Our Adoption Story By Theresa Johnson

Our story began in November of 2003. We had heard about an international adoption fair in Grand Rapids, Michigan and decided to attend. We had always been interested in adoption and we went to this fair to obtain some information for the future. Little did we know that God had plans for our family. Our family owns a car wash and we learned that the weather was going to be warm and sunny during the fair, so my husband began thinking about staying home so he could get work done before the snow fell. However, I felt a pull towards to the fair, so I told Greg that I thought we should go to the fair. Greg told me that since I felt so overwhelmingly that we should attend the fair, that’s what we would do!

While at the fair we went to a few workshops and spoke with many agencies about international adoption as well as other adoptive parents. We left the fair feeling we had gained a lot of information for the future and thought to ourselves, “yes, we will adopt some day.”

While driving home, we began to look through the large pile of information we had received – information about grants, financing, countries, etc. In the middle of this information there was a picture of a little boy with a great big smile and beautiful eyes looking up at us. “Wow! It’s our son!” We were overwhelmed with the feeling that this little boy was ours and that he needed to come home and be with his family. We talked about this child all the way home. How could we make this work? This child lived in China – how do we bring him home? How could we afford such an undertaking? Would this be okay for Mitchell and Nicholas, ages 4 and 2? Many people warned us about birth order, because, you see, this little boy in China was 6 years old. We had so many thoughts! After thinking about this for a while, we found that God removed the obstacles and moved mountains for us, drawing us a clear path.

We finally made an appointment with a family counselor who told us not to worry so much about birth order, but to start reading about attachment disorder. Our family counselor felt that if we prepared our boys for the adoption we could make this work. We thought about each of our boys and their personalities – and then decided this would enrich their lives to have another brother. So we decided to go forward.

We contacted the agency that had this little boy’s profile and told them we were ready to adopt him. The agency told us they had sent his profile back to China and explained to us that the CCAA in China would either re-distribute his profile to another agency or they would keep it at the CCAA and he wouldn’t be available for adoption in the future. We contacted about 250 agencies to try to find our son. Every agency told us they did not have his profile, told us it would be very difficult to find him, but did wish us “good luck”. Then Wasatch Adoptions and Kathy Kaiser were sent into our lives. Kathy contacted us and told us she didn’t have this child’s profile, but she would help us to find him. All of these people said “no” but it took just one person to say “yes”. That “yes” changed our lives forever. Kathy did find him! She told us that it would take a while, but working closely with Wasatch’s China facilitator, Xiao Rui was found! We will never forget the words “We found him!” It was amazing!

We quickly got to work on our home study and sent our family summary in to the CCAA to be approved. A short time later we received word that we were approved! Hooray! Once the paperwork was completed we began our wait. We were so anxious to bring our son home! About 3 months later we received a Travel Invitation to come to China and we found Greg would be leaving for China to pick up Xiao Rui in just 3 weeks!

We felt it was best for our family if I stayed home and Greg traveled to pick up Xiao Rui. If anyone could make Xiao Rui feel comfortable and could deal with this alone, it was Greg – he is a one of a kind guy! At the end of August Greg left for China to bring our son home. The boys knew their Dad was bringing their brother home, and they were so anxious to meet Xiao Rui. We had a very busy 2 weeks and a great deal of support from family and friends while Greg was in China. Greg called often to tell me how things were going. On one particular call, Greg told me someone wanted to talk to me. I heard a little voice on the phone saying “Ni Hao”. O my goodness! That was my son on the other end of the phone line. Of course I cried, and then I sand “Ni Hao Xiao Rui”. I will always remember that phone call and my son’s first words to me.

Greg’s time in China was busy and it was a wonderful time for him to bond with Xiao Rui. Finally it was time to come home! By this time, Xiao Rui felt very close to Greg. Together they made the long journey home and when flying into Chicago Xiao Rui smiled at Greg and said “Daddy, Meiguo (America) – Wow!” It was a very stormy morning when they arrived, and I drove to the airport in the dark. My anticipation was immense! I couldn’t wait to hold my son and welcome him home. The flight was delayed an hour and that was such a long hour! Finally the plane landed and I stood at the bottom of the escalator with a bear for Xiao Rui. I was filled with so much emotion that I found it hard to stand here and wait. Many people who had been on the plane came over to congratulate me. They said things like “He is coming!” and “He is beautiful”. All of a sudden I saw Greg, and there in front of him coming down the escalator was my son. Xiao Rui tilted his head and smiled and waved at me. I began to jump up and down. Xiao Rui saw me jumping and thought it was very funny – as well as other people watching me. I hugged him and told him “wo ai ni (I love you). It was an indescribable feeling. He was finally home! It was so nice to have Greg home, too. The boys were very happy to have their new brother and Dad home, and our family was together.

Since that day we have bonded so strongly together. Xiao Rui is an amazing little boy. We feel so blessed to have all 3 of our little boys. Yes, there have been a few rough times in the beginning, but nothing that lasted long. Overall, things have been fantastic. Xiao Rui has been home for about 4 months now, and it is as though he has been here forever. We continue to grow together every day, and we praise God for His indescribable gift He has given to our family. And, none of this would have been possible without Wasatch Adoptions, Kathy Kaiser and their wonderful China facilitator, Xiumin, saying “Yes, we will find your son for you.” Kathy and the team at Wasatch were caring, supportive and professional during our adoption process. We can’t imagine a better group of people to help in bringing our family together. It has been an amazing journey ….. One that we may do again someday.

Greg and Theresa Johnson and children Mitchell, Nicholas and Xiao Rui

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