Fearless

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After our fundraiser event we knew we had just a few more steps in the adoption process. We needed to complete our home study. I was so fearful that we wouldn’t be approved. Again God said “I am with you. I am for you!”

After our home study was complete we knew it would take about 4 weeks until we received our approval letter. I kept singing that Kari Jobe song “I know that you are for me.”  It was the beginning of October when we rec’d our approval letter from the Adoption Agency. (I wanted to frame it and hang it on the wall.)

It’s at this point that they will show our profile to prospective birthmom’s and then the birthmom will choose who she would like to meet for what’s called a "match" meeting.

On October 19^th Friday evening my phone rang and said “Christian Homes” so I’m like whoooo hooo! This is the call we’ve been waiting on!  However, it was our caseworker calling to check on us to see how we were doing in this "waiting period". She reminded us that on average it takes 18 months before a couple is ever chosen. To say I felt defeated and crushed was an understatement. So I kept saying “I know that you are for me God” and resolved that it would be 18 months.

The next week on Wednesday, October 24^th I was teaching and got called down to the front office. Our secretary handed me the phone and on the other end was my hubby Michael. He said “Honey remember how they said 18 months. Well we’ve been picked and we have 18 days!”  The following Saturday we met our birth mom face to face. Talk about nervous!! What does one wear to a meeting that says “I promise I’m normal and will love your baby as my very own.” Hee hee!

Never have I met a more beautiful, courageous, and unselfish woman. I stared into her eyes and knew God had answered our prayers. 

Eli took just a little longer to get here than expected but on Sunday, November 18^th at 11 o'clock at night we got the call to come to the hospital. We waited all night in the waiting room. On November 19^th at 9:45 they called us back because birth mom was about 3 pushes away from delivering. TALK ABOUT RUNNING DOWN THE HALLWAY SO FLIPPIN EXCITED!!!!! Eli Matthew Jeter was born at 10:02 am. He weighed 7 lbs 13 oz and 20 and1/2 inches long. And looked like a little old man wearing a toupee! Heehee!

I asked our birthmom how God helped her through this process and she said “God is so great. I’m so proud of how he helped me find a wonderful family that has lots of love towards Eli. He has helped me so much through this and has made me a stronger person. When I see Eli’s pictures it hurts inside of me, but I’m proud of my decision. I honestly didn’t think I would have gone through adoption, but seeing you two so happy and excited I knew Eli would be loved and in better hands.”

That is a fearless, selfless love that I hope and pray I might live out.  I can't believe Eli is now 2 months old and tomorrow is my first day back at work. I'm putting all my fears and trust in God that He will give me the strength I need to inspire and bless my first grader's lives. I pray that God will watch over and bless Eli while he gets to spend a whole week with his favorite Aunt Dodie. I pray that God is not ever secondary or "neutral" in my thoughts, but my companion and my strength. Thank you God for the people you've put into my life that support, love, and remind me that you are my treasure, father, and king.