Adoption: The Jones Family
Please tell us about yourself — your location, job, etc!
We are Keith and Tracey Jones. We have been married for 17 years! We live in Franklin, TN and stay very busy with our 5 boys: Brady (12), Avery (11), Kodey (9), Jesse (6), and Tobey (4)! Tracey takes care of the home and volunteers, while Keith works with his brothers at Allstate Plastering and coaches almost all of the boys’ sports teams. We enjoy attending and serving at Thompson Station Church in Thompson Station, TN.
When/why did you decide to adopt?
Our decision to adopt occurred after we both traveled to Africa on separate mission trips in March and April of this year. God literally broke our hearts for the cause of the orphans. How could we ignore what we had seen? We moved in obedience to God’s call for us to adopt and began the process within one month of our trips!
Whom are you adopting, and from where?
We are adopting two older boys from Ethiopia. They are both double orphans, with no living mother or father, and believe their ages to be 10 and 13.
When are you hoping to have your child home?
We should have our boys home by the spring. We just got word today that the parental agreement is being created, and we should receive it soon!
What is your biggest apprehension about the process?
Our biggest apprehension is coming up with the adoption fees knowing we will soon have 7 sons to provide for.
What has been the most surprising aspect of the process?
The most surprising aspect of this process is the tremendous adoptive community. It is amazing that anyone who has adopted immediately includes us in their story and offers support and encouragement. There truly is a special desire to help others bring their children home and share in the journey.
Have you and your spouse always been on the same page about wanting to adopt? (If not, what changed?) How did you tell your other children (if applicable) and families?
My husband and I have not been on the same page about adoption. There were times in our marriage that we have considered it seriously. For him, after our last son, our family was “full”. For me, we were just waiting for the right time. God completely put us on the same page. After my husband’s trip to Ethiopia in March, he knew that God had clearly instructed him to share our blessings and provide a family and home for a child with nothing. That was amazing after I had prayed for some time for our hearts to be in agreement and align with God’s will for our family. I could not believe this change in him. After my trip in April to Uganda and Ethiopia, God very clearly showed us that we were to bring two boys home, not one!
Our children already wanted to adopt but knew their daddy was hesitant. They had prayed for him to change his mind. When we shared with them our plans to adopt, they were ecstatic! They talk about their new brothers all the time and pray for them every night.
Is any organization or agency helping you to get through the process, financially, emotionally, or otherwise?
We have been inspired and encouraged by Katie Davis of Amazima Ministries in Uganda and 147 Million Orphans. We have been able to raise some funds through the great apparel and beads from 147. This is such a neat way to raise awareness to the orphan crisis too. All of our close friends now wear orphan themed clothing challenging everyone to step up and do their part.
How have people responded to the news of your adoption?
We have been amazed and truly blessed by the encouragement and interest in our adoption. So many people that we did not really know before have wanted to express their support for us. It is has been a blessing! However, we have also had opportunities to respond to less than encouraging comments about where we might put the new boys, what car we will drive, why we would choose older children, etc. These are just opportunities to trust what God has in store for our family and share with others how much our perspective has been changed through our mission trips. What we knew and read could never have prepared us for what we saw. We believe by African standards we can fit many more children in our home! We believe that our family has gotten a bit caught up in the American dream and has been challenged to reach out to others and truly love our neighbors as ourselves. We also know that with the love of Christ in us, all things are possible. We believe God will do amazing things in our family!
Comment Away:
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Comment away, send others to this page, and spread the word about this offer which extends throughout the entire month of November!
Comments
by Janie #
by Teri #
by Ally Pedicini #
http://fellowship686.blogspot.com I hope to meet you and your sons at one of our gatherings.
by Kendra #
by Tanya Cooper #
by Becky Haller #
by Chris #
by Jennifer #
Congratulations on your exciting journey!
by Laura Stiffler #
by Pamela Johnson #
by Kristin Long #
by Alison Hill #
by Kerry Lopez #
by Tom #
by KAte Watkins #
We wait anxioulsy to meet your new sons!
by David & Tish #
by Molly #
by Richard Cloyes #
by Heather #
by Charlie Irwin #
by Jenn Morrison #
by Eric Martin #
by Kelley #
by Tiffany Baird #
by Christine Lane #
You two are an awesome example of having faith in God's plan for your lives. You are an inspiration in trust and I know that the boys you bring home, plus the many other children who will find forever homes from the awareness you bring to their cause will be blessed. Thank you for sharing your plight!
