Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

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a process, indeed

October 22, 2008 by Kristin Leave a Comment

I think about Cate’s story, which Greg + I whole-heartedly embrace as our story, every day. Different days I think about different aspects. And generally I always end up thanking God for her, her birth mother and the way God was weaving all these details together.

But there were a lot of lessons learned in the adoption process, from the moment we began pursuing this way to have a family to the first nights we spent together in a hotel room off Exit 2 in Jeffersonville, Indiana. Really, there are lessons every day, but I’ve especially been thinking about the ones God taught me through the adoption.

I remember one time I told Greg me he didn’t understand what I meant when I said I had a “good conversation” with someone. “Good conversation” probably doesn’t do the exchange justice most of the time. But, sticking with the vague description, I had a good conversation with an old friend Monday evening. It was encouraging + real. He and his wife are considering adoption + he wanted to hear our story.

Yeah, you know me, no hesitation to share Cate’s story. Our story.

And it got me thinking.

Cate is only 1 1/2 years old. But I enjoyed reminiscing about the details of the process I consider a blessing. The outcome is obvious, but there’s a reason people refer to “adoption processes.” It’s a process. And for me, it was a journey of faith.

We’re hoping to have a second process underway … at some point. We’re waiting to be led to a birth mother.

But until then, I thought I’d share a few of the lessons learned along the way.

I don’t memorize much. But some of Paul’s words to the Philippians have remained pretty clear in my heart: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 4:6-7

I thought I got it. But it wasn’t until I traded our desire to “get pregnant” to pursue adoption that I really got it. I experienced that peace, the one that transcends all understanding. I felt free. I wasn’t questioning why my body didn’t make enough of the right horomones. I wasn’t wondering if this was the month. I felt at peace at a time people were surprised I was so OK with the realization that I probably wouldn’t have a biological child.

I’ve never been pregnant, obviously, but I don’t feel like we settled for something less. I believe with all my heart and mind that our daughter is our daughter and she’s the daughter God meant for us to take care of. That may be a simplistic view, but to me that’s God’s peace in my heart because I don’t have any doubts, hesitations or worries when it comes to raising this beautiful girl.

If you know me, you know I’m naturally a worrier of details and plans. This peace, that transcends all understanding, is much more comfortable. Even if it did take me awhile to get here.

Greg + I (and our friends) prayed for a long time to “get pregnant.” I cried about it. I got mad about it. I was frustrated about it. Looking back, I see that God heard our prayers. Even if we weren’t praying the “right” words. He heard the meaning of our prayers. He heard me cry out because I wanted to be a mother. He heard Greg’s longing to have a baby in our house. He knew we wanted a family.

So while I was wondering when + how we’d get pregnant, God was orchestrating an even better plan. He answered my prayers by leading us to adoption, then to Cate’s birth mother, and finally to Cate. And I learned like never before that God does care about the desires of heart. And he does hear us. Just don’t be surprised when he works because it may not be like you expect.

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Filed Under: adoption, Cate, faith, friends, quotes

Comments

  1. Peggy says

    October 22, 2008 at 11:25 am

    You are a wise woman and I am enjoying watching God move in your life. What fun it will be too to see the surprises God has in store for you. He always has the best surprises.

    Reply
  2. Life as I know it says

    October 22, 2008 at 4:03 pm

    You are so right – God’s peace and plan is the best. I’m excited to see where the next phase of this leads you guys.

    Reply
  3. Shelley says

    October 22, 2008 at 4:49 pm

    Your story is such an inspiration and your faith is amazing.

    Reply
  4. tish says

    October 24, 2008 at 5:54 pm

    Such a fantastic way to “tell” your testimony and story. I believe whether through pregnancy or adoption, you become and mother and father through the raising and upbringing process – not through the method of how the baby comes to you!

    Reply
  5. Bethany says

    October 25, 2008 at 3:23 am

    I love not only what you say but how you say it, obviously you are a great writer. You are so right about the peace that we feel when we are doing what is GOd’s plan for us. I cannot wait to hear the journey of your newest addition!

    Reply

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Telling stories is my therapy and I love sharing them with friends on my porch.

The main characters in my stories are my entrepreneur husband, our high school girl who never forgets, our middle school boy who has no fear, and our joy-filled first-grade girl. As we live out our stories, we seek God as the author of them all.

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To live in communion with one another, means to sh To live in communion with one another, means to share meals, space, advice, and prayers. It also means sharing hope, disappointment, dreams, and forgiveness. 

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So many of my Facebook friends shared lovely pictu So many of my Facebook friends shared lovely pictures of their daughters yesterday for the completely made-up National Daughters Day. Regardless, today I'm all in my feelings about my daughters. 

They're 16 and 8 right now. Both of their classes have been studying ancient Egypt and had a joint feast today. Sweet, huh? 

BUT THEN TIMEHOP GOT ME! Apparently, NINE years ago today, when Cate was a second-grader, her class had an Egyptian feast. I think about a particular picture of Cate and her friend Kilee from that day AND THEN IT CAME UP IN MY TIMEHOP TODAY. Facebook also told me that same day nine years ago, Monica and I became Facebook friends. We probably were at the Egyptian feast and decided we'd be friends because our girls were friends. Y'all, God has been so good to me through my friendship with Monica. Our families click in a special way with our three sets of same-aged kids, most of whom have been adopted. 

Anyway, my daughters. They're lovely, funny, and smart. I love that Cate helped Rachel with her Egyptian eye makeup this morning and made her a Nutella and banana sandwich. I love that they got to have a party today at school together. I love that even though they're eight years apart, they're sisters. 

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You’re a light wherever you go! And you like to You’re a light wherever you go! And you like to go! You’re always making friends, asking about our next adventure, wanting to know what’s next, and talking if you’re not singing. You’re the joy our family needed in 2015 and you continue to be the one who makes us laugh and love better than we did before we knew you. 

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