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Showing posts from 2017

Adoption story - Ashley & Scott

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I fell in love with Ashley and Scott right away, and it turns out, they are mutual friends and live just a few minutes away from me! They signed on with me around New Years Eve of 2017. I loved their positive, loving attitude and motivation to grow their family.  Little did they know they would have the most exciting year ahead of them!  Nearly 7 months after joining CAC, their beautiful daughter was born! I thought that those waiting in the trenches may enjoy and relate to Ashley's journey of waiting, hoping, and waiting some more!     ****************************************** On my 29 th birthday, July of 2016, we found out that we were not pregnant (AGAIN)... After two years of trying to conceive, we had experienced the most challenging roller coaster of emotions... so much loss, disappointment, and devastation.  So we started our journey through the adoption process. Through our infertility treatments, God had really taught me to trust in Him, and so I decid

Adoption story - Heather and Chuck

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  I absolutely loved serving Heather and Chuck as they set out on their THIRD adoption journey!  They had already adopted two girls and knew a bit about the adoption roller coaster.  They signed on with me in late February of 2016, and set forth on a journey of faith with fundraising and prayers for their new baby. They bravely presented their story to several cases throughout the spring and summer, until one day they received a call from a Christian agency just an hour away from their home.   Their was a little boy due in about a month -- were they interested? They have since gone on to develop a wonderful open adoption with his birth mom. This is one adored little boy! Here's a bit more about their son's arrival, in Heather's words: "A year ago today we had the honor of being present at the hospital while our son was born!  I can't help but to recount today hour by hour minute by minute exactly what we were doing a year ago today.

Adoption story - Tyler + Erin

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Congratulations to this sweet family on the big FIRST BIRTHDAY of their sweet Piper! I adore Tyler and Erin -- they signed on with me in April of 2016 and were trusting in divine  Providence to lead them to their child.  I immediately starting working with them to become Home Study certified, as our team designed their awesome family profile book. They were home study ready in May, and open to every case I shared with them. It is always so disappointing to hear a No.  But in adoption, I have learned there's always a reason.  The "no" you might hear, is because your sweet forever baby is waiting somewhere else.  The Lord is orchestrating so many details behind the scenes. Here's a snapshot of the most momentous day in the life of Tyler and Erin.... Sometimes your miracle may be right around the corner from you: The above photo was taken earlier this month -- celebrating one year of Piper!! But this story started a year ago..... in a little hospital not

Adoption story - Courtney and Mitchell

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Oh, how I love this family!  They have a "one of a kind" adoption story where they truly had to surrender to the Lord and trust that His Plan was GOOD.  I may have spent more time on my knees in prayer for this family than any other, and recruited lots of other prayer warriors as well. Here's a bit of their story..... .... Courtney and Mitchell signed on with me in August of 2015, and immediately started working on their Home Study to be certified to adopt. They were matched in the early summer of 2016, and eagerly awaited an October birth.  They were able to travel to meet and bond with the expectant mother that summer, and began a close relationship. Everything seemed beautiful and lovely. Until it wasn't. After traveling back to the state of the birth for the expectant mom's planned c-section, the adoption plan was failing. It was devastating to say the least. This sweet family drove home with empty arms. They remained steadfast in the Lord, a

Adoption story -- Nicole (and Noah!)

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I just adore helping single mamas achieve their dreams of motherhood, especially when they are as sweet as Nicole. Nicole came to me in August of last year, seeking to become a mom for the first time -- as a single mom.  She had the total support of her parents and entire extended family behind her, and she was ready to do whatever it took to become a mom. Trusting in the Lord's guidance, she started the home study process in August and started working on her home study.  I had the joy of designing her beautiful family profile book, which showcased her entire support system -- her parents, and the family members who would be an active part of her baby's life.  (One of my favorite parts of my job as a consultant is working with my families to select the photos used in their family profile books.  As a result, I really get to know them so well!)  I could tell that Nicole has an extremely close-knit family, and any baby that came into her life would be so adored.

