I’m adopted too. From Mexico. My mom was an alcoholic and my dad a drug dealer. Mom died and Dad went to prison. That just left me. At 9 I went into foster care and moved from house to house for a year in America until they sent me back to an orphanage in Mexico. At age 12 I went off to trial live with a family. Low and behold I’m adopted and lived with them for 3 years now. I love it
I adopted my son at ages 11 from foster care. He was deemed, "unadoptable" because of the impact of the abuse e experience as a wee child. I didn't know what I was getting myself into. I never distance myself from him by saying that he's adopted when he'd mess up. He is still dealing with the aftermath of the abuse that occurred as a child. I've remained the only person who has stuck with him and keep it real--I'm his Dad, that's my job and I don't like that part of it, but I love him. "Open rebuke is better than secret love" I'm now age 65 and he's 32. My moniker as a "father" is what I identify as first. He gave me a reason to be alive because outside of him is no reason to carry on.
I met my son in a hosting program when he was 14. He was from Europe and was in the system a long time. You could see he was terrified of asking for anything lest he be told 'no' and let down. When he went back we kept in touch speaking almost every day. It was very hard to keep up that schedule but I could see he was very afraid that I would disappear (I wouldn't have). He asked me to adopt him when he was 15. I prayed on it because I am single and was afraid that having a teenager in my home that I hardly knew might be a problem. I agreed to the adoption and he was permitted to live with me prior to the adoption. All my worries were for nothing. He was great when I was at work and even though he wasn't permitted to enter school, studied his grade every day as if he was going to school. That way he was prepared for when he could enroll. Once adopted and enrolled in HS, he turned out to be brilliant. He accelerated to college level courses and is now in an excellent Engineering university on track to become what he always wanted to be... a Robotics and Electrical Engineer. It wasn't always easy because he was a very traumatized kid and couldn't trust anyone. I had to change to make this work, because I never experienced someone who wanted to love you but push you away at the same time. I am imploring that anyone who wants to adopt a kid especially an older kid, PLEASE contact the local foster/adoption groups and take whatever classes they may have and learn how to respond to traumatized and distrustful kids. Love is not enough. Loving the kid is easy. Continuing to love the child after they make you miserable because all adults have always let them down and they are terrified of letting their guard down and trusting you, is hard. But you have to forget about asking advice from parents including your own if they never fostered or adopted kids. They know nothing of blocked trust, brain development and having to take 10 steps with their adopted child when they only have to take 2 or 3 steps with their biological kids. Taking in a teen can be a challenge. But if you have a relationship with your kid, teens can be a buddy too. It's great to have a son that helps me with everything, see a movie with and going to technology fairs and shows that he likes. You really can't do that with toddlers or real small kids. Yeah, you'll put up with the attitude once in a while, and worry all the time about your kid, but this is life. NEVER tell your adopted kid how "lucky they are" and "how they should appreciate....". They are always watching and wondering if the bio kids have to feel so lucky and appreciative. Learn all of this in the classes and you'll have a wonderful experience. If you only pick out the handsome or pretty kids and ignore what are obvious problems, it may not be so good. Look behind the buck toothed kid or not so pretty girl and see what is inside. You might get the family you always wanted.
I just want to let you know about the AMAZING and POWERFUL impact this video had on me when I first saw it in October 2015. I was a foster parent from 2000 to 2013 and fostered over 30 teenage boys. I adopted two of them. But I had NEVER heard of orphan hosting. Immediately after watching the video, I googled this mysterious phrase. It pulled up a handful of orphan hosting organizations. (Sadly, "a handful" is all the exists in the U.S..) I contacted that ones that would allow a single man to host and learned that Latvia allows singles to host. But they told me that it was too late to host for Christmas 2015. Consequently, I set my eyes on Summer 2016. I hosted an amazing 14 year old and equally amazing 9 year old from Latvia that summer. We had some amazing adventures that included Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park and the Big Island of Hawaii. For Christmas 2016, hosted the two of them again, along with the half-brother of the 14 year old. They were blown away by a week in Orlando at all the theme parks. The experience of hosting the boys led me to adopt . . . not from Latvia, but from Bulgaria. That ultimately resulted in the adoption of Andrew, my 14 year old Bulgarian son in 2018 . . . but I am getting off track. My point is, if I had never seen your video, I never would have hosted, and therefore, I would have never gone down the road to adopt again. I could not host during the summer of 2017 due to a crazy travel schedule. But I hosted the 9 year old (then 10) again, and a fourth boy from the same orphanage. I actually had the privilege to chaperone and fly from Latvia to the U.S. with all the kids who were hosted for Christmas 2017. If you want to be blown away by an infinite amount of joy . . . just fly to the U.S. with a bunch of orphans who are being hosted! For summer 2018, I hosted three boys again (two I had formerly hosted before) along with the younger brother (Artjoms) of one of the boys I had hosted. For Christmas 2018, I hosted FIVE boys (three I had previously hosted, including Artjoms) and two new ones, all of whom were from the same orphanage. It was an absolutely AMAZING Christmas. By this time I had made 4 or 5 trips to Latvia to simply spend time with the kids, celebrate birthdays and simply show up for them (one fell out of a fourth story window in October 2017). These trips provided incredibly opportunities to see the kids' lives and get to know them better. As a result of hosting Artjoms twice, I decided to move forward with his adoption. For summer 2019, I hosted five boys (three I had previously hosted and two new ones). The two new boys were not from the same orphanage as the previous seven boys. We want to the Grand Canyon, Glacier National Park and the Big Island of Hawaii. (For some reason, the boys seem to really enjoy Hawaii.) In October 2019, I was able to bring Artjoms (now Brian) home. But . . . there is more! For Christmas 2019, I hosted two of the boys I hosted previously. A week before my boys arrived, I got an email from the hosting organization, Host Children. (In addition to Latvia, they also host children from Ukraine.) Host Children said that there was an absolutely extraordinary and amazing 15 year old boy would would turn 16 in June 2020. Therefore, this Christmas would be his very last chance to find a family. So . . . I contacted over 90 friends to ask them to consider hosting this boy. A younger (mid-30s) couple who had talked with me a couple of times about adoption contacted me and said they wanted to host him. They did. They fell in love with him, and he fell in love with the family. Last April (2021) they brought him home. (Even though he was 16, they completed all of the paperwork before he turned 16). As a result of his adoption, another family is considering adoption a brother/sister sibling group from the same orphanage in Ukraine. Although several of the boys I have hosted from Latvia have aged out of the orphanage, I maintain contact and relationships with them. In fact, three of them joined my family in Mexico for Christmas 2021. In truth, they have "adopted" me as their father, and they treat me as such. ALL OF THIS HAS FLOWED FROM YOUR VIDEO. Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Finally, I will leave you this quote to consider. "When I grew up in the orphanage, it was Christians who came and built nicer buildings. It was Christians who bought us beds, clothing and provided money monthly for food. It was a Christian who wrote a letter in a shoebox, who first told me I was loved. It was Christians who met all my material and physical needs in that orphanage. But it was also Christians who neglected my biggest need. Children in orphanages don't need more money, nicer buildings or better clothes. I am not an orphan because I lost my home or provisions. I am an orphan because I lost my parents. I needed a mom and a dad. I needed a family. Christians treated all my temporary symptoms of need, but never cured my long-term disease of being an orphan. I am still an orphan." A quote by a 30 year old orphan who aged out of an orphanage where he had lived his entire life.
