2000-2001 Yearbook

Students say adoption is part of life, wonderful way to serve God To some people, adoption is a touchy or even taboo subject. Yet, in a sense, all Christians are adopted although not necessarily by earthly parents. Ephesians 1:5 says, "he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ ... " M~ny adopted Harding students see their situation as a way of life. "When I am more open about adoption, a lot more people learn from it," freshman Jenny Nichols said. Many times adoption, as in Nichols' case, is the result of a foster parenting situation. "My brother and I were foster kids from 1981-85, then officially adopted in '85," Nichols said. Although some parents wait until a child is older before telling them they were adopted, Nichols said her parents told her when she was young. "They broke it to us slowly, but began telling us when we were pretty little," Nichols said. "I think it was a good thing. It made it less shocking later." One issue that often faces people who were adopted as young children is that of finding their biological parents. Nichols said that while sometimes she thinks about it, that is not always the case. "Sometimes I want to find them, just to see what they look like," Nichols said. "But I don't really want to talk to them." Junior Megan Rees said she used to feel awkward talking about being adopted. "People would always ask about it, so I just got used to answering their questions over time," Rees said. Dr. Terry Edwards, chairman of the foreign languages department, has two adopted children. He said he is a big supporter of adoption. "It's a great need for Christians to open their homes for adoption; it's one of the greatest ways to serve God," Edwards said. - Andrea Waters Freshman Jenny Nichols reads her Bible on the front lawn. Nichols, an adopted child, said adopted children experience the same family love that often accompanies traditional households. Photo by Daniel DuBOis. Robert Crabtree-Huntsville, Ala. Courtney Craddock-Tyler. Texas Adam Crane-Norcross, Ga. Amanda CrewS-Keystone Heights. Fla. Melissa Crockett-Owasso. Okla. Brandon Crouch-Searcy. Ark. Eliza CrowleY-Cabot, Ark. Srianna CurtiS-Sherwood, Ark. Robyn CuttS-Tabernacle, N.J. Kennith Daniluk-Oklahoma City. Okla. Anne Darby-colorado Springs, Colo. Jason Darden-Jonesboro. Ga. Stefanie Davenport-Monroe. La. Sarah Davidson-Fort SCOII. Kan. Brian DaviS-Sunnyvale, Texas Jason Davis-Ccdar Falls, Iowa Kristin DaviS-Conway, Ark. Kim Deaton-Staunton. Va. Rob Denton-Lake Cormorant. Miss. Angi Dickerson-Sugar Land. Texas =S ~o ~ p _h ~o _m_o_r _e s ____________ ~~ People ~

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