In honor of National Adoption Awareness Month, I wanted to share stories from other adoptive families. Having other adoptive moms share pieces of what God has done in their families through adoption is one of my favorite parts of my book, “Peace in the Process: How Adoption Built My Faith & My Family,” so I wanted to give you have a peek into the community of adoptive mommas God has built in my life.
Today’s guest is Caitlin Dunbar. We met online and then in real life. Caitlin is a wife, mom, and teacher who is passionate about serving Jesus and making Him known through student ministry and adoption.
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Waiting seems to have been a theme for Jason and me throughout our marriage. We struggled with infertility for five of our first six years of marriage. We always knew that adoption would be a part of our story, but we weren’t sure exactly what that would look like for our family.
When God impressed upon our hearts it was the right time to begin the adoption process, I was so excited and just knew this was going to happen almost overnight. Boy, was I wrong. Adoption is worth it, but it’s also hard and messy.
We prayed for direction, filled out so much paperwork, and completed our home study and profile book. After what seemed like FOREVER, we were able to present our profile to birth moms. This was so nerve-racking. Sometimes it seemed like torture as we waited for a phone call stating a birth mom had chosen us. However, we rested in the fact God chose the right baby for our family long ago!
Through adopting, God really began speaking to my heart about waiting. I fought giving up control as hard as I could, hoping to speed up the process myself somehow. I’m the girl that puts an address in the GPS for places I go every day, just to know exactly what time I will arrive. When I finally entrusted God with everything, I was overwhelmed with unexplainable peace. Psalm 62:5-6 says: “Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken.”
After seeing countless situations, presenting to many birth moms and hearing several “nos,” we finally received our “yes” at the beginning of October 2015. A few weeks later, our daughter was born in Utah. She was definitely worth the wait! It is amazing to look back and see how God orchestrated each and every detail perfectly. She brings so much love, joy, and laughter into our home and is a daily reminder of God’s unfailing grace.
Know there is hope in your waiting, whatever the circumstance.
Time and time again, we have been reminded of God’s completely perfect plan. What I had been looking at through frustrated, confused, and impatient eyes, I now see as ways for God to be glorified in all aspects. We see so many examples of this throughout the Bible. The name of the Lord is made known through the periods of waiting, crazy circumstances, and things far beyond our understanding. Whatever you are waiting for, whether it is big or small, trust in His amazing plan and perfect timing.
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Each of these stories is so beautiful – reminding us there are lessons for us all to learn from the process of adoption and waiting on the Lord.
And, really, these lessons can be applied to so many areas of life. Glad you’re here to read the stories, Joanne!
I love the encouragement to find hope in the waiting. Sometimes it’s easy to think that the waiting place is separate from God’s presence and will, but it is all part of His will and He is always there!
Yes, yes, yes!
Thank you for sharing this story and the lessons about waiting. Why is it so hard even when I know God’s way is always good and His timing is perfect?
I ask myself questions like that regularly! Let’s keep drawing near to Him, even when it’s hard.
Thank you for these stories! It’s wonderful to trace God’s hand in each.
You’re so welcome. Thanks for being here to read them.
Thank you for sharing your story with us, Caitlin.
The waiting can be SO hard. And at times, it seems unfair. But knowing and believing that God is never late, gives us hope.
Thanks for featuring her message here, Kristin!
Happy to do so! Thanks for being here, Rachel.
There is so much HOPE in adoption. Our family has experienced it first-hand.
So much hope! xo
Adoption definitely brings about many opportunities for patience through waiting. I wish it weren’t so, but I am grateful for those who persevere through the waiting! Thanks for sharing your story, Caitlin. I know it will encourage others who may be on the verge of giving up.
Waiting in hard regardless of the season of life, so I’m grateful for Caitlin’s encouragement too. Glad you’re here, Lisa!
so true and i’ve loved Ps. 62:5 since college – God’s as interested in the process as the results – love your little result!
Yes, so true!
This is a message close to my heart. And wow thanks for sharing this story. It is good t read someone admit they thought it was going to happen fast but then it didn’t happen. God’s ways are perfect! This family photo proves it. Awesome and praise His name.
Oh, yes, it’s something so many people have gone through, whether they’ve adopted or not. Glad you’re here and could be encouraged!