I feel the same as you do. it's a beautiful story. The kids were probably adopted from a Ukrainian orphanage. For the elder son, he was able to go to America thanks to sports and then he came to know the people who adopted him. He had not forgotten his mate who was still in the orphanage and asked his parents to adopt him, which they did. Both sons are very lucky. Their adoptive parents look so kind, loving. I am so glad for the boys and the entire family. Marie from France
I was born into a home where my father hated me, he beat me from a baby, he demeaned me, and accused me of all kinds of things I hadn't done, he would use physical violence in his efforts to get me to admit to things which weren't true. That was my childhood, and things only got worse in my teenage years. Every time he injured me, I was made to tell the doctors I'd fallen off the shed. I had no love or affection, all I could feel was hatred for that man, what drove me on was the hope I'd one day be big enough to kill him. At 16, he tried to assault me again, I resisted, I grabbed him and shoved him up against the wall, it was then I saw something which allowed me to know my wish wasn't going to be all that far away, because after that event, I realised what I'd seen in his eyes, was his fear. At 18, after I spent years building my first car, I woke to find it smashed to pieces in the yard, he'd taken to it with a hammer, I broke both my brothers noses that day, as I tried to get to him, but they all managed to push me away. I continued to live in the home, but was never a part of the family, they all saw my resistance as causing trouble, what he was doing to me apparently didn't matter. I was 25 when he made his last mistake with me, I was married, I had children, I'd held down a job for 8 years, I'd purchased my own home, and still he couldn't show me any respect. That day I beat him so badly, he had a broken nose, two broken fingers, 3 broken ribs, a broken toe and many lacerations. I left the scene, when I arrived home, my phone rang, it was my mother, she told me he was terribly injured, she wanted to know what she should tell them at the hospital, I told her to tell them he fell off the shed. I never saw a single member of my family again, and I can assure you, that was the best move I ever made. I live alone now, people were a great disappointment to me, they all made me feel included when they wanted something, but as soon as I'd served my purpose, they dropped me like a hot coal. Just the same, I continue to do the right thing, my conscience is clear, and I'm proud of my life and all I did for others, and I'm proud I stood up to that man, instead of becoming his victim like the rest of my family. I'd love to have had a happy family, I'd loved to have been shown some affection, but it seems that was never meant to be, even my own wife and family cut me off, not because I did anything wrong, but because I provided so well for them, they all became independently wealthy, and I became an embarrassment to them with their new friends. I continued to get on with my life, I'd become immune to hurt and disappointment, then I helped a young couple, and when I finished their job, the young wife came up and thanked me, then gave me such a genuine hug, I broke down and cried, it was the first time I'd ever been appreciated by anyone in my life. That was 6 years ago now, since then they've adopted me as their dad, and I'm now considered the grandad of their four children, which just goes to show, everything really does come to those who kindly wait. Life is good, it took 63 years for that to happen, but now that I've experienced true love and affection, I believe it was well worth all I'd been through, and well worth the wait.
we totally think you deserved all that and much more. You're a great person and we are so sad the world is so unfair, hugs from spain and sorry for my english
swagonwheels Am so happy for you , that you finally found people to take care of you. I believe one time I will be able to find a good times in my life. blessing to you. Jeanne from France
This story hits home for me. I was adopted when I was 6 after being taken away at 3 and then my birth mother died when I was 4. I am so happy for you. Lots of love and god bless
My heart goes out to you. No kid deserves to be abused. I'm glad you were discovered by a loving family and I hope you're happy. I'd hug you if I could.
this is Mya Jo Joplin my brother left his account up. i just wanted to stay this is very moving i was just adopted in November of 2013 and i have a lil brother and sister the family that adopted us the lady has 4 of her own kids she is a foster mom i have been is a foster home for a lil over 5 years and was finally adopted i have seen my real parents since i was taken at the time i was 10 and didn't know wat was happening but im glad and happy where i am i dont get in trouble any more i dont have to watch and cook or clean and have to wait for my mom to get home or anything and i didnt know my bio dad till i was 8 im glad for u guys we still r adopting and still having foster kids come to live with us i love it.
If no one told me that this wasn't a family of blood-related individuals, I wouldn't have known. They are truly a beautiful family all around; you can just tell that they love each other.
