Since starting this adoption I have
been pretty hesitant at telling people about this whole thing. It’s not exactly
the fact that I don’t know how people will respond but really because it is an intimate
part of Riley and I’s life. Anyone who knows me pretty well will tell you that
I am pretty afraid of anything that is intimate or emotional. I have no idea
what to do when people cry or are going through a tough time. I guess I’m just
a little awkward sometimes.
Having to tell people about
something that is a big part of my life is a growing process. Adoption
initiates many personal questions. This is not a bad thing; in fact I think
it’s a good thing. I like to see people curious about something where the
specifics are not widely known.
The crazy thing is the more I told
people, the more support I received. I am blown away with how people are
genuinely caring and supportive. We have
had some wonderful support, emotionally, spiritually and financially. We have had support from so many different people
and places we that we never expected. It has been very encouraging to see how
the Lord has provided for us by making our story resonate in the heart’s of
others.
That being
said, here is a big update on this Alderton adventure. Riley and I saw a beautiful
little 5 year old boy on a waiting children’s list back in September. The
moment I saw him I knew. I never thought
I would adopt and when I decided to, I always imagined adopting an infant. I
never thought I would adopt an older child. However, looking back it seems
funny to me that anyone, myself included, would think of a 5 year old as too
old to join their family. Thank God he understands family better than we do.
That said, Riley and I have been working to adopt this little boy for a couple
months and just got his official referral.
Even though
Riley and I are very new to this process and adoption in general, I am learning
more and more about adoption through this process. I feel as if it has changed
us both. We have grown and become such better people through this journey!
Adoption has truly changed us and I am so glad to go through this process and
grow and become a better person.
Overall I
would definitely say my life is very different than what I had originally
thought it would be, but in that same breath, it is so much better than I would
have ever imagined. I am grateful that plans don’t work out how we want them to
and that God knows what he is doing in all circumstances.
Lastly, I
would like to say thank you to everyone who has helped us get to the point we
are at. God is so good in that he will often move people to a cause. We have
seen this in our adoption and can’t express how grateful we are to everyone for
your support and love thus far. We are excited to bring our son home to a community
where he is already so loved and cared for.
This was our scenery when we got our referral call!
This was our scenery when we got our referral call!