{ Our Journey to HER }

Blake and I began the adoption process in September 2013, as many of you know, and some of you don’t…this journey did not begin with an adoption application in last fall, it began many years ago when a unexpected seed was planted in our hearts from both heartache and joy.

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{ Our Journey to HER }

Our journey is part of her story.  

Her story will intersect with ours, very soon.

Here is the beginning...

Some people grow up knowing they will adopt a child someday, or give love to the fatherless. If I'm honest, Blake and I really didn't. However, for us it has been a gradual growing of our hearts and it has been amazing to see the pieces woven together by God, every step of the way.

Let me back track…

About 8 years ago, Blake and I were expecting our first child.  Life was really, really good.  Completed degrees, great marriage, newly bought home, good jobs, and lots of friends. It was perfect timing for us to start a family.  We got pregnant very quickly, and the coming months of excitement built for that very first ultrasound. We were giddy and ready to make plans for our new family of three.

But the Lord had different plans.

At 12 weeks pregnant, there was no heartbeat. We were devastated. Looking back, the Lord was gracious to us in our time of grief.  It was one of the hardest times of our lives, coupled with losing three grandparents within months of losing our baby.  However, during that time, He sweetly opened the very first thought of adoption; the seed was planted. It was the beginning of an 8 year journey to “her”.

We experienced another miscarriage in the coming years, but we also experienced the joy of giving birth to our two beautiful, healthy, amazing boys, Layton and Luke. It was pure bliss, and we were so grateful for our children and enjoyed every minute with them.

 Still...

{The seed was planted} 

Ours hearts flew wide opened when Blake and I took leaps of faith to serve overseas and share the gospel for the very first time at the age of 30. It was simply life changing and sanctifying in our walk. Stepping foot onto continents opened our eyes to the love God has for His children all over the world. As we laughed with and loved on sweet ones of all colors and tribes, it allowed us to realize that we could love ANY child made in God’s image.
 

{The seed was watered}

Watching and praying with precious friends who had journeyed down the path of adoption was encouraging. Seeing their faith grow, and their families blossom with orphans from around the world tugged at our conviction to do what God was calling us to do.

 

{The seed grew} 

As Luke turned three years old, Blake and I both realized that the time was near to put footsteps to our faith.  We prayed for guidance about our decision for months. Was this the time? Is this the road He would have us walk to expand our family? Would we pursue adoption while putting on HOLD plans of a biological baby? Will we answer the call that we both knew was burdening our hearts?

{The answer was yes} 

8 years after a seed was planted from heartache, and through years of joy as a family, serving in countries around the world to share God’s word and seeing how love can be transcended through any barrier...

{The time was now}

We can look back now and see the Lords' hand planting, watering, and growing the seed of adoption in our hearts. We see now, what we didn’t see then. It was His plan all along. The Lord speaks during heartache and through joy.

Her story has both, as does ours.

We are so excited to share the joy of the Lord 

and the love of a family with our daughter, so very, very soon:)