I love this. I had the same life as you. It was hard. You guys are amazing. Somehow we made it. Foster sisters and brothers are all your brothers and sisters - were all the same. Love you brother x
I just came across this video. I see it was produced/uploaded in 2013. It has now started me on the foster/adoption process. Thank you. You are a beautiful family.
Brandon I am 17 and was adopted recently last year! My whole family is adopted none of my siblings are biological! That is what we say makes us the same! This video Gave Me goosebumps!!! God Bless you and your family!
My friend was adopted we became friends in the 2nd grade now we are juniors In high school sometimes we may have our ups and downs but it dose not stop us from being good friends we may be jealous sometimes but it's worth it :)
@@rppacademic You do not know your Creator yet, but will one day soon:) and when that day comes you will delight in him, in his goodness and in his mercy. He is My God, the God of the Univers., His name is Abba, The God of Israel, who came down from Heaven as Man, by the name of Jesus, and his Spirit fills us with love, joy, peace and happiness. He shall draw you closer to himself and when that happens you will never stop thanking and praising him:)
I am 33 years old. I was physically abused from age 4 to 11. I have been looking into adopting a kiddo between 12 and 14. I know with my understanding of childhood trauma that I can make a difference in a child's life. I am going to go for it.
My real mother gave me away as soon as I was born and when I was one (1) years old I was adopted. My parents told me about the adoption just before I started school because they thought that other kids might try to put me down. One did and all I had to say was that I already knew. That shut her up.
Your story began d moment when ur parents thought of adoption. These 2 r really an inspiration for others to open arms and get the underprivileged in the family, to provide them the love and care they so dearly need
What a beautiful story! You finally found your luck! I had a very bad childhood as well and ran away at the age of 15. I lived on my own since then. I finished school, went to travel, studied and build a business. I always thought, kids are not in my cards...but I love them. I'm 40 now and think about adoption.
You wrote this comment 6 years ago. I hope that you were able to adopt. If you haven't then don't hesitate to adopt as long as you feel stable enough to handle a new young person in your life.
Bless your beautiful heart and your forever home with your brother! The World is full of heartbreak for so many children! Bless these beautiful parents too!!
Très belle histoire, difficile d’imaginer ce qu’un enfant peut ressentir dans une telle situation... il y a fort heureusement des gens aimants et qui offrent un vrai futur.. merci de ce partage.
My mom us to hit me alot an my dad was a drunk and didnt care .sn I was being teased at schools. I got married he treated me very badly .an I had my kids alone at the hospital. While he was drunk partying. Now my kids are grown up an have there own life we are going to foster care children from the reservation and we want to adopt. An now were ardent pray for a other add on room
great story. I got adopted myself and adopted later as well: now have 6 sons from indonesia, 1 daughter from indonesia and one son from Nepal and a first grandchild 🙂
Thank YOU for making this video! I am the adoptive mother of two magnificent children and I always hope to see more positive stories about adoption, instead of all the negativity!! Yours was a beautiful story, especially considering the age at which you were adopted, and your lives and attitude are an inspiration! Wishing you much success and a continued happy future!
I fully understand you. i myself was adopted too. but for the first part of my life i was passed around from family to family, because as they said, i wasnt the child that they wanted. so when a family finally choose me, i was reluctant. i was always on gaurd. i never believed in the idea and thought of being their daughter... in science they talk about looking like you parents, and that even adopted children inherit things from their new families, but that was never the case for me..... i was the one who'd lived with so many different families, that i never knew what a family even was. i started to believe that a family was people who give up on you and leave you behind... and that terrified me... ive now been with this family for about 10 years.. i am 17..... im still reluctant, still confused... still iffy on the meaning of a family..... but a least im trying.. and this time.. so are they..... so i wont give up on this family because ive been with them the longest... and they havent given me up like the others..... so i wont give up, because they wont give up.... they are my family..... and im gonna have to find out the meaning with that but at least now i know i can smile and know i wont just be sent away this time id be heard and helped...
Don't give up. Give love and you will receive plenty in return. Give trust and you will receive plenty in return.Don't be afraid to talk about your fears and your hopes. Don't be afraid, there is a lot of love around.
I am sorry for the feeling of abandonnement you feel due to immature adult hearts. This is true that you are loved. Your life matters. You can if you would like to, to get to know about Jesus more because human kind disappoint us but He does never. And He already know you. Stay strong. You have been so patient and I know God will bless you. Never forget that you are not alone, no matter the things that lies sometimes to you. You matter :)
my friend just went to foster care and i thoutht she would never get back home and i will never see her again but i watched ur videoi and i realised that even if she donet come home she will probly get a good one
Thank you so much for sharing. My husband and I are in classes now in hopes of adopting a teen here in the US from foster care. Your video is an inspiration to the families that are trying to fill that empty space a the table.
what a story! tears of joy here! but where it really got me was when you asked for a brother! it shows that your parents properly showed you what love really is! amazing people you all! may god pour out his blessings on you!
I just saw this video in A Act of Love Adoption Agency's news feed. I'm glad they put it up on Facebook because this is a great story. Thanks for making the video.
I think your future will be amazing, I think you are going to be an inspiring spouse, friend, father, grandfather, and many people will be grateful you are in their life. Because I see an amazing human being right now! Thank you for blessing planet earth with your presence. :)
its is breath taken. i know how he feels. an in his shoe rite now and have been 9 years and i still have hope that i will find that family but i am 16 and they are going to stop looking for an adoption family in the next 21 months so i am slowly giving up hope
I was adopted as a baby, a few weeks old. My birth mum was very young when she had me. I have quite a lot of letters from her to my adoptive parents asking them to love me and look after me and I know her name but not much else really. My adoptive parents ARE my real parents. My adoptive dad died a few years ago now but he and my mum are/were loving, caring and supportive and just plain fun! I couldn't have wished for better parents. :) I have absolutely no desire to contact my birth mum. I just don't. That might sound harsh and bitter but it's not like that.
