Jason, Lauren, Maggie, Rebecca, Janie, and Porter
We live in Gadsden, AL where I practice Family Medicine and Lauren homeschools the kids.
In early 2012 I felt like everything was fairly stable in our world, and we were content with our lives. God, however, had another plan. Lauren had always felt like adoption was in our future, but it was never the right time. Between medical school, having four kids, a car wreck and four operations for me, 11 different homes in 12 years we always had other things on our mind. God, however, was preparing us for more. We had just settled into our latest home when several friends travelled to Maria's Big House of Hope in Luoyang, PR China. As they shared their pictures Lauren and I felt God leading our hearts and minds toward adoption. There were no more road blocks. No more excuses. In February 2012 we submitted our application to CCAI and started the roller coaster ride known as our adoption journey. Time and space won't allow me to share all the details from the past 10 months (I guess I should have started this blog sooner), but I can share some of the highlights. Application, Home Study, Fingerprints, fingerprints, FBI background check, Finding Milton, the child we thought was meant for us, reading House of Hope, planning a trip to New Hope Foster Home and MBHOH, realizing that our dossier was 8 days late to match with Milton, sadness over the loss of Milton, travelling to China, loving China, falling in love with He Yi not knowing his file was ready, matching with He Yi while we were in China, more paperwork, finding a 13 year old girl named Ming Yu, Praying about bringing home not one but two kids, matching with Ming Yu, redoing the homestudy, more paperwork - quickly, LOA, I-800, Article 5, TA. We will travel to get both of our children soon. A family of 6 becomes a family of 8. It has been a wonderful journey. God has taught, and continues to teach, us so much about our family, life, marriage, and Him through the adoption journey. It's hard not to be prideful when I think that God is trusting us to care for two more children. I know, however, that it can't be Lauren and it can't be me. It has to be God. Every minute. Every day. That is why from the start of the adoption journey we placed it in God's hands. Trust me, I've tried to take it back and everytime I do, it isn't very pretty. Then I "give" it back to God and all of the ups and downs make sense. His timing is perfect. His plan is perfect. He is in control. I'm just thankful to be part of His plan.
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