Life can be messy and hard sometimes. But God brings hope, healing, and unconditional love through the blessing of adoption.  

Meet Craig and Barb, and their 5 children: (as pictured, from left to right)

• Maggie, will be 12 years old soon: With the help of Spirit of Faith Adoptions, she was lovingly placed into her adoptive family after her biological mother gave birth to her.  At the request of her birth mother, her adoption is closed. (no contact)
• *Olivia, just turned 11 years old: Olivia was placed into foster care with her older brother, James when she was 6 weeks of age. Craig and Barb adopted her when she was three years old.
• Barb is Craig's wife, and the proud mom to five beautiful children. 
• *Thomas, age 9: When Thomas was just a few days old, he joined his siblings, Olivia and James in their foster home.  He was 2 years old when he was adopted by Craig and Barb.  
• *James, age 13: James lived with his biological parents for the first 18 months of his life until he was placed in foster care. He was adopted into Craig and Barb's family when he was five years old.  
• Craig is married to Barb, and they are raising their five children together. 
• Alex, age 20, is Craig and Barb's only biological child, and the oldest of the five. 

*Olivia, Thomas and James are biological siblings and they were all adopted by Craig and Barb together, at the same time.  Their adoption is closed.

Adoption Is Not A Secret

Craig, Barb and Alex welcomed Maggie, James, Olivia and Thomas into their family through the blessing of adoption.  Although the circumstances around each of the kids' adoptions was different, it is important to all of them that people know the truth:  adoption is not a secret. 

These adopted children, ranging from nine to thirteen years of age know their stories about how and when they were adopted into their family. On their birthdays every year, Craig and Barb talk about adoption, with compassion for their biological parents who were in difficult situations. Reading children's adoption books at bedtime is something the kids look forward to. 

The children want to tell other adopted kids that when they have questions, they need to ask their parents. Craig and Barb share age-appropriate information with their children frequently and openly, encourage conversation, and answer the questions their kids ask.  

Click HERE to obtain a list of kid-recommended adoption books

I Am Loved Twice!

Maggie, James, Thomas, and Olivia know they have two families. They all agreed that adoption means they are loved twice. Craig and Barb remind them often how much they love them. They also know that their Heavenly Father had a plan for each of them which included adoption.

I Am Happy! 

Olivia feels happy because she and her brothers, James and Thomas get to grow up together in the same family. That was really important to her. Thomas said, "I feel really good because I have a nice family!"  James remembers how he felt before he was adopted. He recalled, "families wanted to separate us."  He said he feels good because he has everything he needs. He goes to school.  He has friends. He has parents and brothers and sisters who love him and one another.  Maggie explained, "my dad teaches me about God, and how He has a plan for me and for my birth mom, and my mom teaches me about a lot of stuff too."  All of these adopted children stated that they feel very happy to grow up together, in a safe and loving environment with Craig and Barb as their parents.

Craig, Barb and Alex's Perspectives on Growing Their Family Through Adoption

From Craig:  God Is Healing Hearts and Transforming Lives In Our Family!

When Alex was a toddler, he was diagnosed with and overcame cancer.  Craig said, "we probably spent a million dollars to save his life. Every life is valued. Adoption gives children a chance. It expanded my faith, seeing God’s faithfulness in caring for all of my children. They are all miracles. Everyone has a unique story....a story of redemption. And our kids have a better way of life because of it."  

Craig is a Financial Professional. He is currently serving on SOFA's Ambassador team, and desires to help adoptive families navigate the financial aspects of adoption. 

From Barb:  Our Children Are Thriving!

Barb contacted SOFA and asked to help "because I have always loved your mission!.....  And I told you when Maggie was born, that you would be stuck with us forever!" She and Craig adopted Maggie through SOFA in 2010. Barb was hired as SOFA's Outreach Coordinator in 2021. She said, "God opened my heart to adoption because I have a deep desire to nurture children. I also have the utmost respect for birth mothers. I volunteered at the Fireweed Retreat for Birth Moms last year, and stood in awe of every woman there because she had chosen life!" 

Adoption unifies the body of Christ to safeguard children and help the widow."  (James 1:27 True spirituality in the eyes of our Father, God is to make a difference in the lives of the orphans, and widows in their distress, and refuse to be corrupted by the world's values)

And This is What Alex, age 20, Had To Say....

"One of the biggest things is the preservation of life. If the mother isn't ready, the best alternative is to place. Giving a child a chance to live, grow up, become their own person and have a chance is what adoption is all about.  It hasn't been easy, and there are ups and downs. But they will always be my family."