I was adopted at 1 1/2 years old, and had great parents my adoptive mom like yours sent letters to my dad when I was 14 I sent a letter to my adoptive mom so I moved back with her, it hurt so much to leave my parents but then I got to meet my brothers and sisters, I loved getting to meet my biological mother and spending time with her and her husband she passed 3 years after and I had never met my biological dad which he died before my mom did, I looked for my dads family and got to meet my other brothers and sisters and we have a great relationship as well. Now I have my Dad who adopted me alive and my dad which was my biological mothers husband who both love me as well and 14 brothers and sisters!
Such an inspiration. My daughter and her husband hosted a 12 yr old from Ukraine last summer and again over Christmas. They are scheduled to host him again this summer b/c he is not yet released to be adopted until end of this year. We are so anxious with what is going on in Ukraine. Our fear is that adoptions will be shut down before they can get over there to get him. We already love him as our own. We pray for divine intervention.
@@anselm9995 just seeing your reply! It took another 2 years and many hosting trips to finally adopt when he was 14 almost 15. He is now 21 and serving in the Air Force in Japan.
This is a beautiful life story, i know its 6 yrs old,but i had to watch it..i hope all your dreams have come true and your living the best life possible ,that you deserve❤
Wow. This is great. A real kid found his forever mom and dad and a real brother. The beaming smile in those later photos speaks far more eloquently than words can describe. God bless your family.
Such a great video thanks for sharing. I grow up in fostercare family. Foster mom was so kind and loved me so much and I loved her but entire my childhood was not so good as a normal kids but dont blame because God always around me and never get me down to bad things. God is amazing and life is full of miracle GOD BLESSING YOU
You have not only made your mom & dad proud, you have made thousands of people around the world VERY proud!!! I am honoured to have been able to see your story.
Wow, this is awesome. It's never too late for family. I hope many more would adopt older kids. These kids are just waiting for their parents to get them. Adopting them makes a difference for the world and would mean the world to these kids. God bless your family.
Thank you so much for sharing your story! This is so encouraging! ME and my husband are wanting to adopt older children. We have a 1 year old boy but we just feel like our other children will come to us through adoption...I have been nervous about my kids not liking me though! Lol. This gives me hope ;) I am so excited.
We adopted two sons 9 years ago and it amazes me how often I am told the oldest looks just like me and how often the youngest is said to look like my partner (I should add that they are full brothers, yet my partner and I are English and Brazilian). It was never a consideration of ours to have children that look like us, but often adopters choose their children and maybe subconsciously we choose 'familiarity' - or maybe it's just fate! Either way I think it's wonderful for them to hear that they look like the family they now are.
this is a beautiful story ,i love them ,the couple husband and wife they have a good heart ,thank you so much to do such a beautyful thing in the world
I’m adopted too. From Mexico. My mom was an alcoholic and my dad a drug dealer. Mom died and Dad went to prison. That just left me. At 9 I went into foster care and moved from house to house for a year in America until they sent me back to an orphanage in Mexico. At age 12 I went off to trial live with a family. Low and behold I’m adopted and lived with them for 3 years now. I love it
I adopted my son at ages 11 from foster care. He was deemed, "unadoptable" because of the impact of the abuse e experience as a wee child. I didn't know what I was getting myself into. I never distance myself from him by saying that he's adopted when he'd mess up. He is still dealing with the aftermath of the abuse that occurred as a child. I've remained the only person who has stuck with him and keep it real--I'm his Dad, that's my job and I don't like that part of it, but I love him. "Open rebuke is better than secret love" I'm now age 65 and he's 32. My moniker as a "father" is what I identify as first. He gave me a reason to be alive because outside of him is no reason to carry on.
Your amazing i hope you the best in your whole life and your son ❤ 💗
I met my son in a hosting program when he was 14. He was from Europe and was in the system a long time. You could see he was terrified of asking for anything lest he be told 'no' and let down. When he went back we kept in touch speaking almost every day. It was very hard to keep up that schedule but I could see he was very afraid that I would disappear (I wouldn't have).
He asked me to adopt him when he was 15. I prayed on it because I am single and was afraid that having a teenager in my home that I hardly knew might be a problem. I agreed to the adoption and he was permitted to live with me prior to the adoption. All my worries were for nothing. He was great when I was at work and even though he wasn't permitted to enter school, studied his grade every day as if he was going to school. That way he was prepared for when he could enroll.
Once adopted and enrolled in HS, he turned out to be brilliant. He accelerated to college level courses and is now in an excellent Engineering university on track to become what he always wanted to be... a Robotics and Electrical Engineer.
It wasn't always easy because he was a very traumatized kid and couldn't trust anyone. I had to change to make this work, because I never experienced someone who wanted to love you but push you away at the same time. I am imploring that anyone who wants to adopt a kid especially an older kid, PLEASE contact the local foster/adoption groups and take whatever classes they may have and learn how to respond to traumatized and distrustful kids. Love is not enough. Loving the kid is easy. Continuing to love the child after they make you miserable because all adults have always let them down and they are terrified of letting their guard down and trusting you, is hard. But you have to forget about asking advice from parents including your own if they never fostered or adopted kids. They know nothing of blocked trust, brain development and having to take 10 steps with their adopted child when they only have to take 2 or 3 steps with their biological kids.
