 Radiant Church presents Radiant Stories, a collection of stories that showcase God's faithfulness to take our hopeless situations and craft them into beautiful testimonies of His power, provision, and love. Welcome back to Radiant Stories. I am Anna Rittering, and we're here today with Jenny Rohr. Jenny is here today to talk about adoption, her heart for adoption, her experience with adoption. I would love to hear about your childhood and your family dynamic and how that's kind of affected your relationship with the Lord and what He's put on your heart for adoption itself. So, I was adopted when I was a month old, and all of my siblings are. So, I have three older brothers who are adopted. Two of them are from Seoul, Korea, and Joel and I, my closest brother in age, are from Kansas City, Missouri, but we're not biological. So, all of us were raised in grand rapids in the 90s, living it up, looking all different colors in our house, but it was honestly really great. So, it's so funny. My favorite question when people ask me is, when did you realize you were adopted? And I love that. It's a sweet, like sweet, sweet, innocent question, but the reality is none of us looked like each other. So, I don't, but I also don't remember there ever being a real conversation. Like, why do you look different than me, or what's the deal? So, I just, that's what family looked like. So, it wasn't even alarming when I would see other families that didn't all look different. I don't remember there being a time like, why doesn't their family look like my family? It just was understood that all families look really different. So, I was adopted at a month old, and my siblings have all different stories on how and when they were adopted, but I was adopted at a month old. My parents were really praying for a girl after having three boys. And so, I think that I'm probably their favorite. So, just growing up with that, there's something about how, I just really loved about my parents. It's so funny, because you can articulate this stuff so much better now. Like, you don't even know what's happening in life when you're a kid, but like, looking back, I just feel like my parents did such a good job of explaining the whys and what's and everything without even really us asking questions about it. My biological mother's story is that she was too young. Like, she was 18 years old. No, she was 16 years old, and my biological father was 18 years old, and she was too young, but she didn't believe in abortion, which praise the Lord, because in the 90s, as a 16-year-old girl, like, what in the world? Like, that would be the scariest thing. My parents really, really explained well the concept of she loved you so much that she chose to, like, save your life. Like, she did the most selfless thing that any human being can ever do, and I just, like, that just, like, really just stuck. Like, that part of my story stuck, not the fact that she couldn't keep me or she wasn't. You know, I just loved the fact that I was like, wow, I was loved, and that's why. That's why that I'm here today. And so, some people get caught up with, like, the beginning part of the story, but the way that I see it now is that I was always meant to be with the parents that I have. It doesn't matter what womb I came from, but my parents were praying and believing and had faith and God is good, and I showed up on the scene. Showed up on the scene, and it was like, here she is, as if my parents, my parents were pregnant with me, the parents that I have, my adopted parents. They were pregnant with me in their prayers and in their longings and wishings and all of those things, and then I came. And so, I actually love that part of my story. I love that that just stuck instead of what could have stuck, the negative parts or whatever of these stories that you hear. Yeah, so I grew up with three older brothers, and I think that all of us take this part of our story very differently, and we might even subconscious, there's subconscious things in our lives where probably we could trace back to the idea of being adopted. Like, I'm sure some decisions have been made out of maybe feeling like not wanted or not loved or whatever, that whole lie, which can be the story for some people. But I think that something else that just stuck out to me as I've gotten older is like, my parents always desired to have kids, but my parents' story as to why they chose adoption was not ever a highlight real. Like, that wasn't something that they talked about. That wasn't something they, and that being said, my mom, my mom was unable to have children, but the truth is like, it wasn't until like, I was like in my teens that I like started to like wonder, like, and I was in a healthy place then too, like just to be able to ask like, why, why weren't you, why didn't you guys have your own children or whatever? And then it came up. So it was never like a fourth story of my parents, like, you know what, we weren't able to have kids. And so like to present in a way of like a plan B or like you were the backup, that was never, ever, ever. And that really isn't even their heart. And like, I really honor that my parents were thoughtful in that way to not really go there. Like just, and I don't even think they really even had the intentions of protecting, but they massively protected. And I forgot to say this, but my parents are devout, devout Christians, lovers of the Lord just raised us in that house to go after the Lord. And so when I was adopted and then brought into salvation, like I was brought in at a very young age. I think I was six years old. And so I think that even being saved so young had something to do with my understanding of being adopted, like those two obviously connect because we know that when we come into salvation, we're being adopted as sons into the kingdom of God. And I don't know, I just think that that for some, somehow the Lord just graced me with that understanding and that clarity of what those two things are and that not only do I, was I adopted in the natural but the God of heaven and earth sent his son so that I could be saved yet again. Like what is this? It's pretty wild and such an awesome feeling. And I hope I never grow weary or numb to that understanding ever because it's pretty cool. It's pretty neat. And we just kind of forget like that Jesus died for us that we could come into family. But the truth is, as I've gotten older is God is all about family. Like he will do anything. He is relentless about bringing us into family and I can see that he's done that in my life and it's pretty wild. I