Who are we that your are mindful of us?

Lord, who are we that you are so mindful of us? I simply cannot wrap my head around it.

First, let me start with some history.

A while back, I remember praying to God about having another child. I remember he said to me, "Someday you will have a baby". Of course, I literally took that to mean that "I" Kim Gjerde would actually conceive and give birth to a child. Not that I don't believe that might ever happen, although honestly, the whole idea of it makes me really nervous. Never in a million years did I imagine what is happening now.

Olav and I have always wanted more children in our home. We love Lily dearly, I didn't want her to grow up all alone and we just felt like we had more to give to a child. However another adoption domestic or foreign was out of the question due to financial restraints. Olav always said that we could not go through the pain of adopting again unless the child landed on our doorstep.

We had talked about foster care, but I was really uneasy. We had already gone to the classes previously and I left in tears, having flashbacks to when I had custody of Lily and I was fearful they were going to take her away from me. In November, we spoke with a foster mom and she encouraged us to look into it. She said that God gives her the strength she needs to handle those difficult times. Plus she had this beautiful african american baby girl that just melted my heart and I thought, why not try.

So in a huge leap of faith Olav and I decided to take the classes to become licensed as foster care parents. While still super nervous, I felt like I personally was in a much better place emotionally than I was when we signed up to take the classes previously.

The classes were great. We learned ALOT through them. While taking the classes, awesome things started to happen. First, we got a phone call from our friend who mentioned that a local family who had adopted from China was considering offering the child up for readoption. Of course, we told our friend we would be interested. Next, we got a phone call from another friend who mentioned that their brother and his girlfriend are expecting a child and that adoption may be on the table for discussion. Of course, we said that we would be interested. We couldn't believe it! While we were considering foster care and adopting through foster care, we weren't actively seeking or expecting anyone to contact us about a possible adoption.

Fast forward to this past Tuesday...

We receive an email from a young mother whom we know asking us if we would consider adopting again!

As you can imagine the answer was a resounding YES!

Immediately we contacted our adoption lawyer who was extremely helpful in helping us bring Lily home and finalizing her adoption and asked her how this all works and how much something like this costs. Remarkably the fees for this adoption will be exactly or less than we will be receiving back on our tax refund from the IRS, with whom we had just completed less than a day or two before!

So we set up to a meeting with the birthmother and her family on Saturday night.

Prior to the meeting, we did not know the gender of the baby. However, Thursday morning while Olav was having his quiet time he was reading the passage in Judges where an angel of the Lord appears to Samson's parents (pre-Samson of course) and tells them they are going to have a child. Olav heard God tell him that the unborn baby will be a boy. He emailed me at work and told me we were having a boy! Of course, when I got the email, I screamed with excitement. I even ran upstairs and told my good friend that we were having a boy. Of course, at that time I didn't know that he hadn't been told by the birthmother, but by God. But I must say one thing about Olav...when God speaks to him, he really speaks to him, so I believe him!

So fast forward this past Saturday night, we go to meet with the birth mother and her family. I was so totally expecting to be interviewed, screened, scrutinized etc. But no...they said that they wanted us to be the adoptive parents of this child. Holy moly!!!!! And guess what....the baby is a BOY!!!!! and he is due on May 18th. Less than 2 months away!!!!! Oh my goodness....Lord who are we that you are mindful of us!!!!!!!

So tomorrow I get to go with the birth mom to John Hopkins to visit with a specialized ob-gyn to see if the birth mom might need to deliver there due to her personal health issues or if she can go to her local hospital. On Tuesday I get to go with her for the sonogram. I get to see our son! She even invited us to the hospital for when she gives birth. We won't be able to be in the room with her because she has to have a c-section, but we will be able to see the baby in the nursery and do all the things first-time parents get to do!!!!! Needless to say, I am super excited and feel really at peace.

I do ask you to pray for the birth mother. While she says she is confident in her decision and seems unwavering, I pray that all those pregnancy hormones don't trip her up. Pray for her health and the baby's health.

Lastly, I know many of you might want to know why she is choosing adoption or why she choose us so late in the game...and why we know these answers, we don't want to share them as to protect her. Furthermore, we know that all things work out for the good who love him.

Thank you for taking this new journey with us! I pray that it will be peaceful and rather uneventful and that God's amazing providence, power, and might will shine brightly for all those who know any of the parties involved might see.

With much love,
Kim