Christine
by Marianne #
by Jill Morris #
by tinamasssey #
by Kelly Kirkland #
by Cheryl Baltimore #
by Melissa Greene #
by Lisa Barron #
by Katie #
by David Kardokus #
by Alicia Brewer #
I am SO excited for you. I cant wait until you bring them home. Maybe i will still be ale to speak the language by then. I love you and God is doing big things through you and your family!
by Donna Peak #
by Kent and Lisa #
by Lisa Davidson #
by Amy Jominy #
by Candace #
by Mariane #
by Steve Nieman #
God bless everyone in the Jones family.
by Lorie #
by Selena Cloyes #
by Kathleen Pearce #
by Janice Geng #
by Rhonda R Gandy #
by Brent Garrison #
by jessie smith #
by Tammy Jones #
by Stephanie Fetrow #
by Courtney Anderson #
by Erin #
by Jon L. #
by Greg #
by Rick Deckbar #
Great story.
Thank you for helping make the world a better place.
by Sharon Tansil Price #
by Andrea #
by Nicole #
by Melissa Workman #
by Carolyn Hancock #
by lesley #
by Heather #
by Tabitha Butler #
Your family is such an inspiration to us. May God continue to bless you guys as you continue in your adoption journey. I can't wait to meet the newest Jones boys!
by Stacey Dobecki #
by Amy #
by Dan Weintraub #
by Kathy Weintraub #
by Garrett #
by Kim Parrish #
by J.Brown #
by Jen #
by Eric Hill #
by Jim and Teresa Wisdom #
Your loving cousins,
Jim and Teresa Wisdom (and kids)
by Barbara Jones #
by Jessica Burk #
by Beth Worley #
by Rick Allen #
by Bill Spencer #
by Kari Gibson #
Blessings,
Kari
by Morrisons #
by Karen Smith #
by Tammy Jones #
~ Texas Tammy
by Steve Shubert #
by Ricky Gongwer #
Ricky
by Melanie #
Love you all very much,
Mel
by Renea #
by Linda #
by Don Mcdonald #
by Janie Sharp #
Matthew 19:26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
by Betty Apple #
by Sonja Morgan #
by Carolyn O. #
by Kalani #
by Karen Draper #
by Garret #
by Brad Perry #
by Patricia Chapman #
You are truly amazing and a true inspiration for all christians. I pray that your boys get to come home in the very near future. May God bless you in everything you do.
by Rachel Cook #
by sarah paxson #
by Christy Painter #
by Christine #
by Kelsey #
by Malia #
by Angela #
by Angela #
by Angela #
by Bill #
by Jeff #
It's awesome to see the Lord using your family to bless so many ...
Jeff
by Pam #
by Tina #
by Crystal #
by Nancy Foster #
by Leisa #
by Kay #
by Teresa #
by Tara Hammond #
by Ashley Barker #
by Joan Burns #
by Jill Jones #
by toni #
by Brandy #
I always knew you would be a wonderful mother, I just never imagined 7 boys!!! Your strength and faith is inspiring. Good luck to you all!!! Love from OS!
Brandy
by Brandy Brown #
I will share your story with as many as I can and like your sister, I have a big mouth! We WILL get those boys home!!!
Brandy Brown
by Kristy #
by sydney #
by Beth Dorminey #
God bless you and your sweet family!
Beth Dorminey
by Jeanne #
by Nancy Fay #
by Cindy Kelley #
by Amy M #
by Leslie #
We are here anytime day or night. Nothing you could share with us would shock us. Call us anytime, even for a date night when your boys are home. As you know, we have plenty of boys and one princess who has no problems telling them all what is what!
Love you guys, Leslie
by Cheryl Spofford #
by Ann Davenport #
I am excited about your plans to adopt two sons from Ethiopia. I am now sponsoring a 14 year old boy through your church ministry. I admire you fierce desire to follow God's plan for your family. I pray that the finances work out according to His will.
by April Collis #
by Monica #
by Jenny Mullins #
by Janet Williams #
by Konrad Pilimai #
by Aimee and Philip Glenn #
by Kaycie #
by David Massey #
by Marsha Brown #
by Kathy Hayslip #
We are thrilled for you and can't meet your two new sons! You are an amazing family and your obedience to follow what God has planned for you is so beautiful and inspiring to all of us. We love you all and will continue to pray for you as you continue this journey.
The Hayslip Family
by Louise #
May God bless every step of this adoption process and keep those boys safe and healthy while they are waiting to be brought home! I so admire your willingness to follow God's leading in this.
