Our Adoption Journey from India: Bringing Daniel Home
Josh and Raven Lieurance share their heartfelt adoption story, bringing their son Daniel home from India through Children’s House International.
Adoption Written on Our Hearts
Adoption had always been tucked away in my heart. I (Raven) remember having dreams of a little boy, even when we only had our two biological daughters. We loved our family, but we knew there was still a missing piece. Adoption just seemed like the right fit for us.
When we learned more about India’s adoption program through Children’s House International (CHI), it felt like everything clicked into place. We took a leap of faith, trusting that this was where God was leading our family.
Preparing for the Journey
There is so much to do when preparing to adopt—paperwork, education, preparing your children, and preparing your heart. For us, it was important to keep perspective. We decorated Daniel’s room with love and excitement, while also diving into CHI’s adoption training and reading as much as we could.
One of the best things we did was decide not to set too many expectations about how things “should” go. We wanted to remain open, flexible, and focused on love.
“I honestly think that was a blessing in disguise—that we didn’t have expectations of how things could or should go. Expectations in this process can hurt you. We were open to changes and trusted the process, CHI, and the families who had walked before us.”
Meeting Daniel for the First Time
Nothing prepares you for the moment you meet your child. When we first laid eyes on Daniel, we knew immediately he was our son. It didn’t matter what challenges lay ahead, or how different life would look—we were ready to embrace it all because our hearts were already his.
The joy of holding him in our arms was indescribable. All the waiting, all the paperwork, all the unknowns—it was all worth it in that moment.
Life as a Family of Five
Since January 5, 2025, when Daniel came home, our lives have been filled with joy, laughter, and new beginnings. The transition hasn’t always been easy, but love has been the constant thread weaving us together.
Daniel has taught us so much about resilience, joy, and the beauty of life’s surprises.
“Daniel is such a blessing to our family. Our family feels whole. Not quite complete because we plan to adopt again—but it definitely feels fuller with love.”
More to Our Story
Our adoption journey also includes navigating special needs, something we want to share with other families who may be considering the same path. Daniel’s diagnosis and our preparation for that journey deserve their own story.
👉 Watch Daniel´s Welcome Home video: https://youtube.com/shorts/y0DOdmz6l_I?feature=share
👉 Read our companion blog here: https://childrenshouseinternational.com/our-special-needs-adoption-journey-from-india-daniels-story/