The path to completing your family can be made in so many different ways. It’s not always an easy and straight road to travel.

For two well-loved HGTV stars, their 3-year process was filled with tears, fears and most importantly, faith. 

Dave and Jenny Mars, the hosts of “Fixer to Fabulous,” found that through the entire struggle to adopt their daughter, Sylvie, the things that helped them was their sheer determination to bring their daughter home, and their unwavering faith in God.

They said those things played a pivotal role in reuniting their family, as they navigated the unexpected challenges and fought to bring their daughter home to them.

The Arkansas couple had always dreamed of adopting a child. They found themselves inspired by the hardships faced by orphans around the world. 

It felt a little overwhelming when we started to learn about the need and all the kids without a family, but you can only do what you can do. We thought, ‘We’ll focus on one and see,’” Jenny said.

Their path, though, took an unexpected turn when Jenny became pregnant with twins, resulting in a high-risk pregnancy and a month-long hospital stay for the babies. 

Jenny and Dave Mars pose with their family. Photo courtesy of the Mars.

“We were given every worst-case scenario for when the boys were born. Thankfully, Nathan and Ben, now 12, arrived “perfectly healthy and awesome,” Jenny said.

They delayed their adoption plans, while the family got accustomed to a life with twins. “That first year with the twins was really hard,” she said.

More than a year later, the couple was ready to proceed with adoption. After much searching, they discovered the story of a girl from the Democratic Republic of Congo in Central Africa. The connection with Sylvie was immediate, and they embarked on the necessary steps to make her part of their family.

Tragically, their plans were halted when the Congolese government shut down and suspended exit letters, preventing any adopted children from leaving the country. The Mars family was devastated. 

Her adoption had been finalized. She had her U.S. passport. And then the country shut down adopted kids leaving, so she couldn’t get her exit permit,” Jenny said.

Desperate to bring their daughter home, the couple reached out to anyone who could potentially assist them, seeking support from congressmen and senators and leaving no stone unturned.

During this emotionally challenging waiting period, Jenny became pregnant once again, with now-8-year-old daughter, Charlotte, adding another layer of bittersweetness to their journey. 

Sylvie poses for her 10th birthday. Photo courtesy of the Mars

Dave took it upon himself to make five trips to the Congo, pleading their case with the U.S. ambassador. However, each visit resulted in sadness as he returned without their daughter.

“It was heart-wrenching. There was nothing we could do. I specifically went over to Congo, waited outside our U.S. embassy to try to get in and plead my case with the U.S. ambassador,” he said.

Finally, after 602 agonizing days, Sylvie was granted an exception due to her medical fragility and was allowed to travel to the United States. On July 8, 2014, their long-awaited reunion took place, filling their hearts with overwhelming joy.

Now, with a family of seven (they later had a son, Luke, now 3), Dave and Jenny are determined to show their kids and the world that while they might “look a little bit different than most, what people would consider a normal family, we’re the exact same,” Dave said.

Throughout their arduous journey, Jenny always held onto her unwavering belief that everything unfolded according to God’s plan. “He is only, always good,” she emphasized. “Sometimes, we can’t see past our current sightline, but just over the horizon, He has good, good things in store. Keep trusting.”

Watch below to hear the couple discuss their amazing journey.

Sources: My Positive Outlooks | People