Wednesday, July 18, 2012

dear diary :: adoption

Dear Diary,

This post has sat in the back of my mind and heart for months now.  Carefully typing out sentence by sentence... only to erase and start over again.

Adoption.

It's something I've hinted at here and there on this blog... a seminar here, and a book there... barely making reference to a very big, and very real, part of our life right now.  Lance and I have talked about adoption for years... before we were even married.  The theme of adoption has always accompanied our conversations about children and our thoughts of starting a family.

And as Lance and I have struggled through the journey of infertility, talk of adoption has become a more frequent conversation.

But why has it taken me so long to talk about it?

Because I never wanted adoption to feel like "Plan B."

This is something Lance and I have constantly prayed and truly desire in our hearts.  But yet when you try X, Y and Z first...  then you move on to adoption... sometimes that feels like the absolute definition of "Plan B."

But thankfully, God doesn't do "Plan B's."

His plan is always Plan A.

And while I can sit and worry about how we're going to "fix this" and "do that," God already has something magical in store for us.

Is it adoption?

I'm not sure... but I know I'm not going to stand in the way of God's Plan A.

We mailed in our adoption application last week... and were accepted on Monday... we are excited and hopeful to see what God has in store for us...

Love,
Julia

34 comments:

isaac and jenny said...

I love this post. I am so excited for you guys!!!! Are you doing domestic or international? Oooooo I can't wait for you to bring your little one(s) home!!!!! I've seen so many couples go through the same thing and it's always amazing to see how the Lord works :)

MellieButterfly said...

I have chills as I read this and see the photo at the bottom Julia. What a huge step you have taken this week. Thanks for your transparency, as it surely blesses us all. Praying for you as God leads you in this next step. I have this magnet that says, "Life is all about how you handle plan B." It's kind of my new mantra. You can borrow it if you'd like. :)

Unknown said...

I love this... "God's plan is always Plan A." Wow. Is that ever something I needed to read!

I cannot imagine the pain and heartache you and Lance have been going through... since, after all, Joshua and I haven't even "tried" to get pregnant yet. But I do know how it feels when things don't go the way we hope they will.

I have tears in my eyes and a smile on my face, because I'm thrilled and hurting for you, all at once, my friend.

Keep us updated on how things are going with the adoption process. :) :)

Love ya!

Kelly said...

I think someone already said it but "Gods plan is always plan A" I think that is just so true. It proves the sovereignty of God that even though we hadn't thought of it first, God had it all set from the beginning...God bless you on your journey!are you just thinking internationally or have you considered domestic? We were going to do the foster to adopt program when we lived in California...so many babies...falling from the sky...and foster to adopt is much less ...hard to say this but, money and lawyers and paper work and air fare...just something to think about ...also Bethany Christian services is another amazing outlet to use too....I am sure you know all this...just throwing it out there...God has your baby and knows exactly when and where you will find it...
blessings

Sandy said...

Oh wow! I love adoption journeys. We've prayed many friend through them, and it's AMAZING to see Go'ds work first hand! A friend of mine adopted from haiti 10 years ago, and her daughter, Olivia, is just the sweetest little thing. We'll keep you in our prayers!

Garretts said...

The honesty & vulnerability in your Dear Diary posts are always so refreshing. I pray God will continue to give you the kind of faith and encouragement you're post communicates. You know you have so many friends & bloggers along the journey with you.

Unknown said...

This post made me cry! I am so excited for you guys. You two will be the most wonderful/coolest parents ever. I can't wait to read your thoughts throughout this journey. Praying for you guys.

Ashley said...

Congrats on being accepted!! Such an exciting time in your lives!!! Can't wait to follow this journey with you!!

Salena said...

How exciting! We are looking into the possibility of adopting ourselves. I can't wait to hear more about your journey!

Jessamie {Bird and Branch Redesign} said...

I'm reading this at work, trying not to crying tears of joy for yall! This is such an incredible journey yall are starting and I'm so happy to hear more and more! PRAYING!

Flossie said...

Very exciting! Congratulations on being accepted. Can't wait to see what God has up his sleeve.

Kim Luu said...

Thank you for sharing so openly and being so open to His plan. Keep trusting in His plan and timing. I think of all children as being "gifts on loan from our great Father" - precious gifts to be cherished and cared for- not really belonging to us but entrusted to our care temporarily. I think adoption is a powerful reminder of His gifts and our vocations to love. May He continue to bless your family on your faith journey. Much love and prayers your way.

Shari said...

That is amazing news! Can't wait to hear more. :)

Jenn... said...

Great news! Congrats!!!

Unknown said...

yay! I'm so excited for you guys! Adoption is the best thing EVER, and you're going to be AMAZING parents! Keep us updated! :)

Ariane said...

