Annual Families Supporting Adoption conference; 'Together by Divine Design'
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LAYTON, UTAH
The process of adoption can be a very emotional and difficult road to travel. Whether an expectant single mother, a couple yearning to have a child, or a loving parent or friend who desires to comfort another involved in the process, adoption affects many. In an effort to encourage all involved with adoption, supporters and advocates of adoption gathered for the annual Families Supporting Adoption 2010 National Conference, held Friday and Saturday in the Davis Conference Center in Layton, Utah.
LDS Family Services and Families Supporting Adoption joined forces in providing more than 50 classes to help and encourage individuals involved in some part of the adoption process. All classes focused on this year's conference theme, "Together by Divine Design."
"I came to get information about adoption to take back to my area," said Erin Packard, who with her husband, Danny, adopted their two sons and serves as chairwoman of the San Diego FSA Chapter. "I also realized I am not alone, and it was good to get the tools to be able to face situations when they arise."
Representatives from all over the country attended the conference, sharing ideas of how to promote adoption in their areas, how to give support to birth parents, as well as helping hopeful parents in their journey of starting or expanding their families.
"Adoption is something I support. Any type of awareness I can help with — especially being a birth father that went through the decisions — I will," said Marc Merchant, who participated in a panel during the conference.
Topics of the workshops varied, including subjects such as teaching about the adoption process, adoption law, raising a multi-cultural family and panel discussions with birth parents and their personal experiences. For the first time this year there were specific classes for birth grandparents, or the parents of the birth mother and fathers.
During the keynote address on Saturday morning, Brandon Doman, former BYU and NFL quarterback and current BYU quarterbacks coach, shared personal experiences from his own life of the importance of adoption. He was introduced to adoption as a child, when his parents brought home his younger sister from Mexico.
During his remarks, Brother Doman shared the individual stories of how, after trying to have children of their own and finding no success, he and his wife, Alisha, were able to adopt their four children.
"I remember sitting in our apartment, as we were sitting on our couch … with tears in our eyes wondering how, when and where," he said. In that moment, Brother Doman had a thought, looked at his wife and asked, "What do you think about adoption?"
They decided that adoption was the path they needed to take and four days after they started their paperwork, the Domans' first child, Sage, was born. Each one of the Doman children has a story to accompany their adoption and although not all of their children's adoptions were as smooth and easy as the first, Brother Doman said that there is divine direction that takes place whenever a child is adopted.
Speaking specifically to the birth mothers, Brother Doman said, "Regardless of everything else that you are working through … as you get ready to place this baby you have now become the most special, angel friend to an upcoming family. You have no idea the blessing that is taking place as you are placing this baby. As hard as all that you have gone through is — and we watched it with all of our children, it's not going to be easy, it's hard — but Heavenly Father is directly connected to what's happening and is helping transfer this baby from hands to hands."
Most important, Brother Doman said that individuals, no matter what role they are playing in the adoption process, need to be hopeful and put their trust in their Heavenly Father.
"This work is valiant, this work is eternal and everyone is here for the right reason," he said. "Be confident, trust your Father in Heaven and He will bless your lives."
During a Friday night banquet, individuals from around the nation were honored for their continual service and support in the adoption process.
Four Friends of Adoption Awards were given, recognizing Mark and Elizabeth Pierce for their active role in the Families Supporting Adoption community; Virginia Arnold for her positive influence with birth parents; Sherrie Bass, for her coordinating efforts in the birth parent volunteer program for LDS Family Services in North and South Carolina; and Loralee Freeman, for her efforts as a foster mother to more than 50 infants prior to their placement with families.
The Gladney Center for Adoption was awarded this year's Hall of Fame award for its work in helping thousands of children find families.
