Welcome to our Journey to Madelyn. It is hard to believe that over 18 months ago we began this quest to adopt a child from China. Now we are almost done waiting and ready to being our lives with two wonderful children. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers so far and we hope that you will continue to follow us as we prepare to bring our daughter home.
Our Journey Began in the fall of 2004 when Matt and I started talking about expanding our family. We knew that it was not safe for me to carry another child so adoption was the first option we turned to. With Matt being adopted this was an option that we thought of often and knew that God had already begun preparing our hearts for this journey. We began researching agencies, with Matt thinking about China and me thinking about some where else internationally. On April 2, 2005 we attended a seminar in Owensboro Kentucky for America World Adoption Agency. Matt had signed us up after he researched this agency and liked what he found. On the way to the Church where the seminar was being held, we got so lost. I was upset and ready to go home, feeling this was our sign that this whole adoption thing was not going to happen. We found the place and a bit frazzled and upset, walked in. They directed us to have a seat in the Sanctuary. Now let me remind you, I (being Jennifer) was in a bad mood and not wanting to hear anything about adoption because of the morning we had. On the way to find our seats, this beautiful little girl, about 2 or 3, from China, came running down the isle laughing and giggling. She stopped right in front of me, smiled, wiggled her nose and then kept on running. At that very moment, I felt the Holy Spirit take a hold of me and a feeling ran throughout my heart that I had never felt before. That was the moment I knew we were going to adopt and we were going to China to get our daughter. After the seminar and lots and lots of questions, Matt and I got in the car. Silence….. I immediately thought, uh-oh, he does not want to do this. He asked me what I thought and tears just came streaming down my face, I could barely talk but I choked out the words, I want to go to China. Still silence with Matt. I very cautiously looked his way and under his sunglasses saw tears streaming down his face. He looked at me and said…”Me too”. We came home and told our three year old Joshua that God wants us to adopt a baby girl from China and it would be his sister. Not hearing much from him regarding excitement, of course he was three his biggest worry was, "will she steal my toys", we began the necessary paperwork. Just a few months later as the three of us were having dinner one night, Joshua says and I quote “Mommy and daddy, I want to name my baby sister Madelyn”. We had not even discussed names yet; the newness of our decision was still fresh. I asked him where that name came from and he simply said “I just like it”. So it was decided right then and there that our new daughter and sister would be called Madelyn. As we continue through this long process we have learned patience, endurance, we have shed many tears of frustration and joy but as we come so close to the end of our journey and to holding our precious daughter we give all the praises to our Lord as he has done so many wonderful things for our family and continues to bless us by the second. Thank you for sharing this amazing experience with us and we hope you enjoy following us to China.
With love,
Matt, Jennifer, Joshua and Madelyn |
