December 3

Today I met Emily. A confident, gorgeous girl with a contagious smile and laugh.

We met at Atlanta Bread Company and here is how the introduction took place:
[Emily was already in the restaurant when we arrived]

Yvonne: Emily! Hello! This is my friend Jen!
Emily: Hey Jen
Jen: Hey Emily
Yvonne: Well, I just thought I would have two of my favorite people meet and talk. I'll be out running errands if you need me!

And then there were two.

Thank GOODNESS we are both outgoing because the time really did fly. We spent 3.5 hours together!

I had the opportunity to share in-depth my adoption story of placing Michael. I shared my favorite memories and a very special scrapbook Michael's older sister Morgan made for me when he turned 10. I talked about how healthy, positive and rewarding it has been to watch him grow and be loved by an amazing family. What a miracle God provided for me and my son!

As we started talking, it became clear to me that Emily (about 3.5 months pregnant) had already made up her mind to parent.

I reiterated over and over again that adoption was right for ME and that she really should seek the Lord to determine what is right for her situation.

At the end of the afternoon we exchanged phone numbers and said we would keep in touch.

OK Lord, what was THAT about?

More Details

Not only will I have the opportunity to meet with Yvonne's young friend, I am also making some plans to visit Mercy Ministries.

I am going to meet the Adoptions Director, Whitney. She has been my direct contact at Mercy and is in charge of the application process for prospective adoptive couples. In addition, Whitney works one-on-one with each girl as they go through the decision making process. We have had long conversations and I am excited to put a face with a name.

I am also going to take a tour of the Mercy campus.

It seems that God has several assignments for me in Tennessee! I am starting to really get excited for this trip!

Travel Plans

The trip is booked. I leave for Tennessee December 2-4.

"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord my Rock and my Redeemer." ~ Psalms 19:14

What is up God's Sleeve?

So I received an interesting phone call from Yvonne today.

She said that 5 short days after I called her (to share our adoption plan back in early September) she received a call from friends/business partners saying their 18-year-old daughter was pregnant.

She has been diligently praying the last couple of months and has waited to share this news with me. She invited me to come to Tennessee to talk and meet with this young girl and simply share my positive adoption experience.

Over the years, I have willingly shared my story with young girls that find themselves in a similar situation that I was in at the age of 16. I merely spend a few hours sharing what was right for me and why I chose the path of adoption. At the very least, I am able to sit down with girls and say, "I know from experience what you are going through. I know what kind of decisions you are facing. I know...and now I will be praying for you."

Even though this is something I am quite comfortable doing and sharing, I have never hopped on a plane, traveled to a different state and met someone...just to share my story.

OK God what are you up to?

Profile Complete!

I don't know how else to say this but YIPPEE!! We just finished putting together our profile and I have to admit it looks pretty good (thanks to a really talented designer friend of ours!).

We have prayed over the binders and are believing God for the perfect adoption situation.

Two profiles will be sent to Mercy (that is what they require).

One profile will be sent to our friend Yvonne.

We will be praying about who else should receive the profile.

Well, that's the only update for now.

Update

We have made great progress these last couple of months. We have completed our home study (which is no small feat!) and have most of the application filled out for Mercy Ministries. The next task is the profile and this will be how the birthparents get to know me and Sam - through personal letters (we both write one) and lots of pictures!

My friend Yvonne

Let me introduce you to my friend Yvonne. This woman is an amazing prayer warrior and dear friend.

I first met Yvonne years and years ago. She was (and still is) a very important person to my grandmother. They were prayer partners for years.

When I found out I was pregnant (check out first blog post for this story), my grandmother confided in her prayer partner and Yvonne went to work immediately praying for me and my situation.

Through her spirit-led prayers, Yvonne helped make a connection that will last a lifetime. She introduced me to Rocke and Dee, my son Michael's adoptive parents (sidenote: Yvonne and Dee are cousins).

Fast-forward to present day.

Sam recently suggested we call Yvonne and share with her the adoption plan. I think it is interesting God put her on his heart since he has never met Yvonne, only heard about her.

Sam has felt from the beginning of this process that word-of-mouth could be exactly how this story unfolds. We are earnestly seeking the Lord and asking Him for the right people to tell.

So to-date here is what we've got:

1. We have downloaded the application for Mercy and are moving forward.

2. We shared our adoption plan with Yvonne and her husband Art.

3. We decided to share our adoption plan with Rocke and Dee.

That is it for now! I am excited to see how God is going to work!!