Originally published at Orange County Catholic
MARGERY ARNOLD AND HER husband, Matt Clark, were saving for a house in San Antonio, Texas, when they noticed an event at a church across the street. An adoption agency was holding a workshop.
After years of experiencing infertility, Margery and Matt stopped by to learn about the process.
They discovered that their nest egg for a down payment on their planned new home matched, almost to the dollar, what it would cost to adopt a baby from China.
It was an easy decision: Forget the new home for now, let’s start a family.
“We felt led by God to do this,” Margery recalled.
With National Adoption Month being celebrated in November and the yearlong California Catholic Bishops’ “Radiate Love Initiative” honoring marriage and family life in full swing, Margery and Matt said their 32-year marriage has been immeasurably blessed with two daughters.
Sisters but not biologically related, Mariel, 24, and Julianne, 21, were put up for adoption by their parents in rural China.
Margery and Matt became their grateful parents.
“We’re just like any other family,” said Mariel.
Her father agreed.
“We support each other, often annoy each other, help each other, embarrass each other and most importantly, love