Taking in a teen can be a challenge. But if you have a relationship with your kid, teens can be a buddy too. It's great to have a son that helps me with everything, see a movie with and going to technology fairs and shows that he likes. You really can't do that with toddlers or real small kids. Yeah, you'll put up with the attitude once in a while, and worry all the time about your kid, but this is life. NEVER tell your adopted kid how "lucky they are" and "how they should appreciate....". They are always watching and wondering if the bio kids have to feel so lucky and appreciative. Learn all of this in the classes and you'll have a wonderful experience. If you only pick out the handsome or pretty kids and ignore what are obvious problems, it may not be so good. Look behind the buck toothed kid or not so pretty girl and see what is inside. You might get the family you always wanted.
The world needs more people like you :)
you get attitude with biological kids too
@@harikytyou are bang on
The eldest looks like his father and the younger looks like his mom. It's good to see them happy. Godbless
around a year ago i found out that i am adopted.... it didn't change anything, love from family is pure no matter where it is from.
I have one adopted grandson and one biological and I love them both equally. Love of my life.
@@terryaguirre8271 God bless you 🥰🥰❤️🥰
I just want to let you know about the AMAZING and POWERFUL impact this video had on me when I first saw it in October 2015.
I was a foster parent from 2000 to 2013 and fostered over 30 teenage boys. I adopted two of them. But I had NEVER heard of orphan hosting. Immediately after watching the video, I googled this mysterious phrase.
It pulled up a handful of orphan hosting organizations. (Sadly, "a handful" is all the exists in the U.S..) I contacted that ones that would allow a single man to host and learned that Latvia allows singles to host. But they told me that it was too late to host for Christmas 2015.
Consequently, I set my eyes on Summer 2016. I hosted an amazing 14 year old and equally amazing 9 year old from Latvia that summer. We had some amazing adventures that included Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park and the Big Island of Hawaii.
For Christmas 2016, hosted the two of them again, along with the half-brother of the 14 year old. They were blown away by a week in Orlando at all the theme parks.
The experience of hosting the boys led me to adopt . . . not from Latvia, but from Bulgaria. That ultimately resulted in the adoption of Andrew, my 14 year old Bulgarian son in 2018 . . . but I am getting off track. My point is, if I had never seen your video, I never would have hosted, and therefore, I would have never gone down the road to adopt again.
I could not host during the summer of 2017 due to a crazy travel schedule. But I hosted the 9 year old (then 10) again, and a fourth boy from the same orphanage. I actually had the privilege to chaperone and fly from Latvia to the U.S. with all the kids who were hosted for Christmas 2017. If you want to be blown away by an infinite amount of joy . . . just fly to the U.S. with a bunch of orphans who are being hosted!
For summer 2018, I hosted three boys again (two I had formerly hosted before) along with the younger brother (Artjoms) of one of the boys I had hosted.
For Christmas 2018, I hosted FIVE boys (three I had previously hosted, including Artjoms) and two new ones, all of whom were from the same orphanage. It was an absolutely AMAZING Christmas. By this time I had made 4 or 5 trips to Latvia to simply spend time with the kids, celebrate birthdays and simply show up for them (one fell out of a fourth story window in October 2017). These trips provided incredibly opportunities to see the kids' lives and get to know them better.
As a result of hosting Artjoms twice, I decided to move forward with his adoption.
For summer 2019, I hosted five boys (three I had previously hosted and two new ones). The two new boys were not from the same orphanage as the previous seven boys. We want to the Grand Canyon, Glacier National Park and the Big Island of Hawaii. (For some reason, the boys seem to really enjoy Hawaii.)
In October 2019, I was able to bring Artjoms (now Brian) home.
But . . . there is more!
For Christmas 2019, I hosted two of the boys I hosted previously. A week before my boys arrived, I got an email from the hosting organization, Host Children. (In addition to Latvia, they also host children from Ukraine.) Host Children said that there was an absolutely extraordinary and amazing 15 year old boy would would turn 16 in June 2020. Therefore, this Christmas would be his very last chance to find a family.
So . . . I contacted over 90 friends to ask them to consider hosting this boy. A younger (mid-30s) couple who had talked with me a couple of times about adoption contacted me and said they wanted to host him.
They did.
They fell in love with him, and he fell in love with the family.
Last April (2021) they brought him home. (Even though he was 16, they completed all of the paperwork before he turned 16).
As a result of his adoption, another family is considering adoption a brother/sister sibling group from the same orphanage in Ukraine.
Although several of the boys I have hosted from Latvia have aged out of the orphanage, I maintain contact and relationships with them. In fact, three of them joined my family in Mexico for Christmas 2021.
In truth, they have "adopted" me as their father, and they treat me as such.
ALL OF THIS HAS FLOWED FROM YOUR VIDEO.
Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Finally, I will leave you this quote to consider.
"When I grew up in the orphanage, it was Christians who came and built nicer buildings. It was Christians who bought us beds, clothing and provided money monthly for food. It was a Christian who wrote a letter in a shoebox, who first told me I was loved.
It was Christians who met all my material and physical needs in that orphanage. But it was also Christians who neglected my biggest need.
Children in orphanages don't need more money, nicer buildings or better clothes. I am not an orphan because I lost my home or provisions.
I am an orphan because I lost my parents. I needed a mom and a dad. I needed a family. Christians treated all my temporary symptoms of need, but never cured my long-term disease of being an orphan.
I am still an orphan."
A quote by a 30 year old orphan who aged out of an orphanage where he had lived his entire life.
This brings tears to my eyes. Thank God for these parents.
I feel the same as you do. it's a beautiful story. The kids were probably adopted from a Ukrainian orphanage. For the elder son, he was able to go to America thanks to sports and then he came to know the people who adopted him. He had not forgotten his mate who was still in the orphanage and asked his parents to adopt him, which they did. Both sons are very lucky. Their adoptive parents look so kind, loving. I am so glad for the boys and the entire family. Marie from France
I was born into a home where my father hated me, he beat me from a baby, he demeaned me, and accused me of all kinds of things I hadn't done, he would use physical violence in his efforts to get me to admit to things which weren't true.
