FROM THE BEGINNING…
Written by Deborah about two of our CA couples.
Some names have been changed to protect privacy.
10/27/02
Their parents were friends that enjoyed each other's fellowship. So, from the beginning of their lives, they were friends. They grew up together playing and learning about life with each other. They went to school together, they learned about our great God together, they lived life, laughed and giggled together. From the beginning, God had blessed their friendship.
Time and distance separated them for awhile, but God brought them back together.
When Sandie married Matt, she moved back to her hometown, where her babyhood/childhood/school mate/and dearest friend still lived. When Matt & Sandie began to attend the same church as Bob & Gwen--God's hand of blessed friendship had come full circle. Gwen & Sandie were close together again, as it was from the beginning.
When Matt & Sandie's "match" fell apart in March '00, her lifelong friend Gwen was there. When Matt & Sandie were blessed beyond measure with the adoption of their precious son Seth in May '00, Bob & Gwen were at their side, waving flags of victory.
From the beginning, Gwen fell in love with baby Seth. He was an AA preemie born in the state of Florida that needed a forever family. He was the 11th child of his birth mother, that had basically abandoned him at the hospital. The lead for baby Seth came to CA through an adoption attorney that occasionally called us seeking Christian couples for placement. The moment I got the lead, I was inspired within an instant, to call Matt & Sandie. The moment she heard about this baby, Sandie fell in love with him. It was an undeniable, unbelievable, fantastic, awesome GOD DEAL! The fees were exorbitant. Medical costs were estimated at $125,000.00 with Matt & Sandie's medical insurance willing to pick up 80%. The Florida agency/attorney wanted a lot of money for what was a desperate placement situation. One day I spoke with Sandie and with tears she admitted that $40,000.00 was looking impossible. "Let's pray about it Sandie and let God work." Within 24 hours, the hospital held a board meeting and decided to WAIVE all medical expenses--all the NICU care for baby Seth was FREE! The agency/attorney reduced their fees also! Within 24 hours, Sandie called and with tears announced they were leaving to go get their son Seth in Florida. Total cost: $4,000.00! God heard the fervent prayers of His people and did HIS thing. Now baby Seth is almost 2 1/2 yr. old and a joy to behold.
From the beginning, Gwen began to pray to God to give her a baby Seth. With each of her 4 pregnancies she prayed for twins. God blessed Bob & Gwen with 3 healthy sons and a beautiful daughter. Yet, Gwen knew her quiver was not yet full. She confessed to Sandie over and over "I want a baby Seth." Almost a year ago, Sandie began commenting to me about her friend Gwen, who wanted a baby Seth, a baby just like him. "One day, when she's ready, she'll call you and probably come online with CA. She wants a AA baby just like Seth." I listened, registered her comments and waited. Each prospective adoptive couple needs to follow God's lead for His best in His timing. Since I don't know when that is, the best thing I can do is to listen and pray. So I prayed for this "Gwen" and her husband that wanted a baby Seth.
In the summer of this year, Gwen finally called. She and Bob were on the same page mentally, emotionally, and spiritually about adoption. She'd been praying and waiting for over 2 years for God's clear guidance and for His impeccable timing. They came online in August and Gwen told me what her heart's desire was, but was clear about wanting whatever GOD HAD IN STORE FOR THEIR FAMILY. In other words, she informed me that she wanted a baby Seth more than she could communicate, BUT, she wanted GOD'S BEST for their family most of all. "Put us in every category of the web site. We're open to God's hand of blessing for our family. He knows what the desire of my heart is, but I want HIS best for our family."
Then the call came: AA preemie twins in a hospital waiting in Florida for a forever family. The moment I got the lead, I was inspired within an instant, to call Bob & Gwen. The moment Gwen heard about these babies, she fell in love with them and claimed them as her own. They were EXACTLY what she'd been praying and hoping to be blessed with--for over 2 years. AA twins that were preemies; she wanted to adopt a boy, Bob wanted to adopt a girl (God was giving them both); and these babies were born in a hospital in Florida. It was an undeniable, unbelievable, fantastic, awesome GOD DEAL! Bob & Gwen, Matt & Sandie, Eddie & I all knew this was their "match", but the birth mother wanted to select her couple and the attorney/social worker had acquired 2 more interested couples.
From the beginning of the first update about these babies, we knew God's plan, but the question remained, would each individual in this "match" allow God to show them His guidance? So, we requested our CA family to pray about it and we let it go. However, from the beginning of the initial contact from me, Gwen relentlessly and faithfully contacted the attorney/social worker/office by phone or via fax EVERY DAY without fail. She was like the widow woman in Luke 18, she simply would not quit letting them know of her interest and desire to adopt these twins. The birth mother vacillated about placement, and day after day we were told that Bob & Gwen would be presented to the bm in the next 24 hours. But each time the bm wasn't ready and wouldn't consider profile review. At last, the day arrived when she made a firm decision for placement. She reviewed 3 profiles and was stuck in her decision between 2 couples. Bob & Gwen and another couple, unknown to CA. The social worker suggested that the bm talk with Gwen directly. After a very emotional, tear-filled, God blessed conversation, the birth mother said that Bob & Gwen were the couple that God had led her to place her preemie twins with--and she would NOT consider any other adoptive couple for her twins. From the beginning of their call, Gwen communicated her dedication, her love, and her fervent prayers for these babies. She confessed her heart's desire to adopt AA preemie twins for over 2 years to the birth mother. Without hesitation and from the beginning, Gwen laid her heart and soul bare to God first and then to this birth mother. From the beginning, God had heard her prayers and honored her undeniable humility.
From the beginning, Gwen had a prayer, a hope, and a desire that she held within her heart. From the beginning, God was at work in the lives of her children and husband. From the beginning, God was working within His people. From the beginning He's been orchestrating a symphony beyond our imagination. From the beginning of their very first preemie breaths, Jesse Adam and Mary Elizabeth have had an adoptive Mother that has prayed for them
…from the beginning.
For more information please read Remember and C'mon. 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
Eddie & Deborah S. Hill P.O. Box 243 Coffeyville, KS 67337
www.christianadoption.com adoption@christianadoption.com
