2017 will be a fun year on the adoption front. Currently, our lawyer is preparing our adoption file so that we can be given a court date to fully finalize this adoption and officially give Autumn our last name. This file could not be completed until Autumn turned six months old. It contains all of her records as well as our homestudy, termination of parental rights, and other miscellaneous items. It's amazing how complicated and detailed this process is, but when a child's well being is at stake, I am glad they do it thoroughly.
We had another visit with Autumn's birthmother right before Christmas. We got to see her new apartment and hear more about the new start she has sought after. Her and Autumn had some great moments together and we were able to give her some Christmas gifts. I can still feel the pain in these visits and the sadness she feels when we need to go. It reminds me how deep love can give you the ability to do even the hardest things. Only seeing Autumn four times a year is not easy for her, but she is simutaneously so peaceful about Autumn's stable and loving home life. I give her all the credit in the world for loving Autumn more than herself.
One of Autumn's Christmas gifts this year was an adoption book. I know she will appreciate it more as she gets older, but I didn't want to forget any detail of the past three years. The book starts three and a half years ago when we started the adoption process. It weaves through the waiting, the other babies and moms, the encouraging notes from our friends and family, the quotes and verses that got us through the tough days, and then, on page ten, she enters the story. We show her the many friends and family that visited her, the pile of cards or gifts we received, and the way she seamlessly fit into our family and brought us so much joy. I was saying to a friend last week, "Some days I still look at her and think God really does love me, he gave me more than I even wanted". My friend responded, "The beautiful thing is He loves HER that much too. He loves her so much He placed her in a home that would cherish her and shower her with love and affection. Every which way it's beautiful". Somedays the reality of what unfolded in our story still takes my breath away.
With that in mind, Josiah and I have an invitation for each of you reading this today. We want to remind you that we are always here. We know that God has blessed us, supported us, and filled us with His love. That love is never, ever intended to be hoarded. Love is meant to flow and move. The reason God has given us stability and encouragement in His Spirit is so that we can use it, especially on those around us. Please, whatever you are going through, reach out to us through facebook, a text, or however you feel is best. We know you might be going through something messy, but thats ok. God is more detailed than we know and can handle every single bit of our messes. We would love to pray for you and support you in any way that we can. We have experienced the power of Christ first-hand and, with God, we know we can move mountains. In many ways, adoption has give us a new excitment. We have seen how venturing into the unknown and reaching a child that needs a family, was worth every penny, every risk, and every tear. So, as we remember our great God through adoption, we want to uphold each of you whenever you are in need.
Praying for you at this very moment,
Madison