v-Fluence Blog

A Virtually Perfect Guatemalan Adoption Story

I've been in a virtual office space for quite some time and have grown to enjoy the "responsible freedom" it entails. The flexibility that comes with v-Fluence's approach to its work environment is incredible. It means I'm able to squeeze in tasks that conventional brick and mortar work environments could make extremely difficult-and enable me to do these tasks in less time than it takes many people to drive to work.

Through the years, this flexibility, for the most part, meant mowing the yard or catching up on laundry or meeting friends for the early happy hour! I've always regarded this work arrangement as a blessing, but I had no idea how helpful it would be until Steph (my wife) and I decided to adopt our son Maguire from Guatemala.

After a good deal of research on foreign and domestic options, we decided on Guatemala. We chose the Bethany Christian Services Guatemala adoption program after a review of several local Missouri agencies. The non-profit Bethany did a wonderful job and has a truly incredible program, not to mention some very kind and compassionate people in Guatemala. Maguire received incredible care from his foster mother and received monthly visits from a pediatrician.

Making the decision to adopt from Guatemala was cake compared to the paperwork, family studies and background checks. The ability to drop off or file paperwork and other materials as needed around my work schedule was unbelievable, resulting in a quick run-through of the many hoops that the process requires.

The true test for Steph and me came after we'd submitted all the paperwork, passed the background checks and were ready to go: The wait. Let me say a few words about patience when waiting to be matched with a child…it SUCKS. This is by far the most grueling aspect of the whole process.

Looking back, though, it's funny how the stress and uncertainty of waiting became an afterthought when we were matched with Maguire. I still remember calling Steph to tell her she had pictures of our new son in her inbox. I can't find the words to express how I felt that day, so I'd ask that you remember a time you were truly happy, when all seemed right in the world. You might be close. (Of course, I would learn a whole new level of patience as we were unable to be with Maguire for several months while the process continued.)

As a company, v-Fluence went above and beyond living up to the "family first" approach that Jay and Chris sought to instill as a core value. The board arranged our airfare to and from Guatemala-sans any official company policy, a truly extraordinary and appreciated gesture considering we had only six days' notice. They were also very flexible and understanding about the fact that we never really knew when we'd get the call and need to pack up and go.

I'll save the "pick up" details, a term coined by the fraternity of adoptive parents we met through the lobby of the Marriott in Guatemala City for another blog. I will tell you that those of you with kids, I get it now. At the same time, I've also come to have a deeper appreciation for my parents!

Maguire is now officially a U.S. citizen-Maguire Angelo Rubenacker Clark for those of you taking score at home. We started a family blog to let family and friends follow our progress and see pictures of the little man. It's a little dated-hey, I've been busy-but feel free to take a look at the Clark Family Blog. I hope to get it updated over the upcoming holiday season.

I feel obligated to note and acknowledge that my co-workers truly love me. While my wife's co-workers got us a bunch of baby stuff, v-Fluence team members sent an incredible bottle of scotch (The Archive 21 - good example of a snappy Web site with bad URL structure) and cigar cutter (thanks Nina and John!), a great bottle of whiskey (thank Bob!), a Cuban cigar (thanks Jay!), two opus-x cigars (thanks Chris P!), kick-ass toys and a great piggy bank (thanks Darliene and Lynn!) and books that I've read more than once (thanks Sarah!). Booze, tobacco, toys and books-did I feel loved!

To date, I haven't found a better benefit of the flexible work environment than its contribution to helping Steph and I bring Maguire into our family. And you know what? I can't imagine one.

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