Women's Focus - February 2008 - (Page 20)

focus on F R I E N D S We often find ourselves caught up in romantic love at this time of year, but the love we have for When asked why they adopted, Scott and Deneen Dryden replied, “[We] just believe that God gave us the heart to do this.” Scott added, “We’re blessed that they’re in our lives, not the other way around.” our family is just as important, The Dryden’s have adopted five children to date, especially to children without a on top of having their own biological child. They caring home. That’s what makes adopted their first child, a girl, 10 years ago. these Sierra’s Stars so special. With her they also adopted her birth mother. According to Sherri and Mike, “Our house has turned into a mini treatment center. All of our kids are on a program where they have to do a regiment every two hours.” When asked why they do it, the Martin’s replied, “Have you ever known there was just something you were supposed to do? It doesn’t make a bit of earthly sense. You can’t explain it. We don’t have an explanation for you, we just know that we’re supposed to do it.” They are parents with so much “She wanted a home … we fell in love with her Susanna and Guillermo Larraga agree. They love to give, it didn’t stop with home and we’ve been family ever since.” their children, they opened their hearts to foster children with nowhere else to go. too,” they explained, “We brought her into our have adopted two children in addition to their three biological children, and continue to take in foster children as well. “You do this to try to change things for them; a better home, a better life, a better start,” they said. This cause is close to Guillermo; he was adopted as a child by a family member. “This is my way to give God a little back of what I received,” he said. Guillermo chose to spread the love that he was given as a child to others, in hopes that his example will be passed down to his children and foster children. Sherry and David Day have seen the same effect on their children as well. The Days have three biological children, along with three adopted children and one foster child. “[We] think our That’s just one example of a Wichita couple making a difference in the lives of others by spreading love. Sherri and Mike Martin have also taken in foster children. The Martin’s thought it would be fun and beneficial when they started hosting foster children seven years ago. “It’s such a deep satisfaction,” they say, “It’s more than a ‘warm fuzzy,’ it’s something deep within.” In addition to their four biological children, the Martin’s have adopted five children and taken in several more on a temporary foster basis. All of the children they have taken in were born to biological mothers who were under the influence of alcohol or drugs throughout the majority of their pregnancies. This resulted in a wide array of significant problems for these children, ranging from fetal alcohol syndrome to severe cardiac disorders. i n d u l g e y o u r s e l f • Wo m e n s F o c u s . c o m • F E B R U A RY 2 0 0 8 20 http://www.womensfocus.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Women's Focus - February 2008

Women's Focus - February 2008 Contents Ask Dick & Jane Romance Versus Reality Valentine’s Day—A Single Girl’s Survival Guide Habitat For Humanity—Women Build 2008 Body Beautiful Knightley Reading 12 Months of Shoes Sierra’s Stars City Culture Day Tripping: Hesston, Kansas In Her Shoes—Dr. David Rosen Tokens of Affection for Him & Her Making a Difference in the Community Forget-Me-Not—Sara Paretsky For the Love of Dance—Miss Diane Gann Wichita’s Next Top Model Contest Love Gardening? Join the Club! Indulge Yourself Yoga for Two Workout Journals When “No” Means NO! Something to Smile About A Romantic Valentine’s Dinner for Four Crafts: Bee Mine Valentine Social Circle Save the Date

Women's Focus - February 2008

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