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Sit down and chat with any adoptive parent and they will tell you that their adoption journey did not look exactly how they thought it would. Hearts hold the hopes, dreams, and plans for how an adoption will play out. But ultimately, only the Lord’s plan will stand. Bryan and Jayne know this well and yet, they are quick to share about God's care each and every step of the way. I hope that hearing about their story will encourage your heart that His ways are good even though they are so mysterious!

Bryan writes, “Four years ago when our older daughter was one year old we decided it was time to start working on our second adoption. Our hope was that in a year or so we would have our second child. Those were our plans, but God had something else in mind. After a failed match and waiting for two and a half years, we were very discouraged. Our pastor happened to get lunch with Katie’s husband and somehow our story came up. Soon after we got started with Katie at CAC."

"It was a roller coaster ride emotionally, presenting to over a dozen expectant mothers, but after 10 months we were finally matched. It was two days before Christmas when we received the call that she had chosen us. What a great early Christmas gift from God! We made plans to fly down to meet her in early February (she was due March 20). But again, God’s plans were different than ours!"

"At the end of January we received a surprise call that our little girl had arrived 8 weeks early! We headed out the next day to meet our beautiful baby girl in the NICU. We would see over the next six weeks that God had gone before us and would take care of all of the details. We were able to get into a Ronald McDonald house our first night and as we checked in, a couple came into the room and introduced themselves because they recognized Jayne from Katie’s private Facebook group for CAC families. What are the chances that on our first night in Florida, we would meet another couple that were adopting a baby that was in the same hospital NICU as our daughter? More than that, they were a CAC family and Katie was their consultant."

"We saw God going before us in so many ways, including getting to meet A, having her visit baby J in the hospital, the friendship that developed with the couple we met that first night, the many friends and family that went out of their way to visit us in Florida, the unprompted financial support we received, our parents helping out by caring for our older daughter, and the wonderful Ronald McDonald home we were blessed to stay in. In addition to all that, God surrounded our sweet baby J with wonderful nurses and doctors who cared for her."

Jayne shares, "It was a long journey but looking back I can see the Lord in every step of the way.  There were many times of crying out to Him exhausted and frustrated and feeling like our prayers were not being answered but the Lord was and is always with us and loving us no matter what. I am so thankful that he always had J and her birth mom in mind as the answer to our prayers.” 

I feel so grateful to have watched God care for this family every step of the way. And I'm so glad that He carries out His plans even when they look different than ours.

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When Ryan and Christi contacted me, the Lord had already been speaking to their hearts about bringing home a daughter through adoption. They had chosen her name-a precious declaration of God's promises, and were praying along with their boys for her and her birth mom. They got started with Christian Adoption Consultants and in July they began presenting their profile to expectant mamas, faithfully praying for each. As a family, they fixed their eyes on Jesus and sought to glorify God with faith as they waited. Five months later, the Lord connected their hearts with the heart of an expectant mama. There really aren't words to describe the awe of finally hearing that you are chosen! They celebrated the new year with the birth of their precious little girl.

Christi kindly shares about God's work in their hearts along the way:

God definitely showed Himself in powerful ways throughout our adoption journey and we are certain that will continue. There are six words that come to mind when thinking through our adoption process.  

Waiting.  Waiting on God in His perfect timing and His plan was difficult at times. It was more about our relationship with Him than us getting the child we were waiting for.  He was using the time to work in our hearts to be trusting Him and looking to Him to meet our needs.  He loves and cares for us in the waiting.

Provision.  Over and over again God showed that adoption was His plan for us.  He provided finances, money raised at the perfect time, people to help us along the way who had adopted, our consultant and the community in CAC. He also blessed us with people who listened and prayed during the process.

Trust.  Trusting that His timing is perfect and not ours. Trust that He cares for us and the details of our lives. Trust that He will guide us in each step. Trust that He will be working in and through us to display His Glory. Trust that He is who He says he is no matter how we feel or what we are experiencing.  

Sovereignty.  He is Sovereign and already knew the outcome and child we would have before we even started in the adoption process. This truth is one we clung to. There are so many unknowns in adoption and several steps of faith. Knowing He is Sovereign gave such peace and comfort. We knew that even when the waiting was hard or we were discouraged that we could cling to the fact that He is walking through this with us and already knew the outcome. He is the great all powerful God that has always been there and knows what will occur. We can trust His sovereignty amidst the journey. His plan was perfect while it may not be the plan we thought.

Near.  God is near. He doesn't leave us or forsake us. He is with us at all times. His presence is so comforting. He is part of every single detail while carrying all the burdens we lay at His feet. He is with us even if we don't feel it. Our knowledge of His presence being close is so comforting in the hard moments.  

Grateful.   We are so grateful for our journey, even now as it continues well past the official adoption date. We are grateful most importantly to the Lord and for the many people who have been a part of our journey. We are also grateful for CAC and the guidance and knowledge they provided. We learned so much through them and highly recommend their support especially when you haven't adopted before. It was so helpful in each step of the process to have someone who has gone through this multiple times. We have so much to be thankful for.  

