Iowa Adoption Story

The Johnsons adopted through the same agency we did:

Chinese connection
WATERLOO --- The newborn's companions were a bottle and a bag of formula. The first friendly face belonged to an unknown person who reported the discovery.

Baby Lu Lu --- as caretakers later referred to the infant girl --- was abandoned outside, near a cement store in China's Beihai City. No sign marked the spot.

Authorities estimated the baby was a day old and took her to the Beihai Social Welfare Institution in Guangxi Province. Though better, prospects at that point were still bleak.

Halfway around the world, Jeff and Pam Johnson prayed.

The couple brought Maya Darlene Johnson home Oct. 25, slightly more than a year after she was abandoned. They began the process after attending an informational meeting at Bethany Christian Services, a nonprofit adoption and family services agency.

When they made the decision, there was no question where their baby would come from.

"We both thought of China at the same time," said Jeff, 36.

"The Lord really put it on our hearts," added Pam, 34.

Jeff works at the Target Distribution Center. Pam is an architect with Struxture Architects. When Maya arrived in Waterloo, a sign was right there on the Johnsons' front lawn. It read: Welcome Home, Maya!

"I was so ready to be a dad," Jeff said, beaming at his wife of 10 years. "This is awesome."