We Promise and Covenant...

Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will...

Ephesians 1:5

It was April 25, 2000.

We had known for months this was the day the Illinois' DCFS had arranged with the court to finalize the adoption of our four foster children. And we anxiously awaited the ending of that mandatory six-month waiting period for our daughters to finally and fully be ours which included us giving them new names. 

However, as we reflected on the adoption of our four girls we knew it was not the government who was giving us these children, but the Lord! 

So we decided to have a Covenant Ceremony where we would invite our family and friends to witness our taking of covenant vows before God; thereby, joining us forever as family in the name of the Lord.

The morning of the court adoption, with the covenant ceremony to follow,

we gathered in our living room for the grandparents to take pictures.

We then all headed to McLean County Law and Justice Center

in downtown Bloomington, IL and settled in the courtroom.

Family and friends were able to join us

to witness what God was doing in the Sanford Family.

At 10 o'clock, Judge Dozier called the courtroom to order. 

Bob was asked to the stand first and questioned regarding our home situation, children's names and birthdays, support network, and homeschooling. One question stood out among the rest, when the cross-examiner asked him, "Why four?" To which Bob answered, "Why four? I guess ask God. I don't know why four. Because three of them are siblings and we already had Rebecca in our home when the other siblings came up for adoption and there was really no choice for us at that point, it was just a matter of course."

Katherine also took the stand, answering many questions. This is what stood out with the cross-examiner: Q-"This really matters a lot to you, does it not, Mrs. Sanford?" A-"Yes, it does. It has been on my heart since I was about 13 years old." Q-"How old?" A-"Thirteen." Q-What is it that you began to experience at that time?" A-"It was through reading a book that I realized that...ah...different people have different callings in this life and I just knew my calling was to be a mother and as time went on I was blessed with three children, but I knew that I wanted more and that adoption was the way I wanted to go and it just took time for that to happen."

Finally comments while in court...

Guardian Ad Litem: 

"Well, fortunately the world is not designed the way I think. Judge, I think the critical thing here is that It matters to everybody that this be done. I have met with the parents in my office. Initially had concerns about the size. I had concerns about the lack of social interaction with diverse cultures but, you know, those are just my life preferences and not an objection to this so, I recommend that the adoption be approved."

The Judge:

"When you start reading the file you see this many children being adopted at once, first you think they are all siblings and you see the one is not and today we don't normally see families this large; but I was the oldest of seven children, had three brothers and three sisters in a home with five bedrooms and one bathroom; and somebody probably should have warned Joshua and Garrison, even with three bathrooms they will probably never get in there, but other than that I don't see any downside to this. It is obvious that this is a very loving family, united already. And sometimes what I see of the world and what is going on in schools I have begun to have more appreciation sometimes for home school. It is obviously not for everyone. Takes a great deal of self-discipline. When that is done right it can be a wonderful experience as well, not to say all public schools are not good experiences, too many times those experiences in public schools are equally as good. I don't see a basis to prefer one over the other except if it is done right I think I probably prefer home school theses days with what I see going on sometimes, but not particularly Bloomington/Normal. So I just have nothing but admiration for this family and what they have done and what they are and I think it molds well for the future of our country when we see children getting this kind of love and religious upbringing and moral values I am sure they are going to be trained in. Back to the more formal things....the court finds that these petitioners have met all statutory requirements; that they have bonded with the children already as a family, that they are fit and proper parents and exceptionally so and it is in the best interest of these children that this Adoption Petition be granted and not be any further waiting period or delay....Judgement of Adoption is hereby entered. Congratulations."

(No, our memory is not that great. It is just that on that day we had requested, and received a few days later, the transcripts of the court proceedings. :-)

The courtroom erupted into applause!

Our family was very blessed by the joy that filled the room!

Judge Dozier allowed us to take a picture with him in his courtroom. 

Mom and her now eldest daughter, Cassandra!

After more hugs and more pictures and a few more court requirements, we all travel to our church, Evangelical-Free, about 10 minutes away.

Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's;

and unto God the things that are God's.

Matthew 22:21

Once everyone was settled in their seats, the Covenant Ceremony began.

Pastor Rick Wagner officiated. 

As the music played, 'Meant for this Moment' by Carman, our family walked in carrying candles. Each was lighted from Dad's candle then placed in a circle around an unlit center candle.

Pastor Wagner opened the ceremony in prayer.

He then lead us in our vows....

