Upon returning home, they began the long and complicated process of adoption. Years of paperwork, waiting, and prayer followed before their family expanded to include the two boys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Interestingly, the Pogues weren\u2019t the only ones forever changed by their visit to the small, 15-child orphanage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOur friends also adopted three kids from the same orphanage,\u201d Ellen said with a laugh. \u201cSo now there are five in our area, and another family \u2014 who adopted five \u2014 lives about an hour and a half away. We adopted half of the orphanage.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n When the adoption was finalized in November 2020, Miguel and Rafa were thrust into a new world \u2014 a new country, language, school, and family. It was quite an adjustment for children who had spent most of their lives in an orphanage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe boys came into our lives when they were 13 and 8,\u201d Clay said. \u201cThere\u2019s a lot of family history they missed out on, and it was hard to know they hadn\u2019t experienced the same things our daughters had.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The boys, who were academically behind, struggled with language barriers and the vastly different education system in the United States. Ellen did her best to help, but the adjustment coincided with another challenge for the family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Clay had been privately dealing with health concerns before the adoption process even began. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI knew something was wrong,\u201d he admitted, \u201cbut I didn\u2019t want it to affect our adoption.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Shortly after the boys arrived, Clay\u2019s fears were confirmed. Two non-cancerous brain tumors, which had been visible for months, were diagnosed, and surgery was quickly scheduled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe boys barely had time to adjust before Clay\u2019s surgery,\u201d Ellen recalled. \u201cThey were learning English, getting used to a new home and school, all while we were just trying to keep it together.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite the overwhelming events, the Pogues pressed on. They believed their faith in God and love for one another would guide them through any storm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Over the years, the family sought outside help to support the boys academically, hiring tutors and advocating for after-school support. Progress has been slow, but there is hope as the boys continue to catch up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Through it all, the Pogues\u2019 love for one another has been their foundation. They\u2019ve learned the value of perseverance \u2014 during medical crises and in daily moments of parenting and growth. They celebrate every victory, large and small, from their oldest daughter\u2019s wedding to their cherished annual \u201cGotcha Day\u201d traditions \u2014 the anniversary of when the boys officially became part of their family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe take trips, go to movies, or share a special dinner on \u2018Gotcha Day,\u2019\u201d Ellen said. \u201cIt\u2019s our way of remembering how far we\u2019ve come as a family.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, the journey ahead is far from smooth. In the spring of 2024, Clay\u2019s brain tumor resurfaced, and he was also diagnosed with re-current colon cancer. Once again, the family endured surgeries, chemotherapy, and hospital visits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cClay has become bolder in his faith since his medical journey,\u201d Ellen said. \u201cHe talks to strangers now, shares his testimony, and spreads the word about Jesus. I\u2019ve seen him change in ways I never imagined, and it\u2019s been incredible.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cEven before all the medical stuff, He sustains me every day,\u201d Clay affirmed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The boys have also embarked on their own faith journeys, both professing faith.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Through the trials of health struggles, surgeries, and raising their children, the Pogues have discovered the true meaning of family. It isn\u2019t merely about taking care of the kids or managing Clay\u2019s health. It\u2019s about showing up for each other, no matter how hard it gets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYes, we are going to have troubles in this world,\u201d Ellen said. \u201cBut God is there for us every step of the way. He\u2019s done it before, and He will do it again!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now, as they sit around the table, Clay and Ellen reflect on how far they\u2019ve come. The road has been long and difficult, but their struggles have made the triumphs that much sweeter. For the Pogues, their journey shows just how strong love, faith, and family can be. GN<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Clay and Ellen Pogue sat at the kitchen table, sharing a meal with their family \u2014 a moment they cherished each evening since their family was formed. Across from them sat two young boys with a look of curiosity and cautious hope on their faces as they tried to make sense of the unfamiliar world […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":23763,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23758","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-feature"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/goodnewsmags.com\/tullahoma\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/02\/2-3-1024x683.png\")
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