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Families come to adoption from many different circumstances filled with a vast array of emotions. As Kevin and Katie first shared with me about their family and the loss of their daughter, I could sense both the deep sorrow and deep hope their hearts held as they considered adoption. I have never lost a child and I won't pretend to know what it's like. But as I walk with adoptive families who are grieving it is my heart's desire to love well with much compassion and sensitivity. We talked at length about what adoption situations might be best for them to minimize risks as much as possible. And we prayed that God would grant them their desire to adopt a baby girl.

"The very first time we ever spoke with Katie on the phone it was like speaking with a long time friend. She was always there for us listen to our concerns and was there to give encouraging words. We definitely felt like we could tell her anything. She helped us to stay strong and to have faith. I knew that I could always call or text her anytime and she was always there to listen and to pray for our family. It's such a good feeling to know that many things come out of adoption, not just a baby, but friendships as well." - Katie

While they worked on their home study, I worked on their profile book and then Kevin and Katie began presenting their profile to expectant mamas. Presenting takes courage; it is putting your heart out there with the knowledge that you may hear a "no" in response. Starting in October of last year, they bravely began putting their heart out on the table again and again and again, waiting for their "yes" to come. It was not easy. (It never is.)

Finally, nine months later they heard the words they had been waiting for: "She chose you!" Kevin and Katie built a beautiful relationship with the expectant mama they were matched with, in many ways loving and supporting her just like family.

"We were so nervous and excited to meet her.  It was long a drive. Lots of prayers were said. Finally we made it.  We greeted with a hug and it was great to finally see her in person. A relationship and bond was formed. We were so surprised how honest and upfront she was in telling us her story and feelings. We went to eat and continued to build our relationship." - Katie

They were able to be there for their daughter's birth in October, sharing with her birth mama beautiful memories as they all welcomed this loved little girl into the world!

"We honestly weren't sure where this adoption journey would take us. The pain of failed IVF, difficult pregnancy and then losing a child is indescribable. God kept calling us towards adoption. After a year of not even discussing another baby, we couldn't wait any longer and began the process. Adopting a baby will never replace your baby. But just when you think your heart can't take any more, it is filled with more and more love. The days get brighter and easier." - Katie

This love this precious family has is so evident as they enjoy their sweet girl! My heart about explodes each time Katie texts me a new picture and I am reminded, there is no limit to the love a heart can hold.

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Chosen the first time they presented their profile. Love poured out on the brave expectant mama who had chosen them. A beautiful daughter soon in their arms. Parenthood finally beginning-the answer to years of prayers. A home filled with the sweet baby murmurs they had longed for. Then, the unexpected: a brain tumor. And still, not skipping a beat, Sami and Cary walk on with hearts full of faith and gratitude, choosing to praise Him, their eyes wide open to all the ways God is at work.

Sami shares, "Cary and I have been overwhelmed by God's goodness and His faithfulness through our adoption process. We have also learned so much about complete surrender and giving everything to Him. Leading up to our decision to adopt, we waited for 7 years for God to answer our prayers to start a family. Throughout this season of hoping and waiting to become parents, God taught us to rest in Him. When we were tempted to worry or doubt or fret that there was something we should be doing, He has been faithful to teach us that we can and should rest in His arms. This peace has been so freeing and such a blessing. All of the things that God brought us through as we waited for our daughter have prepared us so well for this next season that we are now in."

"When our daughter was almost 7 weeks old Cary was diagnosed with a brain tumor and has since had brain surgery. We are still waiting for reports and to know what the plan will look like moving forward. I know that without God teaching us and loving us through our adoption process, this season would be much more difficult! Ultimately, we are so thankful that God is a big God that is always in control! He knew the timing that would be perfect for us and sent our sweet baby girl at exactly the perfect time. We are thankful that He chose to give us our sweet girl to be a light in our lives during this season and that He loves us more than we can ever imagine."

"Adoption has been such a gift to us. We have gained an amazing extended family through Stella's birth family and cannot imagine our family any other way. CAC has been an invaluable resource to us through prayer, encouragement, guidance and support and we love that God led us to them for our adoption!"

(Photo Credit for all photos: Sara Way from Timeless Moments Photography)

Please join me in praying for continued healing for Cary. God's grace that is so clearly on this precious family of three.

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The joy that this sweet child has brought to his parents is unmistakable! Jesse and Kelly are so clearly bursting with love for their son and it makes my heart so happy to see what God has done in their adoption story.

Jesse and Kelly began seeing adoption situations in March and were matched a month later. They got to know the expectant mama and prepared their hearts and home to become parents. But in July they experienced heart break as things didn't go as planned and they were back to waiting again. God wasn't finished with their adoption story and they didn't give up hope. Eight weeks later they were matched again and their adorable little boy entered the world last November. He is an answer to so many hopes and dreams! Tears have been turned to happiness in this precious family of three!

(Photo credit: Nicole Modeen)

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It's such a joy and honor to watch God work in the lives of so many adoptive families. Happy 4th of July from some of my CAC sweeties!

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