Our adoption story begins while most people are sleeping.
We had been trying for eight years to have children. We faithfully prayed that God would answer our prayers with each new fertility doctor and with each new fertility medication. I was on medicine that for a lot of women with PCOS is successful. However, it made me horribly sick. The medicine was taking it's toll on me and that's where our adoption story begins. I was laying in bed, in the middle of the night, praying that God would take this sickness away due to the medicine. Then it happened, I heard the voice of God speaking to me. God said, "Why are you doing this to yourself? I have better plans for you."
God couldn't of been any clearer to me. I knew exactly what He had told me: stop taking the medicine and start on your adoption journey. That is the path that He had set before Matt and I. I shared everything with Matt and God had been speaking to his heart and he knew adoption is what we are called by God to do. Matt found a verse in the Bible and we referred back to it all through the adoption process. "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for good and not for disaster to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11 This also confirmed what God had told me that night: "I have better plans for you."
We didn’t have to look very long for an adoption agency. The first one we heard about was Celebrate Children International. We didn’t look any further. CCI and it’s staff were very helpful through the whole adoption process and are still there if I have any questions. We would highly recommend CCI and we will use them again when we are ready for our next adoption.
Matt and I prayed and asked God to open and shut doors and lead us to the country where He had our son/daughter. God did just that! All doors for us where shut except for Ethiopia. We knew right then that God had our child waiting for us there. We began the adoption process in January 2008 with CCI. In September we received a picture of a precious little girl who we fell in love with (see right). We accepted her as a referral, but right then she was much more to us then just a referral, she was our daughter. We had already chosen a name, Abigail, which means father's joy.
The hardest time for us in the adoption process was when the court date finally arrived and we got word that our case had failed. We stayed strong and kept faithfully praying that God would move. Then we had another court date and failed again, and another and another and another. It was a very trying time and there were times that we couldn't help but to wonder what was going on. However, during this time we were able to look back on all the miracles God had done during the adoption and remain faithful to completing this adoption. One of those miracles was receiving a grant. I remembered the joy that I felt the day I went to the mailbox and received that letter. I slowly read YOU HAVE BEEN APPROVED TO RECEIVE A GRANT!!! I jumped around screaming," Praise God, thank You dear Lord". Then I drove around telling everyone who would listen the great news. I called Matt and he burst into tears praising the Lord. This just wasn't a miracle that provided much needed financial help but it was a miracle that when times got tough God had us to look back on. He had us remember what exactly He had done for us and remind us that He would see us through to the end. I can't even remember how many court dates we faced but I remember how heartbreaking each one was. I also remember how wonderful it was when the God of heaven stepped in and moved in Ethiopia and our case finally passed court!! Praise God that He hears the cries of His children.
On June 11, 2009 we boarded a plane to Ethiopia. What an exciting, nerve racking and scary trip it was. I mean we were leaving childless and we were on our way to meet our daughter for the first time and bring her home!!!!
Ethiopia was way different than the U.S. We had been told about the extreme poverty but one just can not understand it without witnessing it first hand. It was a lot to take in all at once. The people were very friendly there. We enjoyed getting to know some of them and we have never forgotten any of their faces and the many unique stories. I must say that the most scariest times that we had when we were there was when we were in a vehicle! The driving there is crazy!
On June 14, 2009 we were face to face with Abigail (see left), and from that moment on it was like she had always been with us. God overwhelmed us with joy and reminded us of what a powerful awesome God that He is.
Abigail is a joy to be around. I never quite understood what someone meant when they said a smile could light up a room until I saw Abigail smile. She has already lived up to her name because she is her father's joy. Her smile does light up a room and she is an answer to our prayers. Matt and I hope that one day when she hears Jesus calling that she will accept Him as her Savior and then she can spread her light to the world.
Adoption always has its ups and downs during the process. What's important is that we lean on God and trust in Him during it all. There was a time Matt and I thought we may not have Abigail at home with us. I know for many adoptive families they have lost their referrals, and though I don't fully understand how they must feel I do know that God is still on the throne.
I believe that God uses adoption to teach us to fully rely on Him. I know I got closer to my Savior. I want to encourage anyone going through hard times to fully rely on God. He will see you through.
Sincerely,
Matt , Michelle and Abigail Young (whose 2nd birthday picture is above)
