National Adoption month takes place during the month of November.  This concept has evolved since the mid-1970s. At that time, it began as adoption week, and since the late 1990s its duration has lasted for the entire month of November. Its purpose is to raise awareness of children who need a permanent, forever family.  

The idea of adoption is not new to us as children of God. In Galatians 4:4-5 it says, “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent for his Son, made of a woman, made under the law to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.” In other words, Christ died for us according to His law, and we are his adopted children.  

Whenever a child comes into a family, it is a miracle. For November Miracle Mondays, you’ll read a testimony each week of a family who received the miracle of adoption. As I read the testimonies, I noticed a common thread: patience, obedience, and trust. I know you will enjoy these beautiful testimonies and share the miracles they portray. (Sister Linda Scolaro)

Today, we’re sharing the testimony of Brother Mike and Sister Denise Bodo from Farmington Hills, Branch 2 in Michigan.

Where do I begin? Well maybe at the beginning, LOL. When my husband, Mike, and I got married in 1988, I was ready to settle down and start a family. I was almost 28, but my husband was just a young 23. Therefore, we decided to wait five years before starting down the baby road. I waited with great anticipation, and in 1993 we began the journey. 

A time period of six months passed while we tried to conceive, and I went to the doctor and told her our circumstances. She ran some tests, and a couple of weeks later I was back in her office where she asked me myriad questions. I was starting to get worried.  Then she told me my thyroid was not acting the way it should. I had hyperthyroidism brought on by Graves disease. She told me to give it a year and see if anything changed. Well, a year went by with no change.

We returned to the doctor, and she referred me to a specialist who ran a bunch of tests and eventually gave me a liquid that I was to drink to solve my thyroid problem. Well, the concoction fried my thyroid and caused me to have hypothyroidism! After many months of trying to regulate my body with medication, I was finally at the right dosage.  

Still trying to conceive, we went to a fertility doctor who ran a bunch of tests only to say that I was getting older, and it would be harder. This was not what I wanted to hear. All along I was praying and asking the Lord to be a mother. All my friends were having (or had) babies. I felt alone and miserable. After many procedures that did not work and getting anointed several times, I prayed to God one night that if we were meant to adopt, that He would make it go smoothly.

I was at the bottom of the barrel. My faith was very low, and I couldn’t have another disappointment. 

Therefore, in 2001, we started the adoption process. We decided to adopt from South Korea. We did everything they asked of us, signed many papers, and had two physicals, but it was worth it because in the end I would have a child.  

On February 13, 2004, I received the call that we were getting a boy. He had been born on December 19, 2003. Yay!! Finally!! Our social worker told us we just had to wait until he was ready to come over. She said it could take up to a year.  Wait, what!? A year!  He was already two months old! Patience is not a virtue I have, but there was really nothing I could do.

Finally, on July 3, 2004, our social worker called to say our boy was coming in on July 8. We were up north for the summer holiday, so we rushed home, unpacked, repacked, and headed over to Chicago, where he would arrive. We stayed at a friend’s house (he is adopted too), and he drove us to the airport. After so many years and many heartaches and praying, my baby boy came through the doors and into my arms.

God answered my prayers! God was with us the whole time even though sometimes I didn’t think so. He was always there.

We were meant to be Jonas Bodo’s parents, and he was meant to be our son. God knew what we needed and what Jonas needed even before we or he did. I give God all the honor and praise for getting us through all the ups and downs. He really is an awesome God!

This article has undergone ministry review and approval.