Love, Louise
by Tracy Miller #
by Jonathan #
by Tammy Jones #
by Melissa Carlisle #
by Kim Len #
by Danielle #
by Julie #
by Thais Aguiar #
by Dave and Anita Hoerman #
by Billie #
Billie & Rob
by Wendy #
by Jason Baird #
by Tiffany Baird #
by Robin Seaton #
by Kim Rowlett #
by jon #
by emily labonte #
by jon #
by Carla Richards #
by McGuire's #
by Alison #
by debbie #
by Christie Falcon #
by Danielle Queener #
by Heather #
by Dawn L. #
by Christina #
by Cheryl Coloney #
by Sally Gardner #
by Richelle Day #
by HELEN SMITH #
by Diane #
You are an amazing family. May God watch over each of you and your two new sons.
by emily #
by Amy #
by Alan Beddingfield #
by Tammy #
by Emily #
by Jenny Beard #
by Jenny B. #
by Missy Sweeney #
by Terri #
by Sally Gardner #
by Shelly #
by Jess & Ellie Norfleet #
We know how God has worked in your life and to share with others as you are Thank you ... God Bless
by Joleen Roskamp #
by Emily Cornish #
by Andy S #
by Carolyn Heim #
Love,
Carolyn
by Pamela Johnson #
by Aaron Johnson #
by Aaron Johnson #
by Carrie Walker #
by Brian P #
May God richly bless you as you prepare for these new additions to your family.
by Mandy L. #
by Julia Kendrick #
by Ann Kilgore #
by crystal #
by Dawn #
by Christine Lapps #
by Ben Parrish #
by April Jackson #
by Brenda and Vince #
by Melissa #
by Jay Dreiman #
by Faith Maxwell #
Thank you for following God's leadership in your lives by adopting these boys. What a wonderful testimony you are sharing.
by Eric and Trisha #
by Rick Graham #
by Susie #
by Brittney Gossett #
by Brittney #
by Tami #
by T #
by T.Gear #
by Charlotte #
May God continue to bless you as you follow His will. Praying that everything goes well.
Love,
Charlotte
by Michelle #
by JW #
by Taryn #
by Lora Helton #
by Julie Branham-Shehata Hurley #
by Alexis #
by Alicia G #
by andrea repass #
by Barb Jones #
by tony #
by grace #
by Bob #
by Spencer #
by addison #
by Beth #
by Rita Harris #
by Chris #
by NPW #
by sunshine #
by Amanda #
by Rick Peak #
by Donna #
by Bethany Smith #
His call and your willingness to be open in sharing your story. Thank you for the blessing.
by Terri Stahly #
by Jeff Stahly #
by Clay #
by Laura #
So is the blessing!!
Laura
by Rachel #
by Kris #
by Debbie Pace #
by SUZANNE IN BURWOOD #
by Jason #
by Ashley Clarke #
by Becca #
by ann-marie #
by Anne Grethe B Hanks #
by Kent & Tammy #
by Sunshine #
by Corina #
by Heather #
by Julie #
by Sarah #
by Brady Jones #
by Lisa Coutras #
by Laura Beth Frey #
by Debbie #
by Valerie Rogers #
by Sandra Norfleet #
by Katie #
by Ashley #
by Allen Smith #
by Terri #
by Denise Crenshaw-Smith #
by Leigh #
by Jackee Brady #
by Hunter #
by Bill #
by BR #
by Anna Bell #
I can't wait to celebrate with you when they finally make it HOME.
by Tricia Dreiman #
by Helen Lowery #
by Kim Streater #
Enjoy the journey.
by Trudy #
by TR #
by Karen bruck #
by Trudy #
by Katie #
by Leslie Campbell #
by Allison #
by Robert Murray #
by Vicki Snyder #
by Sarah Babcock #
by kpoche #
by shari #
by Amanda and Jesse Pilkinton #
by Dee Dee #
by Dee Dee #
by Linda #
by Renee #
by Ray Whiteaker #
by Chris #
by Casey #
by Jerry Thompson #
by Alicia #
by Natalie Murray #
Grace and peace to you and your boys while you wait to complete your family!
by Melissa #
by Mary Jo #
by Eileen #
by EK #
by eileen #
by Corinne #
by Ridley Barron #
by Nick and Kacey Bell #
by Trish+Bob Ackermann #
by Jim #
by Ginny #
by Jim #
by Scott and Linda Lahoda #
by Ed and Tracy Stanek #
as a father of 5 i think my hands are full and admire you for adding to your family.
Best
by jennie #
by Susannah #
by Debbie #
by Valerie #
by Price #
by Kim Bozeman #
by Rob #
by Julie #
by becky #
by Morgan Nichols #
by Heather #
by Mike G #
by Linda Lahoda #
by Morgan Nichols #
by Ashley Vantrease #
by Gary Vantrease #
by alita #
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by Baird #
by John #
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by fred #
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by Ann Candler #
by Julie #
by Erin #
by Ellen Woodard #
by Sue Erwin #
by Teri & Stewart "McGowan" Anderson #
by Darlene Denney #
by Gayle #
hope they get home soon!
by Angela Hunter #
May the Lord bless your family!
by The Gear Family #
by Tom & Sue Upright #
by Lynelle McDonald #
by Gene Carman III #
by Becca Jones #
by Matthew Cochran #
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by Ricky H #
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The Stone Family
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love,
Caroline Rader
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