Adoption

So, more about myself. Well, I have been an OB nurse for 6 1/2 years so far, got married at 21 to my high school sweetheart Paul. Had my first and only child Belle in 2010. That's it in a nutshell. for the most part. I am also a christian and growing in my relationship with God every day. It seems like I am growing closer to Him more lately.

Paul and I decided last year not to have any more children of our own because I had complications with my heart while I was pregnant. It is called atrial fibrillation, it is an irregular heart rhythm that can cause complications as serious as stroke, and death. We decided that I wanted to be around for my family rather than just risk it. I hear about women all the time that do risk it, but I would prefer to not need high doses of medication, bedrest, and possibly heart surgery at some point to 'fix" it. So over the last 6 months to a year, I have been praying about it, and feeling pulled toward international adoption. So in that I have gone back and forth between saying Belle will be our only child, and lets think about adopting.

In December, Paul had a vasectomy, making it permanent to protect me essentially. I am so blessed to have a husband who would do anything for me. And after that we decided that we do want to do an international adoption. We had always been inclined toward China for a little girl because girls are not wanted there as much. But with China you both have to be 29 1/2 when you apply. We are both a few years off from that and by that time Belle would be older than what we thought we would want. So to get more information Paul attended an adoption seminar held at our church in February. I had to work that day. He came home with information on different countries from this one adoption agency. American World Adoption Agency. As I looked through the paper work and information that evening, I came across Ethiopia. I felt a huge tug on my heart that we needed to consider this. Paul was kind of set on China, but as I talked to him about it he warmed up. So over the last month I have been thinking, and praying about it. We decided that we would start the process next year after we save some more money.

This past Sunday we told our small group about it and asked for prayers, and a special friend knew this already and has been praying about it for us. They are currently in the process of adopting two special needs children from China. So yesterday, on my way to work I was praying about everything. I was praying for Paul and I with our relationship, Belle, finances, and last but not least the adoption. I asked God to lead us in the right direction and provide the financing for us and let us know what he wants us to do. He said "start it now". Not audibly but the phrase popped into my head and it would not have come from me. I then said okay God, I need to talk to Paul about it first and He said "don't worry about him, start it now." I said okay God what about the money? We don't have the money to start things now like we should and they recommend." He said "Trust me, I'll take care of it, start it now." WOW!!! I couldn't believe it! I was almost to tears on my way to work! God just told me to start this now!  So every time I think, talk, or pray about it, I start to cry and have to hold back. Paul and I talked last night about it, and what to do, how to do it. And Paul wants a new car, we still have to pay mine off. But getting him a more practical care for our family makes some sense. If my car breaks down, I cannot take his car right now because it is a manual. He wants to get an automatic. Anyway, Paul is on board, we are talking to our families to get them on board. And we will either be putting in an application and then raising money or we will be raising money and doing the application. Not sure how this will go but I will continue to update.

Also last but not least, I am interviewing to be a charge nurse tonight for the unit I work on. We will see how it goes and what God has in store. I feel at peace with everything that is happening and I know if I am meant to have the position then I will have it.