Dear Birthmother,

Our names are Gary and Sheryl and we live in North Carolina.

We admire and respect your decision to place your baby for adoption. We would like to travel this road together. We are thankful that you have chosen to carry your baby to term and for giving life to a precious child. We can only imagine the many emotions and decisions that you have had to face at this time in your life. We believe that you are demonstrating a "selfless act of love" to place your baby. We are thankful that you are interested in reading about us and we pray that God will help you make the best choice.

Once we were close friends in college, then we became sweethearts, and now we continue to grow closer each day as best friends. Our marriage is solid, stable, and Christ centered. We have wanted and anticipated children even since before we were married, over 10 years ago. Both of us love kids and our home is the neighborhood play area for many of the children on our block. We enjoy having kids of all ages over to play in the yard, go bike riding with us, visit the park, eat a meal together, and play with our dog, Brookes.

Brookes, is our six year old yellow Labrador that entered our lives and hearts as a puppy. She loves playing with the kids and is gentle and safe around them. We have taught her a few tricks like fetch the paper and to shake her paw - - she adores the attention and we enjoy her company. We look forward to the day that we will introduce her to our own little angel.

We feel strongly about training our child to know who God is, and to feel safe and secure. It is our heart felt desire to nurture our baby with love and affection. We make Sundays a special day to attend church, then relax and enjoy the rest of the day. This may include some outdoor projects, visiting family and friends, going for a hike or a drive to the mountains.

Our nursery is almost completely decorated with warm yellow walls and hand stenciling. We have furnished the room, and we already have toys and child safety devices installed. Sheryl's background in the education and training field will be helpful in teaching our child. Sheryl will be a stay-at-home Mom, as her mother was. She has many fond memories of her mother being home influencing her morals and values. Now she anticipates teaching our child the same and more. Plans for picnics in the park, playmates, and meeting other Moms are all anticipated.

Gary is from Wisconsin and comes from a secure and loving home, with 2 older sisters. He has wonderful memories of yearly family vacations and camping trips. Gary maintains a close relationship with his family and they are very supportive of our desire to adopt. Gary's hobbies include: biking, water sports, yard work, building projects (like the new shed in our back yard he built), hiking, camping, sports activities, travelling, and skiing. He wants to share his many interests with our child and to enjoy quality time as a dad. Gary earned his BA degree in Communications. He works in the field of computers and Multi-media. He has had a successful career in Corporate Communications, specifically as a Video Producer/Director! Now he is pursuing a degree in Computer Science to compliment and enhance his career in Multi-media. Something else that is important about Gary--he has been brought up with a strong work ethnic. Whether it was delivering newspapers as a boy and saving his earnings to buy a bike, or accepting the responsibility of loving and caring for the family dog--Gary is willing and eager to work. We believe this is an important character trait to teach our children.

Sheryl is from Ohio and also has two older siblings, a brother and a sister. She also grew up in a Christ centered and close knit home. There were a lot of extended family members that also provided love and encouragement. Family get-togethers and celebrations were a common occurrence, and still continue. The Christmas Eve holiday tradition has been passed on from generation to generation. This Christmas celebration is a genuine family tradition anchored in the joyous celebration of our Savior's birth. It is held in her aunt and uncle's home each year on December 24th. The evening is filled with Bible reading, singing Christmas carols, the telling of the Christmas story by her uncle, opening gifts, plenty of delicious food, family fun, love, and laughter. This is just one of the special family times we want to share with our baby. Sheryl has a playful sense of humor and enjoys taking care of her home and husband. She likes to travel with Gary, go on biking and hiking trails, and to take care of a vegetable garden. She also has a BA in Communications, and is self-employed as a Computer Software Trainer. Occasionally she accepts assignments in the school system.

Our home is a spacious 3-bedroom split-level. We live on a quiet and safe cul-de-sac surrounded by loving neighbors and lots of trees. Our home is nestled among huge oak trees, and the atmosphere is cozy and peaceful. We enjoy having friends, family, and neighbors over for cookouts on the back patio. It seems like children surround us. All of our immediate families have children, as well as the families in our neighborhood. Our child will be surrounded and showered with love from aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and neighbors. Just about everyone we know is excited and supportive of our desire to adopt.

We are familiar with the process of adoption, as Sheryl's cousin has already adopted 4 children and is in the process of adding 2 more through adoption. Our marriage and family life are top priorities, and we have served as one of three couples that volunteered as city directors to help promote the Family Life Marriage Conference in association with Campus Crusade for Christ.

Both of us were brought up in solid and secure Christian homes. We continue to place our confidence in our Lord above. It is our desire to treat others as God instructs us to. There have been many good times and also some bad. However, our faith in God has provided us with the strength to endure and to become stronger. We know that God is always there and ready to help us. Sheryl has taught Vacation Bible School and has worked in the church nursery. We have enjoyed meeting other Christians while attending weekend retreats and classes.

It is our prayer that you find comfort and peace in the decisions you face. Like the poem "Foot Prints", we are all on a journey and God is willing to provide us with strength, guidance, and carry us when we ask for His help. We pray for the privilege of adopting a child that we will love, train, and enjoy. Thank you for reading our letter and for considering us.

In His love,