An Adoption Story: Brian & Elizabeth
From my first conversation with Brian & Elizabeth it was clear their hearts were wide open for adoption. They walked into this process hopeful to grow from a family of 5 to 6. Throughout the entire time, they were open handed and open hearted to each situation they prayed over. Brian & Elizabeth were always willing to step into the vulnerable spaces to love and support these expecting mothers and their children. It was a joy to be to witness their family’s journey through adoption.
I sat at the coffee shop across from my friend Megan discussing our plans for adoption. “Have you ever heard about Christian Adoption Consultants?” she asked. I hadn’t. In fact I had no idea how to even start this process. She and her husband were struggling with infertility and thinking of adopting, while my husband and I had three beautiful kiddos, but had always known we would adopt someday. After that visit I started looking into a whole list of agencies. Door after door slammed shut in our faces. Finally I pulled out my phone and texted Megan, “Can you tell me again what the name of that adoption consultant was?” I emailed CAC and within a few hours Samantha had gotten back to me, unlike other agencies where it had been days or weeks of not hearing from them. I was very impressed with how professional and helpful she was. We were concerned that we wouldn’t be able to adopt since we already had three kids, but she assured us that it could happen.
The home study took forever with several drama filled moments, it was definitely challenging. Once our home study was approved we started the process of filling out applications. We applied to 8 agencies and said yes to just about every case we saw. You see we have this beautiful family that we wanted to share with a child and her mamma!
We also are very trauma informed so we felt educated and equipped for all different situations. One year passed, then almost 2. I’d gotten so used to hearing no, no, no that I was beginning to ask God, “Is this ever going to happen?” The verse I clung to during this time was Psalm 119:126 “It is time for you to act Lord,” because I knew at this point there was nothing I could do. Oh, and remember my wonderful friend Megan? She miraculously got pregnant with a little girl. As I went to her baby shower I thought, “Gosh that conversation was so long ago and now she is getting ready for her miracle baby girl.” We also wanted a girl so badly, but knew we couldn’t control that. It was a beautiful shower, and I was so happy for my friend, but I suddenly understood a little piece of how hard baby showers could be for women dealing with infertility. So much longing and unmet desires.
Then in March I got a phone call: “Hi Elizabeth and Bryan, I have great news. Your profile has been chosen by a birth mom.” The whole world stood still. My mind started to race. “Wait, what?? Were we presenting to somebody?” I had totally forgotten! This was our 30th time presenting. She chose us because she wanted her baby to have siblings. We were so excited. The birth mom said she wasn’t sure if she wanted an open adoption, but we slowly became friends.
Then one day she emailed us and said she was being taken to the hospital. We didn’t hear anything back for several weeks. That was the hardest time of my life and this level of uncertainty. I just cried, convinced our adoption was over. God reminded me that I just had to trust Him, and my husband was a solid rock through all of it. Fortunately she did reappear, with little to no explanation as to what had happened, but baby was safe and that was all that mattered. She also told us that she was having a baby girl. We had prayed so hard for it to be a girl, and God had answered our crazy request.
On October 12th 2022 baby Riley was born. She did have a NICU stay. Even though we couldn’t hold her, we went there every day just to be with her. Now that she is home, we still keep in contact with her mom and send her updates about once a week or so. If we forget or get busy she always emails us and asks how her baby is doing. Learning to accept Riley into our family has been a learning experience, but it’s been a blessing too. We love her and our kids love her; she is part of our family now. Riley also is truly our daughter, and we are so blessed to be her parents. Her nickname is smiley Riley.
I know the wait is hard…we have been saving and planning for adoption for 13 years, but it is worth it. Don’t give up.
