UPDATE + PRAYER REQUESTS

The last few weeks have been busy and full of excitement!  From talking about baby names with the kids, to buying diapers and preparing for Baby H, to talking with our birth mother for the first time!

 

My first conversation with the birth mother went very well.  We talked for over an hour and connected quickly.  She did have some news that we were unaware of, and it came as a bit of a surprise.  Without going into too much detail, we found out there is a good chance Baby H could be making his appearance a few weeks early.  While we are super excited to meet him and have him home in our arms, the thought of a possible extended stay at the hospital and being away from home for so long at the beginning of the school year for G + Q makes for one anxious Momma.  Not to mention the fact that our son will be born much healthier and stronger if he can stay in his birth momma's womb for a few weeks longer!

 

(Our first look at Baby H!)

 

We have relied on prayer so much through this whole process and now, more than ever, I feel an urgency to pray very specific prayers for our son.  We believe that God is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think (Ephesians 3:20) and know that He hears and answers prayers!  So, we are humbly asking you to consider joining us in praying for our baby boy.

 

Some specific things we are praying....

 

-For God to put a hedge of protection around our son and keep Him safe and sound in his  birth mother's womb until at least 36 weeks.

 

-For the birth mother to remain steadfast in her decision to place her baby with us, and for peace about that choice.

 

-For God to prepare our hearts and G + Q's hearts as we bring our little one home, that bonding will happen quickly and our son will always know he is loved.

 

-For trust in God's plan and purposes, no matter how the next few months play out.
 

-For all the details to fall into place....we know God is orchestrating it all!

 

-For God to be glorified in the last few months as He brings this journey to completion.

 

-For provision in these last few months of fundraising.  We have been so blessed by so many people who have given so generously toward our adoption.  The cost of adoption just might be the worst part of the process, but we know God has brought us here and that He will provide!  If you would like to give toward the cost of bringing Baby H home, you can donate here:
 

https://www.adopttogether.org/hisgloryourjoy
 

And know that we are beyond grateful for donations of any amount!
 



IT'S A.....BABY!!!

We have been bursting at the seams to make this announcement!  Last Monday evening, we got a call from our consultant.  We had presented to a birthmother the week before and were waiting to hear if she had picked our family.  I don't remember much about the call other than our consultant saying "This is the call we have been waiting for!!"  We have been matched! 

 

Our BABY BOY is due October 2nd! 

 

We could not be more excited and are thanking God for leading us to our baby!  He has made his presence known so clearly in this process and we are so, so thankful for the entire thing...the waiting has been incredibly hard at times, but it has brought with it so many opportunities to lean fully on Him and His strength, to teach our children love and patience and the power of prayer, and to watch God work in all the little details.

I realized the other day that baby boy's due date is almost exactly 9 months from when we started with Christian Adoption Consultants.  I love how God works out little details like that.  And now, suddenly, it seems like I am 6 months pregnant...minus swollen ankles and jokes about me accidentally swallowing a watermelon.  Really though, there is always a loss in adoption and I have been feeling that now that we know our baby is on the way.  I don't get to feel him kicking and moving.  Grant and Quincey don't get to talk to their baby brother through mom's belly and Eddy doesn't get to give me a foot massage every night and put my shoes on for me in the morning because I can't reach.  He might not mind that loss at all! 

 

BUT...we do get to love our baby with all our hearts from a distance...we get to pray for him and his birth mother every single day.  We get to tell him that we chose to love him from the day we knew about him.  We get to, with God's help and strength, live out a gospel picture of what He did for us when He adopted us as His sons and daughters.  And we are so excited for all of it!

 

 

Along with this exciting news, came a reminder that we have not yet reached our goals for funds for this adoption.  We have been so, so blessed and humbled by the willingness and excitement of our friends and family who have supported us through prayer, encouragement and donations during this process.  We have seen God work through people to provide so much more in so many ways than we could have imagined.  We have a few weeks to come up with the rest of the funds.  We are brainstorming some fundraiser ideas, and have also set up a profile on Adopt Together (link to our profile).  This is a non-profit, crowd-funding platform that bridges the gap between families who want to adopt and the children who need loving homes.  We encourage you to watch their video (link to video) explaining how it began and how you can contribute.  If you feel led to give a donation of any amount, we would be so grateful!
 

 

We also would love support through prayer!  We have relied on the prayers of so many people and we don't want to stop now!  Please be praying for our son...for safety and health as he grows.  Pray for his birth mother...for peace in her decision and for wisdom.  Pray for Eddy and I and Grant and Quincey as we prepare to bring our little guy home!  We have been so excited to share this news with all of you, knowing that so many people have played a huge part in this journey.  We plan to blog weekly from here on out with prayer requests, news and updates on financial needs.