9.11.2010

September Blessings

A close friend and our pastor, Rob Mullins, has said many times, "Obedience begins in pain and ends in blessing."  Bear and I have found that to be true.

I would like to take some time to fill you in on the journey we have been on in seeking to become parents.  It began almost four years ago in November of 2006.  We began trying to concieve at that time.  Like most people, we were nervous at the thought of getting pregnant right away.  We naturally thought it would happen fast.  For the first few months, I spent countless dollars on pregnancy tests.  To no avail, all were negative.  We have it more time, trying to be optimistic.  We knew that the Lord's timing was perfect.  We felt from the beginning of our marriage that the Lord wanted us to be parents one day.  I ALWAYS wanted to be a mom.  I never aspired to have a sucessful career outside of the home.  Any job, regardless of the rewards, always became mundane, because I ultimately wasn't satisfied with the "9-5".  I have longed to nurture and be a mom.

As the months passed, my annual check-up approached.  I shared with my doctor our struggles.  He went ahead and prescribed Clomid for me because I have a thyroid condition that sometimes can cause it hard to concieve.  I felt that I had a second wind.  I read the entire pamphlet that went with the meds.  I especially freaked Bear out when I read the part that said we could have multiples, while being excited about that inside. :)

The months passed, we increased the strenghth of the Clomid to the highest dose.  I was going nuts emotionally.  After six months of the meds, we decided to stop taking them.  I felt that much more of that and I would be in the looney bin!

In the summer of 2008 we went to a fertility specialist.  They are the best in our area.  We went through a series of tests and were going to try and do IUI.  I got really excited, but was terribly disappointed to find out that because of complications with both Bear and I, this procedure would not work.  In September of 2008, the doctor sat down with us and explained that we would most likely not concieve.  Because we both wanted to adopt one day, we left the office with hope.  It was still an emotional day that I will never forget.  The gravity of the news still hit me like a ton of bricks.

We decided to take some time and get through the holidays before taking the first steps toward adoption.  In January of 2009, we met with a couple of agencies in Memphis.  We felt led to go with Life Choices of Memphis.  This is an agency that I have known about my whole life.  My church has always sponsored it too.  We began the paperwork with them in the winter and turned it in June of 2009.  We felt like we had written and illustrated out life stories. 

So the easy part started...NOPE!  We waited....and waited...and waited.

The Lord constantly reminded us that His timing was perfect.  He had a plan.  He was working on us and preparing us for the baby that HE had for us.

Several situations came up and quickly dissolved.  Many leaving us emotionally drained.  The Lord stayed the same.  Constantly reminding us that He is our strength.  He would see us through.  We must cling to Him, even when we don't know what is going on.

In June of this year, my sweet friend (and practically a sister) Leah Budinsky, told me about a young friend who was due in September.  We began praying about this situation, sent her a profile of our family and...waited.

Things didn't really pan out.  We decided that this, too, was going to dissappait like the others.

Off and on, the Lord would bring that particular situation to mind over this summer. I would pray for the birth mother and that baby.

So skip to present time...

Through a not coincidental meeting, Leah talked with the birthmother Friday, August 27th, she decided to meet with us Saturday the 28th, baby girl~Amelia~ was born Sunday, August 29th and then...guess what??...we waited...and waited...Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, then Friday came.  We were at Chic-fil-a with the Dawkins and we got THE PHONE CALL. (Laura has a pic on her blog).  I screamed! We found out that we would be meeting and taking our sweet girl home that very night!

We spent the rest of the afternoon in hasty but excited preparation! After a wonderful time at the cradle care family's home, we walked into our door with our sweet Amelia Rebecca Rose! There was a house full of family and friends aka Prayer Warriors waiting to catch a glimpse of this little lady.  It was truly a sweet time! My sis, Michelle, had surprised us with pink "it's a girl" balloons and banner in our den! There were gifts of clothes, diapers and wipes on our table.  We were so excited!  Basically we have been rejoicing and, literally, partying ever since! I don't think the partying will subside until October is over, we will have a break and then it will be baby girl's first Christmas!!!

Very soon, most likely, Tuesday night, I will be able to post pics of this precious blessing.

I just want to publically thank YOU for praying for us through these years and though this past year.  You have been a blessing to us! We are so excited to see what all the Lord does in and through this baby girl's life. 

"Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen."  Ephesians 3:20, 21

10 comments:

The Gipsons said...

Thanks for sharing Amanda! I'm so excited for yall! Your little girl is so precious and I can't wait to watch her grow into a young lady. You and Bear are such wonderful parents and role models! Love ya!

Lori said...

Wonderful!!!

Sarah Coplon said...

I am the third daughter of the cradle care family and it is a small world because I found your blog and have been waiting on an update on sweet Amelia. We miss her so much and know that she is such a blessing to you and Bear. Every baby that comes into our home is instantly loved forever. It was such an incredible experience to place into your arms your precious daughter for the very first time. We are so excited to share in this joy with you. I know you are enjoying every minute with her! Sorry this is so long, but we think of and remember Amelia everyday and look forward to updates and pictures from you!

greatishisfaithfulness said...

Oh Amanda, I am so happy for y'all! Praise God for His faithfulness and goodness to His children!

Willis Family said...

we love you guys and are so excited to raise our son with your precious amelia!! god is so good :)

Lee said...

God is good!!!!

MeMe said...

Dear Amelia,
First of all I am so sorry PawPaw and I can’t be there for your dedication. We promise to partner with your Mom and Dad to raise you to someday come to know Christ as your best friend. I know God has a plan for your life and I can’t wait to see what that is. I pledge to talk to you often about Jesus and what he did for us. I hope to someday be able to share with you my testimony and the amazing things God has done in my life. I prayed for you before you were born and I will pray for you daily as long as I live.
PawPaw and I love you with all our hearts.
Love
MeMe

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much for sharing the story. I've been thinking of you guys a lot since I learned of this and am so grateful for this little blessing in your lives. I always say that God has taught me more about Himself, myself, and how to live by being a parent than in any other way.

Candace said...

So excited for you and bear! Thanks for sharing about your journey!

Annie said...

You and Bear have been such godly examples through this trial of waiting and disappointments. Sweet Amelia is so blessed to have such amazing, godly parents! I feel blessed to have you as friends :)