Why Adoption?

We wanted to share our thoughts on adoption with you and why we are hoping to adopt and what it means to us.

We got married almost 8 years ago and like most couples assumed that we would have children. We will have children, but not the traditional way. We had some ups and downs with our thoughts and feelings on the situation but came to the idea of adoption relatively quickly and easily. We did not do too much medical testing and did no invasive procedures to make the idea of us conceiving and carrying a baby happen. We felt that the Lord had a plan for us and that plan included adoption.

Since the times of us trying to have a baby have passed we can't imagine it at all. We only see adoption in our future and feel blessed that we have this opportunity and chance that not everyone does. We look forward to the day that we are able to bring a little one home and help complete our family. We know that this is the path that we are suppose to be on.

We also are so grateful for our families and their support and love through all of this. They did not know much about the struggles before but now know and feel the same way we do. They want us to be happy and see that adoption is what makes us happy. They can't wait for a new grandchild and also a new cousin, niece or nephew to join the family. I think they are more impatient then us!

We know there is a reason that our lives are connecting and that we are all at this point at the same time. We know that we are meant to bring home a baby that needs us. We know that somewhere out there there is a someone who is sending out a prayer and we hope we can be the answer. Adoption is a miracle in all ways. It is a benefit to so many people and it helps out so many lives and we can't wait to see it work it magic in ours!

Some great times we've had

We love to do things together and over the past six years we have had the chance to do lots. We have traveled, tried new things, met new people and just been able to be ourselves and be silly with one another. We are best friends and that is the best part. We love doing nothing and everything as a team and honestly just can't wait until we are able to share these experiences and more with a new member of our family!

Eternal Companions

Dan got home from his mission in the middle of September and after many long phone calls and letters we decided it was time for our first date. We went to a SheDaisy concert in CA. After the concert we knew it was meant to be and we had to figure out a way to make the long distance thing work. We made lots of trips back and forth from AZ to CA and that was getting very tiresome and expensive too - something needed to change and fast. We needed to be together!



By November we were engaged and on February 2, 2002 we were sealed in the Los Angeles Temple for time and all eternity. It was one of the best days ever. We had family there to support us and we celebrated with a reception afterwards.




After getting married we both picked up our stuff and moved to Nevada. We have lived here ever since. We wanted a fresh start and wanted to do it together. It has been an exciting adventure, but one we have done together and one that we wouldn't change for anything. We have been able to strengthen our marriage and grow with one another. We are so blessed to have been able to start our relationship off in the right place and at the right time. We know that we are able to have forever with each other and because of that we work hard to understand and be patient and kind to one another now. We hope that our example of dedication to each other and our desire to be married in the Temple will be something we can instill in our children.

Aranne's Family

We have my mom and dad (Al and Robbie), then my older brother Robert and his wife Lisa with their two girls Morgan who is 7 and McKenna who is 4. We are a small immediate family but we have lots of close friends that we count as family. We grew up including everyone in holiday activities and get togethers. Our house was a house that everyone felt included in. Whether related or not once you entered the home you were family! I hope to one day have a house that is just the same.

Dan's Family

Here you have everyone, the Guys, The Girls and the Whole Family. It includes Dan's older brother Mike and his wife Maile and their daughter Ellie who is now 4 and a new baby boy Benjamin. (We need some new pictures!) Younger brother Nathan and his wife Katie. Younger sister Amy and her husband Steve, who are expecting a baby boy Preston any day! Then of course Dan and Aranne and Mike and Holly, also known as mom and dad! It is fun to watch the family grow and we can't wait to add one to the expanding family as well. Mike and Holly love being grandma and grandpa and are great at it!

Daniel David

Dan joined the world on 7/16/80 and in so doing joined his older brother Mike. He would soon be joined by a younger brother, Nathan, and a younger sister Amy. He was born in Provo, UT but only lived there for a few short months while mom and dad finished up school. He then moved to Arizona where he would grow up and live out his childhood with his brothers and sister.

Childhood Happenings with Dan

Dan was all boy as a child. He loved dirt, trucks, and getting in trouble. The famous story of Dan is the one of his mom finding him on the roof in his diapers at the age of 2. She knew then that she had her hands full. He has never slowed down since then. Dan, his brothers, and dad went on plenty of camp-outs when they were young, mostly so his mom could have some quiet time!

During his youth Dan worked hard and was able to earn his Eagle Scout. He also spent lots of time with the Young Men's program in the Church going on hikes, camp-outs and doing service projects. When he wasn't participating in Church activities he was enjoying his free time riding his bike, playing with his dogs and playing soccer.

Once Dan entered high school he was able to find a sport he loved and he chose Football. Dan played all four years of football while in high school. He was also a scholar athlete during that time. He was able to attend and graduate from Seminary too. During his senior year Dan was a lifeguard at the local YMCA.

Life After High School

My life took a huge change right after high school. I graduated when I was 17 and then one month before I turned 18 I made the biggest and most important decision that I have ever made in my life. I decided to join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I listened to the missionaries (two of the best I might add) and was baptized soon after. My parents are not members but they support me 100%. They are wonderful and knew it was something that I had to do.

Now more than ever I am grateful for the church in my life. I am grateful that I have the gospel in my life and that I have a loving Heavenly Father to pick me up when I am down and to comfort me when I am weak. I don't know how I would have gotten this far in my life without the Church and I am so glad for the decision that I made on 10/27/98.

Besides joining the church I continued to work at the doctor's office. I went to school and graduated Valedictorian with a Medical Assisting Diploma. I also moved out of my parent's house and got my own apartment. There were lots of changes in my life but the biggest change would come in a few short years when I would meet and fall in love with Dan.

Dan's Mission Life

Shortly after I graduated from high school, I decided to go on a mission for the LDS church. After filling out the extensive paperwork and three very long weeks of waiting I received the "white envelope". I then proceeded to read that I would be spending the next two years of my life in the glorious C.L.A.M. (California Los Angeles Mission).

Sister Christensen, ME, President Christensen

Being only a few short hours away from home was tough at first but then I started to really enjoy my time in southern California. I had many great experiences in the L.A. mission.

Having upwards of 8 million people to teach there were lots of teaching opportunities. The diversity is probably one of the best qualities of the mission. I spent my time with extremely wealthy people as well as extremely poor people and I loved every minute of it.

I was also able to have the privilege of meeting my eternal companion. Aranne and I attended the same ward building for a short time. I knew the missionaries that had baptized her and we were able to go from there. We exchanged addresses and started to talk after I got home.