I haven't updated our journey in awhile. Not because I haven't wanted to...but because it seems like we've had such little movement. But looking back, we've actually had a lot. We started this particular adoption with our YES on the table. We asked for God's will to be done. And while we both want that to mean that there is another child out there for us, we also know that only God knows the answer to this. We have a heart for children and are pretty wide open. Gender, race, up to age 4, medical needs, drug exposure, etc. But while we hope this journey ends in adoption, the truth is, well, we just don't know. We pour our whole hearts into a situation when we hear about it. I pray over the mother and child and pray she finds the perfect family. A few times, we have felt the need to present our family as well. This has happened several times this year.
Many of you know that we met with a mother late last year and spoke with her about adoption. We had hoped that if she placed her child for adoption that she would place with us. She delivered in January and we lost contact. It simply was not God's will. And that is ok. We had total peace. We covered this mother and her child in prayers before he was born...and continue to do so today.
Soon after that, we presented to a mother and father who was soon to deliver their son. There was a chance that this soon to be baby boy would have a life changing diagnosis. We said yes and presented our family. Upon delivering their son, they chose to parent. And that is ok. We commited to lifting him in prayer and his parents...and we continue to pray for them today.
A month ago, I received an email from an attorney about a baby boy (already born). Long story short, he was rocking Down Syndrome and needed a family. She thought about us...and we were so incredibly excited. However, she had a wrong number for us and couldn't reach us before reaching out to other families. We were a little disappointed...but the point of adoption is finding families for children who need families. And she did. She found a great family for this little boy. We wished it had been us..but it simply wasn't meant to be. And that is ok. I continue to lift him in prayer as well as his new family.
Last week, we heard about a beautiful toddler boy whose mother was considering an adoption plan. Everything about this situation pulled at our hearts. We put our yes on the table and asked to be presented to this mother. Today, she viewed info about interested families. I prayed...all day. And yesterday afternoon found out that we were not the family that she chose. Honestly, it hurt. But it is ok. It was not meant to be. I will continue to pray for this beautiful boy, his bmom and his new family.
I say all of that to say...adoption is complicated. And being in an adoption process with no clear direction is difficult as well. We commited to having an 'open door' for adoption. We are here if a child is in need of a family. We are here if a mother considering adoption needs a shoulder to lean on. We are here. We have no idea where our journey will lead. Each day brings different questions. Each day, I have the opportunity to talk to famlies considering adoption. I've had the opportunity to talk to mothers considering adoption. And the many times I've had the opportunity to pray over these mothers and their children has been incredible. And this is the journey that we will continue.
Is there another child out there for us? I don't know. I pray there is!! We are ready. We have our hearts prepared. And we will continue forward.
If you are mother considering adoption, we would love to talk with you. If you are an agency looking for a family, we would love to talk with you. If you are a family wanting more information about adoption, we would love to talk with you. This particular journey has opened my eyes so much. And for that, I am thankful.
