On turning 37...

Thanks to our friend Kevin Tucker (www.collidecreative.com) for our new logo!!

This coming Saturday, I will turn 37.  37.  I can hardly believe it.  Some of the friends who are my age already have a kid who is going into or even coming out of high school.  Sometimes I wonder what in the world I'm doing by trying to become a mom for the first time at 37.  But then I remember the details and the journey that has led me to this point.  None of it would be possible without the others, so I am grateful for what it is.

For those who don't know, we received a possible referral last month, just 24 days after our home study had been approved.  It was a healthy baby boy in another state and we were contacted by Bethany to see if we wanted them to send our profile to the other state for consideration for the baby.  We said yes and after about three weeks, we were informed that the baby had been matched with a family in the state where he was.  Ultimately, this is best because the birth father had not been located and there could have been several legal issues.  But for someone who does not like roller coasters, those three weeks were filled with hills, plunges, slow climbs, and fast drops.  First of all, the agency notified us by e-mail that this baby existed.  I was floored.  I felt sure that (especially the first referral) they would have called us on the phone.  It's more personal.  But I pulled up my e-mail one night and there it was: an e-mail from our case worker.  The same thing happened when we were notified that the baby had been placed.  We got another e-mail thanking us for our willingness to be considered.  I think because it was our first experience with a possible baby for our family, we just didn't know what to do with all of this electronic information.  It was too emotionally charged for e-mail.  So after the first referral, I asked our case worker to please change our primary e-mail address for notifications to Justin's e-mail.  He was more comfortable with it than I am, and the next time this occurs, he will call and let me know since he also can pick up e-mail from his phone.  That was a big lesson learned for me: I don't like potential life-changing news to come via e-mail!

As for the nursery, it's coming along.  A friend is going to give us her cherry changing table that will match the bed perfectly.  We still need a chest of drawers and some sort of storage for the closet (shelves).  I am registered and Target and Babies-R-Us, but I have found that many of the items are cheaper if I just google them and buy them from the least expensive merchant on the internet.  And just a reminder, if you would like to look at our fundraiser t-shirts, go to www.adoptionbug.com/millerplusone.  We receive a portion of the proceeds from every shirt sold. 

I want to take a moment to tell you all how much we appreciate your love, prayers, and support.  I wish I could say that every person we've told about the children we are open to adopting has given us a positive response, but I can't.  Unfortunately, I am finding that prejudice and issues of race are still very much alive.  But Justin and I know in our hearts that God will bring us the baby we are meant to have and it will be a perfect fit.  Please continue to remember us, even while we wait.

Our friends the Bryants are getting very close to traveling to Columbia, South America to bring home a sibling group of four girls they are adopting.  It is very exciting for them and their three children (yes, they will have a total of seven children) and our church is beginning to have its eyes opened to the miracle of adoption.  We hope to promote National Adoption and orphan care Awareness month in November at our church!  Pray that more churches will begin to see the need for God's people to be directly and indirectly involved with adoption and orphan care.  I HIGHLY recommend Mary Beth Chapman's new book, due out September 10, if you want more information on this growing movement: http://www.amazon.com/Choosing-SEE-Journey-Struggle-Hope/dp/0800719913/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1281483318&sr=1-1


I am taking two online courses this summer through Asbury Seminary in Kentucky.  I will be very glad when they have come to an end.  It's been a long, hot summer and this mommy-to-be is so looking forward to fall and the crisper air.  Fall has always been my favorite season.  It's a time of change, when we get back into routines of school, getting ready for the holidays, and has traditionally been when I do my best thinking and writing.  I can't wait to see what this fall brings in terms of change for our family.  Perhaps in 2015, five years from now, I will be preparing my little one for his or her first day of Kindergarten...more change, tears, thinking, and writing to come!

Love and hugs from the Millers...plus one.

Comments

  1. You and Justin are going to be such cool parents!! Thanks for making me cry. I hope and pray that the right baby comes along soon. I can't wait to meet him or her.

    Heather Beard

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thrilled that your nursery is coming along. I think of you most every time my phone rings, hoping you are getting your call. This will be one blessed baby with you and Justin as parents. With friendship,Karen

    ReplyDelete

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