Steph's Adoption Story Continued... Part 2

Part 1 is below - you can also click the labels on the right (Steph's Adoption Story) to go back and read Part 1)

Part 2:

Saturday night October 23rd we decided to go to a Steven Curtis Chapman Concert. I think we called Rick at the last minute and he was able to get us 4 tickets to the concert at the Greek. The Shacks went with us – we had great seats. I was going to go and help at the adoption tables and I remember being really excited about that. It had been a long time since I had done anything for the cause of adoption. I remember it being cold which is probably why I got sick the next day. Since 2001, Chapman's family had adopted three girls from China. His whole concert was on adoption. It brought back all the joy from the other kids – reminded us of God’s goodness to us in all our adoptions. Robert and I have always felt that adoption is such a great picture of the gospel – how we are adopted as sons. Steven shared verses, his story, pictures of his daughter – it was so touching and sweet. He talked about how adoption reflects the gospel. It is so true!! We were reminded at how much we have been able to share Christ with our kids, acquaintances, etc. just with adoption. I kept nudging Robert the whole time (please, I want another one!!!) – he just kept smiling back at me…On the way home, Robert said he would commit it to prayer and that he was open to it – I knew that was a long way from being closed to it like he had been. I was excited and just figured I would sit back and see what the Lord would do. I also knew that I needed to be open to the fact that I was getting older and no one would probably want to place their baby in a home with 4 kids already and two old people! I didn’t think about it Sunday as we went to church and then I got sick. I kind of figured Robert would pray over it the next few months…Unbeknownst to me, Robert committed to pray all day Monday (Oct 25th). I remember him telling me that after he prayed for a long time the Lord changed his heart to be open to another adoption. He remembers praying, “Ok Lord, we’ll do it, but it has to be fast, it has to be easy as if a baby was going to be dropped on our doorstep!” I think the thought of going through the whole process was a lot for him. If you have ever adopted, you know the process – it really is long and hard (yet very rewarding at the same time!!) There are lots of papers to fill out, lots of things to do - doctor appointments, interviews, home inspections, even the children needed doctor appointments etc. I think it all overwhelmed him as we already had four kids and work was picking up. Our church was only a year old at the time and things were just busy. I was sick on Monday – couldn’t speak – literally couldn’t talk. When our friend Bonnie called I asked him to answer and tell her I was sick but wanted to say hi! It’s always a treat when she calls because we are really good friends and we don’t get to talk as much as we would like to. He came back an 1 ½ later with his beaming smile (you know the one I mean???) I said, “Oh my gosh, she has a baby!!!”