Miracle Monday – Meet Mary Grace and Anna Grace

Jim and Kelly Powell adopted daughters Mary Grace and Anna Grace from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Through their adoption experience, the Powells learned how beautiful, yet stressful, the process can be. The International Adoption Clinic at Children’s of Alabama helped with the families’ struggles tremendously.

The clinic eased stress for the Powells by having them complete mandatory training online instead of in person in Birmingham. Living an hour away in Cullman, the Powells were balancing the schedules of their two sons, Parker and Logan, in addition to navigating the adoption process. “Not only was it incredibly helpful to do the training remotely, but the course itself was so informational,” Kelly said. “We still go back and reference things we learned from them during the training.” The staff at the clinic went out of their way to make the entire process easier on everyone.

Unsure of whether or not the girls were ready for kindergarten, the Powells consulted the clinic. An occupational therapist talked them through their concerns, focusing on the girls’ developmental stages, specifically through the lens of adoption. The clinic also was consulted when the girls’ school needed guidance on how to best plan out the girls’ academics.

“Every single interaction we’ve had with the International Adoption Clinic has been top notch,” Kelly said. “When people work from the heart, I think that’s what happens. And it’s very clear that they really sincerely care. It’s not just a job for them and that makes a difference. It has positively impacted our family and made things possible for our family.”