adoption Archives

Celebrating Kids at the Old Ballgame

I’d like to tell you about a wonderful weekend that revolved around some of my favorite people and favorite things in life. I’m referring to my wife, Jean, and our boys, Trent and Troy. I’m also talking about children adopted from foster care, children in foster care, and the great and glorious game of baseball.

The story begins here in Colorado at the ballpark of the Colorado Springs Sky Sox. They’re the Triple-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: adoption, events, family May 17, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Heartbreak Across America

By now you’ve probably read or heard the news regarding Russian adoption in America.

“Future adoptions of Russian children by citizens of the United States, which are now suspended, are possible only if an agreement is reached,” said Andrei Nesterenko, a spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry.

On a good day, international adoption is a complicated and high risk affair, not to mention an emotionally exhaustive endeavor for all parties involved. In recent years you’d need a scorecard to keep track of what countries have opened or closed or changed their adoption programs.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: adoption, faith, parenting April 16, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

When Less is More

Paul Harvey used to lament that “noise makes news”—which was a pithy way of saying that journalists are drawn to the negative and the sensational. Fortunately, there are exceptions, and I’d like to tell you about one of them.

This past Friday’s edition of the Denver Post featured an extensive story on its front page by a reporter named Electa Draper. It was entitled:

Adoption Initiative Halves Numbers of Kids Needing Families

Admittedly, I’m a bit biased about the story because it highlights the great work our team here at Focus on the Family has been doing.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: adoption, family, kids March 9, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

There Are No Accidents

Have you ever found yourself stuck behind a slow moving truck on a two-lane road where passing is prohibited? Maybe you encountered that rolling roadblock when you’re already pressed for time to get to a meeting. Or perhaps it happens on a day when you’re already tardy picking up the kids from school. Then again, maybe the delay isn’t caused by a slow moving vehicle—it’s caused by an obstinate buffalo staring you down in the middle of the road.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: adoption, faith December 29, 2009 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

When Sorrows Like Sea Billows Roll

By now you’ve heard about the murder of a wealthy Pensacola couple named Byrd and Melanie Billings. They were found shot to death inside their nine-bedroom home this past Thursday night, the apparent victims of a robbery gone bad. Late Sunday night, police investigators announced the arrests of two suspects, though more are expected.

Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan said, “We are very anxious to share this story … it’s going to be a humdinger, I’ll tell you that.”

Actually, it already is.

Topics: Current Events Tags: adoption, events, faith, family, news July 13, 2009 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Who’s Your Daddy?

There’s an Associated Press story last week that caught my eye. Here’s the headline: US Births Break Record; 40% are out-of-wedlock. The article reported that “More babies were born in the United States in 2007 than any other year in the nation’s history, topping the peak during the baby boom 50 years earlier.”

Nothing wrong with an up tick in births, that is, until you consider the fact that 40% of the 4.3 million babies were born to unwed mothers.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: adoption, kids, news, parenting March 24, 2009 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Steven Curtis Chapman’s Daughter Dies

I have some very sad news to report.

Ten days ago, Maria Sue Chapman, the youngest child of Mary Beth and Steven Curtis Chapman, was blowing out five candles on her birthday cake. Last night, Maria died in a tragic auto accident in Franklin, Tennessee. What makes this loss especially difficult is the fact that she was accidentally killed by an older brother driving one of the family vehicles in the Chapman’s driveway.

At the time, the entire family was home celebrating the recent engagement of their oldest daughter Emily as well as the high school graduation of son Caleb.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: adoption, faith, kids May 22, 2008 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

It’s Hopeless . . . or is it?

You’ve probably heard the story of the starfish on the beach. If so, bear with me. As the tale goes, an evening storm dumped thousands of starfish onto the sand. Just before dawn an old man headed out for his early morning walk along the shore. Surprised by the piles of beached starfish, he knew the only way to save them would be to toss them back into the ocean. He had to act fast. There was precious little time to save them before the hot sun took its place in the sky.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: adoption, faith March 31, 2008 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

I Wouldn’t Want it Any Other Way

Two years ago I was speaking in Glendale, Arizona. For Pastor Steve Hubler, one of the guests, that night would forever change his life . . . and the life of his church.

You see, Steve carried with him a burden that taxed his spirit for ten years. Steve has graciously agreed for me to share portions of this letter I just received with you:

I’m one of them, one of the thousands who cannot participate in one of life’s most basic endeavors, the conception of another life.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: adoption, family February 26, 2008 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Kids ‘R Us

My mother died when I was nine. My dad died when I was twelve. With both parents gone, I became an orphan back in elementary school. Which is why I relate so closely to the deep longing orphans have for a family where they can belong; for a place to call home.

No wonder my heart goes out to the 143 million orphans worldwide who hunger for the chance to call someone “Mom” and “Dad” and to feel safe in their care.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: adoption, family November 12, 2007 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura