ADOPTION STORY: ERIC AND BECKY

We met our baby girl 24 hours after she was born, cried with each other when she was transferred to the NICU, and then a few hours later cried with her birth mom as she signed the papers allowing us to parent this little miracle. I can’t even describe the conflict of emotions that we were all in at that stage – fear for the future weeks, excitement at having a new little girl, thankfulness for the dedication and determination of her birthmom to give life to this little one in spite of the struggles in her life, and hope in knowing that God always has a plan of redemption for his people.

Over the next 3 weeks, Eric and I had the most faith building time in our years together, and God held us up over and over again. At one week, we found our baby girl had a major heart defect, likely to need surgery at 6 months of age, IF she would be able to continue to grow adequately up until that point. At 12 days, we sent our older children home several states away to continue in school. Even though we sent them with wonderful friends, and they were loved by family at home while we were away, there were tears in my eyes and questions in my heart as I waved goodbye to them at the airport, not knowing an exact date to tell them that we would be able to be together again as a family. And then, over the next few weeks, we watched as God healed the body of our brave little girl.

As I look back at our journey, a couple things stand out to me. Going back to the beginning of the process when we were deciding what type of baby we would consider, we weren’t looking to get any particular type of baby, but we also both work full time (I’m a Family doctor and Eric is a college professor). We had said that we didn’t want any major health problems for the simple fact that we didn’t feel we had the ability to deal with those complications, since we both work full time and have two other kiddos. But God had a bigger plan for us! So I would encourage those starting in the process to open your mind and heart and seriously pray to God about each situation. It never does end up being what you expect, for better or for worse. But when God joins families together, He does it to show His greatness and love, and He will provide whatever you need.

Someone told me after we brought Charlotte home, “How wonderful for this little girl that you chose her! Where would she be without you! ! ” And my response was “God still has a plan for this little girl, whether we were here or not.” But it reminds me of Esther 4:14 “If you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for [God’s people] will arise from another place, but you and your family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Now my family would not have perished without Charlotte, but WOW what we would have missed out on! And what an honor that God has brought us to a position to offer love and support to this particular birthmom and child.