Unexpected opportunities

I haven't posted for a while because quite honestly, there hasn't been any updates.  A year ago I was gung-ho, full-steam-ahead ready to adopt a baby right then.  (I have a tendency to get ahead of myself sometimes and jump in with both feet when I decide to do something....a trait, I am often reminded, I inherited from my father...It's a blessing and a curse.)  I was ready for God to open doors and for a baby to show up on my doorstep the next day.  Obviously that didn't happen.  Things happened that forced me to push my plans to the back burner.  Does that sound familiar?  Maybe not to you, but I've learned in my 32 years that more times than not, God's plans don't line up with my time table.  Like my "plan" to get married by 25 and have a couple kids by now...yeah, that hasn't worked out so far!  But, God brings me back around and reminds me that His plan really is better than mine.  All the time.  Every time.

So I took a step back and realized that the timing wasn't right.  When Stef had Charlie last June, the hole in my heart where a baby should be felt like it grew exponentially day by day.  I was so captivated and in love with him immediately and saw the bond that they shared as mother and son.  It only made my yearning stronger.  I began asking God if adopting was the right option...was Haiti the place my baby would come from.....and God didn't give me any clear answers.

Honestly, He still hasn't given me any clear answers.  This is what I know right now though.  I got an email this morning from my social worker who helped me with the screening process last year and she has a woman looking for a home for her unborn baby.  She asked for us to let her know if we knew anyone who was interested.  My heart immediately felt like it was going to leap out of my body.  The first thought in my head was, "What if this is my baby?"  I immediately emailed back and also called and let her know that I was interested and would do whatever I needed to if this was the right situation.  I called mom and a few of my closest friends/family and put out the request for folks to start praying for this woman, this baby, and this prospective mama.  Responses began pouring in and I could immediately feel the prayers working on me.  My nature is such that I get anxious and nervous easily.  I felt twinges of excitement, anxiety, awe....but I began feeling incredibly peaceful -- something that I am convinced only comes from God.

12 hours later, here is where I stand.  I don't know much more than I did this morning.  This baby is an African American boy and is due Feb. 10.  The birth mother is being given the adoption options.  I don't know how many other parents/families are being offered to her along with me.  I've had many thoughts today...wouldn't it be just like God to give me the complete opposite of what I thought was the perfect thing for me?  And to drop it in my lap and remind me that His timing is perfect and He loves nothing more than to bless His children what exactly what we need, even if it's not what we thought we wanted.  If this baby boy is meant to be my child, I have no doubt whatsoever that God will continue to open the doors and work this situation out.  If this is not my child, I am reminded that HE is the one in control of this decision for my life and HE is the one who calls the shots - including who and when.

I am praying for this birth mother tonight as she is making very hard and life-changing decisions for herself and her unborn son.  I am praying that God would give her wisdom and discernment to make the decision that is His will for this boy's life.

Wow -- what a day.....

Where has the time gone????

I’ve been meaning to write an update but time has gotten away from me!  I cannot believe that February is almost gone…

So far, 2012 has been a whirlwind!  We found out in November that my sister, Stefanie, and her husband, Cody, are expecting their first child.  I was so excited for them and that Stef and I would get to experience first-time motherhood together, even though our experiences will be quite different for many reasons.  We found out last week that she is having a baby boy – a first for a family with 2 girls!  We are very excited and cannot wait to meet him, our little “bean,” as we have affectionately named him.  

Meanwhile I have been working on gathering all of the pieces of information I needed to get started with my home study.  I am only lacking 2 pieces of paper to have all of my stuff to her!  She visited my house on Saturday and once I get the last 2 things finished up, she will be able to work on completing the actual study report.  Once that is finished, we will send it to the State of TN for approval.  Once approved, I will be able to start applying for adoption grants and assistance.  And the fundraising will have to kick into HIGH gear!  We will send the home study approval to Haiti and that will star the ball rolling for me to work on my international paperwork (the really “fun” part from what I hear!).  

I am actively trying to get a part time job but have had little luck so far.  Please continue praying that God will work something out so I can put all the extra money into my adoption savings!  I will also be looking for ideas this spring if you have any suggestions.  I would like to do a yard sale and maybe host a 5k to raise some funds.  I am open to any and all suggestions!   If you feel the itch to have a yard sale or lemonade stand to help out, I would LOVE the help!  So, that is where things stand as of the end of February….a few more steps into the journey but still SO FAR away!  

Please continue to keep me and this process in your prayers! 

Love,

Carly

Hope and a Future

As we start counting down the days until Christmas, I have thought a lot about needs and wants.  Every year I am struck by how much money and emphasis people put on “things.”  I am guilty of it myself at times too, I know.  But I think back to last Christmas and an encounter that I had with my friends 2 girls from Haiti who were having their first American Christmas.  I was at their house and got to see all of their toys and surprises that Santa had brought them.  But Naika pulled me into the bathroom and pulled 2 toothbrushes out of the holder.  She said with a lot of excitement, “Tia and I each got a new toothbrush!”  It is a memory that will stick with me forever.  Even in the midst of getting new video games and dolls and toys and clothes, she was thankful and excited to get a new toothbrush – her OWN toothbrush.  But to get a little deep here, there was so much more behind what she was expressing.  She had been given a new start at life.  She will have opportunities, hope, and chances here she would never have had in Haiti.  My perspective is SO different now on Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  

No matter what the advertisers say, it’s not about how much money you spend (or save) and how many “things” you get.  At the end of the day – they are just that – THINGS.  No eternal value.  Likely not even something really life-changing.  It may make us happy for a few days, weeks, or months, but one day, those things will break.  The batteries will die.  The clothes won’t fit.  The new will wear off.  Newer updated versions will come out in 6 months and make today’s technology obsolete.  THINGS change.  The only thing that doesn’t change is God’s promise to us…plans to prosper and not to harm….plans to give you a hope and a future.  

Don’t get me wrong – on Christmas, there will be gifts exchanged in my family - more than any of us could ever need.  We will laugh and probably cry some as we share the gifts we bought each other.  But for me, the best gift I have this year is the new perspective on God’s plans for my life.  I am dying with anticipation for this baby that He has promised me!  I have been so blown away with what He has done in my life in the last 6 months.  I cannot imagine what the rest of the journey to this child will be like.  I have a feeling that the Carly that I am today is nowhere near the Carly I will be at the end.  And that is exciting.  My prayer for Christmas this year for myself and everyone I love is that we will see each gift as a treasure – no matter what it is.  Who knew that a new toothbrush could be like gold?  We are so blessed.  Even in the hard times.  Even on the bad days.  Even in the valleys.  Because He has given us the best gift of all – a hope and a future. 

Another Fundraising Endeavor!

Carly's Adoption Fundraiser

I have partnered with 147 Million Orphans, a non-profit group based here in Nashville, that helps with fundraising for adoptive families.  The items purchased through the text "Carly's Adoption Fundraiser" above (it has to be through my account to count towards my adoption) will add funds to my account and will be sent directly to the adoption agency on my behalf.  Please pass this link along - the products would make a great Christmas gift for someone you know who has a heart for adoption!  It is also good advertising to get the word out that there are so many children out there who need homes!  Thank you for your continued support!  I am beyond blessed!!!