2021 Adoption Update

 

Tyler and I have been wanting to write an adoption update for a while now. When we first posted about our desire to adopt our second, we got an overwhelming amount of support. We were prayerfully covered and donation goals were met quickly. Then, we had a whirlwind of a year. We remembered throughout the year all the loved ones that were walking alongside us. We processed and rested and tried again, and processed and rested and tried again and again and again... So after our year of ups and downs we are finally sitting and writing an adoption update! We contemplated whether or not we should share or honestly if we wanted to. But this week it hit me, to leave out the hard and difficult moments is to keep  the full masterpiece the Lord is painting to ourselves. And when you witness the Lord's faithfulness you have to tell about it. The story that led to our beautiful, sweet Ellie Jo was one of struggles and hardships, and every part of it pointed to a faithful, loving God that was working all things for our good. We reflect often on how all of the hard things (appointments, treatments, etc.) led us to adopt Ellie Jo in His perfect timing. The Lord is here, working in us and through us.

The past year:

November (2020)- We had a pre-match call and were matched with an expectant mother who lived in Dallas, TX. 

January (2021)- We got a call that the expectant mother and her mom had changed their minds and decided to keep their baby girl. 

March (2021)- We had a pre-match call and were matched with an expectant mother in Tampa, FL. She sent us an ultrasound of her baby boy. 

May (2021)- Communications seemed off/on with the expectant mother, which can be normal. She made her hospital plans with the agency so things were going okay.

June (2021)- After different events happened, Tyler and I and the agency realized we were being scammed. This is so unfortunate and can happen. We don't know if she intended to do this from the beginning, but we do know she was leading on as if she was going to place her child for adoption without planning on it. 

July (2021)- We got a call about a quick adoption situation about a baby being born that night. We packed up all the baby things and jumped in the car and drove to Lexington, KY. We stayed in the hospital over night and got to hold her sweet baby boy who was in the NICU. We met with the mother and had a tough but good conversation about what the future would look like and ended up praying with her. The next morning we woke up about to go visit the baby boy again. We were at the UPS store about to mail documents when the agency called and told us she had changed her mind and decided to place him in foster care in hopes of parenting in the future.

August (2021)- We got a call about a birth mother that was interested in our family profile along with 2 other families. We were set to have a pre-match call with her, but she ended up choosing a different family before the call. 

September (2021)- We updated our home study paperwork. You have to renew it every year to keep remain active.

September (2021)- We received a call about an expectant mother that picked our family on a Friday. We texted over the weekend some but by Monday, she had changed her mind and decided to parent.

December (2021)- The week of Christmas we got a call about an expectant mother in Charleston, SC. We had a pre-match call with her which led to being officially matched. She is due in April.

We left out so many details and if you are someone walking through the adoption process that wants to find out more please reach out! We would love to have coffee with you and offer a hug. There are so many families trying to adopt right now that are struggling. 

Questions you may be asking:

Why are y'all still trying? - We know the Lord has called us to this. Suffering is a mystery that we will never fully understand but we do know that He is using it for our good and His glory.

Can the agency do anything to prevent this? - Honestly, not much. They are doing their best to support these expectant mothers and that can be taken advantage of. It is also, ultimately, their decision up until the paperwork is completed after birth. Every agency is honestly, struggling right now and adoptions just across the board are not happening as much.

Isn't it a good thing they are wanting to parent their child? - YES!! These women love their children so very much and placing them for adoption is excruciatingly difficult. While it is heart-breaking for us, we know that the Lord loves these children more than we ever could. 

How's Ellie Jo doing with all of this? - She is too young to understand at this point what is happening (which is a blessing). We are eager to share her adoption story with her soon when she can understand it. She will be such an amazing big sister one day though! She is evidence of God's grace and goodness in our lives. 

How can we help? - We would love if you would pray that the Lord would sustain us through the ups and downs this next year. That we would be refreshed daily in His presence. Pray that our current match is the ONE that will lead to an adoption, and if it isn't that we will be restored and remain steadfast in this calling the Lord has placed on our hearts. Please pray the Lord's will be done in this situation. Lastly, pray the Lord would be glorified in all that we say and do throughout this adoption process.

We love you all so much and are so thankful for your prayers and support through our adoption journey!

We are mostly fundraised, but still have a little way to go if you are able to support financially the link is below. AdoptTogether