Lately

Here's some things that have happened lately in this process if you're interested.

About 2 weeks ago, we attended New Life's 30th birthday celebration.  They have completed 444 adoptions so far in their 30 years.  There were newborns to people in their 20's there who have been adopted through New Life.  SO COOL.  There were tables and tables of birth families mixed with adoptive families and the children they both love so very much.  It was beautiful.  At our table, we sat across from a couple who kept mentioning their 3 year old daughter.  So, when I got a chance, I asked the wife about their adoption experience, assuming they had adopted their 3 year old through New Life.  She said, "No!  She's my biological daughter. I'm a birthmom."  It completely took my breath away.  I've learned not to make assumptions anymore!  She placed her first daughter for adoption 16 years ago, and she proceeded to tell me this wonderful story of the family that adopted her daughter and how awesome they are and how they spend holidays together.  She then pulled out her phone and showed me picture after picture of a beautiful 16 year old holding her 3 year old half-sister.  It was a glimpse of what Matt and I pray every day happens for us.  It was not our first glimpse though.  We've been watching a beautiful adoption story for years now.  We have a family member who was adopted by a wonderful Christian couple.  She was a flower girl in our wedding, and we see her every Christmas.  We love her adoptive family.  God worked all things together for good in that situation, and I've been on the receiving end of the blessing since she was born.  She has brought joy to 2 families.  I know how amazing adoption can be.  So, we PRAY and PRAY that this is the kind of story we can tell at New Life's next celebration dinner.

The evening went on with stories from adoptive families and birthparents telling how great God is and how He has worked all things for good.  The theme running through all of them was that ultimately, adoption is God's plan for all of us as it says in Ephesians 1:5...."he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will..."  Adoption is a picture of the Gospel.  Towards the end of the evening, a birthmother sang a song she wrote for her son while she was pregnant with him.  It was one of the most beautiful things I've ever heard.  I fought sobbing so hard that I had a horrible headache when we left.  It was just really overwhelming to see God's work in all of these people's lives.

The day after the birthday dinner, we attended a friend's wedding.  This friend is our photographer as well, and I had been noticing some pictures on her blog of a girl I went to high school with.  She was a year older than me, and I didn't know her well, but I recognized her as soon as I saw her.  Her most recent pictures showed her with her husband and two boys and a new adopted baby girl.  I sort of wanted to contact her, but after not seeing each other for almost 15 years, I thought it might be kind of weird.  So, I just enjoyed her pictures.  But, then I saw her and her beautiful baby girl at the wedding!!!!  We got to talk at the reception, and guess which agency she adopted her precious daughter through?!?!  Yes!  What are the odds?  Such a sweet blessing to me.

This past Saturday, we went to an all-day training at New Life.  These trainings are mandatory with our agency, and for good reason.  It was awesome and so informative.  We sat right next to my friend from high school and her husband, so that was fun.  We met so many neat couples, all at different places in this process.  Just like anything else, you can learn a lot from books and teaching sessions, but there's nothing like talking to someone who has either been through what you're doing or is right in the thick of it with you.  Priceless.

So, other than all of this, we're just here, waiting on what we've learned is referred to as THE CALL in adoption world.  It hasn't come yet, and that's okay.  We'll let ya know when it does.  :)