2015 HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS MAGAZINE LINCOLN DAILY NEWS.COM NOVEMBER 25, 2015 Page 7
Michael and Suzanne Gowin with their big family of nine children.
Photo courtesy of Michael
Gowin
True wealth found between thanks and giving
W
hat is wealth? When can we say we’re
wealthy?
Well, you might say that several Logan County
families have found wealth in family, and it is
located between thanks and giving. They have
transformed their lives by adopting orphans, and
the affects are being felt around the globe and into
our community.
We offer you one of those amazing stories of love
and purpose.
Girl - boy - girl. One day after playing with their
three children, Michael lamented to Suzanne there
was imbalance, “See, this is why we need another
boy!”
This was in about 2005. Their plan then was no
more biological children.
Suzanne was quick to hear the offer and she
remembers calling Michael on it, “There is only
one way to even that up,” and she meant adoption.
The Gowins had actually begun talking about
adoption before marriage.
During the next three years, Suzanne, an astute
listener, also heard Michael add an ‘s’ about having
more kid(s). He jests today about watching what
he says more carefully.
Now in 2015 those words echo with humor in
their home as the couple relays some of what has
happened in their lives. This morning, the echo
is only temporary as the children are all out of the
large Victorian-style house at the moment, off to
school for the day. It is so quiet that you can hear
the grandfather clock tick and the chime seems
loud, and sometimes you can hear a small whine
coming from the kitchen. You can see the parents
savoring the quiet, but a cheerful twinkle in each
that gives inkling to the energy and chaos that fills
the rooms when the children are present.
The Gowins prepared well for all the phases of
their lives. They took parenting classes before
they began having children. That day in 2005
when the adoption seed started to take root,
continued -->
