Jadon's Journey

By Alex and Kelly A.

Dear Wide Horizons For Children,

It has been a year now that Jadon Aniket has come home, and it is well past time that I write to you! What an exciting, experience-filled two years this has been for us! As a family, the five of us had desired more children for some time. Adoption was our desired option, but the costs were out of reach for a family with a modest income. Still the desire burned in our hearts and we made it a matter of family prayer. Our first choice was India but I had written to a number of agencies in order to learn about all of the programs available. One day we received the Wide Horizons newsletter and there was a picture of a tiny little boy in India named Aniket. As he was two years old, he was a Waiting Child. Alex and I were smitten. I emailed for more information and I received an email that evening, along with 3 more pictures of Aniket. I was so struck by those pictures with such a sense that this was "our boy" and we needed to get busy and go get him!

The next step was to talk to Lucy Hulse, who so kindly encouraged us not to give up based on our limited income. To our great relief we learned that there were many families just like us....limited income, but the desire and capability to provide for another child! It's one thing to meet a child's needs and quite another to come up with many thousands of dollars at a time! Mrs. Hulse encouraged us to apply for the two different types of grants through Wide Horizons. We were on cloud nine when we got the word that we had $7,000 available towards our adoption of Aniket, whom we planned to call Jadon Aniket! Jadon's Journey had begun!

Next we turned our attention to some fund raising ideas. First we set up some food booths at area festivals. We had so much fun and earned a nice sum too. People were so positive about what we were doing! Then we got the idea to make and sell hoagies. What a great time we had with supportive families and friends making almost 2,000 hoagies in six sales!! Our most successful month we sold 446 hoagies!! We are so thankful we didn't let finances hold us back! With the generous help from Wide Horizons donors, our fundraising, and some help from agencies that specialize in bringing families and children together, ALL of the costs were covered!

While we were busy fundraising and completing the dossier, getting his room ready, etc. the great folks at SOFOSH were preparing Jadon for his Journey. Showing him our pics and explaining the changes soon to take place. As Alex was unable to travel, my dear friend Teresa went with me. That great day finally arrived and after that long flight and busy ride through Pune, I was at the orphanage looking at the sweet little guy I had so longed to hold! What a thrill when he called me "mommy" and let me hold him within a few minutes!

Yes, the last year has had its adjustment. But it has been such a thrill to watch Jadon blossom and grow and find his perfect spot in our home and hearts. He has done so beautifully with everything from relationships to language! We all love him so dearly and cannot imagine life without Jadon Aniket!! Many people have mentioned that it seems as though he has always been with us!

Our sincere thanks to the WHFC employees Lucy Hulse, Homai Schmidt, and Maryanne Ludwig; and the generous Wide Horizons donors, without whom Jadon's Journey would not have been possible!

With sincere thanks,
Alex, Kelly, Nathan, Heidi, Natalie and Jadon Aniket

NOTE: Recognizing the financial obligations presented by adoption, WHFC offers families opportunities for financial assistance. Opportunities are based on financial need. For more information, please visit our Financial Information section.

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