Dream Come True

I have always thought I would have an Asian daughter.  Growing up, I always thought I would adopt some day and that I would get a daughter from an Asian country.  I assumed that my daughter would be from Korea.  My Godparents adopted three children from Korea.  We used to spend a couple weeks with them every summer, and I vividly remember meeting each child shortly after they arrived home and marveling at how beautiful they were.  I was fascinated with their eyes, hair, and skin color.  Time went on, and I still had the feeling I would adopt an Asian daughter some day, but it wasn't in my immediate plans.  I know I expressed this thought to Dave while we were still dating and he was open to the idea, but also was not anxious to pursue it right away.  When we started our initial adoption process (2009), we applied for the Korea program, but were put on a waiting list.  When the list opened up and finally allowed us into the program, we received Liam and had to take our names off the list.  When Liam turned 1 we tried to go back on the list and were once again put on a waiting list.  We were told in January of 2012 that the list would remain closed and we should seek another route.  I was sad and thought that our dreams of getting our daughter would not come true.  By this point I had a strong feeling that I just couldn't shake.  I felt like I had a daughter waiting for me and I had to get to her.  I'm sure I seemed like a woman obsessed.  I thought about it all the time, brought it up to Dave constantly, and prayed non-stop.  Finally, through guidance of friends and family and a lot of prayer, we were directed in another way.  We had heard that adopting a healthy girl from China would take 5 years, which didn't seem to fit with our family plan.  Then, we heard about a program that places children with a special need, most of which are minor/correctable health concerns.  We would not have felt prepared to handle a child with such a condition when we started the process in 2009.  However, going through the experiences we have with Liam's heart condition, we realized that we are perfectly suited for a girl with one of these issues.  At times it seems scary, but we know God will give us the daughter we are meant to have.  Looking back, we can see God preparing us along the way through every closed door, nudge, and circumstance.
   
In addition to wanting an Asian daughter I also knew I wanted a son first.  This was out of my control, but God worked that out for us.  Liam was meant to be our son all along!  I am also happy we received a newborn first, so we could learn all the milestones a baby-toddler needs to go through.  Liam has a strong personality, but is also sweet and gentle with younger children.  I know he will be a great big brother.


The formation of our family, although different from what I had planned, is exactly the way God designed it to be.  He knew all along who our children would be, when they would arrive, where they would come from, and how we would get them.  Knowing that He is in control and directing every path gives us comfort.  Look at what great work He does!