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Our family was
invited to share our adoption story with our church during
November's "Adoption Month".
This is the
testimony we shared...thought we'd post it here on the web
as well :)
Adoption
It is so
comfortable to live our comfortable lives in our comfortable
homes with our comfortable planned number of __ (fill in the
blank) children. But what if God isn’t looking for us to
be comfortable? What if he wants us to leave our comfort
zone and experience the thrill of knowing that we are
answering His call? What if that includes adding a 5th
spot at the dinner table, re-baby proofing the house, and
re-arranging the kid’s rooms to include another bed? What
if that 5th spot doesn’t speak your language, has
developmental delays, or other medical issues that you will
have to address?
Will you answer His
call?
The prospect is
scary, the process is daunting, and the hardships unknown,
but is it worth it?
How can it not be?
God promises peace to those who do His will. And I have to
tell you, that peace is incredible. Knowing that you are on
a plane because God asked you to be there, going to meet
your daughter for the first time because God asked you to be
her mother, is an experience I will never forget. Hearing
her whisper “I love you” in my ear when she hugs me at home
is my reward for not giving into fear and uncertainty.
I have given birth
to two children in hospital rooms and I met my third
daughter for the first time in a sparse hotel room lounge,
but I can tell you honestly there is no difference. They
are all my children and have the same place in my heart.
The only difference I see with my adopted daughter is that
every time I look at her, I am so deeply aware of the gift
that God has given me. I think you can take your birth
children for granted sometimes, but perhaps it is because
Mylie has been with us such a short time, she just looks
like a gift of God to me.
If anyone reading
this is contemplating adoption, I would only say this. If
you think it’s your Christian duty to adopt a child, don’t
do it. If you truly believe that God has given you a love
for children and is telling you that He has put room in your
heart for one more of His children, don’t let anything stop
you!
You will NEVER
regret it.
Kris and Dave
Gleason – Danielle, MacKenzie, and Mylie
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