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Almost 3 years ago while preparing his file for families to review, adoption worker Stefani Ellison first saw the chubby little face of an endearing toddler boy. His special need was Down Syndrome and he had an extra tiny thumb protruding from his right thumb. That should have been her first clue. He was giving her the “thumbs up” sign no matter what direction she looked at him from. He needed a privacy name and she named him WILKIE.

Months, then years passed, no family came for him. His file left her agency and was assigned to multiple agencies. Still, no family came. His file again returned to her agency and he was included in an Advocacy Camp in November 2016. Stefani was assigned to be one of the traveling staff and her teenaged daughters Alexa and Jaeya were lucky get to go help too.

Alexa has had an extra special place in her heart for WIlkie. She has watched him for years as he waited. She wanted to be assigned as his advocate SO BADLY and in the end she was. She did a fundraiser to earn her plane ticket. They went to camp and needless to say, Wilkie was amazing, utterly ready for them to be friends. While in Asia, Stefani made repeated online posts and plead for someone to find their son Wilkie. Why was his prospective mother not listening?

Camp ended and they said their heartbreaking goodbyes and watched him taken into the elevator with his caregiver. The doors shut on that bright face. Sob. They made the arduous journey home missing Wilkie with their whole hearts.

A few days after returning home, Stefani’s husband Stephen called her from work. He declared, “I need to sell my truck”. To ever see Stephen with that Dodge Mega Cab 350 truck was to know that the beauty was his baby. Stefani wondered what on earth must be broken with it and steeled herself for what was coming next. What she didn’t prepare for was the answer to her question why when Stephen replied, “I need to sell my truck because I think I am supposed to be Wilkie’s dad.” Simply that and hearts were turned and future’s changed.

They have received pre-approval, Stephen’s truck sold and other tender mercies have been shown to them. There is no doubt today that Wilkie is an Ellison son and brother. His time waiting for a family to know he was theirs had finally ended.

The Ellison’s have blended a family, adopted 12 children, been foster parents, and have stepped up many times to help kids from very hard places. It has been painful and sometimes utterly challenging but they are certain they need to step up one more time and bring Wilkie home.

So, they walk towards Wilkie. They enfold him. They will do battle for him. They will sign every piece of unending paperwork with joy in their hearts that they get to be part of this blessing. Please walk with them. Be a partner in their journey. Together be awestruck by what Wilkie will bring into our lives and in what he will give the world.