Education

Building a Family of 24 Children Through International Adoption Across 8 Countries

Aug 07, 2025
By, Donna Pope

When most people think about expanding their family through adoption, they envision adding one or perhaps two children to their home. Dr. Holly Richardson and her husband Greg took a dramatically different approach, ultimately creating one of the largest international adoption families in modern history. Over the course of three decades, the Richardson family welcomed 24 children total, with 20 adopted from eight different countries including Romania, Kazakhstan, Russia, Guatemala, Ethiopia, Zambia, Australia, and the United States.

Dr. Richardson brings unique credentials to discussions about international adoption. As a registered nurse turned political scientist who earned her PhD at age 57, she combines medical knowledge with policy expertise gained through serving in the Utah legislature and decades of political advocacy. Her nursing background proved invaluable when caring for multiple special-needs children, while her political experience informed her understanding of the complex legal frameworks governing international adoption. Featured as a guest on the Eternal Family Adoptions podcast, Dr. Richardson shared insights that only someone who has navigated the international adoption process over 20 times could provide.

The Richardson family's story offers a unique perspective on the current state of international adoption, which has declined dramatically in recent decades. According to the U.S. Department of State, international adoptions peaked at nearly 23,000 in 2004 but dropped to just 1,517 in 2022, showing a 93 % decline. As Elder Quentin L. Cook states, in his address 'Children,' taught in his October 2011 General Conference - "What a wonderful blessing we have to receive sons and daughters of God into our home." Understanding the experiences of families like the Richardsons' becomes increasingly important as prospective parents navigate an evolving landscape where many traditional adoption pathways have closed. Their journey demonstrates both the possibilities and challenges of building families across cultural boundaries while maintaining deep faith commitments.

The Spiritual Journey Behind International Adoption Decisions

The Richardson family's adoption journey began with a spiritual experience so intense that Dr. Richardson describes it as the strongest she has ever experienced. In December 1990, while her husband watched a Barbara Walters 20/20 special about Romanian orphanages, he called her into the room to witness the devastating conditions these children faced. Despite having three young children at home, including one with significant disabilities, Dr. Richardson felt an unmistakable spiritual confirmation that they needed to travel to Romania to adopt. This initial experience set the precedent for every subsequent adoption decision in their family.

Each adoption that followed required similar spiritual confirmation, though Dr. Richardson notes that subsequent experiences were more subtle than that first overwhelming moment. The family would hold family meetings to discuss potential adoptions, involving their children in the decision-making process from early ages. When considering Angelia, a child they knew would die young due to missing most of her brain, the family engaged in extensive prayer and discussion before receiving confirmation to proceed. This approach reflected their belief that adoption decisions should align with divine guidance rather than simply personal desires or circumstances. As Fred Riley, former commissioner of LDS Family Services, explained in a 2008 Ensign article, "From the time of Adam, adoption has been a priesthood ordinance. It's a principle of the gospel that probably all of us will experience at some point as we're literally adopted into our Heavenly Father's kingdom."

The spiritual foundation of their adoption decisions also influenced their approach to loss and grief. When their daughter Alexandra, adopted from Romania with Down syndrome, died at age five and a half from choking, Dr. Richardson found comfort in ecclesiastical counsel that God had his hand in everything that happened that day. This faith perspective helped the family process the deaths of three adopted daughters while maintaining their commitment to continuing adoptions. Their spiritual framework provided resilience during the most challenging aspects of their journey, reinforcing their belief that these children were meant to be part of their eternal family.

Financial Strategies for Large-Scale International Adoption

Raising 24 children through multiple international adoptions required the Richardson family to develop innovative financial strategies that prioritized family building over conventional lifestyle choices. Dr. Richardson acknowledges that they "moved forward in faith" financially, meaning they proceeded with adoptions when they felt spiritually directed to do so, trusting that means would appear. This approach proved successful, as they consistently found financial resources through a combination of small everyday provisions and occasional significant assistance.

The family made deliberate lifestyle choices that redirected money typically spent on conveniences toward adoption expenses. Instead of flying for family vacations, they purchased a tour bus capable of fitting 23 people and pulled camping trailers for accommodations. Dr. Richardson spent summers canning peaches and tomatoes, maintaining large gardens, and cooking from scratch to minimize food costs. They deliberately purchased older, less expensive vehicles rather than taking on significant car payments, recognizing that their resources were better invested in their growing family than in depreciating assets.

According to FCADOptions.org, "The cost of international adoption depends on which country you’re adopting from. It could cost anywhere from $25,000 to $70,000. With such a wide range, it can be helpful to speak to your adoption professional so they can provide an accurate estimate for you," making the Richardson family's financial commitment over multiple decades extraordinary. These costs have increased significantly since their adoptions began in 1991, when international adoption was more accessible and less expensive. The financial impact of their choices continues to affect their retirement planning, with both Dr. Richardson and her husband are expecting to work until age 70 rather than retiring in their early 60s. Their example demonstrates that families committed to international adoption may need to reconsider traditional financial priorities and retirement timelines.

Navigating Complex International Adoption Laws and Politics

Inter-country adoption involves adopting a child from another country and navigating both U.S. and foreign laws including the Hague Convention agreement, which establishes international standards and safeguards for adoption processes. The Richardson family witnessed firsthand the dramatic changes in international adoption policies that have made their approach increasingly difficult for modern families. During their adoption years, they successfully adopted from eight different countries, but many of these pathways have since closed due to political decisions and policy changes. Countries like Russia, Romania, Kazakhstan, and Guatemala no longer permit international adoptions to American families, while Ethiopia has made the process arduous. These closures represent what Dr. Richardson views these decisions that prioritize national pride over children's welfare as extremely tragic.

