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Wednesday, October 15, 2008

It all began 7 weeks ago (well, really 3 1/2 years ago)....

Ok to get everyone caught up on where we are in our lives right now I need to back up just a bit....about 3 1/2 years ago...Jaime and I had just celebrated our daughter, Abby's 3rd birthday at Pump It Up and afterwards went to a Stephen Curtis Chapman/Casting Crowns Concert. Little did we know God was planting a seed that very night that would eventually lead us to where we are in our lives today! Stephen Curtis Chapman spoke about his experience with adopting 3 of his daughters from China and what an incredible experience it was! He showed pictures, sang a song and that was it, Jaime and I were hooked. At this point we had been trying to get pregnant with our 2nd child for about 1 1/2 years with a miscarriage at 11 weeks in there as well. We had decided we would try for a few more months but that if it didn't happen then we would adopt our 2nd daughter from China. Well, about 5 months later low and behold I became pregnant and gave birth to our 2nd daughter, Avery in May 2006. At that point and for the next 2 years we felt our family was complete, or so we thought. Every now and then Jaime and I would bring up the idea of adoption and wonder if it was still meant to be for us but just never really persued it.....until now!

Now, to get you more up to speed, about 7 weeks ago, Thursday, August 21st at bible study, we were talking about a story in our bible that made us all think "What if God were trying to tell us something and we weren't listening, therefore not being obedient to what He has called us to do?" and though adoption was not the topic, I kept thinking about that (and thinking what if God is calling us to adopt and we aren't listening...)as we were discussing the bible story. I let it go for the night and the following morning on Friday, August 22nd I woke up and went to the computer where I have a daily devotional emailed to me every morning and as I opened it up there the title stared me in the face 'ADOPTED' and it was all about adoption. So, needless to say that got my attention. I told Jaime about it and from the get-go, he was on board to discuss it more, pray about it, research, etc. We still weren't for certain this is what God was calling us to do but day after day, sign after sign, there was no denying it (just a few examples....one being where were the Olympics taking place right now? CHINA!! then 2 days later in Sunday school a man in our class discussed his mission trip to where?? CHINA!! and a few days later out of the blue, our daughter, Abby asked me "Mom, how long does it take to get to China and will we go there some day? Later I figured out she meant California but still....) It was those things that happened over and over again that just solidified our decision to adopt our 3rd daughter from China and so we have officially begun the process.

We have attended a few workshops for different agencies and have decided on Great Wall Adoption Agency, as they only handle China adoptions. We have filled out the application and are sending it in tomorrow, Thursday! I wanted to start this blog to let our friends and family know our latest exciting news and keep you all posted as this journey takes us to China to get our daughter. This may not happen for a few years, as the wait is long but we will keep you all in the 'know' as we find things out. Please just keep our family (especially our daughters, all 3 of them) in your prayers....thank you!

8 comments:

Ginger Press said...

I will definitely be praying for you! I admire you for listening to where God is leading you and for taking on this incredible task. It takes very strong and wonderful people to adopt, and I know that you both will be wonderful parents to this daughter just like you are to Abby and Avery.
Ginger

Jenn said...

We're so excited for you as you begin this journey...we'll definitely keep you in our prayers!

Sarah said...

Dan and I have been praying about this very thing...WOW, thanks for letting us in on the journey...big hugs to all of you, and my God's plan be fulfilled in your lives!

AM said...

Melissa,
We are blessed to have been a part (the concert and Bible study) of God's work in your lives. He has such great plans for your family and I can't wait to be in the airport terminal to give your sweet baby girl a hug in just a little while. God is good!

Shamelessly Radiant said...

Congrats on taking your first few steps towards bringing home your newest miracle!
God is good...and I think has a special soft spot for orphans...and the families that adopt them.
Welcome to the club, We're glad to have you!
Love,
Bree

P.S. Will send you a link to other blog we started for our Jadon...

Kimberly said...

We are so excited for you and will be praying you through this process, all 5 of you!

Les and Kimberly said...

I am so glad that you included me too! I will definitely be praying for this new journey that you, Jaime, and the girls are embarking on. I can't wait to see how things go.

Erin said...

I am so excited! Adoption is totally something I would love to do, but BG is not on board, at least not right now!!!