~Journey to Brooke~

When Courtney turned two we decided to try IVF( In-Vitro-Fertilization) again. We never made it completely through the IVF cycle because of complications. We were confused because it had worked the first time with Courtney. Even though we did not understand at the time, God had everything under control and had other plans for our future. The Drs. told us we would never have another baby and they did not recommend IVF again.

I can remember how crushed I felt. I got rid of all my baby items. I felt so empty as I went through things. I can remember how the tears fell as I got rid of everything. God helped us through this time. Kevin and I counted our blessings and were thankful for Courtney. I was able to get through each week. Each week turned into months and the pain and emptiness gradually went away. I have to say without God I don’t feel we could have made it through those times. Our salvation is the most important thing in life. God helped us to just look at the good and not worry about the future.

After two years the longing for a child came back. I love children and I longed for more. Courtney was always asking and praying for God to give her a brother or sister. Through much prayer and seeking God, Kevin and I turned our desires over to God. Mark 11:24 says “Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when you pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them” We knew that God made our bodies and he could give us more children if it was his will. Our congregation of faithful saints started carrying our burden with us that God would give us a child. They would fast and pray for us. Many saints would give us a encouraging scripture. We do love and appreciate each saint that carried a burden for us. We appreciate their prayers and encouragement. We feel we owe a special thanks to Bro. Danny and Sis. Emily Carter who prayed and fasted much with us. Sister Emily was always telling me “stay encouraged, you are going to have another child” We also feel we owe Sister Karen Blomgren and her story hour class a special thanks. Her story hour class is ages 9-12. We remember how those children took their money and bought us a little oak rocking chair for our baby. The faith in Sis. Karen and her class was very touching. Many days I would look at that rocking chair and wonder when my child would get to sit in it. I knew God was in control, and He would move in His own time. A year passed and I was still not pregnant. Every time I turned around, adoption kept coming to my mind. People would say something to me about adoption or I would read a article about adoption. No matter how hard I tried to get adoption out of my mind it would come right back. I thought, “is God trying to tell me something” Gods plans are sometimes not what our plans are. I told God if it was His will for us to adopt then He would have to work it out. I started checking into American Adoption. I called and signed up for a class for American adoption. The class was three days and was only offered in June. The class was put off until September, because the lady who did the class was having a baby. God had everything under control. If we would have went to the class in June, we would have paid money and missed out on what God had for us.

In August of 2004 my mom spoke with a Chinese lady at a restaurant. The conversation they had was about International Adoption. The lady told my mom that their was many little Chinese children who needed a home. My mom came home and told me about the conversation and that the lady could get us some information. I said “ NO Way” I had never been on a plane and it scared me to death to think about getting on one. A week later the lady called my mom and wanted me to come and get some information she had for me.

I got the literature and studies about China Adoption. I did a search on International Adoption, but I could not shake the fear I was having about flying. Kevin and I met with a lady from Arab, Alabama who had adopted from China. She told me about her experience and we got to meet her daughter. This lady was a great inspiration to us. Meeting her daughter made me start thinking “Is our child that God wants us to have in China?” I was so scared. Surely God did not want us to fly all the way across the world for our baby. Every time I turned around I would see little Chinese girls. I could not get them out of my mind. I could see this one little face that I felt belonged to me. Finally, I poured my heart out to God. I told him if it was His will for us to adopt from China that He would have to help me overcome my fear of flying. That night in my devotions God gave me the scripture Isaiah 43: 2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee and through the rivers they shall not overflow thee: I said “ O.K God.” I felt I had my answer. God also gave us the scripture Isaiah 43: 5-6 Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the East, and gather thee from the west. I will say to the north Give up; and to the south keep not back: bring my sons from far and my daughters from the ends of the earth.

Seed means children and China is at the end of the earth from where we live. Kevin and I felt 95% sure that God was leading us to adopt from China. We had already signed up for the American adoption class, so we went ahead to it. We prayed that God would let us be 100% sure that he wanted us to adopt from China. At the class there was so much negative. Sixty percent of birth moms change their minds. I did not feel that I could handle that. There were lawyers, birth moms, and adoptive parents speaking at the class. Kevin and I walked away feeling the same way. Our Little Girl was waiting on us in China. We sent our application to Harrah Family Services in Texas. Ten days from the time we sent our application to Harrah, we heard back from them. We were accepted on October 1, 2004 and started our paper chase immediately. God has given me such peace about the plane ride. God has been with us every step of the way. He has answered so many prayers for us. Our family and friends have pulled together and had fund raisers for us. We owe them all so much thanks. We owe God everything because he has been the one that has carried us through. We know we have a little girl in China waiting for us that needs us as much as we need her. We know that in a few more months we will be holding Brooke in our arms.