Cedarville Magazine, Spring 2018

How did your faith inform your decision to adopt? AC: We know for sure that God cares deeply for the fatherless and widowed. He is clear about that. What challenges have you faced having a transracial family? LC: Very little beyond the regular challenges of raising children. Although I am sure that there will be challenges ahead, by in large the response has been positive. AC: We sometimes get a confused look, but we have experienced more open doors than closed doors. There are always challenges, but it was overall a lot smoother and more natural than I thought. If anything, people graciously allow us into conversations that we wouldn’t be in hadn’t we adopted transracially. Not because we know it all, but there are many who are wanting to keep the conversation of racial reconciliation moving forward in a gospel direction. I feel very fortunate for each of these opportunities. How did your other children react to the adoptions? AC: They’ve loved it every step of the way. They get to see a part of the Gospel: what it’s like to be predestined for adoption. What kind of support have you found at Cedarville? AC: The Cedarville community is very supportive. Adoption is promoted a lot here. We feel it’s a family; it’s really special. In general, a vision of family is promoted here that is counter-cultural. Our society often sees children as a hindrance to be discarded whenever they are no longer a “benefit” to whomever is caring for them. We see children as a wonderful part of our lives and the Cedarville Experience — not something that gets in the way. Both Jon Wood, Vice President for Student Life and Christian Ministries, and Jim Cato ’83, Associate Vice President of Christian Ministries, have been very supportive of my family and have volunteered on multiple occasions to take responsibilities off my plate so that I can tend to something at home. For instance, Jon covered for me when Dylan was really sick and had to be hospitalized. How has adoption blessed you in ways you didn’t anticipate? LC: I’m just so thankful all the time. We can’t fathom what our life would be like without them. Adoption is a part of our entire life. Our walk with Christ has been deepened and relationships started and strengthened as a result. Erin Krizo Photography The Cooks (L-R): Dylan, Lila, Aaron, Isabella, Laurie, and Aleena in 2016 24 | Cedarville Magazine