Favorite Bible Verse: My darling, everything about you is beautiful, and there is nothing at all wrong with you. Song of Songs 4:7 (NCV)
Favorite Adoption Story: My favorite adoption story is of my friends who have adopted three of their six children. I admire their family and how their love continues to grow with each child who enters their family. After observing this family I have a picture of how vast God’s love is for His children and the rejoicing that happens when someone joins the family.
Education: Bachelors of Arts in Behavioral Science with an emphasis in Sociology from Concordia University Irvine
Responsibilities: My responsibilities are to assist families through the Home Study process.
Favorite Bible Verse: Ephesians 3:20-21 being proven as truth over and over – “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever, Amen.”
Favorite Adoption Story: Our newest and youngest daughter, adopted from Ukraine, came to us through a hosting program. We received a call from MLJ Adoptions asking us to consider hosting a 7-year old for three weeks as her initial family was unable to fulfill the hosting agreement. Having a mere two week notice was not a problem for us as we had experienced this once before by hosting a 12-year old on short notice. Yuliia quickly stole our hearts. One month after she returned to Ukraine, my entire family was relieved to hear we had decided to start the official adoption process to bring her home forever. God completely orchestrated her entrance into our home, and once again He provided all the funding. We thought we were done adopting; however, God had a wonderful surprise for us! Within ten months, we journeyed to Kiev for our first trip to bring her home. I am now the blessed mama of 6 children, 3 through adoption.
Education: Camie holds an education degree from Indiana Wesleyan University and a double master’s degree from Ball State University in elementary education and early childhood. In the adoption world, she has completed “Trust-Based Relational Intervention” from Texas Christian University and is an affiliate trainer for “Trauma Competent Care” from Back2Back Ministries.
Responsibilities: Camie works with adoptive families in adoption funding. She keeps updated on grants and fundraising opportunities for all types of adoptions. She teaches seminars on “Affording Adoption” and speaks at conferences and church events on working with vulnerable children using best practices through TBRI and Trauma Competent Care.
Favorite Bible Verse: 1 Peter 1:6-7 6 So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. 7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
Favorite Adoption Story: I have several favorite adoption stories. My most treasured adoption story is the that of our father, who adopts us into his family! This is a constant reminder of what earthly adoption can look like for each of us who pursue adoption. My other favorite adoption story comes from my own grandparents, who adopted my dad in infancy and were a constant foundation of unconditional love. Of course, all the stories of foster families I have worked with, who have provided a safe haven for healing and renewal for the hurt and broken in his image, just as our father does for us, are near to my heart.
Education: Bachelor of Science in Human Services
Responsibilities: Answering prospective adoptive/foster parents' questions to help determine the best program fit, and then referring them to the appropriate program coordinator/manager.
Favorite Bible Verse: Matthew 25:40 "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."
Favorite Adoption Story: Favorite adoption story: About six months into my career in adoption, in September, 2013, the Democratic Republic of Congo stopped issuing exit letters which allowed the adopted children to leave the country. Many of the adoptions were already complete in-country, so they were legally members of these U.S. families, but they were stuck there, a world away from their new homes. Parents who had received the wonderful news that their adoption was complete and had flown there to bring their children home had to return without them. Over the next two years, they would occasionally allow a child to leave, often because of a medical condition. Then in early 2016, the Congolese government began producing lists of children approved for exit letters. There was a flurry of parents and escorts traveling for a few months, then such relief when the last child finally made it home!
Education: Bachelor of Science in Business majoring in Accounting from Indiana University
Responsibilities: Payroll, human resources, and general office duties for the Indiana office
Favorite Bible Verse: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matthew 11: 28-30)
Favorite Adoption Story: My favorite adoption story is the one that has impacted me the most personally. My little sister joined our family thirteen years ago after our family traveled to Guatemala to bring her home to Kentucky. I can remember seeing her for the first time and immediately feeling a strong sense of certainty that she belonged with us. It has been a joy watching her grow and develop into a kind-hearted, curious, beautiful young lady who keeps our family laughing and focused on the most important things in life. Although the journey has not always been easy, I am constantly reminded of the Lord's provision and goodness when I think about how He blessed our family through the gift of adoption. I am now beyond excited to begin a new role in the adoption field as a homestudy provider!
Education: Kara joined the Nightlight team in April 2018. She received a Bachelor of Science degree from Eastern Kentucky University and a Master of Social Work degree from Asbury University. Kara is a certified social worker in the state of Kentucky. She has experience working with adoptive families, as well as providing community based services for children and families.
Responsibilities: Kara is the Domestic Program Coordinator for the KY office. She counsels and supports expectant parents who are making an adoption plan. She also assists families throughout the U.S by taking them through the domestic adoption process. She is responsible for meeting with birth parents and families as they take the journey toward adoption. She does outreach throughout Kentucky to different hospitals, pregnancy resource centers, and medical facilities.
Favorite Bible Verse: “and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12: 1b-2
Favorite Adoption Story: My favorite adoption story is that of Shabana Sparks who was adopted from India in the 1980s through our MO office. I came across her story a few years ago and have been inspired by her adoption story ever since. Her passion for adoption and her humble attitude towards God’s careful working of every detail in her story is so moving to me. I was thrilled to have recently had the opportunity of meeting her! Seeing her now, as an adult adoptee, I’ve been inspired to adopt internationally someday. What an awesome opportunity to share your love with a child, and in turn give them an opportunity to know Christ’s love! How exciting it will be to see them using their gifts and talents to further Christ’s kingdom because you were able to give them opportunities that they might have never had.
Education: Bachelors in Early Childhood Education, Bob Jones University
Responsibilities: Kristen has been with Nightlight since 2014 and works out of the SC office on the Snowflakes Team. She assists adoptive couples with Snowflakes Family Evaluations, helping them gather and complete all the required paperwork to be approved and prepared for adopting their embryos and growing their family.
Favorite Bible Verse: Isaiah 30: 18 Therefore the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore He will rise up to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him!
Favorite Adoption Story: One of my favorite adoption stories is about a beautiful relationship between a birth and adoptive family. I once worked with a young birth mother post-delivery, who was unsure on how to handle the future of her baby’s life because she knew she couldn’t provide, but didn’t think she could live without knowing if her baby was happy and in good hands. When I told her about open adoption, she was so happy because she never thought it would be possible to see her baby after making an adoption plan. As soon as the adoptive family met the birth mother, they immediately welcomed her into their family. They have spent most holidays and birthdays together and she is getting to watch her child grow up in a loving household. A year after the adoption, the birth mother graduated from college and the adoptive parents attended her ceremony with the child. I have no doubt that the child is beyond loved by both their biological and adoptive family and it has been so amazing to watch the relationship between both families grow and develop.
Education: Lizzy received her Bachelor of Social Work degree from the University of Mississippi and her Master of Social Work degree from the University of South Florida.
Responsibilities: Lizzy supports families in Florida throughout the home study and post-placement reporting process by coordinating providers and helping families navigate documentation and other home study requirements. Lizzy enjoys working with families and supporting them in the home study and post-placement phase.
Home Study Coordinator | Inquiry Specialist | Social Services Assistant
oklahoma | administrative
Our Agency Expert:
Loretta
Home Study Coordinator | Inquiry Specialist | Social Services Assistant
Email Address:loretta@nightlight.org
Favorite Bible Verse: Matt. 5:13 – “Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be the salt-seasoning that brings out the God flavors of this earth”
Favorite Adoption Story: I love how God shows up for these girls and the families each and every time! I’m amazed at the opportunities to see beauty from ashes. It’s often not about how smart or educated we are but how willing we are to let God work through our lives. It’s exciting to see how each situation is both unique & difficult, however adoption always creates opportunities to see Gods Redemptive love at work.
Favorite Adoption Story: I do not have one yet, but look forward to having one soon!
Education: MSW from Washington University in St. Louis
Responsibilities: Application intake of all MO programs, collection of documents, coordination with social workers and clients. Answer client inquiry questions and guide families toward appropriate programs and waiting children.
