*All donations to the Janson family are tax deductible
Amanda: It was early into 2016, and our daughter was about a year and a half, when I felt a word from the Lord that our second child was not meant to be biological. There was so much emotion behind that moment andsince thenthe call to adoption has been heavily placed on our family.To rewind back a bit, I’ve always wanted to adopt. Even before Eric came into my lifeI knew it was something I wanted to pursue in the future. When Eric and I were first dating and getting to know each other, it was brought up about how he wanted to adoptone day as well. We both knew, going into marriage, it was just something that was going to happen to our family one day.Fast forward to March of 2017 to when we officially entered the world of being foster parents. Wow, how the Lord has used this journey to shape and prepare us for that calling of adoption I mentioned above. Over a year into fostering, and adoption just makes so much more sense to us; from our perspective and fromthe Lords.
Eric:I’ve always known that I wanted to to adopt one day. I grew up knowing quite a few children who had been adopted and adoptive parents that have influenced my decision and desire. However, it wasn’t until stepping into the role as a foster parent that sealed the deal on my wife and I stepping out into a calling that God was placing on our hearts at the same time. Adoption just makes sense to us.
What Brought You Together?
Amanda:The love story of Eric and I is beautiful and everything I never imagined–in the best way! When we met we were, without a doubt, at the right place and at the right time and it was so perfectly ordained by God. Eric was in the Marine Corps at the time and was stationed in North Carolina, which was not far from where I moved to. Our paths crossed when a mutual friendwho I attended high school with and was also in the Marine Corps at the timeintroduced us. We met and it was an instant connection. Our love grew strong and at a quick pace. By 6 months of being together, we became husband and wife.Marriage hasn’t been a perfect or easy ride, but who’s is? Through the heartbreaks, miscarriages, broken dreams, or hard seasons we have strengthened and grown as individuals and as a couple. There is no greater joy than being by the side of my husband. Eric is everything I didn’t even knew I wanted in a man and in the father of our daughter. I mean, do you have another hour to spare? Because I could go on and on! I love the home and the life that we’ve created together and I can’t wait to raise more children with him!
Eric:Amanda and I came alongside each other in February of 2011 and married by August of2011. It took, what seemed to be, no time for us to figure out that we were meant to be together. God made us perfectly for each other! We both stopped each others lives and changed course together toward a great future. We learned from very early on that we had a mutual dream of having a big family together. And after 7 years, while we are still watching that dream grow, I love parenting ouralmost 4 year old daughter with Amanda. If God gave me a calling for more children, He blessed with me with the best partner to pursue it with!
Why Adopt Now?
Amanda:We had been fostering for a year and we werecoming off of a 4 month breakwhen we got the call about a baby boy. He was only 3 days old when he was first welcomed into our home. He was handed to me and I was instantly in love; our whole family was. At almost 3 months into his stay, he was court ordered to be placed with a family member. While my heart knew this was what’s best, the pain of letting him go hurt greater than I ever anticipated. However, in the next few days after his departure, I knew why he was sent to us. During his stay, I could feel the Lord breaking down walls in my heart. He was showing me how much I could love a child that wasn’t my own like they were my own. I knew in these moments that adoption truly was our calling and that there was no more time to hold back from pursuing it head on and off we were to continue our journey. Adoption paints such a beautiful picture of what the building of a family looks like. Love has no limits and neither does our God.
Eric: We’ve always wanted to adopt, but never thought we had the means to or that it would be a season that would come later in life. However, through foster care, we were placed with a child who we thought might need an adoptive home. Adoption became a reality for us in that season and suddenly we were made aware that we were surrounded by the best community, resources and support, and pretty much everything that we would need to make it successful. From then on, the calling from the Lord to adopt only grew and became stronger. Where God guides, we know that He will provide. We don’t have any reason not to adopt.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Amanda: Our journey of adoption has involved so many lessons but the one that has had the biggest impact is how saying “yes” to God, walking in complete obedience, and fully trusting in Him will always bless us with more than we could ever imagine or ask for. His plans are perfect.
Eric:Amanda hit the nail on the head with her answer, butI would like to add how special our family is. I mean, truly. We have a bond like no other and face every season together, good or bad, hand in hand and ready for whatever it is God has prepared for us.We also have 2 animals that never get mentioned! Our weimeraner dog, Abbey, and our bombay cat, Drake, have played a big role in the lives of the children we have fostered. They’re almost therapeutic in a way and have walked through every season with us! We are grateful for them and the role they play in our unique family.
Adoption paints such a beautiful picture of what the building of a family looks like. Love has no limits and neither does our God.