would love to hear more about kind of what the Lord has. What does the future look like for you? Because you are such an exhorter. You are such an incredible leader and speaker. And so I would love to hear kind of what the Lord has put on your heart for the future. What do you see kind of spoken over your life in terms of speaking out about adoption and how the powerful link between how the Lord says that we're adopted into his family. I mean, the connection between earthly adoption and heavenly adoption is it can't be ignored but often it just gets glazed over. I feel like the word adoption is so thrown around because it's in the Bible. We kind of become desensitized to it. We're like, yes, of course. I mean, I'm in the family of God. He adopted me and I was lost and I'm found. It's a beautiful concept but I feel like unless you've actually experienced it in your own life it is very hard to make that heart connection from heaven to earth. Something that I struggle with is when I meet people who hear my story or I share just even this basic like, yeah, I was adopted or whatever and people say, oh my goodness, you're just so normal. And honestly, again, it's the innocence of that but the reality of that statement is people who have been adopted don't understand the truth that they've picked up on. I will say that broadly, that's not everybody, right? But there's less of those who are content. And love life and even love that part of their story. And so I think when I tell people, it's just like I've never, people will say I've never heard somebody speak so highly of it or that you've had such a positive experience if you want to call it, which is, you know, I can step back and make jokes about it. But at the end of the day, it's like, it's actually very sad because the father's goal is to turn all the bad things and turn them good and he made a way, like this was the plan A to save the world. So he chose in the natural, in my opinion, to have a plan A to save the world. Obviously, we know there are loads of people who are lost, loads of orphans. We know there's loads of widows. And I just think like, if I could do anything, it would be to be a mouthpiece, I suppose, for spiritual, natural, whatever, that there's a place that you can reach. There's an invitation to be found. And I think that in the world that we live in, everybody's lost. Like, everyone, where do I go? I mean, on the most basic level, what do I do with my life? Who am I? But you find those answers in being found and the hands are wide open and God just freely has given that to us and gives that to us. And so if I could do anything, like I would love to, even if it's as simple as when I talk to people, just be a light in that way and share, it's just a means of sharing the gospel. If I can help bring that on a level, like on a natural level to help people, like as a doorway to an understanding that we were made to be found, like we were made to be loved and sometimes that looks like not what you think it's gonna look like and that's probably for the best, honestly, because it's just amazing. I feel like you have such a special perspective too because you are, you're not only adopted, but all of your siblings are adopted. For you to have this mindset coming out of a dynamic like that, I think speaks to, of course, the goodness of the Lord, but the humility and the patience and the commitment and the kingdom vision that your parents had. And so I just, you know, I would love to hear about how, kind of your personal relationship with your parents because I feel like that is such a key part of, you're still close with them. Yeah, my parents are amazing. We'll start there. Yeah, I mean, I completely echo with what you're saying. I mean, you nailed it. They're full of faith, obviously. Like they just, they did a wild thing. And again, at that time, it wasn't like a super common, trendy, let's call it thing to do. I mean, I know since I've gotten older and you know, I ask questions as they come, my parents are always super, super open to answer. There was never a time like we're not telling you that or we're not, they were like, if you ever have questions, ask them. I remember I probably didn't really start like really asking until I was like in high school and they weren't devastating answers that I came up to or came up against. It was just like, why is this? Or do I know anything about my biological dad or what is he like or things like that? So that was cool. I enjoyed that we had, we just had that relationship where they were just honest from the jump. And I, and I think that that changes things too for a lot of kids. But you know, I think it speaks a lot of my parents that they went outside of the norm to do the thing that God asked them to do and the things that they were believing for. And I believe my parents had calling on their life to be a mother and a father and they weren't gonna let anything stand in their way to do it because it just was what it was. Like there was no questions asked with it. And it's funny because I know that they had backlash like familial backlash from their, at least my mom's side she talked about and now obviously it's just not like that at all. But again, not going against them choosing to take a path where this is now, we're gonna build a family and this is what it's gonna look like during that time. And then having to deal with familial discouragement like I don't agree with that or you know, whatever. That's so hard. It's so hard, but they were like, whatever, we're doing it. This is what we're supposed to do. And the family that had the issue like they love us, like it's no question about it. But again, like even that just shows like that's God. Like that's just them representing God and showing more people what it is and can look like to love. They're just amazing. I really can't even speak high enough about them and the way they raised us. And I think that that is true, like raise a child in the way they ought to go. My parents did that and they held us with open hands. So we all have taken different paths in life and we've all made different decisions and had bent towards different things and they taught us the truth and they led us and they lived by conviction. But there was never like they trusted the Lord. They trusted the Holy Spirit with our lives. And I think probably today they still pray for us and surrender certain things and just, you know, and that's just what a life of being a Christian is like and they've got to, they've had the opportunity to do that with their kids and they've done an incredible job. Like