"I CAN'T FEEL THEIR COLOR"
Written by Deborah about Frank & Terry.
(More successful adoptions associated with Christian Adoption.)
6/18/02
One of the greatest blessings in being the administrator for Christian Adoption is to meet God's people. Each and every couple is unique in their own way and each and every couple presents new opportunities for me to grow up in Him. I too, present equally challenging and inspirational challenges to our Christian Adoption family.
Throughout the past 5 1/2 years of Christian Adoption, there have been some "1-liner gems" that automatically become a part of my thinking, counseling, and testimony in helping others in the adoption process. Frank & Terry recently shared such a "gem" that I pray will alter the mindset of Christians for years to come.
Frank & Terry are both in their 50's, already have 2 biological grown children, and have several grandchildren. But Terry has had a love for children all her life and believed that God was directing them to adopt. For many years, Terry has offered daycare in her home and God has been hearing her faithful prayers. In the depth of her heart, she hoped that one day she would become the mother of twins.
I remember when Frank & Terry first came online with Christian Adoption. I sent them a Polaroid camera with a strong suggestion to take more photos and send them to me ASAP. The second set of photos weren't much better than the first, but we proceeded. As I read their "Dear Birthmother and family," letter, I was somewhat puzzled why they wanted to adopt. They loved to travel in their motor home visiting family across the country. Frank was a retired U.S. Army sergeant, and they had a complete family. However, God had sent them to Christian Adoption and my job was to help them in the adoption process. I often struggled with "How will God answer their prayers for a child?" Frank is a very motivated man, having gone back to school to earn 2 degrees in airframe mechanics and power plant mechanics. I found their pet menagerie of various birds and their poodle interesting, especially when we talked on the phone! From a senses standpoint, they had a lot working against them in the adoption realm. But in sharp contrast to these facts, God was working FOR them and therefore they were assured a victory--if they didn't quit.
We have many adoption attorneys and agencies that check our Christian Adoption web site, that print out our couple's profiles, and that contact us looking for specific Christian families for placements. Frank & Terry's call came last fall, amidst the fallout of September 11th, and their son, Timothy was born in March 2002. Praise the Lord! God blessed them with a wonderful son and they were elated!
Less than a week ago, God blessed them with the adoption of another son, Noah! GOD IS SO GOOD! They will be raised as twins and Terry's prayers have been answered. (Both of their birthmothers chose them to be the adoptive couple of their respective babies, and both birthmothers met them face to face prior to birth.)
Terry is legally blind. She began losing her eyesight in her early 40's due to Retinitis Pigmentosa. It is a hereditary disease that causes slow and permanent damage to the retina. Her blindness has been gradual but progressive. She can no longer see details, colors or distances, and glasses do not help. Through these challenging years, she continued her childcare services and learned how to develop her other 4 senses: hearing, smelling, touching, and tasting. As Terry stated to me recently, "We accepted the gradual changes and made adjustments to our home as needed. It's never really bothered me and I continue to do almost all the same activities as before."
It is impressive and inspirational to meet God's best, His people that face challenges in life with maturity and grace. I asked Terry about her new challenges with 2 newborn boys, just 3 months apart in age. Her response contained a "1-liner gem" that I hope alters the thinking of others. "You know Deborah, all babies want love and security. They all cry the same, respond to love the same, eat and poop alike. Spoiled milk smells the same, poopy diapers smell the same, cries of pain, fear and/or hunger sound the same. When I bathe these precious babies and rub lotion on their skin, "I CAN'T FEEL THEIR COLOR."
My hands don't feel the difference in color between these boys or my own grandchildren. These babies need love and nurturing and God has given them to us. I cannot see, feel, hear, taste or smell their color. It makes no difference to me and it makes no difference to God."
Timothy and Noah are both African American.
These precious gifts of life will be raised in a stable, 2-parent Christian home where His love prevails.
That's what Christian Adoption is all about, the adoption of children into homes where HIS love prevails.
6/03
By the grace of God and with their endless love, Frank & Tudie will be adopting another AA baby in the fall of this year! This time a baby girl! These folks are God's best!
For more information please read Melt and Love. We encourage you to prayerfully consider registering with our service, and/or writing to us.
adoption@christianadoption.com
A non-profit Christian and Internet
service ministry. We're helping others in the adoption
process.
1.800.277.7006 620.251.4405
Deborah S. Hill P.O. Box 243 Coffeyville, KS 67337
www.christianadoption.com adoption@christianadoption.com
