Monday, May 28, 2012

roller coasters and adoption

(Dan writing)
     Do you remember the first time you rode a roller coaster?  I was thinking back to the first trip I ever made to my local amusement park, Cedar Point.  The first time I saw those cars whipping around that track at breakneck speeds I was terrified.  Eventually my fear moved to curiosity and like every young man, driven by the power of peer pressure, I just had to get on one.  I started with a small coaster and was addicted.  I quickly advanced to the more powerful and faster roller coasters.  I loved the fear.  I loved the ups and downs.  There were times that I would raise my hands off the handles and scream and other times I would hold on so tight my knuckles would turn white.  Sometimes I would cling to the person next to me thinking that I would be meeting Jesus soon.  I faced those twists and turns, the ups and downs, the loops and spins, and wanted more...
    I have found that I can identify with the feelings of those roller coasters as my wife, Emily, and I face adoption.  There are ups and downs.  There are times I want to throw my hands in the air and let the rush of air in my face carry me away.  Other times I have felt so much anxiety and fear that I could feel my stomach rising into my chest.
   Emily and I are in the waiting phase of adoption and are looking forward to what comes next.  We could get a call to come receive a baby at any point.  There is nothing to do but wait.  While I was talking with a friend the other day, he suggested that Emily and I start a blog for people to follow our thoughts, feelings, process and actions through this crazy process.  We have found that so many people want to know exactly what we are going through.  Some people are just curious about the process, others are interested in adopting for themselves.  This blog will be different because we will both take time to post, so you will see our process through both of our eyes.  It has been an interesting journey so far, and we know that it will only get more exciting as we face these ups and downs on this roller coaster ride we call adoption.  Thank you for reading about our journey and following with us.
    I believe, that in life, there are points that God calls us to step up and be more.  It takes faith.  It is challenging and trying.  Growing is sometimes painful.  Right now He has led us to the decision of expanding our family through adoption...choosing to be more...
    

9 comments:

  1. It must be something in the water at FamilyLife.

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  2. Thank you for taking us on this special journey with you!
    We look forward to seeing God glorified in this.
    Love you both
    Love,
    Randy, Cathleen and Lauren

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    1. love and miss your family! We will keep you updated! :)

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  3. Just wanted to let you both know that we are praying for you as this journey begins....been down that road many years ago, but all the feelings and emotion you are having are still the same. I totally remember the waiting process which for me was the hardest as we were all ready and waiting. The song "In His TIME" was what I constantly prayed and sang and one day IN HIS TIME we got the call. So we will be praying that for your both and will be anxious to hear of your news sometime soon along this journey.
    Love and prayers to you both,
    Marlin and Sally

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    1. Thank you so much for your prayers! I'm so glad that God led you to adopt - Lauren was one of my best friends growing up! Lots of fun childhood memories together!!

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  4. We are praying for you! What a blessed and awesome journey you two are on!!! I look forward to reading about the roller coaster you all are on! How exciting it is to become parents! I will pray for you and peace for the lords timing!

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    1. Thanks, Danielle! Praying for you guys and your new house!

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  5. Hello. I work with your mom Joyce and she told me about your blog. I can relate to what you guys are going through and the emotional roller coaster you are on. It is so true! My husband and I have been married almost 20 years now, when we were first married we tried for years to have children and was unable to conceive and we felt the Lord leading us to adopt. We were very blessed looking back on the process. I know people including my brother-in-law and his wife that waited for years to be called, like on a list. We went through an attorney in Chicago and God had His hand in this the entire process, it was so smooth! It was meant to be. We started the process in July and was chosen in Oct by the birth parents and our baby girl was born Dec 23rd of the same year and we got her when she was 2 days old. What a blessed Christmas that was! You never know when it is "your turn" so to speak, but when it is in God's Will is when your turn will come up. God definitely works patience in you through this. The rest of my story is that when I turned 40, I did get pregnant and through a difficult pregnancy and having the baby 3 months prematurely, we have our 2nd miracle child. A miracle that he was conceived and a miracle that he lived and is perfectly normal. He is now 20 months old. We can never question God's timing. If we would have had our baby Nathan first we may have never adopted Kelsie our daughter, so it was God's will for us to have both of our children. And we love them both so much. We are blessed and will be praying for your blessing to come soon.
    Sharon Rice

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  6. Love it. So glad you guys are doing this. Keep the posts coming!

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