Last night, I was exhausted and dont know how, but ended up looking at some different videos on YouTube on Adoption. Most were positive, but a few were negative. I choose not to let the negative ones influence my heart.
To me, adoption is a very beautiful thing. It has changed my life, my family's life and a little girl named Erika's life. God put it on my heart a long time ago. We always would say, someday we could adopt. Then that day came. That day we went to the orientation meeting and walked away overwhelmed. But still, we pressed on. We prepared our hearts, our children, our home, our family. In the best way we could. We warned of all the things that could go wrong, and then gave it to God. We prayed very specifically.
It was a bumpy road to become foster parents. We seemed to reach dead ends, but God had a better way.
I will never forget the day when I first heard about Erika. A pastor's wife friend called Lee. Her sister was moving and had a 14 month old Hispanic girl foster child...but it would be a roller coaster. The sister emailed us these pictures:
Even as I look at these pictures, I remember the feeling of being overwhelmed with love. I was looking at my baby. She was perfect. Not long after, we met this doll at Bass Pro Shops. We talk about it alot, so much, that as we passed it the other day, she said "Mommy--look, that is where I was born". Well, yes, that is the day she was born in my heart. The first time I met her, I never wanted to leave her again. God gave me an instant bond with this child. I cannot explain it. I just know it is true. Erika is as much my child as Josh and Tori.God does amazing things. Literally a week after Erika came to live with us as our foster child, we had a trip to Florida already planned. Lee did a wedding on the beach, so we went ahead and made Disney World part of that trip. Can you see my joy holding my new baby as we take her first plane ride?
This is my first Mother's Day with my family complete. Yes, I am exhausted...but so happy to have all three of my children.
And this is Tori with her much prayed for sister taking a bubble bath together.
And this is my doll with her Mouse ears at Disney World.
I read some negative things last night discouraging women from giving up their children for adoption. But I am so glad that my daughter, Erika, came into my life. I am so glad that I get the privelege of being her Mommy. I am so glad that I followed my heart to find her. She is a joy in our home and family. I pray for God's wisdom to answer questions that she already asks. Believe me, she is a smart girl. Some she has already asked: "Where is the picture of me in your tummy?" after seeing a picture of me pregnant with Tori. "Why weren't you with me in the hospital when I was born?" "Does adopt mean get your ears pierced?"
But even with all the questions that will come in the future, I do believe Love covers alot. As long as she knows how loved, longed for, prayed for, wished for she is/was... And I believe God will give me wisdom as we go. And so if she believes she was born at Bass Pro Shop (even though I told her Galveston), God will give us grace to walk through it.