That was my childhood, and things only got worse in my teenage years.
Every time he injured me, I was made to tell the doctors I'd fallen off the shed.
I had no love or affection, all I could feel was hatred for that man, what drove me on was the hope I'd one day be big enough to kill him.
At 16, he tried to assault me again, I resisted, I grabbed him and shoved him up against the wall, it was then I saw something which allowed me to know my wish wasn't going to be all that far away, because after that event, I realised what I'd seen in his eyes, was his fear.
At 18, after I spent years building my first car, I woke to find it smashed to pieces in the yard, he'd taken to it with a hammer, I broke both my brothers noses that day, as I tried to get to him, but they all managed to push me away.
I continued to live in the home, but was never a part of the family, they all saw my resistance as causing trouble, what he was doing to me apparently didn't matter.
I was 25 when he made his last mistake with me, I was married, I had children, I'd held down a job for 8 years, I'd purchased my own home, and still he couldn't show me any respect.
That day I beat him so badly, he had a broken nose, two broken fingers, 3 broken ribs, a broken toe and many lacerations.
I left the scene, when I arrived home, my phone rang, it was my mother, she told me he was terribly injured, she wanted to know what she should tell them at the hospital, I told her to tell them he fell off the shed.
I never saw a single member of my family again, and I can assure you, that was the best move I ever made.
I live alone now, people were a great disappointment to me, they all made me feel included when they wanted something, but as soon as I'd served my purpose, they dropped me like a hot coal.
Just the same, I continue to do the right thing, my conscience is clear, and I'm proud of my life and all I did for others, and I'm proud I stood up to that man, instead of becoming his victim like the rest of my family.
I'd love to have had a happy family, I'd loved to have been shown some affection, but it seems that was never meant to be, even my own wife and family cut me off, not because I did anything wrong, but because I provided so well for them, they all became independently wealthy, and I became an embarrassment to them with their new friends.
I continued to get on with my life, I'd become immune to hurt and disappointment, then I helped a young couple, and when I finished their job, the young wife came up and thanked me, then gave me such a genuine hug, I broke down and cried, it was the first time I'd ever been appreciated by anyone in my life.
That was 6 years ago now, since then they've adopted me as their dad, and I'm now considered the grandad of their four children, which just goes to show, everything really does come to those who kindly wait.
Life is good, it took 63 years for that to happen, but now that I've experienced true love and affection, I believe it was well worth all I'd been through, and well worth the wait.
swagonweels I'm so so glad that life has brought you true love & affection!!! I hope you have many more years to come!
Thank you very much, and the same to you and yours.
we totally think you deserved all that and much more. You're a great person and we are so sad the world is so unfair, hugs from spain and sorry for my english
swagonwheels Am so happy for you , that you finally found people to take care of you. I believe one time I will be able to find a good times in my life. blessing to you. Jeanne from France
Thank you Jeanne, and may all your days be filled with joy.
God bless this family who adopted two beautiful boys.
How wonderful that brings me tears to my eyes.
This is a lovely story. There are also many children here in the U.S. who would love a forever home.
I salute to the parents who adopt children, cause it's not easy to raise children and to love them. thank you.
This story was touch my heart ❤️...may you happy in your life now.. please pray for me to be happy like you....
My child is out there, somewhere. I hope they're not sad and lonely right now, because I'm coming for them just as fast as I can run.
This story hits home for me. I was adopted when I was 6 after being taken away at 3 and then my birth mother died when I was 4. I am so happy for you. Lots of love and god bless
I'm just 26. But in a future I would love to adopt a teenager too. I'd love to change a life like that. I am so happy that you found home.
My heart goes out to you. No kid deserves to be abused. I'm glad you were discovered by a loving family and I hope you're happy. I'd hug you if I could.
this is Mya Jo Joplin my brother left his account up. i just wanted to stay this is very moving i was just adopted in November of 2013 and i have a lil brother and sister the family that adopted us the lady has 4 of her own kids she is a foster mom i have been is a foster home for a lil over 5 years and was finally adopted i have seen my real parents since i was taken at the time i was 10 and didn't know wat was happening but im glad and happy where i am i dont get in trouble any more i dont have to watch and cook or clean and have to wait for my mom to get home or anything and i didnt know my bio dad till i was 8 im glad for u guys we still r adopting and still having foster kids come to live with us i love it.
If no one told me that this wasn't a family of blood-related individuals, I wouldn't have known. They are truly a beautiful family all around; you can just tell that they love each other.
I'm so glad that he was adopted by lovely people who gave him a better life I hope that he is doing well
I love this. I had the same life as you. It was hard. You guys are amazing. Somehow we made it. Foster sisters and brothers are all your brothers and sisters - were all the same. Love you brother x
I just came across this video. I see it was produced/uploaded in 2013. It has now started me on the foster/adoption process. Thank you. You are a beautiful family.
Cried my eyes out. Beautiful story.
Beautiful story...we've also adopted a precious angel who has blessed our lives immensely.
You are so lucky and I am so happy for you. I have been an orphan my whole life and I have never had a family. It sucks big time.
It is absolutely uncanny how much you absolutely favor your parents -- especially your dad! It's AWESOME!!!
Brandon I am 17 and was adopted recently last year! My whole family is adopted none of my siblings are biological! That is what we say makes us the same! This video Gave Me goosebumps!!! God Bless you and your family!
My friend was adopted we became friends in the 2nd grade now we are juniors In high school sometimes we may have our ups and downs but it dose not stop us from being good friends we may be jealous sometimes but it's worth it :)
God has blessed this beautiful family. Hugs.
@@rppacademic You do not know your Creator yet, but will one day soon:) and when that day comes you will delight in him, in his goodness and in his mercy. He is My God, the God of the Univers., His name is Abba, The God of Israel, who came down from Heaven as Man, by the name of Jesus, and his Spirit fills us with love, joy, peace and happiness. He shall draw you closer to himself and when that happens you will never stop thanking and praising him:)
@@rppacademic Be brave and ask, and you will get your response:)
The son looks like the mother and the other son looks like the dad. God bless you all northern California San Jose
Beautiful story!! Everyone is so stiff until the end when the youngest son is using his best English...and it makes the whole family smile!
What a beautiful story! It is indeed a miracle for this young man and his brother. So happy for all of you!
+Angie Guy and it is a miracle for the parents .. God bless them
I am 33 years old. I was physically abused from age 4 to 11. I have been looking into adopting a kiddo between 12 and 14. I know with my understanding of childhood trauma that I can make a difference in a child's life. I am going to go for it.
A DREAM come true for these two--AWESOME--Blessings to you all from Nova Scotia
God bless you young man.
My real mother gave me away as soon as I was born and when I was one (1) years old I was adopted. My parents told me about the adoption just before I started school because they thought that other kids might try to put me down. One did and all I had to say was that I already knew. That shut her up.
Your story began d moment when ur parents thought of adoption. These 2 r really an inspiration for others to open arms and get the underprivileged in the family, to provide them the love and care they so dearly need
What a beautiful story!
You finally found your luck! I had a very bad childhood as well and ran
away at the age of 15.
I lived on my own since then. I finished school, went to travel, studied and build a business.
I always thought, kids are not in my cards...but I love them.
I'm 40 now and think about adoption.
You wrote this comment 6 years ago. I hope that you were able to adopt. If you haven't then don't hesitate to adopt as long as you feel stable enough to handle a new young person in your life.
Bless you and your family. Everyone deserves stability. I admire the strength of every one of you. Big hug.
Soooo precious!!! I am adopting my Nephew who is gonna be 9. I have much Hope!!
Bless your beautiful heart and your forever home with your brother! The World is full of heartbreak for so many children! Bless these beautiful parents too!!
These kids look awesome! Defiantly renewed me views of about adoption. Thank you for sharing such a beautiful message.
lol When your brother started to talk and you smiled. so sweet. You're very blessed for your life go turn around so much. All the best for the future.
I’m so happy you and your brother found such great parents!
Très belle histoire, difficile d’imaginer ce qu’un enfant peut ressentir dans une telle situation... il y a fort heureusement des gens aimants et qui offrent un vrai futur.. merci de ce partage.
This was awesome. My big brother asked for me specifically. I fell overbackwards bc we were all ready friends. This story made me cry.
Heartwarming story. I'm so happy for this kids and for this lovely couple.
you actually look like youre their biological son
Sup Marce they all white so..
I thought the same. Both boys look like they are a mix of both parents. Just goes to show it was meant to be
I thought the same thing! They both have electric smiles that could light up a room!
What a gorgeous family and miracle story of love, God bless you always!!
Beautiful; I got chills watching this.
My mom us to hit me alot an my dad was a drunk and didnt care .sn I was being teased at schools. I got married he treated me very badly .an I had my kids alone at the hospital. While he was drunk partying. Now my kids are grown up an have there own life we are going to foster care children from the reservation and we want to adopt. An now were ardent pray for a other add on room
What a dear soul you are.you deserve every bit of happiness you can get bless you❤️
great story. I got adopted myself and adopted later as well: now have 6 sons from indonesia, 1 daughter from indonesia and one son from Nepal and a first grandchild 🙂
Thank YOU for making this video! I am the adoptive mother of two magnificent children and I always hope to see more positive stories about adoption, instead of all the negativity!! Yours was a beautiful story, especially considering the age at which you were adopted, and your lives and attitude are an inspiration! Wishing you much success and a continued happy future!
Lovely story. Glad you found a family.
I fully understand you. i myself was adopted too. but for the first part of my life i was passed around from family to family, because as they said, i wasnt the child that they wanted. so when a family finally choose me, i was reluctant. i was always on gaurd. i never believed in the idea and thought of being their daughter... in science they talk about looking like you parents, and that even adopted children inherit things from their new families, but that was never the case for me.....
i was the one who'd lived with so many different families, that i never knew what a family even was. i started to believe that a family was people who give up on you and leave you behind...
and that terrified me... ive now been with this family for about 10 years.. i am 17..... im still reluctant, still confused... still iffy on the meaning of a family..... but a least im trying.. and this time.. so are they..... so i wont give up on this family because ive been with them the longest... and they havent given me up like the others..... so i wont give up, because they wont give up....
they are my family..... and im gonna have to find out the meaning with that but at least now i know i can smile and know i wont just be sent away this time id be heard and helped...
Don't give up. Give love and you will receive plenty in return. Give trust and you will receive plenty in return.Don't be afraid to talk about your fears and your hopes. Don't be afraid, there is a lot of love around.
Olivia Good GOD BLESS YOU! Please don't give up sweetie! Stay strong! I am sorry for all you have gone through.
Olivia Good God loves you he is your father
I am sorry for the feeling of abandonnement you feel due to immature adult hearts. This is true that you are loved. Your life matters. You can if you would like to, to get to know about Jesus more because human kind disappoint us but He does never. And He already know you. Stay strong. You have been so patient and I know God will bless you. Never forget that you are not alone, no matter the things that lies sometimes to you. You matter :)
my friend just went to foster care and i thoutht she would never get back home and i will never see her again but i watched ur videoi and i realised that even if she donet come home she will probly get a good one
I almost had tears ... Thank u for sharing your story ❤️❤️
Thank you so much for sharing. My husband and I are in classes now in hopes of adopting a teen here in the US from foster care. Your video is an inspiration to the families that are trying to fill that empty space a the table.
A couple of very handsome young men with a bright future. God bless you all!
Your story really touched my heart.. I'm happy for you all.
