Comments on: Interview with Jeff Rickett, Father of a Multi-Ethnic Family http://www.carolinahopeadoption.org/blog/archives/139 the blog of carolina hope christian adoption agency Thu, 28 Aug 2008 07:34:36 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Dave Renken http://www.carolinahopeadoption.org/blog/archives/139#comment-797 Dave Renken Thu, 25 Oct 2007 15:35:38 +0000 http://www.carolinahopeadoption.org/blog/archives/139#comment-797 Thank you for being real in your story of adoption. I see that God gives special grace to those who have the courage to exemplify Him in adopting. Your story also reveals that this courage has to go way beyond the initial decision of adoption. Thank you for being real in your story of adoption. I see that God gives special grace to those who have the courage to exemplify Him in adopting. Your story also reveals that this courage has to go way beyond the initial decision of adoption.

]]> By: Starr Nicholson http://www.carolinahopeadoption.org/blog/archives/139#comment-791 Starr Nicholson Thu, 25 Oct 2007 11:48:46 +0000 http://www.carolinahopeadoption.org/blog/archives/139#comment-791 I too am a product of adoption so I can relate to the struggles. I remember a time when I set out to find out who my biological father was and I was frustrated and angry that the search kept coming to a dead end. It was during this time that I sensed Gods spirit telling me that he had blessed me with the family that he gave me and I should be thankful for it. So even through there questions and musing, I pray that your children will know for sure that God has blessed them with the right parents. You guys are awesome for sharing your story. I too am a product of adoption so I can relate to the struggles. I remember a time when I set out to find out who my biological father was and I was frustrated and angry that the search kept coming to a dead end. It was during this time that I sensed Gods spirit telling me that he had blessed me with the family that he gave me and I should be thankful for it. So even through there questions and musing, I pray that your children will know for sure that God has blessed them with the right parents. You guys are awesome for sharing your story.

]]> By: Nancy Rankin http://www.carolinahopeadoption.org/blog/archives/139#comment-776 Nancy Rankin Thu, 25 Oct 2007 01:27:14 +0000 http://www.carolinahopeadoption.org/blog/archives/139#comment-776 <p>What if Jesus decided who to love based on the color of our skin? Jeff and Val are love in action. They love their children just as if they were their own biological children. Accept the challenges as they come. For certainly they will come ... as they do for all parents. Thanks for honestly sharing your story and may you be an encouragement to others considering adoption.</p> What if Jesus decided who to love based on the color of our skin? Jeff and Val are love in action. They love their children just as if they were their own biological children. Accept the challenges as they come. For certainly they will come … as they do for all parents. Thanks for honestly sharing your story and may you be an encouragement to others considering adoption.

]]> By: russ warner http://www.carolinahopeadoption.org/blog/archives/139#comment-772 russ warner Wed, 24 Oct 2007 23:43:32 +0000 http://www.carolinahopeadoption.org/blog/archives/139#comment-772 Wow Wow

]]> By: Ricardo L. Whitaker http://www.carolinahopeadoption.org/blog/archives/139#comment-767 Ricardo L. Whitaker Wed, 24 Oct 2007 20:01:54 +0000 http://www.carolinahopeadoption.org/blog/archives/139#comment-767 I agree with that "controversial" statement from Jeff. There are couples who spend a tremendous amount of resources on scientific methods to increase the chances of pregnancy. There are children without homes who desperately need them. I have for years believed that God intends that some couples not conceive for the express purpose of leading those folks to a path of adoption. Some obey and some do not. I am an "African-American" and I see no problem with inter-racial adoption. If it were not for some white couples (and singles) many minority children would never leave foster care. My grandmother was adopted by a Christian family. The legacy she left me was greater than it would have been had she remained with her birth mother. Her birth mom did not act as though she knew Christ at all. I know Jeff personally - he's my pastor. Through Jeff and Val I see love in action! I agree with that “controversial” statement from Jeff. There are couples who spend a tremendous amount of resources on scientific methods to increase the chances of pregnancy. There are children without homes who desperately need them. I have for years believed that God intends that some couples not conceive for the express purpose of leading those folks to a path of adoption. Some obey and some do not. I am an “African-American” and I see no problem with inter-racial adoption. If it were not for some white couples (and singles) many minority children would never leave foster care. My grandmother was adopted by a Christian family. The legacy she left me was greater than it would have been had she remained with her birth mother. Her birth mom did not act as though she knew Christ at all. I know Jeff personally - he’s my pastor. Through Jeff and Val I see love in action!

]]> By: Barbara Baer http://www.carolinahopeadoption.org/blog/archives/139#comment-766 Barbara Baer Wed, 24 Oct 2007 19:04:50 +0000 http://www.carolinahopeadoption.org/blog/archives/139#comment-766 I've had the pleasure of knowing Val & Jeff for 25 years! I remember them coming to me after the death of their son Scott and asking me what I thought of transracial adoption. I told them that I believe God creates families in many ways and that perhaps there was a child or children that in His sovereignty He had already planned to be theirs. And I encouraged them to be open to who that child might be, regardless of his or her race. I know their family's path has had some unique challenges, but Samuel & Amanda are no less Val & Jeff's children than any who would have been born of them biologically. I'm sure they'll face many more tests, too, as do any parents of teenagers, but I firmly believe that God created this family for His pleasure & by His good will! I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Val & Jeff for 25 years! I remember them coming to me after the death of their son Scott and asking me what I thought of transracial adoption. I told them that I believe God creates families in many ways and that perhaps there was a child or children that in His sovereignty He had already planned to be theirs. And I encouraged them to be open to who that child might be, regardless of his or her race. I know their family’s path has had some unique challenges, but Samuel & Amanda are no less Val & Jeff’s children than any who would have been born of them biologically. I’m sure they’ll face many more tests, too, as do any parents of teenagers, but I firmly believe that God created this family for His pleasure & by His good will!

]]> By: Sandy Shute http://www.carolinahopeadoption.org/blog/archives/139#comment-765 Sandy Shute Wed, 24 Oct 2007 18:50:34 +0000 http://www.carolinahopeadoption.org/blog/archives/139#comment-765 Jeff, I enjoyed reading your family's story. Don't know if you know, but I was adopted as an infant. I struggled a lot with it, esp. during my teenage years. Knowing a different woman than your mom was pregnant with you is a little mind-blowing! I still struggle some with connecting with people and feeling like I belong, but God has always been with me through the trials, tears and triumphs. When I was 17 though I met my biological mother and a few years later my bio father. Now I have a great rel'ship with Angela, my biomom who lives only an hour away from us. I really feel like I have two moms now and they both supply different things for me; one is more emotional and deep and I can really share openly about anything whereas one is more reserved, but more dependable. Anyway, thanks for sharing with me. I enjoy hearing how you all are doing. Keep up God's work!! Sandy Shute Jeff,
I enjoyed reading your family’s story. Don’t know if you know, but I was adopted as an infant. I struggled a lot with it, esp. during my teenage years. Knowing a different woman than your mom was pregnant with you is a little mind-blowing! I still struggle some with connecting with people and feeling like I belong, but God has always been with me through the trials, tears and triumphs.

When I was 17 though I met my biological mother and a few years later my bio father. Now I have a great rel’ship with Angela, my biomom who lives only an hour away from us. I really feel like I have two moms now and they both supply different things for me; one is more emotional and deep and I can really share openly about anything whereas one is more reserved, but more dependable.

Anyway, thanks for sharing with me. I enjoy hearing how you all are doing. Keep up God’s work!!

Sandy Shute

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