Good News!

Sam and I are having a wonderful time in TN. I had the opportunity to meet our baby through an ultrasound yesterday. It was amazing. I was speechless and pretty choked up. He has some peach fuzz so we think he is going to come out of the womb with some hair!!

We also have a Colton update. Brace yourself, because this is good. God is so good!

As I mentioned before, Sam has been talking to Colton through email this past week. It has been quite an emotional roller coaster ride. But, through it all we have been trusting the Lord knowing this situation is HIS will. It is what we have waited years for.

Well, God has been at work. Colton requested to talk to Sam on the phone last night (Sam had put the offer on the table a couple days ago).

Well, Sam and Colton talked. And talked. And talked. For more than 2 hours. Colton has had a complete change of heart. They small talked for about the first 5 minutes of the conversation and maybe the last 15, but most of the time it was all about adoption. Colton just wants to be involved. He said he doesn't want to feel like his child is being taken from him, but he wants the opportunity to place his child in a loving home. He wants to be sure his son will never feel abandoned. Sam assured him that this child will have so much love and security in life he won't ever feel that way. Plus, Colton will have the opportunity to tell/meet him and explain why he made the decision he did! I really could go on and on about what transpired throughout the conversation. 

The bottom line is God is at work! And Sam and I are excited to get to know Colton and bless him in his future! 

Thank you Jesus!!

How Great Is Our God!

This photo represents one of the most memorable experiences of my life. 

Before leaving for TN, we planned for Dee [my birthson, Michael's, adoptive mom] to join us for a night so she could meet Emily and her family. Dee wanted the opportunity to share our adoption experience with Emily to encourage her!

I think the most amazing part of the night was the ability to show Emily what our relationship will still look like in 12 years. 

I couldn't imagine my journey as a birthmom with any other adoptive couple. Rocke and Dee have gone above and beyond to include me in Michael's milestones. They have also joined me in my life's milestones. For example, coming to TN to meet Emily - our birthmom!

I am once again overwhelmed by how great a God we serve. He has thought of every detail and has given me "abundantly more than I could ever ask, dream or imagine."

A Step of Faith

Sam and I are making another trip to Tennessee to spend time with Emily. We are excited for the trip, but it is a huge step of faith since it seems we have taken a few steps backwards these last couple of weeks. 

We still do not have Colton's blessing. Sam has started communicating with him through emails so they can get to know each other, however he hasn't made huge strides regarding the adoption. The guys get along great and they have loads in common, however Colton is still preparing to parent this baby boy.

This is where the faith part comes into action. We know what God has told us about this baby. We know He has a destiny planned for baby boy, for Emily and for us. So, we will continue to walk by faith and not by sight.  

I received this email today from my girlfriend Joy (she is aware of the adoption):

Here is a slightly abbreviated version of Psalm 27 (with take-home points in bold):

The Lord is the light of my salvation - whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid?

Even if the Enemy comes against me to destroy me he will fail. I will be confident even when he wages war against me. 

One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek - that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and seek Him in His temple.

For in the day of trouble He will keep me safe in His dwelling; He will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high on a rock.

Then my head will be lifted above the Enemy who surrounded me and in the Lord's temple I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord.

Hear my voice when I call, O Lord; be merciful and answer me. 

My heart says of you, "Seek His face!" Your face, Lord, I will seek.

Do not hide your face from me, do not turn me away - you are my helper.

Teach me your way, O Lord; lead me in the straight path because of my oppressors. 

Do not turn me over to the desire of my foe.

I am confident of this: I WILL SEE THE GOODNESS OF THE LORD IN THE LAND OF THE LIVING.

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

Have a great trip; if God is for you, who can be against you?

Joy

Isaiah 40

Isaiah 40:28-31 (New Living Version) 

"Have you never heard?

Have you never understood?

The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth.

He never grow weak or weary. No one can measure the depth of His understanding.

He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.

Even youths will become weak and tired,

And young men will fall in exhaustion.

But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.

They will soar high on wings like eagles.

They will run [this marathon!] and not grow weary.

They will walk and not faint."

AMEN

Word from Cheryl

I received this email today from a woman at our church, Cheryl. She has been praying for us for years, but is currently unaware of our adoption plans. God is so incredibly good!

Blessings to you and Sam - another testimony is about to take place in your lives - woo hoo! As I have been praying for you I am sensing that you are in a very hard place. But, be encouraged! He has it covered and is at work behind the scenes. It will turn out the way in which He wants it to - prayers are powerful and He hears your heart. 

I received this specific word from the Lord two weeks ago and it applies to you and Sam.

IT IS COMING IN A MIGHTY WAY!

Hang on to that word! It is for you two.

Blessings, Cheryl

Is God so cool? He knew exactly what we needed for encouragement right now and wanted us to know that He has it under control. 

Thank you GOD!!

The Boat Gets Rocked

Emily received an email today from the baby's birthfather, Colton. He is not sure if he is on board with the adoption plan. He has questions and concerns. He wants to do what is best for his son, however adoption just seems like a foreign word to him.

We are on our knees. Praying for Emily. Praying for Colton. And praying for the destiny of this baby boy.

A few Scriptures that encouraged me today:

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." Philippians 4:6

"What He opens, no one can shut, and what He shuts no one can open." Revelation 3:7b 

God has opened this door! He will see us through this. He will protect and He will provide. We will stand strong and be anxious for nothing.

Pics of Baby Boy!

Emily just sent us these ultrasound pics today. She had a 3D ultrasound a few weeks ago.  

AMAZING!

A Name for Baby Boy

I was up late tonight searching for baby boy names.  Since Sam and I have wanted children for years, this is something we have discussed often.  But, all the names we had picked for a boy just didn't seem to fit this special situation and long-awaited answer to prayer.

It didn't take me long to find THE name. In fact, I had a big legal size sheet of paper and was prepared to write down every boy's name I remotely liked to share with Sam. When I finished my "research" I had only three names on the big sheet and one seemed to stand out bolder than the others.

Maximus Samuel

When I shared the name with Sam, his first reaction was "I really like it. What does it mean?"  I can't believe I didn't look it up! In fact, I always look up meanings to names, it's important to me. So, we jumped on the computer and found this out:

Maximus - the greatest

Samuel - asked of God

We looked at each other and just knew the name fit. 

This baby boy is the greatest gift one person can give another. This baby boy represents the greatest testimony of our lives. This baby boy is the greatest miracle!

Done deal. 

Oh ya, and we are all about nicknames and love the name Max!

P.S. Ever watched the movie Gladiator? One of Sam's favorites and the hero of the show (Russell Crowe) is named Maximus.  Confirmation or what?

Memories!

We just arrived home from the most AMAZING trip ever. We weren't sure exactly what to expect. How much time would we spend with Emily? Would we hit it off in person now that everything has changed? Would we get along with her family?  

So we just gave it to the Lord! He knew the details, He had arranged this from the beginning of time..so let's enjoy!

And now, all I can say is I am overwhelmed.  Overwhelmed with God's goodness. Overwhelmed with Emily's selflessness. Overwhelmed by the gift of life. 

These past few days exceeded ALL of our expectations. From morning 'til night we were with Emily. Laughing, crying, telling childhood stories, talking about our futures. 

I can't describe the chemistry we all seem to have together. This journey is not only about the future of this baby boy, but also about a lifelong friendship with this amazing young woman. 

God had our world's collide "for such a time as this."

P.S. Isn't Emily beautiful?