​​​There is no rule book for being adopted. Born the summer of 1980, I was given up to a Christian family who raised me along with other foster children. At the early age of 5-6, thanks to my sister, I was told I was adopted. At such a young age it did not matter much to me, my family Loved and supported me. Through the years I was raised in a Methodist church and attended the East Liverpool Christian School from 2nd grade -12th. During those years, I was surrounded by Christian families, coaches, teachers and most of all Christian friends!

In the summer of 2007, I started my own family, marring the love of my life Dawn. Over the next couple of years, we searched to find a church of our own where we could start and raise a family in. After several years of travel and various jobs I knew it was time for us to start a family. Being adopted, I never knew my background, but I did have a from my biological mother telling me that I could find her when I was ready. I struggled as a young man on whether or not I wanted to know, or even open up my heart, to someone who had given me up. As far as I was concerned, mt adoptive parents, Ed & Sue, where my true parents!

I filled out and signed the paperwork required to find my biological mother but it sat on the desk in our house for over 2 years. It was not until my wife and I found out that we were going to have a child ourselves that I finally sent the documents to be processed. I experienced many sleepless nights once I found out the names of my biological mother and father. So many questions and feelings flooded my soul. Do I allow them in or not? Again, there is no rule book or guide when you are adopted. Instead, I turned to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to guide me, and His timing was perfect!

I now have a huge family, including both my biological family and my adopted family. My life has been blessed & guided by Jesus and I know and believe this with all of my heart! He put the people in my life who needed to be there in order to help me along my life’s journey!! Not only all this but, we also found our home church, Damascus Friends, in Salem Ohio and love it there. God is good all the time!