August 30, 2011

Waiting...again.

Once upon a time we wanted to be parents. Once upon a time we dreamed of the possibilities, and planned for the wondrous day we would tell our friends and family we would soon be three. And once upon a time our dreams were shattered by infertility. Once upon a time we had no idea how our empty arms would be filled.
But, all the while, God was writing a different story for us to live. As we grieved our broken hopes He began to weave into our hearts a new dream of parenthood. The dream grew into a possibility and some five years ago it became a reality. We chose to put the nightmare of infertility behind and embraced God’s calling for us to adopt a beautiful baby girl, who was soon followed by a wonderful little boy.
The reasons we chose to adopt all those years ago were manifold. Strongest among them was our desire to fill our lives with the joy that children bring. Simply put, we wanted to be parents and, prayerfully, we decided this was the path God was laying before us and became the parents of two.
But where there is room for two, there is room for three. As we began seeking His will for our next adoption our hearts began to change. No longer empty of arms, no longer with an unfulfilled desire to become parents, we searched our hearts for the right path. We prayed and we actively waited for God’s guidance educating ourselves on the options.
And as we prayed, a common theme began to emerge: the orphan.
Over and over and over again, through many different conduits, God grabbed our hearts and our minds and wrapped them around James 1:27

“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world”
We have been compelled. We have been commanded and we have our answer: the orphan.
I go back to the deep longing I had to hold a child in my arms and relieve the pain of being told it may not happen, and I realize that my longing does not begin to compare to the longing of a child to be held, to be loved, to be part of a family, and my heart breaks.
Haiti and its children had had a special place in our hearts since the earthquake three years ago, even though for a while Haiti adoptions were completely stopped. The needs are great and the orphans many. Haiti is now open and we are now ready.
This is scary to me. I am familiar with domestic adoption. I know the process and I have two miracles to testify to how well it works. International adoption is unpredictable, and different, and unfamiliar. And frightening.  And every time I bring my fears to the Lord, I am reminded that I was not given a spirit that makes me slave to fear, but the Spirit of God who adopted me as his own child.
So here we are. Process started. Wheels rolling.
Once upon a time we wanted to be parents and God was faithful to our hopes. Now that He is calling us to embody the hope of a little one who dreams of having parents, my prayer is that He will find us faithful as well.
Will you join us in praying for this journey? The journey will be long but we are not walking it alone.

16 comments:

Amy Sullivan said...

Gaby,
Ohhhh, yes, yes, yes. I will join you. I held my breath as I was reading, and I will be praying.

Carole St-Laurent said...

There is a child waiting for you. And he or she will be blessed to have you as parents as you will be bringing this child into your heart and your home.

Bird said...

Praise God!!! Another lucky predestined child will know the love of you as his/her mother!! Oh I am so excited for you 4. I pray the adoption is smooth and without delay.

Unknown said...

Yes I will be praying! And also, if you would like me to put you in contact -- one of my friends adopted two Haitian children after the earthquake.

Gaby said...

Y'all are so sweet. Thank you for your prayers. It will be at least a couple of years but I will continue to write updates. Jen, yes! I'm e-mailing you to your profile e-mail.

Deborah said...

Of course I will pray for you! It's wonderful that you've come to this decision, and I know you'll be a great family for whatever child you bring home. I hope the process doesn't take too long.

Joanna B said...

Good for you! Congratulations, and I will be praying, and looking forward to reading about your journey!

E said...

yay!! So excited!!! Congrats! I am excited to follow you during this process:) I am pretty sure we will be adding to our family right along with you. You are such a blessing.

Christy said...

Wow! What amazing news! So excited to walk this journey with you and will definitely be praying!

Aritha V. said...

I will be your follower now. Greetings from Holland.

Nancy said...

Gaby! I've been without power for several days and am just getting caught up on my reading. So excited for you! I know something of the fear--traveling halfway around the world to meet my son wasn't something I planned on when I envisioned having a family someday. But. My heart does cartwheels knowing that the eyes of my heavenly Father were on my son, alone in a remote part of the world, and He placed His mighty hand on him and brought him home to us! Can't wait to hear more about your journey. Stopping to whisper prayer as soon as I post this comment!

Debbie said...

I'm so excited for you with this new adventure. I can understand the great need for intercessors. Our former youth pastor walked this road, and it was indeed an adventure of prayer. I will be so honored to be one of your warriors. I can't wait to see what God has planned.

Kathleen T. Jaeger said...

Gaby -- how exciting! Those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength. Thanks for sharing your journey.

Debbie said...

Just dropping by to tell you that I haven't forsaken you in prayer. I prayed for you this morning, in fact.

Jennifer said...

Oh, Gaby, how beautiful and exciting! I didn't realize it had been so long since I stopped by--it's been crazy since the kiddos started school--but I will do better. I can't wait to read updates, and I will keep your family and the child in Haiti that God has chosen to join your family in my prayers.

Jennifer said...

I am excited as I will get to be a witness to the BEGINNING of this process this time, as I am a witness to the wonderful parents that you and Matt are, and a witness of the wonderful blessings you have already received. We will walk with you all the way, as will the Lord. Praise God for his amazing blessings - we can't wait to see the special child he has chosen for you both!