The Del Pozo’s Adoption Journey


The Del Pozo’s story of adoption begins with their involvement with Royal Family Kids Camp. Every summer, for the last 7 years, Oscar had booked 1 week vacation time to go and spend a week at camp with our church’s volunteers. 3 years ago, Rebecca went to a birthday party event at the camp and witnessed the most amazing thing. It was like she had stepped through a warp zone and she was felt the tangible presence of God like never before. While she was helping with the jumpy bounce house, all of a sudden it hit her, as she looked at the little campers jumping and laughing- she realized something very hurtful had to happen to these kids to qualify for this kind of camp. Her heart sank. She prayed: “God I don't even know what I could do to help these kids. The inner dialogue went on between them the rest of the evening. God said- You sing! So come and sing to these kids!” Rebecca thought that was a great idea and explained that she didn’t feel right leaving her own young kids for a week and go take care of other kids- so maybe someday God, when the timing is right she thought. The rest of the evening was incredible. The kids were like sponges, just soaking up every drop of positive attention and love their little hearts could hold. Within a few weeks of that night, Rebecca’s mom called and offered to come watch the kids for an extended visit if it was needed... a sign from God! Rebecca has been blessed with the privilege to lead the camp worship with these kids for 3 years now and it's been such a life changing experience for both her and Oscar.

Oscar and Rebecca went to RFKC this year and it was very different than ever before. It was so powerful to watch Oscar as he has such a way with kids. Rebecca recognized return campers and one little girl in particular- Trysha. As the week went on, Rebecca enjoyed leading songs and Trysha was always in the front row singing along with such enthusiasm. They loved having lunches together and Trysha’s questions were so different than the other campers. She was so inquisitive. How many kids do you have she asked. Have you ever been to Hawaii? How long have you been married? Rebecca felt a special connection with her and the most memorable moment was during the Kids Talent Show. Trysha decided to sing a solo and got all dolled up. At the last minute, her nerves got the best of her and she asked if Rebecca would be her back ground vocalist.

They were unaware that throughout the week, Oscar was having great moments with Trysha as well. When they got back from camp, they found out that Trysha was being moved from another home yet again. As they said goodbye, Trysha gave Rebecca a huge goodbye hug and squeezed her tight and looked up at her with her big brown eyes and said “I love you”. Rebecca’s heart melted and as she walked away, Rebecca remembered thinking “I can’t imagine not seeing her again”. Rebecca cried to her mom– “Trysha is deserving of unconditional love too, no different than if I got pregnant and gave birth to a little baby of our own”. After talking it out with Oscar, they found out that he was feeling the same way about a particular camper as well… and it was Trysha! They felt a strong urge to find out if she was okay. Many children go home with family members or good foster home situations that will lead to permanent adoption placement… but they needed to know Trysha was okay. Through a series of attempts, they found out she was legally free and looking for a permanent family to love and care for her.

So their journey of the adoption process began. They completed the home study visits, references, autobiographies, medical tests, back ground checks, fingerprints and so on. They told Antonio and Bella about the possibility and they were very open and receptive to the idea. The more they did, the more they wondered how Trysha was and what it would be like to love her the way they were feeling they could. After an important meeting, it was as if they could feel their hearts stretching. In order to have the ability to love another human being, they would need to surrender their hearts to God and trust that He would give them the love for Trysha along with the rest of their family. With each passing day, the anticipation grew and they couldn’t wait to see her again.

In October, they were able to have Trysha for visits, so they found her a cheerleader costume and Bella was Sleeping Beauty and Antonio was a Baseball player. Antonio volunteered at a station for balloon animals and Bella enjoyed the bouncy houses while Trysha quickly learned which stations gave out the most candy and kept getting back in line and ended up with a BAG full of candy by the end of the night . She’s still enjoying that bag of candy!

A special visit for them was the night Rebecca took Trysha to Target and went shopping to build a gift registry. What an enjoyable time. As a mom to Antonio and Bella.. Rebecca knows what they like and what they don't like.. but she had a lot to learn with Trysha, so it was fun to watch and see her get excited about certain colors.. certain styles. She loved the spongebob pjs. Loved the onesee style pjs with poke-a -dots. Poke-a-dot bath robe .. skinny jeans... it was so cute to watch her. As they shopped the "in between chit chat" conversations were priceless. She shared so much it was such a blessing fro Rebecca to just listen. Then the candy aisle. Beep Beep BEEP went the scanner. Jolly Ranchers, Hot Tamales....


During one weekend visit, Trysha got to meet the grandparents. Grandma Volden had made a personalized Christmas stocking to match their set for the mantle. Grandma Del Pozo bought the girls special Texas T-shirts, as she was born and raised there.

Nov 19th 2010- National Adoption Day. God has a crazy sense of humor! This is the day Trysha moved in. They applied the personalized name decals on the girls’ bedroom walls. It was official- Trysha has moved in! They went out to celebrate and had a special dinner at Tokyo Restaurant. Later that weekend the home was filled to overflowing with friends and family to throw a surprise Welcome Home Birthday party for Trysha. She was showered with love and gifts and it felt like a RFKC reunion.

Thanksgiving and Christmas was a special holiday as Trysha got to meet the rest of the family and see how The Del Pozo’s celebrate together.

The Transition:

The transition has been challenging for us all in various ways. As we learn to be a family of 5, the balance of being fair isn’t always easy. Bella and Trysha love to sing together but can have their moments of conflict. Antonio always steps in as the peacemaker. His excellent math skills have come in handy when Trysha is stumped with her homework.

Trysha is enjoying her new school, singing in the kids choir at church and enjoys basketball. One activity we have found to be very helpful in relationship building is the “Ungame”- a game where everyone takes a turn answering questions about their opinions and life experiences.

We have had family outings that left us with great memories and priceless pictures- the Christmas Spectacular in Portland, OR, Disney Magic Show, the Australian Hillsong Worship Concert and the most recent was the Irish Days festival where the kids were in the parade with Bella’s dance company and Trysha won 1st place for the Smiling Eyes Contest.

We are growing to love each other and we are committed to the process of learning how to communicate effectively. God has brought us together and we believe He will give us everything we need in order to meet the needs of each one of our children. Our dream is for a large, happy, healthy Del Pozo legacy and we are blessed to have Trysha be a part of it.


Update - April 20th 2011- Trysha’s Adoption Day Hearing

What an incredible day. We are still processing all the emotions! Judge Larkin was amazing. We had a special closed session and we packed the court house! So much so, that some of our family had to sit in the Jury Box! We swore in, under oath and before God, our family and friends we committed to love Trysha and include her as a part of our family forever.

One song we have sung at Royal Family Kids Camp for years is “ I Will Change Your Name” By DJ Butler:

I will change your name
You shall no longer be called
Wounded, outcast
Lonely or afraid

I will change your name
Your new name shall be
Confidence, joyfulness
Overcoming one
Faithfulness, friend of God
One who seeks my face.

As we signed the Adoption Decree, Trysha chose to change her name, so she is now officially: Tricia Leanne Del Pozo. She was issued a new Birth Certificate as though we gave birth to her. She belongs to us! Our prayer is that with every passing day the truth will settle her soul and she will realize how much she is loved and cherished.


~ Oscar & Rebecca Del Pozo

Details from our dear family friend and photographer Cassandra Hamilton can be read here:


http://www.cassandrahamiltonphotography.com/blog/she-belongs/