Amanda
I grew up in a suburbs of New York, a quick bus drive away from New York City, in the most loving and well providing home with my wonderful parents. No brothers or sister because they had only me and devoted themselves into creating a beautiful life for me. They have and always will be my best friends! Growing up, I loved hanging out with my friends and was very involved in drama club and chorus. I like to consider music my first love and had always hoped I would do something with it one day. After high school, I moved to North Carolina for a new start and to continue my education. It’s then that I decided I wanted to be a worship leader in a church one day. (Fun fact: I wasn’t even a Christian when I knew that was going to be my future!) North Carolina is also where I met and married my sweet husband!
We moved to South Carolina right after Eric’s time with the Marine Corps came to an end. Almost a year into living here, we found ourselves at the church where we both dedicated our life to Jesus and also baptized. Let me say that up until that point, life was already an adventure however our new relationship with Jesus took things to a whole new, amazing level. Around that time, and after 2 years of infertility, we miraculously became pregnant with our daughter by the beautiful grace of God. Since her birth, I’ve been a stay at home mom and absolutely love it. For over a year now, I’ve taken up photography and it’s become something I, passionately, love to do on the side. My dream also came true when I become the worship leader at the church we attend. There’s few things I love more than leading a congregation of people through music. Our schedule is busy and filled a lot of family and friend time, church activities, park dates, play dates, and lots of fun adventures like hiking or traveling to Beaufort, South Carolina. The day we are blessed to welcome another member to our family, will be a wonderful day indeed.
Eric
I grew up watching and admiring my hard working parents and wonderful sister. We moved around quite a bit because of my dad’s work but when we finally made it to South Carolina, when I was about 10, I knew this was going to be our permanent home. I had a dream to join the Marine Corps and did just that in December of 2009. The lessons I’ve learned from that experience are endless. Even after getting out of the military, and being married to Amanda, I knew it was South Carolina that our family was to grow and be raised in. I love my job as a fire sprinkler technician. I love the company I work for and the guys that I work with. Working hard and providing for my family is what gives my life true meaning and what I’m meant to do.
While nothing tops spending time with my family, I love to throw the football around, fly my drone, edit videos, and watch a good Carolina Gamecocks game! Beaufort, South Carolina is our favorite place to visit and we make a trip every year to spend some time at the beach.
Like Amanda stated, our lives are busy and filled with a lot but we couldn’t imagine life any other way. We cannot wait to bring another child into this family and the community we have been blessed with.
Jul
15
BIG Update for the Janson Family!
Overwhelmed, blessed, and humbled perfectly describe how we feel moving on from one season and heading into the next in our adoption journey. The Lord is faithful!
Please pray for this expectant mama who chose our family to be a part of her adoption plan.
Our love for her is already endless!
Jan
30
We are ACTIVE!
After a little over seven months of being on the waitlist to work with Quiver Full Adoptions, Inc., we were accepted Friday as active clients.
This news is exciting for our family as we move forward in this calling God has given us and the blessing to multiply our family. This baby is prayed for daily but we also want to remind ourselves, and those who pray with us, that adoption isn’t possible without loss.
When you lift this adoption up in prayer please remember the expecting mother that will be choosing our family to raise her child. Pray over her bravery, her heart, for peace, and, what will be, our relationship with her and other members of the birth family.
There are three parts that make up the adoption triad and we would love all for three to be covered in prayer!
Sep
11
Sharing the journey
Amanda and Eric recently sat down and shared their story and journey to adoption:
Guys! We are SO excited that as of July 3rd, we are home study approved! We were able to obtain a copy of our home study to send to our adoption agency today. Once they receive that, we prayerfully wait to be added to their “active list.”
We have been staying busy. We hosted an Adoption Yard Sale fundraiser this previous weekend and it was a major success! We’ve also been doing some shopping for the new baby. Just some gender neutral items here and there to keep our 3 year old satisfied 😉
Thank you all so much for your support so far! We are expecting the Lord to continue to move in incredible ways!
Many blessings to you all, The Janson Family
Hey there friends and family!
Thank you for taking the time to read this update, as well as, everything else we have been posting lately. This webpage went live on Wednesday and it’s so exciting to already have an update for you all!
Just this morning we received an email from our adoption agency, Quiver Full, that we are officially on their “wait list.” This means we will wait on their list until a spot becomes available. At that time, we will get the notification via email and we will then become an active family waiting to be matched! We are so blessed to be working with this agency and couldn’t be happier with where the Lord keeps leading us.
As soon as we are able to become an active family, the agency fee will be due upon signing with them. We just continue to ask that you pray about joining us financially in this journey and getting our word out to others who may want to join us as well. We thank you for your continuous love, support, and prayers. Our community means the world to us!
Much love,
Amanda & Eric
