If you’re struggling with infertility, it can really help to hear from others who have been where you are now. Christian couple Walt and Annie’s story shows how true it is that God leads each adoptive couple to their child. For years, Walt and Annie struggled with infertility, but in a single moment, they realized that God was writing a beautiful story for them that was over 20 years in the making.
Walt and Annie had always wanted to be parents, and looked forward to the day when they’d have children. They’d often dream about what it would be like when they finally experienced the joy of becoming parents. After more than three years of trying to conceive, Walt and Annie decided to see a fertility doctor and find out what was going on. After undergoing several tests, the doctors found nothing wrong. Walt and Annie’s was a case of “unexplained infertility.” That’s when they first started to consider adoption.
Walt and Annie spent months discussing, praying about, and seeking guidance on adoption. They completed the home study process and then applied to several agencies for domestic adoption.
Several months later, Walt and Annie got an email from their adoption agency that a birth mother had chosen them. She was expecting a baby girl. Walt and Annie could hardly believe that after five years of waiting, they were going to become parents!
“The next few weeks are a bit of a blur. There were countless phone calls to the adoption agency, letters to our birth mom, plans to be made, baby showers, shopping trips with family, and lots of joy. There were hundreds of people who had been praying with us for years that we would have a child, and now our prayers were being answered. Our baby girl seemed to bring joy, faith, and encouragement to so many people—and all before she was even born!” shares adoptive mom, Annie.
Walt and Annie’s adoption story is a powerful and validating testimonial, and they share it in this video:
When Walt and Annie met their daughter’s birth mother, it was a dramatic and miraculous confirmation from God that this baby girl was going to be theirs. Their adoption story brings glory to the Lord for the amazing things He does!
When their daughter was born, Walt and Annie were able to be in the delivery room and got to witness the first moment she was born. Chloe Elizabeth had been dreamt of and prayed about for so many years, and was finally here!
Walt and Annie share, “The Lord chose to bring our daughter to us in a way that we did not expect. But in the end, He has done something more miraculous and more wonderful than we ever could have imagined. We are so thankful for the blessing of adoption and the goodness of our Heavenly Father. Out of pain and difficulties, He made something incredibly beautiful. Our sweet little Chloe is the most indescribably amazing gift, and we are thankful beyond words for her!”
No matter where you are in your adoption journey, dreams, or faith, the video serves as a good reminder to keep trusting in faith that you’re going to adopt!
This article was originally published on July 8, 2015, and has since been updated.
Mardie Caldwell, C.O.A.P., is nationally recognized as an expert on open adoption. A Certified Open Adoption Practitioner (C.O.A.P.), Caldwell is the founder of Lifetime Adoption Center, established in 1986. She has assisted in over 2,000 successful adoptions and was one of the first adoption professionals on the Internet.
Caldwell's life work is dedicated to educating and helping birth parents find the right adoptive parents for their child. She spreads the word about modern adoption through speaking appearances, webinars, online resources, and as a podcast show host.
She has written several award-winning books, including So I Was Thinking About Adoption, the first book of its kind. There are many reasons women choose adoption, and this short book is a comprehensive resource to make the best plan for you and your baby. Caldwell wrote So I Was Thinking About Adoption as a handy guide to the details of the adoption process.
Caldwell has made over 150 media appearances, including ABC News, CBS News, Larry King Live, CNN Headline News, NBC's The Today Show, CNN's The Campbell Brown Show, NBC News, KGO Newstalk Radio, CNN's Black in America II, MSNBC, Fox, PBS, BBC, and Dr. Laura.