Yay! I am so excited for you! We felt the same way about plan A and B and then came to same conclusion. Adoption was always Plan A...it just took Zane and I awhile to open our hearts and listen to what God wanted for us. We are constantly amazed and feel so blessed to have our two boys with us. Plan A was definitely the best plan! We recently completed our home study and are waiting for the official notice that we are approved. Good luck with your journey! Your story is going to be amazing!

Kelli S said...

We adopted our daughter Emily from South Korea in 1986. She was 3 1/2 months old. Emily is our only child. She is now 26 1/2. She was a typical teenager. We are from Louisville, but moved to VA for 10 years. Emily was in school there from 3rd grade till H.S. graduation. We moved back the day after she graduated. (job transfer). She graduated from University of Louisville with a degree in Business Marketing. She has a great job as a marketing director for a local law firm. She bought a house 2 years ago on her own and has a nice vehicle, pays her bills and never has asked for our help. She has become a responsible young lady. She has not found the right man yet, so we wait patiently for grandkids. But we are so proud of her. You are doing a wonderful thing. You will be providing a loving home to a child that not have that chance. Believe me, it will be the best experience of you life. Make sure to document every move of the process. And start taking pics the minute you angel is placed in your arms/hands. May God bless you and good luck on your adoption journey.

Erica said...

Congratulations!! I love this post. I feel the same way; it's all plan A for God. I had to tell myself this when we were struggling to add a second baby to our family. I will be praying for your family!!!

Lindsey Brackett said...

Praying for you and Lance on every step of this journey.

mleslie43 said...

Wow, what an incredible journey you have just begun. God's Plan A is always bigger and better than any plan we could ever have...Praying right now as God has already started knitting your sweet family together. Can't wait!

Unknown said...

Cannot wait to follow plan A! This has been in my heart for some time now. I love following others in this journey! Know you are being prayed for in Georgia!!!

Jennifer Dawn McLucas said...

Congratulations Julia! We have just been told that the boy we're adopting gets to move home with us on Monday!!! It's taken such a long time to get here. I pray you'll be more patient than I have been. Isn't amazing to think that your child is already alive in the world today!?! Praying for you all!

Unknown said...

This is amazing! It is so wonderful that you have received such a positive response so soon! I wish you the best of luck with your journey!!

MarieElizabeth said...

Hugs and prayers to you both while you go through this process. Any way you build your family is always Plan A. :)

czephyr19 said...

You've got a really fabulous babysitter living next door. :)

Christiana A said...

Truly an inspiring and emotional post. Thanks for being raw and sharing this intimate part of your life. I'm excited for you and will keep you in prayers as the embark on this journey. I pray God's will and purpose be fulfilled in your family.

Carina Schoen said...

seriously, i have tears. thanks for your heart and your openness to God's plan for you. that is how we started - we have always wanted to adopt, it was just a matter of timing. taking the step to send in your paperwork makes it all so real. saying a prayer for you guys tonight - I am so excited for you!

Falling From Trees said...

Julia this is so excting! I can't wait to hear more. We love youguys. You are going to be amazing parents.

Shawn said...

I've been following your blog for a few weeks now and really enjoy your sense of humor, down to earthness (is that even a word?) and thankfulness!!

We are adopting a little girl from China and having struggled with infertility and then deciding to adopt, I can honestly say that I feel this was always God's Plan A! I cannot wait to meet our child soon!

I noticed your Haiti Adoption News and I am so thrilled if you are adopting from Haiti! I have been there on several mission trips and the Haitian people and kids in particular, are the most wonderful people I've ever met!

I know God will bless you abundantly on this adoption journey!!

Adoptive mom-to-be :)
Shawn

Unknown said...

Congrats on starting this journey!! :)

Ryan said...

This is so, so amazing! So excited for you guys! :)

Demetrius and Amy said...

Julia... I'm so happy for you and lance. This part of your story is piece of Gods bigger story. A story of redemption, hope and inheritance. And I'm personally excited for one of my very best friends to have a multi racial family too!

Cami said...

Happy happy happy!!!
PRAYING PRAYING PRAYING <3

Chrystina said...

So excited for you!!! I have a friend from church choir who dealt with infertility stuff for a while and in the end ended up adopting. She found out she was getting her son with 72 hours to spare. And we love him. He's an incredible joy, and cute as a button. He's recently finally learned to talk, and it's been pretty great to start chatting with him. I wish all this joy for you and Lance. I'm super pumped for you. I know the process is long/stressful sometimes, but I have faith in you both to be able to push through it. Can't wait to hear about how it goes. :) Still excited.