Open Hearts

      
     

         I've realized recently that many people that read are blog are still unsure of what type of adoption we are pursuing. The agency we are working through primarily works with expectant mothers, so this means are child will be a newborn. This also means there will most likely be a certain level of openness between ourselves and the birth family. Several of our friends have responded in different ways to this news. Some have responded with understanding because they know others that have adopted domestically and are in similar situations. Others have responded with shock, confusion and even anger. I understand this reaction is due to the fact that you care about us and don't want us to get hurt or go through any more trials. Let me attempt to ease your concerns.
        Open adoption falls on a wide spectrum. This could include exchanging letters and pictures from time to time through our agency, mailing letters directly, phone calls, or even meeting from time to time. I know people that have adopted recently with limited contact and others that have become good friends with their child's birth family. We have no idea what our situation will look like, beyond the fact that we have agreed to openness. We are not afraid, and we trust that God is leading us into a situation that is best for our child. My prayer is always that our relationship with our child's birth family will lead them closer to the Lord because I know that's what adoption is doing for us. We have friends that recently adopted and chose to name their little girl Melah, which means "loved by many". This is my heart's desire for our baby, that they will know that kind of love.
         We are also open to all races of children. I understand many people wouldn't be, and I know they probably have valid reasons for setting limitations. We also know this could result in challenges that we wouldn't otherwise face. Matt and I sense God empowering us to face these challenges. When God sought us out and chose us to be adopted into his family, he made no distinctions. We feel called to operate in a similar way. We care about the hearts of the children we encounter in this journey, not the color of their skin. We are also blessed to come from a family where adoption is not a foreign concept, and to live in a place with so much diversity. These are all contributing factors in our choice to be open.
        In the next few weeks we will be going through a series of interviews, so we would appreciate your prayers as we fully step into the adoption process. We also ask that you pray for us in this state of openness, that we will be lead by the Holy Spirit and not by any fears we might have.

Determined to trust,
      Kristin


         

We're approved!

       

        God knew I needed an answer from the agency soon! It took exactly a week for them to come to a decision, which I believe in the adoption world is pretty quick work. We have been approved! The next step will be to fill out the formal application when it comes in the mail, and then get started with the home assessment process. This will be a lot of reading, paper work, meetings, etc.

        It’s amazing how the smallest amount of good news can completely change your outlook. Just a couple of days before we heard from the agency, I was feeling so much fear that they wouldn’t choose us, and then we would be back at square one trying to decide who to apply to next. Thank you, Jessalynne Madden, for reminding me of the truth and that God has a good plan for us. There are so many people in the world who can’t say they have a true best friend, someone who has been there with you through thick and thin. God gave me such a special gift thirteen years ago!

         For so many reasons, it seems clear that God has us moving at a steady pace towards our baby. I know we might still run into delays in this process, but something my dear pastor’s wife Nora Ellen Jones has pointed out before is that God knows the perfect time for all children to come into the world. Consider how you met your spouse, who your friends are, what you’ve done as a career. If you had come into the world at a different time, do you think your life would have gone the same way? It probably wouldn’t have.  As much as we would have loved to have gotten pregnant two years ago, it simply wasn’t the right time for our baby to come into this world. Our children are individuals, not just an extension of ourselves. They have their own lives to play out. Maybe in the end we’ll know why we’ve had so many bends in the road, maybe we won’t.  I am thankful to serve a God that has a perfect timeline set up for all of us.

In awe of His plan,

Kristin