What a great family what big hearts you have
I. love. tat you welcomed a brother! Very. happy for you ALL!
what a story! tears of joy here! but where it really got me was when you asked for a brother! it shows that your parents properly showed you what love really is! amazing people you all! may god pour out his blessings on you!
I just saw this video in A Act of Love Adoption Agency's news feed. I'm glad they put it up on Facebook because this is a great story. Thanks for making the video.
That's the first video, in a very long time, that actually made me cry. I wish you and your family the best.
It had the same affect on me..
wow. I hope your dreams come true. you opened my eyes about adopting an older child. thank you!
I have watched your video many times I cry every time. God Bless.
All the horrible things that take up the space in our hearts and minds, we are reminded of these blessings.
Beautiful family. God bless you
I think your future will be amazing, I think you are going to be an inspiring spouse, friend, father, grandfather, and many people will be grateful you are in their life. Because I see an amazing human being right now! Thank you for blessing planet earth with your presence. :)
its is breath taken. i know how he feels. an in his shoe rite now and have been 9 years and i still have hope that i will find that family but i am 16 and they are going to stop looking for an adoption family in the next 21 months so i am slowly giving up hope
I hope the rest of your life brings you good things and happiness, you deserve it x
You look like your mum and dad. So wonderful. Delighted for you. Bless you.
Thank you so much for sharing your story. It's a "miracle" for EVERYONE in this beautiful family. Much continued success to you all. Excelsior!
Awesome family your safe now with loving Parents and now you can thrive and be and do what you aspire to be...Good on mum and dad your awesome.
What a lovely family! God bless you all!
You are very blessed,I'm so happy for you!
this video makes me cry God bless you guys
Thank you for sharing. So glad you and your brother are safe and loved. God Bless.
I was adopted as a baby, a few weeks old. My birth mum was very young when she had me. I have quite a lot of letters from her to my adoptive parents asking them to love me and look after me and I know her name but not much else really. My adoptive parents ARE my real parents. My adoptive dad died a few years ago now but he and my mum are/were loving, caring and supportive and just plain fun! I couldn't have wished for better parents. :) I have absolutely no desire to contact my birth mum. I just don't. That might sound harsh and bitter but it's not like that.
I was adopted at 1 1/2 years old, and had great parents my adoptive mom like yours sent letters to my dad when I was 14 I sent a letter to my adoptive mom so I moved back with her, it hurt so much to leave my parents but then I got to meet my brothers and sisters, I loved getting to meet my biological mother and spending time with her and her husband she passed 3 years after and I had never met my biological dad which he died before my mom did, I looked for my dads family and got to meet my other brothers and sisters and we have a great relationship as well. Now I have my Dad who adopted me alive and my dad which was my biological mothers husband who both love me as well and 14 brothers and sisters!
Such an inspiration. My daughter and her husband hosted a 12 yr old from Ukraine last summer and again over Christmas. They are scheduled to host him again this summer b/c he is not yet released to be adopted until end of this year. We are so anxious with what is going on in Ukraine. Our fear is that adoptions will be shut down before they can get over there to get him. We already love him as our own. We pray for divine intervention.
How did it end?
God will help you all. He has already have plans for you all. God will let you all when’s the right time to and get him.
@@anselm9995 just seeing your reply! It took another 2 years and many hosting trips to finally adopt when he was 14 almost 15. He is now 21 and serving in the Air Force in Japan.
This is a beautiful life story, i know its 6 yrs old,but i had to watch it..i hope all your dreams have come true and your living the best life possible ,that you deserve❤
Wow. This is great. A real kid found his forever mom and dad and a real brother. The beaming smile in those later photos speaks far more eloquently than words can describe. God bless your family.
This is the most incredible story I've watched in a while. Wishing you all the best!
What a beautiful story and wonderful family. God bless you
Such a great video thanks for sharing. I grow up in fostercare family. Foster mom was so kind and loved me so much and I loved her but entire my childhood was not so good as a normal kids but dont blame because God always around me and never get me down to bad things. God is amazing and life is full of miracle GOD BLESSING YOU
Blessings to you and your family.
You have not only made your mom & dad proud, you have made thousands of people around the world VERY proud!!! I am honoured to have been able to see your story.
... jees 2021, and I still weep at this..... any chance of an update please
Wow, this is awesome. It's never too late for family. I hope many more would adopt older kids. These kids are just waiting for their parents to get them. Adopting them makes a difference for the world and would mean the world to these kids. God bless your family.
Ich musste weinen über deiner Geschichte ! Weiter alles gute and God
c be with you ,be blessed
Thank you so much for sharing your story! This is so encouraging! ME and my husband are wanting to adopt older children. We have a 1 year old boy but we just feel like our other children will come to us through adoption...I have been nervous about my kids not liking me though! Lol. This gives me hope ;) I am so excited.
It's made me cry, congratulations on your beautiful story, greetings from Brazil!!
The music and story are beautiful. Thanks to families that are willing and able to adopt. It is amazing how much they look so much alike.
The guy looks exactly as I would expect their biological son to look like.
WOW! I was going to put that in the comments. He looks like his family! So happy they bonded.
I couldn't get over it either. They looked like a biological family in addition to being a love family.
Same impression.
We adopted two sons 9 years ago and it amazes me how often I am told the oldest looks just like me and how often the youngest is said to look like my partner (I should add that they are full brothers, yet my partner and I are English and Brazilian). It was never a consideration of ours to have children that look like us, but often adopters choose their children and maybe subconsciously we choose 'familiarity' - or maybe it's just fate! Either way I think it's wonderful for them to hear that they look like the family they now are.
hope is all we need. im happy for you
This is a very inspiring story.
God Bless...
i don't think i've ever cried so much in a space of 4 minutes
Bless you my boy
this is a beautiful story ,i love them ,the couple husband and wife they have a good heart ,thank you so much to do such a beautyful thing in the world