Christine Rhyner Christine Rhyner
Though my husband John and I pursued international adoption, having selected a country and the gender of our child, that gender was still a surprise to us.
Statistics say that up to eighty percent of adoptive couples prefer a girl. We, or rather I should say” I,” did as well. I was the relentless driving force behind our adoption and my dream had always been to have a daughter. I had even begun a journal written to this child I referred to as “Hannah May” years earlier.
They say that one reason for a high demand for girls is because the woman often is the one more actively pursuing the adoption path. And, because with more single women adopting, they feel a daughter might not be as negatively affected by not having a father in the household. Many adoptive couples also hold the view that a girl would be “sweet and cuddly” as opposed to a more naturally aggressive boy.
John and I began our international adoption journey with plans to adopt a daughter from China when we got “the call.” Our adoption coordinator explained that she knew of several baby boys in Vietnam that were in need of parents.
I confess that my initial feeling was one of disappointment. I could not picture myself raising a boy. But not just this, I was actually afraid to raise someone else’s “man-child.” I did not know if his biological father was a poet or an ax murderer and just what kind of genetic make-up would his offspring bring into our lives?
Though the same could be said of all the unknowns associated with that of a daughter’s pre-dispositions my mind didn’t go there with the idea of a girl.
Admittedly, when we were told we could travel in just six weeks to receive this baby, excitement took hold. And when our coordinator sent me his picture I was instantly smitten.
Though still ambivalent, as I imagine lots of about-to-be adoptive parents are about a new little person they plan to raise, we agreed to adopt this little boy. And though our actual departure date would be changed some seven times and take place over four months later, once I held Lucas I knew God had planned this child for us and us for him all along.
Having adopted a son has been filled with blessing, pleasure and lots of laughs. I do have a daughter now as well, whom I love dearly. But I have to say this special little man-child has such a tender heart for his Mom. He is playful, affectionate, funny and outgoing. I could not imagine our lives without him. If you have doubts in your mind about adopting a son, I can tell you from personal experience, a boy is a tremendous gift.
Is the Church Changing?
4/25/2017 10:55:00 AM by: Christine
What Are Our Values Anymore?
4/14/2017 7:29:00 AM by: Christine
The Final Frontier (Part Two)
4/3/2017 10:10:00 AM by: Christine
The Final Frontier (Part One)
3/27/2017 9:00:00 AM by: Christine
Soulmate
3/17/2017 5:00:00 AM by: Christine
The Colors of a Writer
3/10/2017 5:00:00 AM by: Christine
Camp Fear
10/9/2016 3:56:00 PM by: Christine
What's Not to Get About the Writing Life?
8/15/2016 1:24:04 AM by: Christine
Learning to Sing the Song of Winter
8/2/2016 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
Perspectives & the Second Half of the 10 Commandments of Conflict
7/24/2016 9:57:10 PM by: Christine
Perspectives & 5 of the 10 Commandments of Conflict
7/17/2016 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
Run Writer Run! Make Music with Your Words
6/20/2016 5:30:43 PM by: Christine
Mom, the Fishstetrician
4/18/2016 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
The Radicalization of Hillary and the Democrat Party (PART 2 OF 2)
4/16/2016 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
The Radicalization of Hillary and the Democrat Party (PART 1 OF 2)
4/15/2016 2:51:12 PM by: Christine
Why Ted Cruz NOW?
3/19/2016 12:26:00 AM by: Christine
Why is the GOP Committing Suicide?
3/14/2016 12:30:25 AM by: Christine
Dear Chicago
3/12/2016 9:36:14 PM by: Christine
The CONSTITUTION For President
3/3/2016 3:41:00 PM by: Christine
Does God Give Us More Than We Can Handle?
2/29/2016 10:08:29 PM by: Christine
That Unanswered GOP Debate Question
1/9/2016 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
America's Lifeline
12/31/2015 3:04:50 PM by: Christine
Fractured Nation (2 of 2)
11/14/2015 8:42:06 AM by: Christine
Fractured Nation (1 of 2)
11/11/2015 11:04:35 AM by: Christine
What is Orphan Sunday?
11/8/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
November's Gratitude and Longing
11/4/2015 8:30:39 PM by: Christine
Losing a Child is Like...
9/12/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
Finding God in a Tenement
9/3/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
Doing School in the 21st Century
8/22/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
Superstition vs. Planned Parenthood
8/19/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
Addicted to Giving Birth?
4/21/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
Why We Should Have "The Talk" Before Marriage
3/20/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
Adoptive Parents "Hypersensitive" & "Selfish?"
3/12/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
What's So Wrong With Calling It "Gotcha Day!"
2/26/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
How God Connected the Dots
2/7/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
Exposure of Transracially Adopted Kids to Their Races a Bad Thing?
2/2/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
Out With The Old
1/12/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
Those Who Scoff at International Adoption
8/16/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
Setting Aside Birth Story Facts for Truth
7/31/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
Sneak Peak, "How much did you pay for her?"
6/11/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
Blessing Through Adoption Pain
5/16/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
Eight Ways Publishing Your Book is Like an Adoption Journey
2/23/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
Neglected Ministries?
2/17/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
It's a Boy
2/8/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
Thoughts of Her
2/1/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
To My Son
1/30/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
Rational Thinking?
1/25/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
Minority Against Minority
1/12/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
Happy New Year!
12/30/2013 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
Happy Thanksgiving
11/25/2013 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
You ARE my mother?
11/10/2013 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
The Transracially Adopted Children's Bill of Rights and Some Thoughts
11/3/2013 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
Infertility Is...
10/19/2013 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
Will He Speak English?
10/11/2013 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
Kitty-Sam
10/5/2013 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
What's in a Name?
9/30/2013 12:00:01 AM by: Vhristine
An Adoptive Mom's Message to Those in the Healthcare and Education Professions
9/25/2013 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
Being Tested
9/11/2013 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
When We Are Weary
9/1/2013 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
Trailblazers
8/24/2013 12:00:01 AM by: Chrisrine
A Fresh Start
8/22/2013 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
God Works Behind the Scenes
8/13/2013 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
Why Adoption Requires Forgiveness
7/28/2013 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
Dust Bunnies and Poo
7/19/2013 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
Reality Check
7/13/2013 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
Forgiveness is Work
7/9/2013 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
An Answer to Prayer, Part Three
7/3/2013 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
An Answer to Prayer, Part Two
6/27/2013 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
An Answer to Prayer, Part One
6/22/2013 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
Are They Really Brother and Sister?
6/16/2013 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
Infertility's Not Fair
6/13/2013 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
Has He Ever Eaten a Dog?
6/11/2013 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
Sometimes We Fail
6/9/2013 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