"Dear Family and Friends,

We are gathered together in the presence of God and these witnesses to join these four, beautiful girls with this family, and commit this union to Him. 

Adoption is not to be entered into lightly, but reverently, soberly, and in fear of God. It is a union whereby parents commit themselves to the nurturing, well-being, and love of children not born to them. This union illustrates the holy relationship between Christ and man. Therefore, Bob and Katherine desire to vow and covenant before God, a forever adoption in the same manner that our Lord and Savior has adopted us as expressly stated in Ephesians 1:5, confirming before God that Cassandra, Susanna, Victoria and Rebecca were predestined to be adopted by them in accordance with our Lord's pleasure and will."

"Bob and Katherine, will you promise and covenant before God and these witnesses to be loving, and nurturing parents to Cassandra, Susanna, Victoria, and Rebecca, sharing all the Lord has planned for your family, to speak and to listen, to inspire and to respond, using scripture as your guide to educate and train them, and in all circumstances of your life together, to be faithful parents, just as the Lord has adopted you and been faithful to you?"

To which we responded, "We do."

"Will you Josh, Garrison, and Melinda covenant before God to accept Cassandra, Susanna, Victoria, and Rebecca to be your sisters, sharing without reservation your parents, your home, and your life, loving and accepting them in your family as Christ has accepted you into His?"

To which they answered, "I do."

"Will your Cassandra, Susanna, Victoria, and Rebecca covenant before God to accept Bob and Katherine as your parents, and Josh, Garrison, and Melinda as your siblings, sharing your heart, your love, and your future, fully believing that this is ordained and blessed by God as His plan for your life?"

To which they all responded, "I do."

To commemorate the vows...

...all the girls received a gold heart locket necklace.

Dad read a poem...

Adoption Creed

Not flesh of my flesh,

Nor bone of my bone,

But still miraculously my own.

Never forget for a single minute

You didn't grow under my heart,

but in it. 

by Laura Leiden (1986)

He then extinguishes the individual candles, after lighting the center candle,

signifying 'one family in Christ'.

Daddy prays, committing all the children to the Lord...

"Father God,

Katherine and I come before you this morning in the presence of our family and friends to commit our lives to you and all of our children, Joshua, Cassandra, Garrison, Melinda, Susanna, Victoria, and Rebecca.

We are completely overwhelmed by your will and your grace during this time in our lives. You call many different poeple to different purposes with thier lives. Some to ministry, some to evangelism, and many to raising children for the lOrd. Katherine and I are not worthy of our calling but with your help, Lord, we know everything is possible.

Lord, this morning we have rendered unto Casear what is Casear and officially committed before man to provide financially for Cassandra, Susanna, Victoria, and Rebecca. Now Lord, we caome before you and commit to love them, care from them and do our best for them with your help to point them towards a relationship with your Son Jesus Christ, the Lord of lords and the king of kings.

Our hearts are filled with emotion today Lord, with joy, with hope and with love.

Thank you for answering our prayers. And now that you have, we ask for the patience, perseverance and wisdom to handle the days, months, and years ahead. 

In your Name, Lord Jesus,

Amen."   

Pastor Wagner then committed the family to the keeping of the Lord.

And prayed for our family as well. 

Cassandra and Susanna had made professions of faith. Now adopted into their Christian family with their new names, they chose to be baptized as believers on this day to make their faith public. 

Cassandra Renee Sanford (11 years old)

Susanna Stephanie Sanford (8 years old)

Our family and friends who came to celebrate and witness our Covenant Ceremony 

and our daughters' baptism. 

The ceremony ended with Pastor Wagner praying for the Reception.

Someone captured a wonderful photo of these two adorable 3 year olds!

Victoria Shania Sanford and Rebecca Liyah Sanford

As the music played, 'Household of Faith' by Steve Green, everyone

filed into the fellowship hall past the cake and photos of the family to a delicious meal. 

Time for the cake cutting! 

After the reception and all was cleaned up, we headed home to relax.

The children had some presents to open.

A few weeks later, we received a wonderful gift in the mail from Lisa English, our former neighbor who helped us so much with the girls when they first came. 

This gift, a beautiful scrapbook, 'told the story' of that special day on April 25, 2000. 

Little did we know,

how important this Covenant Ceremony truly was for the future,

or how this Adoption Journey was just the beginning

of what the Lord had planned for our family!

To be continued....