Dr. Richardson's political background provides unique insight into the policy implications of these changes. She argues that the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, while well-intentioned in prioritizing children remaining in their countries of origin, failed to adequately address what happens when domestic systems cannot provide adequate care. Many countries chose to eliminate international adoption rather than address systemic issues in their child welfare systems. This approach satisfies political concerns about "exporting" children while leaving vulnerable children in institutional care rather than permanent families.

The family's experience adopting from Ethiopia illustrates both the possibilities and risks of navigating complex international systems. During their final international adoption, they chose to bypass agencies and work directly with orphanages, a approach possible due to their extensive experience but not recommended for first-time adoptive families. They successfully brought home four children from Ethiopia, but even that pathway has since become virtually impossible. The evolution of international adoption policies means that families today face significantly more restrictions and fewer options than the Richardson family encountered during their peak adoption years.

Overcoming Challenges and Celebrating Triumphs in Adoption

The Richardson family's journey included profound losses that tested their commitment to international adoption while ultimately strengthening their resolve. They experienced the deaths of three adopted daughters, including two boys who died in Russian orphanages before they could complete their adoptions. These children were later sealed to their family through LDS temple ordinances, reflecting their belief that adoption creates eternal family relationships that transcend mortality. The loss of Alexandra to choking and later Angelia to her congenital condition taught the family to find meaning in providing love and belonging even when time together was limited. As Tammy Squires, an LDS Family Services counselor, explained in a 2008 Ensign article, "I try to help them see that it's not about biology; it's about stability and what is best for the baby. Their decision will affect their child not only throughout this life but in eternity."

Managing the practical aspects of such a large, diverse family required developing systems and approaches that conventional parenting resources could not address. The family learned to present a united front when dealing with children who had reactive attachment disorder and attempted to manipulate parental relationships. They developed efficient processes for completing adoption paperwork, with Dr. Richardson eventually was able to compile complex dossiers in 48 hours due to her extensive experience. The family's approach evolved from uncertainty and difficulty during their first adoption to confidence and competence by their final adoptions.

Dr. Richardson's decision to pursue higher education while still actively parenting demonstrates the family's commitment to continuous growth and learning. She completed eight years of education starting at age 49, earning bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees while managing household duties and supporting her husband and children. Her children witnessed her studying at the kitchen table and completing homework alongside them, modeling lifelong learning and academic achievement. This example illustrates that adoptive families can maintain personal growth and career development even while managing the complex demands of large, diverse families.

Key Factors for Successful International Adoption

Based on the Richardson family's extensive experience, several factors contribute to successful international adoption:

Spiritual/Emotional Preparation: Developing confidence in decision-making processes and commitment to children regardless of circumstances
Financial Flexibility: Creating budgets that prioritize family building over conventional lifestyle expectations
Educational Investment: Learning about adoption processes, special needs care, and cultural sensitivity
Support Systems: Building networks with other adoptive families and maintaining strong marriages
Long-term Perspective: Understanding that adoption creates permanent family relationships requiring lifelong commitment
Practical Skills: Developing efficiency in managing paperwork, medical care, and legal requirements
Cultural Sensitivity: Preparing to honor and incorporate children's birth cultures into family life

Take Action Toward Building Your Forever Family

The Richardson family's extraordinary journey demonstrates that international adoption, while challenging, can create beautiful, diverse families when approached with faith, preparation, and commitment. Their experience spanning three decades and eight countries provides valuable insights for modern families considering adoption, even as the international landscape has become more restrictive. The key lessons from their story - spiritual preparation, financial creativity, and unwavering commitment - remain relevant for adoptive families today.

While the specific pathways the Richardson family used may no longer be available, their approach to decision-making and family building offers guidance for contemporary adoptive families. According to recent statistics on LifeTimeAdoption.com, only 1,274 international adoptions occurred in 2023, highlighting the urgent need for families willing to provide homes for children waiting in institutions worldwide. The Richardson's story shows that with proper preparation and commitment, families can successfully navigate complex systems to create loving homes for children who need them.

The Richardson family's experience emphasizes the importance of thorough preparation, spiritual grounding, and practical planning in the adoption process. Their journey from uncertain first-time adoptive parents to confident advocates for children worldwide illustrates the growth possible when families commit fully to the adoption process. If their story inspires you to consider adoption, start by educating yourself about current options, connecting with experienced adoptive families, and exploring the resources available through programs like Eternal Family Adoptions.

The children are still waiting. The need remains urgent. And families like yours have the potential to provide the love, stability, and belonging that these children deserve. Take the first step today by learning more about adoption options in your area and discovering how you might contribute to creating forever families across cultural and national boundaries.

Listen to Dr. Richardson's complete story on the Eternal Family Adoptions podcast for additional insights about international adoption realities. Your future child may be waiting in an orphanage today, ready to join a family that will love them for eternity.

Your journey toward building an eternal family through adoption starts today. Visit eternalfamilyadoptions.org to subscribe to our newsletter, access free resources, and connect with a community of families who share your faith and values. Don't let another day pass wondering "what if"—your child may be waiting for you right now.

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