Inspirational, Story of Adoption, Memoir,

Lorilyn Roberts seemed to have it all--an interesting life, travel adventures, a great marriage, and hopes for future children to create the perfect, happy family. Almost overnight, those hopes were destroyed when her husband left her for another woman.

At the time of her divorce, Lorilyn's husband told the judge that he had taken away her dreams, and it certainly did seem that way, particularly with the added bitter blow of her husband's new partner falling pregnant. Lori's hopes of having a "forever family" seemed remote. Instead, she found herself living the truth of Proverbs 13:12a, "Hope deferred makes the heart sick."

For eight years following her divorce, nothing filled the longing she had for children. Then in April, 1994, everything changed when Lorilyn arrived in Nepal for the final, often extremely frustrating, process of adopting her first daughter, Manisha Hope.

Although the support of Nepalese Pastor Ankit was a great blessing in organizing the adoption, the author is very honest about her fears and doubts during the time spent waiting at The Bleu hotel in Kathmandu. Both bureaucratic and local requirements made the adoption process seem painfully slow. For Lorilyn, it was often a battle to keep believing her dream was also God's plan for her life.

"God knew my heart-felt desire was to become a mother. As God longed to have a relationship with me, I wanted a little girl that I could hug, hold, kiss, teach, and spoil. God had promised to wipe away my tears when I met Him in Heaven, but I wanted Him to wipe away my tears now. It was a longing that consumed me, that spoke to my heart with every little girl I saw on the street, in the mall, or in a restaurant.

"Did God care about my dreams? Could I trust God, half a world away, that He would not abandon me? If I left Nepal without the little girl that danced in my dreams and filled me with hope, would I still love God?"

It is this soul-searching honesty throughout Children of Dreams that connects so wonderfully with the reader--all the author's pain, heartache, longing, frustration and joy. We smile with her, cry with her, and eventually, rejoice with her when she first brings Manisha home in 1994, and then finally, six years later, after even more delays and problems, when little Joy from Vietnam is added to their "forever family."

From the moment Lorilyn was blessed with the gift of her first daughter, Manisha Hope, her life changed from being an embodiment of Proverbs 13a, and instead, became the truth of Proverbs 13b: Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when dreams come true at last, there is life and joy.

Children of Dreams is an engrossing book that captures the reader's attention right from the start and holds it through to the uplifting conclusion. It is impossible to read this book without caring for this little family. A small photo gallery at the end is an added bonus, allowing a glimpse of Manisha and Joy as they were when first adopted, and as they are now, two beautiful young ladies who are their mother's delight (and a credit to her).

As Lorilyn concludes her story, she gives praise to the One who made it all possible:

"I wouldn't trade my children for anything in the world …. As God's precious gifts, I am amazed …. how God did what was humanly impossible--without an awesome God, I wouldn't have either of my daughters!"

While writing Children of Dreams, Lorilyn asked her 17-year-old daughter what it meant to her to be adopted? Manisha's answer summed up everything about this story: "It means I didn't grow in my mommy's stomach but in her heart."

For anyone considering adopting a child from a third-world nation, this book should be required reading. It is a very honest account of the difficulties involved in the process. However, it is also an inspiring testimony to the One who is the restorer of dreams and healer of broken hearts.

*******

After Lorilyn Roberts' dreams of marriage and family are broken through divorce, Children of Dreams tells of God's restoration of her dreams through the story of the international adoptions of her two daughters. A spiritual analogy is drawn between the adoption of physical children and our adoption as God's children. Ms. Roberts skillfully weaves in her own back‑story while telling of her amazing adventures, road blocks, and difficulties in each of the adoption journeys.

Many scriptural insights and reflections are interspersed throughout the book and Lorilyn Roberts' reliance upon her heavenly Father gives her confidence when all hope seems to be lost.

The reader will enjoy the vivid descriptions of Nepal and Vietnam as well as a window into the plight of those who are struggling to survive in a place where basic necessities may not be available. The adventure includes meeting a future Prime Minister, a medical mystery, a missing baby, and many other surprises.

Children of Dreams is published by Virtualbookworm for $13.95. It is also available on Amazon.com, Barnesandnoble.com, and Pinch Porch Bookstores in Alachua, Florida. In addition, Ms. Roberts has published a children's book, The Donkey and the King, an allegory of God's love, for ages 3‑7. The hidden word good can be found on each page.

Creekside Community Church Book Review, by Laura Lynch, Gainesville, Florida