Marc & Ivana
Marriage Length
7 Years
Home State
Washington
Denomination
Catholic
Pets
0
Children
About Us
We are active, outdoorsy, faith-filled people. Our house is always open to friends and free of most technological distractions. We are uncomplicated, adventurous and joyful as we take on the challenges of this life together. We share a love for God and our Catholic faith, which is the foundation of our marriage. Another unique thing about us is that Ivana is an immigrant from Switzerland. A lot of our travels include visits with relatives in Europe, and sometimes we speak German to each other.
We hope this profile will give you an insight into who we are and what our life is like. We have longed to be parents for quite some time now and hope to give a good home and a vibrant upbringing to our adopted children.
We are looking forward to growing our family through any of the following adoption opportunities:
Type
Open , Semi-open , ClosedGender
Any genderEthnicity
Any EthnicityCircumstances
- Older children up to age Age: 4
- Twins
- Multiples
- Sibling groups up to 3
Marc's TESTIMONY
When I entered college at Boise State, I chose to become involved with the Catholic Student Center on campus. I wasn’t Catholic at the time, but was had been curious about the Church and decided to start attending Mass there. Through the influence of friends from the Student Center and a lot of study and discernment, I came to believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that he established the church on earth. During my Sophomore Year at college, I went through the Christian initiation classes and was baptized at Easter.
I believe that God created the world and all its beauty, and entrusted us to be good stewards of his creation (especially including one another). I believe that God sent his Son into the world to redeem it from our wrongdoings, and while doing so provided a model for how to live.
Throughout my life, I have consistently seen the guiding hand of God and the Holy Spirit’s work in my life. When I reflect on my life, I can see numerous moments where the Holy Spirit led in me the right direction, and how God has placed others (including my wife!) into my life who have encouraged me, challenged me, and most of all, helped me grow spiritually. God has richly blessed me with many things, including my marriage, home, and career, and I believe that by being given such blessings, I am called to use those in order to further his kingdom in the world by serving others. This takes many forms, but one of these is my desire to raise a family and be a father to children.
I think I am a normal man, with a job, a house, and a wife. I don’t believe that God has called me to be any sort of great speaker, writer, or missionary. However, in my vocation, I find it inspiring that perhaps the second most important male figure in our Christian Faith shared that vocation. Joseph was a normal man, who had a job, a house, a wife, and a child, and was called by God to Sainthood through his vocation as a husband and father. I aim to do the same: to serve God and others through my daily life, career, vocation as a husband, and hopefully, father.
Ivana's TESTIMONY
I first met Jesus in my earliest years of childhood through the love of my parents. In some ways I have always known Him. I formally accepted Him as my Savior when I was baptized at 8 years old, and I remember making a conscious choice then to live my life for Him. I grew up in a mostly Protestant home, but I got baptized in the Catholic Church.
My level of devotion to Jesus dipped significantly after our move to the United States at age 11, and I had a significant re-conversion at age 14. I was listening to Christian radio in my room, and a particular song reminded me of my need for God. In the most fervent prayer of my life (up to that point), I asked God to help me find a way back to Him. He did. Guided by the Holy Spirit, our whole family started attending an evangelical church near our home. I have walked in His salvation ever since.
In college, God led me back to the Catholic Church through conversations with my older brother and my friend (now husband), Marc. I continue to grow closer to Him as I walk through the life He has given me and lean on Him for His mercy and for my daily bread. By His wounds, I am healed. By His grace, my life is His.
Letter to you
Read MoreOur Christian Commitment
Our faith guides our life, not only on Sunday, but also in our marriage, daily interactions and life choices.
In addition to weekly Sunday worship, we pray before meals and often share prayer intentions before bed. We also discuss topics of faith regularly because our faith guides our decisions and grounds our marriage. We keep many Christian traditions, like fasting during Lent and celebrating Advent, Christmas and Easter. During Advent, we invite our friends each Sunday to light the advent wreath, sing carols by candlelight and eat sweets! For Easter, Ivana always makes 3-day croissants. The pastries are placed in the fridge/tomb on Friday and ‘rise’ in the oven on Sunday morning.
