Every adoptive parent goes through a different journey, which comes with a wide range of emotions, thoughts, and questions. And this journey begins even before they make the decision to pursue adoption. Throughout their adoption planning process, Carol and her husband Ross remained committed to their faith, to the adoption process, and focused on the good.
In this family’s story, we hear from adoptive mom Carol how they moved through doubts as they decided to adopt. It’s Carol’s hope their story provides you with hope that God had a plan for your future family!
Behind the Scenes of Ross and Carol’s Adoption
Deciding to adopt was one of the most difficult decisions of our lives. Not because we hadn’t ever considered it or that we thought it was impossible—simply because we knew that it was going to require us to step far outside of our comfort zone and trust God in a big, BIG way.
When we decided not to do more fertility treatments and pursue adoption, the complexities of the adoption process nearly caused us to reconsider our calling! The options seemed endless and confusing, and we were so scared of making the wrong decision, which would result in more heartache.
Looking back, this was the devil telling us that our path to adoption would be like our attempts to get pregnant—heart-breaking and unsuccessful). It was (and is) a blatant lie, but hard to ignore in the position we were in. Until one afternoon, when I felt God telling me that adoption was our path and that we needed to trust Him and go for it.
I can remember it like it was yesterday: I was researching adoption online and stumbled upon Lifetime’s website, where they feature couples hoping to adopt. There was a young couple, about our age and from our state, and it gave me so much hope to see someone “like us” pursuing adoption.
However, I still had doubts. I went for a run in our pasture to sort out my thoughts and told God my fears. I remember praying, “God, we live on a farm in the middle of Nebraska. Our life isn’t glamorous or flashy…who would ever choose us out of all of these couples to adopt their baby? If you want us to do this, I need you to tell me that it’s going to work out.” Unfortunately, there were no lightning bolts or apparitions to answer my prayer at that moment immediately!
Later that evening, I was on Lifetime’s site again, but this time looking at the birth family situations for the first time. There was one that said something like, “She is looking for a young, Catholic couple, hoping to adopt their first child, who lives in a country setting.” I felt tears start running down my cheeks as I realized God was speaking to me at that moment. I showed it to my husband and for the first time in years, we felt real hope for our future family.
To finish the story, about a year later, with Lifetime’s help and guidance, we were chosen by a sweet birth mom to adopt her baby boy. The reason she chose us? Because she had grown up in the country, with horses and cattle, and wanted her little boy to grow up on a farm and experience those things as well.
Today, Isaiah is a happy, rambunctious two-year-old, and we feel so blessed to get to be his parents. He has a pony named Bluebelle, thinks that being in the tractor with Dad is heaven, wants to spend every moment outdoors, and loves every animal he encounters (just like his mom and birth mom!) God is so good.
I always hope that by sharing our story, we can give hope to someone out there who looks at us and thinks, “If they could adopt, maybe we can too!” If you are reading this and thinking about adopting, I hope that our story gives you hope that God has a plan for your future family.
Adoption is hard in so many ways and definitely a calling, but if God is calling you to it, jump in. Trust in Him and His plans. I had trouble doing that at so many points during our journey, but as I look back at the events leading us to our son, I realize that He was guiding and holding us every step of the way.
When you’re ready to explore your own Lifetime Adoption, apply here (for free!) or talk with someone who cares about your family’s future through adoption: 1-800-923-6784.
Founder of Lifetime Adoption, adoptive mom, adoption expert, and Certified Open Adoption Practitioner (C.O.A.P).
Since 1986, adoption expert Mardie Caldwell has been dedicated to bringing couples and birth parents together in order to fulfill their dreams.
“Many years ago, I was also searching for a child to adopt. We didn’t know where or how to get started. Through research, determination, and a prayer, our dream of a family became reality. I started with a plan, a notebook, assistance from a caring adoption consultant and a lot of hard work; this was my family I was building. We had a few heartaches along the way, but the pain of not having children was worse!
Within weeks we had three different birth mothers choose us. We were overwhelmed and delighted. Many unsettling events would take place before our adoption would be finalized, many months later. Little did I know that God was training and aligning me for the adoption work I now do today. It is my goal to share with our families the methods and plans which succeed and do not succeed. I believe adoption should be affordable and can be a wonderful “pregnancy” for the adoptive couple.
I have also been on both sides of infertility with the loss of seven pregnancies and then conceiving by new technology, giving birth to a healthy daughter. I have experienced first-hand the emotional pain of infertility and believe my experience allows me to serve your needs better.
It is my hope that for you, the prospective parents, your desire for a child will be fulfilled soon.”