Adoption story - Max + Amanda

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Amanda and Max came to me in September of 2016 --  they had just moved on to adoption to build their family.  After lots of trials and setbacks, they were just ready to become parents. They quickly became home study certified, while we set to work on designing their family profile book. They brought so much tenacity to their journey -- Amanda and I spoke often, and she was willing to present to just about every case I shared with them.  Their hearts and hands were just ready for whatever the Lord may bring their way. After presenting to what felt like SO MANY cases, they were selected by a brave expectant mom in early March, and their baby boy was born just two weeks later!  They were able to attend his birth after a cross-country flight, with just a few minutes to spare.   I loved seeing the photos of them falling in love with their sweet baby boy in the hospital, and as they've adapted to being a family of three. Congratulations, and God Bless You!

Adoption story - Bryce and Sara

Bryce and Sara's story is one of hope amidst lots of ups and downs in their journey to their son. This precious couple, and their young son, Hudson, signed on with CAC this time last year.  They got right to work on completing their Home Study, while we worked on designing their beautiful family profile book.  They were hoping for a boy to complete their family, but were open to just about every scenario I shared with them. Just a few months after being Home Study ready, they matched with a terrific expectant mom due in November 2016, and they built a very sweet relationship, including an in-person visit. Unfortunately, she had a change of heart about a week before the delivery. It was heart breaking. I cried along with this sweet family, and I was humbled by their graciousness and love toward everyone involved. We kept praying, and just a couple of weeks later, the placing agency was able to re-match them with a case that seemed like a "sure thing," and

adoption story: Trevor + Laura

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I love working with couples who are local to me, so we can meet up for coffee, pray and dream together!   I first met with Laura and Trevor in the summer of 2015 to talk in person.  We really connected, and I loved their heart for others.  They signed on with me in August. And I loved getting to know them even better by designing their beautiful family profile book as they worked on their home study certification.  The book went to print. Then the real wait began! Here's a bit from their perspective, and what God taught them in the waiting for their sweet daughter, in Laura's words: " God used this adoption journey to refine our faith and trust in Him. Our journey was daunting but looking back, we can see how God orchestrated every little detail so perfectly in the way that only He can.   When we felt the call to begin our adoption journey, we had no idea how we’d afford the costs or what to expect along the way. We did know, however, that we were to pursu

Adoption story - Bryan & Elizabeth

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Oh my heart — I have known Elizabeth since she was about five years old!  And now we are adoptive mamas and colleagues together.  Dream team! She and her husband Bryan worked with CAC for their first adoption of their son Dex, and several years later came back when they were ready to add to their family again.  And that’s also around the time when I asked her to join me in the trenches of adoption world.  I didn’t quite expect that her joining CAC and adding to her family again would so quickly coincide, but it did! One weekday I was rushing out to a meeting, when an agency called me with a scenario that I knew was just perfect for Elizabeth.  I knew that this baby was meant for Elizabeth and her husband.  At least that’s what my gut was telling me as I called and asked if she would like to present her book to his birth family  :)  And -- hours later we learned that his birth parents selected Elizabeth + Bryan out of a pool of other waiting families. So, here was a

Adoption story - Michelle

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Michelle is a lovely woman and Christ-follower, and I loved every moment of helping her on her road to parenthood.  We had so many wonderful conversations on her journey to her sweet boy. I asked her to share some of the key parts of her adoption journey, and she has done so, so beautifully below.   Her son was born near Christmas-time, and has one of the best Christmas inspired names ever -- Gabriel!!!   I hope this story encourages other waiting families, especially the single mamas out there.   Michelle shares her story so eloquently below: “Adoption is something that has been on my heart since I was very small. Even as a child, I knew adoption would be a way that I would someday grow my family. One night when I was in my mid-twenties I remember having dinner with a friend. I told her that if when I turned 30 I was not close to being married or starting a family then I would start the process to adopt. In November 2015 I celebrated my 30th birthday and over Christ