i dont really know where to begin because i am still processing everything. so i guess ill just start at the beginning. before we left yesterday morning i told clay he could open his “mystery gift” and this was what was inside.
its a little onesie with a drumset screenprinted on it and it came with a hat and matching bib. his comment?…”it’s even a nice set up” haha! he thought it was cool. this is the baby item that i bought almost a year ago from etsy. i am so glad i was finally able to give to him on a very special day.
so after that we drove to nashville for the meeting. i think there were about 13ish other couples with us. the first part of the day we heard from other bethany families and the second half was spent going over paperwork. the family’s stories were so inspiring and several made me cry. the story that moved me most was from a birthmother. she remembered how alone she felt through her pregnancy and how bethany was there for her during that time. she chose an adoption plan for her child and chose a couple. then she told us about the first time they met. she had already delivered and was at the hospital. the baby was in the room with her and she asked to meet the couple she chose. and this part still makes me cry. the couple came into the room, walked past the baby and went right to this woman. they gave her flowers and told her how much they loved her and thanked her for making the beautiful choice of life. the birthmother said she felt so loved in that moment after months of feeling so lonely.
this is the mindset i pray that we keep. adoption is not about “getting a baby”, although you do. adoption is a ministry, a way to love these women, who sometimes have absolutely no one. i pray we do it well. it can only come from Christ because i am by nature a very selfish person. and so i start praying now. praying for her, that she has someone to talk to. that she knows she is loved. that she draws closer to the SAVIOR. that she is protected from rude comments and pain. that she finds peace and strength. that she has hope.
please take some time and pray for her and for women in the same situation.
Karen said,
February 7, 2009 at 5:15 pm
WOW, what a day! I’m so glad you’ve chosen to share your journey with all of us who read your blog. What a great testimony from this woman and the family she chose. Know that you have a friend who is praying for yall, the woman, and the baby that will impact your lives forever!!
p.s LOVE THE ONESIE
Jill said,
February 7, 2009 at 7:24 pm
Hey Hannah, dear!
I’m so excited for you & Clay on this journey toward building your family ! I am friends with three birth mothers who are the sweetest girls ever. They are all involved with open adoptions and are still in contact with their birth children.
I will be praying for this mother who chooses you & Clay to become her childs adoptive parents. What courage it takes to allow another family to parent your child! I cannot imagine!
Many prayers and blessings to you during this time!!
Greg said,
February 21, 2009 at 1:15 pm
Wow, what a revelation that seems to be Hannah! I’ve always thought of adoption as mainly a ministry to the child, but you are absolutely right to recognize it is a ministry to the mother as well.
I didn’t know you were blogging again, so I’m trying to get caught up!