Building Beautiful Families

N ick and Meara recently welcomed their sweet daughter late last year, and were gracious enough to share their thoughts.  Their journey to their daughter was not easy, but they leaned on the Lord throughout every high and low. Congratulations on becoming of a family of 3! Here's Meara's view.... Due to health issues, we knew when we married in 2014 that our path to parenthood wouldn’t be easy, but we never anticipated it strengthening our relationship with each other and God.  We had little experience with adoption and felt overwhelmed with beginning the process.   At the urging of a friend from church, we reached out to CAC and signed on with Gretchen in February 2017.  We received our first situation that May. I would have presented to nearly every situation but my husband, Nick was much more faithful and let God lead his heart. After several months of No’s we grew increasingly frustrated. Gretchen was so wonderfully patient and encouraging.

I remember speaking with Brett & Tanna for the very first time when they called our office one morning.  I could hear the anticipation and nerves in their voices as they described their call and desire to adopt.  They had three biological children already, but sensed that the Lord had a fourth baby out there for them, and they were eager to obey. They signed on with me in April, and immediately jumped into the home study process.  They were matched in late December, and their little guy was born in February of 2018. Since their baby recently turned "1," and Tanna and I were just reminiscing about all the details leading up to their little guy's birth and adoption. Tanna was gracious enough to compile her thoughts below.... She's shared all of the highs and lows on their adoption journey, and has been very brave to share the reality of "the hospital experience" as well....  Thank you, Tanna! I know that your story will encourage others. G

Today's adoption story comes from a sweet couple, Mitch and Katie, who live in my community. It was a joy to meet their sweet daughter recently at her baby shower! Katie and Mitch have beautiful hearts for the Lord, and it was so encouraging to see how brave and courageous they were during the journey to their sweet Lydia. Katie has so kindly shared some of the "highs and lows" of their adoption experience with us today on the blog.....  Grab a cup of coffee and let their story encourage you. ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you, not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  Jeremiah 29:11 Mitch and I first began to talk about adoption before we were married.  At that time it was something that I felt the Lord calling me to do.  Over the next decade, I would watch as the Lord brought Mitch to this same calling an