The path to adoption, take 2

It seems like yesterday a lifetime ago I was writing on Liam's blog. I know most of those reading will be family and friends but know there will also be a few readers from the amazing online adoption community. Those who have adopted don't usually bat an eyelash at a family who adopts once, twice or even multiple times. However, many of our friends reading probably think we aren't thinking straight to be adding more years until we reach the proverbial empty nest.



Enter disclaimer here. This past Christmas, Steve and the kids had Liam's blog created into a book for me. Tears flowed as I opened this heirloom ~ the timing of this gift was only a day after we had our family picture taken holding Kinley's photo. It so happened that the cover of the book was the same picture... except it was our family holding Liam's picture oh so many years before. So knowing we will be doing the same, I will be using Kinley's blog to attempt capturing as much of her story that we feel can be made public.

Kinley's story began back at Lucy's Restaurant on Shamian Island in May 2010. It was one of the final days of Liam's adoption trip and Steve so casually said something like "we should eat here when we come back to adopt again". After I picked myself up off the floor I decidedly agreed.

We returned home and spent the next two years falling more in love with Liam. And yes, I also often tell my older children I love them more every day as well. (True, there are some days during those teenage years I may not feel that way, however!!) In any case, adopting again wasn't something we were talking about. Enter one very quiet, reserved, selfless 15 year old who has a HUGE heart for the least of these. Apparently while Steve and I were busy meeting the needs of our beloved Fearsome Foursome, 'First in Charge' had been working on the heart of Jenna. She began to weave adoption into many of our conversations. I am a sucker as much as the next to read a good blog or more. Well Miss Jenna certainly knew the ones that would speak to Steve and me both. During that time, there were a few that she pulled up. The first one was about a family who has trusted God to walk before them through an incredibly challenging journey. They have been able to see God at work through each step although some times easier than others. The other blog was by an adoptive mama who had become a big advocate. She simply posted about not allowing perceived Earthly obstacles to thwart God's calling you to adopt. But "wait" I said, it seems God was speaking to our daughter. Certainly, that couldn't be how God would get our attention Steve and I kept telling each other. Ummmm, clearly we were wrong.

The months went by and this little girl was bound and determined to at least get us to think about adopting again. We, however, decided that one such little girl should politely keep her mouth quiet and leave these big decision up to mom and dad. We would later learn that this compliant little girl took to praying, fasting and journaling during our imposed moratorium on adoption talk. Steve and I started to have "what if" conversations. During July 2012 went on an amazing vacation with Steve's side of the family. When we talked about doing a future vacation, Steve and I casually mentioned our availability would depend on whether we adopted again. Geesh we thought as now the "A" word had been said out loud and this time with witnesses. I found myself, after hours, tucked in bed scanning the internet for information on specific special needs and learning more about the many different adoption agencies.

Upon returning home, Steve and I both continued carrying on casual adopt ion conversations. To keep Jenna happy, we began investigating different adoption agencies which seemed innocent enough. International adoption is undoubtedly an expensive endeavor so we kept cost as one of our criteria in searching for agencies. However, and more importantly this time, we were seeking a Christian agency. We were excited about the 'potential' for a partnership with people who would be praying alongside of us. I ended up speaking with Lifeline Children's Services for the first time on 9/5/12. Mallory answered my call and couldn't have been any sweeter. She patiently answered all my questions and never made me feel rushed. When I brought up one of the specific special needs we were interested in, she shared there was a 3 year old little girl who had recently been added to their list (exact date was 8/29/12). We sat quietly for another month just listening to God's gentle guidance. I was in a woman's bible study during this time learning about how to understand God's will for your life. The more I was learning, the more it was becoming inevitable that we were being called to China once again. In my heart, we had chosen Lifeline. I began completing the paperwork knowing Steve would do the same when he was ready. He quietly sat down one evening saying he had some paperwork to do. He peacefully completed his own testimony and answered other questions as required by our agency.

It was not until 10/24/12 that I called Mallory once again to inquire about a little girl named Hattie. She turned out to be the very same little girl I had been told about during our first phone conversation. Hattie's file was promptly sent over and we were smitten from the start. The experts tell you not to fall in love too quickly. It is best to allow for a medical review to uncover potential unknowns. We were able to secure an appointment with the MD for 11/1/12. Lauren was in town and like her sister, has been transformed by adoption. She was ecstatic about the chance to attend this potentially life changing meeting with us. By the time we went in, we were pretty convinced there was little he could tell us that was going to change our minds. We couldn't have been more pleased with how our great big God is in such the tiny details. It was evident after this meeting that we had found the best place to meet our daughter's medical needs upon coming home.

We returned home and officially began the "paper chase" to Kinley Yayun.