Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

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We’re adopting again!

May 22, 2015 by Kristin Leave a Comment

The week before I turned 36, the same week my son was recovering from a tonsillectomy, three friends separately asked if we were still interested in adopting and then referenced specific situations. We said yes, yes, yes.

This came after Greg and I had some conversations – for the first time ever, really – about international adoption a couple weeks before. We’d even looked into different programs and Greg emailed a contact of his at adoption agency about Korea and Hong Kong. We asked our small group and a few close friends to pray for clarity of whether we should pursue any kind of adoption again.

We’ve always been interested in adopting again, even though we had much peace about not knowing whether it was going to happen. In December 2013, I knew I needed to lay down the desire and live the life right here. I realize that all sounds weird. But that’s the epitome of peace that passes understanding.

Initially, we most intrigued by what was the third scenario – a Kenya baby girl whom a missionary found in a bush. We have a dear friend from Kenya and immediately started a conversation with him about this. Turns out, international adoption from Kenya is nearly impossible. Our friend Daniel and his connections there offered some advice I passed along to the lady who was the go-between the missionary and me.

As I was drafting the email to this lady on May 5, my phone rang with a familiar number. Turns out, one of the other friends who had inquired about our adoption interest wanted us to talk to a local birth mother.

Stacy* and I talked about private adoption in general, our family’s previous experiences specifically, her motivation for making an adoption plan, and what would happen next. What happened next is Greg and I met her for face-to-face conversation later that same week and committed to an adoption plan with her. She had a sweet spirit and spoke of her relief to have a plan for this child.

Talk about clarity, for which we had prayed.

The following week, we met the birth dad at our attorney’s office. The four of us talked in the waiting room before our attorney shared with the birth parents what the legal process will look like. Our attorney is a friend and has pictures of Ben’s adoption finalization on his book shelf because he connected us with Ben’s birth mom in 2009. We’re thrilled God orchestrated this adoption in a way that allows him to be involved again.

Twenty-one weeks along, yesterday we accompanied Stacy to her doctor’s appointment that included an ultrasound. The BABY GIRL (!!!) wasn’t fully cooperating with her position, but everything seems good and we’ll get another look in a month when the ultrasound tech tries to get some more measurements. She’s due Sept. 28.

And, yes, I’m already working on the home study documents, aka The Mighty Stack of Papers. I bought more fire extinguishers and child locks yesterday not long before filling out more papers. And, speaking of papers, I found some Post-Its in Cate’s room this morning declaring her excitement  – “Yes! We’re going to have a baby!” – and baby girl name suggestion.

It’s been neat to see God’s timing unfold before our eyes …

Greg and the guys in his Bible study had prayed we would have clarity regarding possibly adopting again Tuesday morning – YES, THE SAME DAY I RECEIVED THE PHONE CALL.

Remember I told you Greg emailed a contact about international adoption? Well, he thought it was strange he hadn’t heard back. In the weeks we never heard back, we learned his contact had left said agency for a different job. Someone else from the agency emailed Greg THE SAME DAY I TALKED WITH STACY. She apologized that his email was overlooked. We didn’t need the international adoption information anymore, but we did need domestic adoption home study information.

I already mentioned this, but it needs repeating: The phone call with the local birth mom came AS I WAS COMPILING AN EMAIL ABOUT KNOWING THE DOOR TO THE KENYAN BABY WAS SHUT. Y’all, I couldn’t have orchestrated this if I tried. One door closed, another one opened in the same moment, literally. {I mentioned three friends asked us if we wanted to adopt again. Well, the other of the three scenarios was quickly a closed door, obviously not meant for us.}

I knew Greg, Cate and I were supposed to go to Guatemala this summer. I didn’t like the idea of leaving Ben, but I knew God wanted us to commit to this mission trip. So we did. And now I see at least one reason why: I won’t be in a position to go for a while if we’re bringing home a baby in September.

We’d appreciate your prayers – for our family, the birth parents, and this baby girl – as the process progresses. Adoption is beautiful – but there are so many emotions for everyone involved. {And, yes, there will be more updates here.}

________________

*Stacy isn’t her real name, but it’s going to be her public name, you know, for writing purposes. Obviously, my ebook will need an update … one day! 

Want more insights? “Peace in the Process: How Adoption Built My Faith & My Family” is available on Amazon. Like me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, peek into my life on Instagram, follow 152 Insights at Bloglovin’, or subscribe to receive “Insights in Your Inbox.”

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Filed Under: adoption, faith

Comments

  1. Lisa Larson says

    May 22, 2015 at 11:42 pm

    Oh my goodness, Kristin!! I am SO happy for you guys 🙂 Wishing your adorable little family the very best on this new journey!! Can't wait to read the updates as they come in!

    Reply
  2. Kelcie Huffstickler says

    May 23, 2015 at 4:36 am

    Congratulations!! How wonderful! I'll be anxious for more updates along the way!

    Reply
  3. Tiffany says

    May 23, 2015 at 4:56 am

    Congratulations…His timing blows my mind every time…though it shouldn't!! Praising God with and for you and can't wait to read more about your journey.

    Reply
  4. Jennifer says

    May 23, 2015 at 12:06 pm

    Congratulations! How exciting!

    Reply
  5. Mandy says

    May 23, 2015 at 12:56 pm

    Amazing! I have chills—what a beautiful journey. I am so thrilled for you, Kristin!!! XOXO

    Reply
  6. KristinHillTaylor says

    May 23, 2015 at 8:18 pm

    Thanks, Mandy! xoxo

    Reply
  7. KristinHillTaylor says

    May 23, 2015 at 8:18 pm

    Thanks, Jennifer!

    Reply
  8. KristinHillTaylor says

    May 23, 2015 at 8:19 pm

    I know – those how I feel about his timing too! Thanks, Tiffany!

    Reply
  9. KristinHillTaylor says

    May 23, 2015 at 8:19 pm

    Thanks, Kelcie! xoxo

    Reply
  10. KristinHillTaylor says

    May 23, 2015 at 8:19 pm

    Thanks, Lisa! Your family is on my prayer list – hoping you're connected with a birth mom soon.

    Reply
  11. Marisa Slusarcyk says

    May 24, 2015 at 1:01 am

    I love how God works behind the scenes, Congratulations! I pray everything goes smoothly for you all!!

    Reply
  12. Beth says

    May 24, 2015 at 11:50 am

    I am just so very excited for you and your beautiful family!!

    Reply
  13. KristinHillTaylor says

    May 24, 2015 at 8:13 pm

    Thank you, sweet friend! xoxo

    Reply
  14. KristinHillTaylor says

    May 24, 2015 at 8:13 pm

    He's always working, isn't he?! So grateful for this glimpse into his ways. Thanks for the prayers, Marisa!

    Reply
  15. Mindy Whipple says

    June 19, 2015 at 7:59 pm

    I just don't know how I missed this post but congratulations and prayers for a healthy little girl to welcome home soon!

    Reply
  16. KristinHillTaylor says

    June 21, 2015 at 6:12 pm

    Thanks, Mindy!

    Reply
  17. Jennifer Camp says

    June 23, 2015 at 6:03 pm

    So beautiful! So amazing! Congratulations and jumping up and down! Praying for you and your family–that He continues to cover you with His peace and provision . . . oh, He always does! Bless you on your mission trip to Guatemala! Can't wait to hear all about it!

    Reply
  18. KristinHillTaylor says

    June 23, 2015 at 6:23 pm

    Thanks, sweet Jennifer! Knowing you're sharing in our excitement and praying is such a blessing to me. So grateful for that peace and provision – and this opportunity to see it unfolding!

    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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