I am so humbled to share this sweet family’s journey to adoption with you! In a whirlwind of events (literally, in the midst of a Category 4 hurricane!) they packed their bags, secured their home, made arrangements for their dog and evacuated to the place they’d prayed and longed to be for years and years. They left their home behind trusting that God had everything all planned out perfectly.
If you’re wondering what came next, it’s even more thrilling than you can imagine! Buckle up and get ready to read the sweetest story of adoption! It was an absolute honor and joy to walk alongside this incredible family throughout their journey of a lifetime! Welcome home, Kendall Marie!
Amy shares their story below:
On September 12, 2018 after making last preparations for the incoming hurricane Florence, we noticed a new expectant mom was looking to be matched through one of the agencies we were connected with through Christian Adoption Consultants. We had to make a decision very quickly on whether or not to present our profile as the expectant mother was to be induced the next day at 6am!
We knew God was in control so with that assurance we decided to present our profile. The next hour felt like an eternity as we waited on a response. We finally got a call late that night and were told that we were chosen!
For the next two hours my heart raced as we booked flights, packed bags, made middle-of-the-night phone calls, and carefully folded baby girl clothes that had not been worn for over 5 years! Once I finally went back to bed my mind and heart could not settle down. I kept adding things to my list so that my mind could slow down. Thankfully I was able to drift to sleep wondering if this could all be a dream. Was this our adoption story?
We woke up the next morning and in a rush loaded the car, had a friend pick up the dog, emptied what we could from the fridge and prayed our house would be safe during the hurricane. Cutting it a bit close we made it to the airport and off we went. During the short layover we were making phone calls, wiring money, signing documents, and trying to communicate with friends and family about what was going on. On the flight, I said a lot of prayers as my emotions swirled around in my head. I also wrote a letter during this time to our daughter’s birth mother, sharing about our love and thankfulness for her.
Finally, we landed at our final destination. We were on the road for maybe 5 minutes when we got the call that the expectant mother was ready to deliver! We rerouted to the hospital and when we arrived our daughter had already been born! Once we were escorted onto the unit, we were told the baby was born at 2:57pm and she was in the nursery. We spent those first moments admiring this new little blessing that was to become ours. I didn’t know if I was going to cry or smile. Leading up to this moment all I could feel were tears. I laid my hand on her belly and she flinched at my cold touch. We admired her dark hair, squishy face, and tiny toes.
After our daughter’s birth mother signed her papers our caseworkers came into our room to start the signing process with us. Before we signed they did share that our daughter’s birth mother was open to meeting us. My heart raced once again as I wasn’t sure what I would say or how she would feel but I was also happy to be able to have that moment with her!As we entered the room we met a beautiful woman with light skin, dark hair, glasses, and a big smile. She immediately got up from her bed to give us both hugs. It was a very special moment that two mothers, who are bonded by a little girl, got to share together. I do not know if or when I will ever get that moment again. But I am so very thankful for it.
If you are interested in infant domestic adoption and would like to talk more, I would love to chat! Jonnilyn@christianadoptionconsultants.com
When God says, “Not right now”
