to the decision to adopt internationally we then needed to focus on an agency. We had narrowed it down to four and had a great deal of contact with each of them. After much research and consideration we felt most comfortable and confident with CWA. At that point our focus became on deciding what country to adopt from. Since neither of us had a preference or a particular country in mind we didn’t know what direction to go in. Therefore, we decided it was in our best interest, as it always is, to rely on God’s guidance. So, once again, after much prayer, we knew without a doubt that Kyrgyzstan was the path He wanted us to take.

On November 19 we applied online with CWA and the process began. Home study meetings, Dr.’s appointments and preparing our dossier became a big part of our lives. OK if I’m being honest, it became our lives. Once we completed one step there was another that had to be completed. Looking at the list of “to do’s” was quite overwhelming and at first glance I had no idea how we would ever make it to the finish line. That’s when we realized the importance of choosing such a wonderful agency.

CWA’s staff is awesome! Their instruction, knowledge and support is unprecedented. From our first initial contact with Carol Nelson to working weekly and sometimes daily with Anya Rutherford and Michael Arrowood we received all the help we needed to make it through the process. There were weeks while we were waiting for a referral that I would call and email Anya several times. I was convinced it had to drive her crazy but each time her patience and reassurance helped us cope with “waiting”. Not something that is easy to do. Especially when what you are waiting for is the child you have been praying for, for such a long time.

Then the call came in early spring. Anya told us of a little boy with blonde hair and blue eyes. I can remember feeling my heart beat out of my chest as she continued to give me more information. The next day could not come soon enough so we could get the video DVD’s. Right away we had our pediatrician review his medical records. He did have some medical issues but nothing that we could not manage. We knew in our hearts that this was the child God was leading us to. So we signed the paperwork to accept Alexander’s referral.

Next we had to wait for legal stuff and a court date in Kyrgyzstan. We thought that the wait before Alexander’s referral was hard. Oh, it could not compare to waiting for a court date and then travel dates. But the time did pass and we received news that we were approved to legally adopt him. On June15, 2007 we officially became parents for the first time and had a son! What a joyful day with much praises to God.

After that time we received news that we would be traveling July 6 and meeting our little guy on July 9th. We were ready to go. The day finally came and we were off to Bishkek. The travel was quite exhausting to say the least. Luckily we had a full day to rest before going to the orphanage to get AJ and we needed it!!!

Monday morning CWA in-country facilitator was at the hotel to facilitate our big day. We absolutely love her. She has the sweetest way about her and disposition. Not to mention she knows the business side of things and how to handle things efficiently and effectively in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. We can not say enough wonderful things about her and her cousin who also assisted us while traveling.

So there we were pulling up to the orphanage in Tokmok and we knew that behind the building walls was our son. Whew…the emotions we were both experiencing is unexplainable. After meeting the director and staff we were taken to the room Alexander was in. He was taking his morning nap when the director picked him up and put him in my arms. Whew...again! He just smiled and was so content. I could not hold back the tears. We still watch the video almost weekly. We spent a couple of hours there before heading back to Bishkek.

The rest of the trip was wonderful and exhausting all at the same time. Between appointments we were able to do some incredible sightseeing. The mountains in both Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan are breathtaking. We also saw the most beautiful cathedrals in Almaty.

On July 17 we left Almaty and headed home to Atlanta. Although long, the trip home went better than expected. Our best friends greeted us at the airport with balloons and lots of cheeseburgers and fries and our car to bring our son home. When we arrived to our neighborhood there were banners and signs everywhere. I’m tearing up just recalling it.

It took us several weeks to recover from the trip and begin to get back into the swing of things. Alexander adjusted and continues to adjust wonderfully. We took him to see the doctor to get a full work-up and to our surprise the medical issues we thought we were facing came up negative on all his bloodwork. Glory to God!!! Other than minor surgery to correct a hernia, which he did great through, he is healthy. Oh, and did I mention active?!

Developmentally he is soaring. He crawls and cruises all over the place. He is learning to talk and is an excellent eater. His doctor’s words exactly were “He is doing stellar”!!! Oh, God is good.

Alexander is our precious gift from God and we love this child with all our being. We just adore him. When people ask “would you do it again” our answer is “absolutely and how soon can we begin the process”?

We do plan to adopt again and without question would partner with CWA and the Kyrgyzstan program. We love them all for being such a big part of making our dreams come true.

Mark & Stephanie Renier