Our faith challenges us to share our time, talent, and treasure in service of others. As a couple, we are part of the leadership team for the teenage group that prepares for Confirmation. Essentially, the course teaches the basics of the faith while also allowing for some time of personal reflection and prayer.
Ivana loves to introduce people of all ages to Jesus. She teaches at a Catholic school, and in the summer she volunteers at a Vacation Bible School. She is also am a reader during Mass, which means that she proclaims the Bible passages to the congregation before the priest preaches from them. Marc participates in two men's groups that meet once or twice a month.
Vision For Raising A Child
Our deepest desire is that our children would know themselves to be loved not only by human parents, but especially by God, who welcomes all of us into His family through the Holy Spirit, “the Spirit of Adoption” (Romans 8:15).
At our Baptism, God the Father says the same words to us that He spoke at Jesus’s Baptism, “You are my beloved son/daughter with whom I am well pleased” (Luke 3:22). We hope that our child will come to know this love and that our love as adoptive parents would be an echo of the love that God has shown to us.
We expect that this kind of love will be difficult at times for all of us, but we also trust that God is patient with us and will give us what we need.
ABOUT Marc
Marc is excited to show children the beauty of God's creation and to teach them how to love and respect themselves and others. Marc loves to be outdoors doing things: hiking, skiing, hunting, and many other outdoor activities. Marc was born in Arizona and spent much of his childhood exploring the American West with his family, and hopes to do the same with his children. He gets excited about raising children when he thinks about teaching his children to ski, make pancakes while camping, and ride bicycles. He believes very strongly in teaching his children to respect everyone around them and see others as God's creation.
Marc works at a major railroad company where he supervises a large number of employees, and loves being in an active industry that gives him an opportunity to mentor younger employees starting their careers.
EXTENDED FAMILY
My parents live in Nevada and I have one older sister who lives fairly close by and is recently married. While my parents are some distance away, we see each other several times a year. They are very excited about being adoptive grandparents! Our adoptive children will certainly spend a lot of time with their randma and grandpa riding bikes, camping, and celebrating Holidays together.
My Dad is a generous, faith filled man who loves the outdoors and spending time with family and friends. From my own childhood, I remember my Dad always spending a lot of time and effort on what was important to me. For a while, I loved basketball. My Dad doesn't know much about basketball, and he wasn't very good at it. However, he spent hours playing with me in the driveway because what was important to me was important to him. I know that as a grandpa, he will devote himself to his grandchildren the same way.
My Mom is active and driven. She has bicyled across the United States once, and is planning to do it again! She always pushed me to be my best, planned our vacations, and created many of our family traditions. My Mom especially values education and learning. I once asked her why she kept all my children's books even though I was an adult, and she told me it was so she could read them to her grandchildren. I look forward to seeing her to read those books again, sharing her Thanksgiving recipes with our adoptive children, and seeing the cross-stiched artwork she will make for their bedrooms.
My older sister and her husband live nearby and keep a small "hobby farm". They keep bees, ducks, and are hoping to expand to sheep. They make their own jam, honey, and grow a large garden. My brother-in-law fixes up antique engines and is the national expert on a few specific tools! While many of my aunts, uncles, and cousins live across the country, we enjoy seeing each other when we can.
WORK & EDUCATION
I have worked for a national freight railroad for ten years. I am in charge of a freight railyard and supervise a large number of employees. My job suits my natural skill set, and trains are cool! It's fun to be out and about and work in a dynamic industry.
I have had the opportunity to mentor a number of new employees starting their careers and it's very meaningful for me to help guide those individuals.
Before starting with the railroad, I worked briefly in mining at the same company as my father. I went to Boise State University (where I met Ivana!), and later received a Master's Degree in Transportion & Logistics from the University of Washington.
HOBBIES & INTERESTS
I love to be active and adventurous! I hike, camp, hunt, ski, among other outdoor activities. I am excited to teach our children to appreciate God’s creation and challenge themselves. I love taking on new challenges and experiences, such as climbing Mt. Baker or learning to whitewater kayak. I led Ivana on the adventure of remodeling the entire basement in our first home, and I take pride in his house and all that I do being well-taken care of.
