Over the past year we have been looking forward to growing our family. We thought we had long did away with trying out 'our plans' but again found ourselves trying to plan it out just so. We both agreed we wanted to have one more biological child and then adopt maybe when we were closer to our mid 30s. He he
This past spring we started pursuing fertility treatments.
First time worked; but we quickly miscarried.
We continued to try fertility treatments.
I didn't get horribly down or even stomp my feet, not saying this as a pat on my back but rather that I felt God was leading.
The last time we tried we decided to also have a consultation with an adoption agency. After which we both felt more secure about our desire to adopt internationally. While waiting to see if the treatment worked (if I was pregnant) I looked over the Internet at countries and different possibilities. I stumbled on a site with waiting children and one little boy caught my attention. I emailed to just learn more about him. He was from the DRC, Africa and he was approximately 2 years old. Later when Dustin and I talked we counted him out. We both agreed we wanted to keep birth order.
The days ahead I could not get that little boy out of my head. I would lay awake and think of reason after reason why he wasn't right for us. I couldn't stop thinking about him. I started praying for his possible place in our family. I asked Dustin to do the same. After some time we both agreed we felt lead to welcome him to our family. It's a scary thing so we continued to pray if it wasn't God's will to close the door.
However, doors just kept opening and not just opening but swinging wide. We had all of our doubts about bringing him into our family erased. The steps to get where we needed to be went smooth and much faster than anticipated. He started to grow in both our hearts and we now are truly excited for his arrival. Antonio is his given name and I would love to share pictures but we did sign a contract to not share his picture online until he is home with us.
There was a turn of events that I am still swallowing and making sense of. Antonio has a sister who is approximately 6 years old. I was under the impression that another family was interested in her and so it didn't enter my brain until three weeks ago.
Last week we also signed for Regina.
We believe it is God's will to keep siblings together if possible. We also believe God has equipped us with love, patience, and a growing desire to take care of orphans. This is what that looks like for us.
I can just imagine your questions and how crazy we may seem. Trust me I think the same thing. I just know we both feel this is God's call and we both are in this together.
We have gone through some training and will continue to do so. We have had at length discussions about how this can/will effect Elijah. I will write more about both in later posts. We understand the major, major coming shift to our lives. We are asking that though you may not understand or may think we are quite crazy (we are) that you still will support us in prayer and in thoughts. It will not be easy and we are preparing our hearts and home for the coming journey.
I am not against any questions you may have so feel free to ask by email or call:)
If you would like to know of some ways to support us please read below.
1. Please pray. Pray for Antonio and Regina. Their safety but also that their hearts would be prepared. For Elijah that his heart would also be prepared. That Dustin and I will have strength, discernment, and peace. In all that you feel led to say -pray.
2. The children are coming from a third world country. We would love if you would like to learn more about the DRC. Click here for more info on the country.
When we first started the journey I had some nights of grief and fear below is part of a Psalm given to me by a friend. These words mean so much to me. These words will now for us always be Antonio's and Regina's.
Psalm 40:1-8
I waited patiently for the Lord;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the Lord
and put their trust in him.
4 Blessed is the one
who trusts in the Lord,
who does not look to the proud,
to those who turn aside to false gods.
5 Many, Lord my God,
are the wonders you have done,
the things you planned for us.
None can compare with you;
were I to speak and tell of your deeds,
they would be too many to declare.
6 Sacrifice and offering you did not desire—
but my ears you have opened burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require.
7 Then I said, “Here I am, I have come—
it is written about me in the scroll.
8 I desire to do your will, my God;
your law is within my heart.”
With Love,
Trish and Dustin