they're amazing three boys, but just all the things that come with that. And at the end of the day, like you're saying biological or not, we're all broken. And so being broken people as parents, raising broken children who are coming from a place that like the bond from birth was broken. And they're the ones that are standing in the gap to bring into back to love. Like it's just such a beautiful thing that they played such a pivotal role in that process. And I can just see God all through it. And I was a magnet to the truth of it and the love of it. I love love, but it just felt like I want that part of my story. I want that thing. That feels good. Like on the most basic level as a child, it must have just been like, man, that feels good. I like that part of that story. Like I like that. You're honoring this woman like in this way that saying she loved you so much. And that was really the truth for all of my siblings. They loved you so much that they knew one way or another, either they were enough to take care of you or they were just not well, whatever it was. And so when I think about adoption, I just like a love that goes out of its way. Like there's so many reasons why I should not be here today. And for whatever reason, God wanted to make sure I was and He used that woman who gave birth to me and my parents to make it happen. Like I could have lived a very different life had that not been a part of my story and it's truly my redemption. And so I want to make the most of it. And so, yeah, my parents are amazing. Let me just come back around. My parents are amazing. Full circle. Full circle. I love the sort of picture that you painted with your parents being the ones that stood in the gap of love and also the absolute humility and grace that they have to honor your biological mom. Cause I feel like that doesn't happen very often. Yeah, no, totally. And that's really hard. What a struggle maybe that was to have to, you know, speak well of somebody that she maybe knew better than you and that's just a love that goes out of its way. And she loved your mother as well as you. So I don't know. That's just, that tugs in my heart strings. Well, and I think that my mom loved this woman. Yeah. Like you were the reason like I get to have a child, you know? And I think, I mean, I could get emotional about it too. So we could just need to grab some tissues here in a second. But I, especially as I'm in my mid 20s and things like that and I have so many friends that have such a deep deep longing to have a child and whether they have struggles or not, like that whole process breaks my heart. And I just think that what a joy it would be to finally be able to hold a child after praying and believing and all of those things. And again, it could look different, but it never looked different to God. Like that was the plan that he sought out. And yeah, I think it's so funny that you mentioned that too because I have, I'm the only one of my siblings that has the desire to meet my biological family. I like if nothing else just want to say thank you. And my parents always said to us like there's not a day that goes by that they don't think about you, which of course, like now that I'm older, you know what I mean? Like you made this really, really like you probably live with the question of did I make the right decision? Are they okay? So I would love to like in the next year or so be able to just connect with them and be like you did. And I just want to tell you thank you, which would well talk about the waterworks that that's going to be. But I mean, just to have that opportunity because to say like thank you for choosing life on the most basic level. Thank you for being selfless because of that. Now I'm able to be here today. Like I'm alive. I'm living my best life. And if they don't know like sharing like the goodness of God in my life because of them being the witness that you are in the testimony that you are just a living testimony. That would be amazing. Yeah. And it's because of them. Like that's it's pretty, it's pretty wild. And then I think some people are like, well, aren't you, aren't you afraid of what could happen with meeting? And no, I'm not. I think it can only be good. Like if nothing else, I've got a friend out of it and like I just can't imagine being in her shoes. Like I would want to know. It's just such a mystery that I'm like, I just want to like unsolve it. And even again with, with God, it's like, I want to see more of you and your glory and how you chose this life. And there's more to the story and I'm just curious. Yeah, that's great. I feel like the path that you're on is to be a voice about this. I feel really strongly about that. I feel like you feel strongly about that. I would love to speak to those who have been adopted, encourage them, encourage you, whoever you are out there just to, that God loves you. And that sound, that can sound like such a blanket statement like Sherry does. Yeah, we know that. That's just facts. But the truth is that you were chosen. You weren't a last resort. You were always the plan. You were always the plan despite what, despite any circumstance, despite what anybody's even told you, you were always the plan A for husbands and wives, mothers who are fearful of this idea of adoption. If you're feeling that, I would encourage you to really pray, pray into that and what God could possibly be asking you to do and to not be afraid of it, but seek, seek it out and ask God about it. Don't be afraid of it. He wasn't afraid of it. He wasn't afraid to send his son. He wasn't afraid to bring us into adoption. He desired family. So if you're sitting, listening to this and you're desiring to have children, you could already have children. You know what I mean? Like you could have whatever. But God's laid adoption on your heart. Just like really, really pray into that and just know that it's also in his heart. Who is? Where's the Kleenex? Sorry. Thank you for being with us. Thank you so much. I absolutely loved hearing your story. So I just want to thank you for opening up and sharing. It's, it's a really powerful thing that you're sharing. It's a really unique testimony. It's, it's your life. It's your testimony. And, you know, not even the choices that you've made, choices that were made before you were even here. Yeah. So it really is God's, God's plans instead of our best laid plans. And that's kind of what we're glorifying here. Yeah. Which I love. Yeah, I do too. Thank you so much. This has been Radiant Stories. Click subscribe to get a brand new story delivered to you every Monday.