I had inquired with three other agencies that denied my application because I was single...
As I sat in the office awaiting the arrival of the attorney and social worker, I experienced a myriad of emotions. I had inquired with three other agencies that denied my application because I was single. I really felt drawn toward this agency, but was this another dead end? After the meeting I was gleefully dancing out of my chair. I was assured that I was a perfect candidate for adoption!
At that moment, the door flung open . . .and so did my heart.
I went home and began the necessary paperwork preparations involved in adoption. It was a long tedious process but as I moved forward, I felt the Lord illuminating my next step. I bought a journal and began writing letters to the little person that would one day call me mommy. I was falling in love with just the idea of holding that sweet little baby someday, whoever it was.
On April 1, 2009, seven short months after signing up with the agency, I received “the phone call” I will never forget hearing the words, “Lonnie you have been chosen by one of our birth moms, she is a single teen mom from the mid-west, she is having a baby boy and her due date is June 27th. Would you like to proceed with placement?” It took me a moment to gather the thoughts that flooded my head and the waves of emotion that washed over my heart. Yes! yes please. Yet another door flung open! June was two months away! There was so much to do! Would I be ready? What was I thinking?? My mind raced and then I felt in my spirit the Lord say, I will open or shut each door . . .keep walking.
On June 23, 2009 I boarded a plane bound for Chicago. How strange it was to have an empty car seat, diaper bag and just a hope in my heart.
At 4am on June 24, 2009, 2 days short of exactly 9 months from when I had walked into the agency, I met my child’s birth mother in the delivery room. She graciously invited me to be by her side during his birth.
At 12:10pm Gavin James Julius entered the world.
He was perfect.
As he let out his first cry and took his first breath, I remember the nurse saying, “Who gets him?” and his birth mom responded with, “She does. That’s his mom.” To this day that sentence gives me chills and brings tears to my eyes. What a brave girl. What a beautiful gift. What a faithful God.
Seven years later I am married to a man who is very much “dad” to my son. Gavin is a healthy active boy who is proud to be adopted. Every year on his birthday I tell him the story of how God gave him to me through this beautiful strong young lady. We look at scrapbooks filled with pictures taken during our time with his birth mom. The adoption is open, yet they have never met, when God opens the door we will be open to taking that step.
God built our family one step at a time. I just kept walking . . . If adoption is on your heart, let hope arise. If you want to be a mom or create a family, let hope arise. If you trust Gods faithfulness, let hope arise. Say a prayer, take a step and let hope arise. -- Lonnie Martin
He was meant to be part of this family!