By Yvonne and Craig Simmonds

We became a family on July 13, 2007.

You never know what direction life can take you. We were unable to conceive our own child and so it was a gift from God that He led us to the Inter-Country Adoption path to find our son Christian. What a long and winding, and at times, hilly path!

We put our faith in knowing things would be okay. We put our heads down, focused on our lives and kept moving forward until the day we would meet. The photo we had of Christian was a guiding light – a little smiley boy with such life in his eyes, waving hello. We kept it close to us at all times.

The day finally came when we traveled to the Philippines and arrived at White Cross. What a day! There, waiting for us, were the children, caregivers, and a beautiful welcome sign.

In one of the caregivers’ arms was a little sleeping boy. He was placed in my arms. “Here is Christian, your little boy.” He woke up, looked into my eyes and placed his finger on my mouth and then fell asleep on my shoulder. Tears streamed down both my and Craig’s face.

A beautiful ceremony with singing and prayers followed. Christian remained peaceful in my arms. We gave thanks for the wonderful care that Christian had been given. What a special place White Cross is. You could feel the devotion and love given of the children. We felt very fortunate that Christian was a part of this and it was his first home. To have the continued contact we have with Mely and White Cross today is also a true blessing.

Then our journey began as a family in Melbourne, Australia.

Every day, since that first day, has been a discovery. As parents we discovered the responsibility and care, the overwhelming love and tremendous feeling of contentment; Christian’s discoveries of the world; our joy in discovering new things in life to share as a family.

It’s been two-and-a-half years now since that first day. What a lot of feeding, growing, sleeping, playing Christian has experienced over these years.

That smiley little boy we first saw through a photograph is now a vision we wake up to every day. Christian’s sparkle has ignited so much love and life in our hearts and those around him.

Not just a journey, but what a destination!