I love learning about history, geography, and parts of the world that are off the beaten path. I am fascinated by learning about the world around me, and then going to see it if possible! That interest has taken us to Armenia, Slovenia, South Africa, and many other places.
ABOUT Ivana
Ivana is cheerful, outgoing and caring. She values meaningful conversations and maintains close, long-lasting friendships through phone calls and visits.
Her passions include the Bible, foreign languages, teaching her high school students and chocolate. From time to time, she dabbles in baking, knitting and other creative projects. She recently started oil painting and is always up for learning new things.
Ivana comes from a very international family. She moved to the US from Switzerland at age 11 and has relatives in eight different countries. Ivana grew up speaking German, and Marc has learned enough to communicate with the extended family in Europe. Ivana recently became an American citizen and looks forward to passing on her cultural heritage (and dual citizenship) to our children.
EXTENDED FAMILY
I am one of five children, and three of my siblings are married with children. We currently have seven nieces and nephews and are expecting two more! My parents are loving grandparents and a great model of marriage and faith-filled life for us. I grew up in a warm, close-knit family, and we continue to stay close. While most of our family lives several hours away, we make it a point to see each other throughout the year, like on the family camping trips in the picture above.
My closest cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandmother still live in Switerland, and we often go to visit them in the summer.
WORK & EDUCATION
I teach at a small, Catholic classical high school that just opened its doors a few years ago. I like being part of a new project, and I love my students and coworkers! I also enjoy getting to teach a variety of subjects, including theology, Latin and art. I often find myself learning right alongside the students.
I studied English-Linguistics and Music in college and Biblical Languages in graduate school. I loved my years at school! Some highlights from my college days included playing trombone in orchestra and studing in Haifa, Israel for 6 months. Marching band and the Catholic Student Center were also important parts of my experience, not least because these are the places where I got to know Marc!
In graduate school, I lived and worked with immigrants from Central America and Mexico, teaching English classes. I loved the experience and have remained in education throughout my career.
HOBBIES & INTERESTS
Like Marc, I enjoy being outdoors and exploring the world around me. This year, my goal is to walk, run, and hike 1000 miles, and so far I am on track! I also enjoy baking, knitting, jig-saw puzzles, and sitting on the couch with my Bible, my journal and a cup of coffee. I am also a fan of trying new things. Last summer, I learned more about rowing, and this fall, I started taking oil painting classes. There are so many amazing things we can explore, and I am grateful whenever I get to enter into a new world.
ABOUT OUR HOME
Our little home is nestled in a quiet neighborhood. We enjoy taking good care of our home and frequently make DIY upgrades to ensure we and our guests can feel comfortable. Some of our favorite features are the open floor plan and our big backyard, which are great for hosting firepit nights and small gatherings. We have friendly neighbors and are close to beautiful nature. In the warm months, we enjoy dinners on our deck and planting a few easy crops in our garden beds.
ABOUT OUR WORLD
ONE TIME, AT BAND CAMP... two trombone players met on the first day of their college experience. Neither of them knew that seven years later, they would be married. We started out as friends for two years and then dated for a long time, including several years of long-distance. We tied the knot in 2018 and have been very happy ever since.
Our year is ordered by the seasons of our faith. At Christmastime, we decorate the house, cut down our own tree, bake cookies and sing carols by candlelight. It's also a time for Ivana to make some special crafts, like putting Christmas scenes in our windows. Every Easter, Ivana bakes croissants for a special breakfast after going to the beautiful Easter Vigil Mass at church.
The summer is one of our most active seasons. One of our favorite camping activities is hiking to a lake with an inflatable raft so we can explore the mountains by boat. We also enjoy exploring the world on international trips whenever possible.
For Thanksgiving, we love to get together with the extended family. The 4th of July is usually a time to go to the lake with close friends.
All throughout the year, we value staying away from too much technology, making home-cooked meals, sharing our home with good friends and serving at church and elsewhere.
