Well, I haven’t really given much of an update about our life and child situation lately, so I thought I would go ahead and do that.
We have being on the journey of infertility over the past three years (Our Infertility Story). We just found out in February 2009 that my fallopian tube (I only have one due to a surgery a had to have as a teenager) is completely closed and we pretty much have no chance of conceiving. I did not take this news well at first, but I realized through prayer and encouragement that God has a plan for Me, Michael, and the future of our family and even this is in it (Jeremiah 29:11, Psalm 139:16)!
We still have a small chance of adopting the two four year old girls (Introduced Here) I’ve talked about, but the chances are not good (Updated Here). The only way we are going to be able to adopt them is if their mother gets sentenced to more than 2 years in prison. It isn’t looking like that it going to happen (But, who knows with God!), so we are trying to not get our hopes up about this. The mother is going to be sentenced in mid-April, so we will know for sure then.
Now, that leaves us where we are:
We are signed up to start training for our home study through our county children services in June. This is the first step towards completing your home study and being able to adopt. We are going to start here and see where this takes us. We are thinking about participating in a foster to adopt program. Ideally, we would love to adopt an infant or toddler, but we are also willing to adopt preschool age. We aren’t expecting to get children over the age of 5 or 6, because we are still young ourselves (22 and 25).
We are praying to be guiding by the Lord and that He will give us widsom, guidance, and direction on this new journey of adoption.
We are going to see where this takes us and continue to trust that God has a plan for us (Jeremiah 29:11, Psalm 139:16) and that it will happen in His perfect timing!
OMG Ashley! This is great that you are able to do this. I wish you only the best. Working at Childrens in the NICU has really been putting a damper on my heart for these children that come through here and end up going home with parents that dont want them, and then most of them not making it back to the hospital to be taken away from their parents to be put in good homes like yours. And Ive noticed that people that dont deserve these children are blessed to have children. And people like you and Michael physically cannot. Its not fair. I wish you the best and I hope the two of you succeed. Only God will know whats going to happen. I believe He will give you 2 what He feels you can handle. Please keep me updated!
I wish you only the best! We have been struggling with infertility for two years now and I can completely relate.
Hi Ashley, I found your post via Twitter. I am praying the best for you and your husband. What a blessing for you to give those without a loving family a home and family who will love them.
Although my husband and I have 4 biological children, we are going to be adopting in a few years as well. ((Hugs)). Keep clinging to those promises. God cannot lie. :)
Hi Ashley, You know adoption gave us our precious daughter. I pray you will receive a child soon. I know the longing!
Bless you,
Beth
Ashley, I am praying that everything goes smoothly and it won’t be long before you have a child of your own. Adoption is a wonderful thing…so many children who need a loving home. I have several friends that have adopted and one who has done what you are talking about – they started out as a foster parent but now have adopted the very first foster baby they had in their home. God is good and He already has a plan for you. -blessings.
YEA! :-) I’m beaming with joy for you. Adoption is not easy but well worth it. When I was in the process of adopting the triplets, I would vent to my friends about the emotional roller coaster of it all and they always told me that they went through the same thing with giving birth. GOD does have a plan for you and Michael. Keep HIM 1st and I promise you that HE will lead you, guide you and equip you to endure the journey HE has prepared for you. It’s going to be an amazing experience. Blog it all, I wish I had but just as Mary did “I will keep the memories in my heart and ponder just how great our God truly is!” GOD speed to you my darling, I can’t wait to see the fruit of your prayers.
God Bless my dear “new” friend,
Karen aka Lil Momma
I have several friends who have adopted children, many of them from overseas. It can be a long, challenging process but worth it in the end.
hello, a friend told me about your blog, so I thought I’d pop over and say hello. Best wishes on your foster/adoption plans. We are in Canada, and are foster and adoptive parents.
http://findingstarfish.blogspot.com
Hi Ashley. I found you through the blog party. I’ll be praying for you as you journey through the adoption process.