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A look back at 2017: Because of Her

I want to take a few moments to look back at the past year, before it slips through my grasp.
 
2017 is a year that has forever changed our lives. We started out the year home study approved, with hearts full of dreams, and hopes for what 2017 would bring. And as this year comes to a close, we are ending it with our sweet daughter. And now going into 2018, we are doing the same, entering into a new year with hearts full of dreams and hopes for what 2018 will look like. But not just for us, but for our sweet Emmarie, and her brave birth mom too.

I felt led to write a letter to Emmarie's birth mom today, as 2017 closes, and felt led to share those thoughts here, with you. Why? Because adoption is more than just bringing home a sweet bundle to love and provide for. It's about loving big, and loving well. And to us, loving big, and loving well includes our sweet Emmarie's birth mother. 

Adoption is hard, but adoption is worth it. And we want everyone to hear our story, and to know that when we were called to adoption, our hearts were very scared about what open adoption would like. We were scared to keep in contact with our child's birth mom. But the Lord changed our hearts. He showed us that she deserves to be loved, and lifted up to Him. She said yes to us, she chose us to parent her baby. She made a plan for her child, she wanted her to have more than what she could provide. So we, we've said yes to her. 

The number of people who have been affected by our story alone, and who will be affected, is unfathomable. We share our story with everyone. We have been given the most beautiful story, and it's one worth sharing. God showed up in big ways, and moved mountains. He surely deserves the glory. He is the author and perfecter of this beautiful life we've been given, and so it's our duty to love big, love well, and share what He's done for us, as long as we live. 

It's been a year for the books, and we cannot wait to see what's in store for 2018! 

 Dear"C", we do not want to leave 2017 behind without sharing some thoughts with you. First, we love you. And when we say that, we mean it. Before we even knew you, before we ever met you, the love that the Lord put in our hearts for you is unexplainable. He knew that our lives would be woven together, because of your strength, selflessness, and love for your daughter. Because of you, we get to parent this beautiful gift that the Lord saw fit to bring into all of our lives. Thank you will never, ever be enough.

I’ll never forget the day we got the call that you chose us as the adoptive family for your baby girl. I was so excited to meet you, but also so scared. I was so worried that maybe you wouldn’t love us as much as what you saw in our profile book. Would we be good enough, would we be everything you wanted for your daughter?

I remember praying for you immediately. Praying that the Lord give you peace, and surround you with His love and grace, that only He can provide.

Meeting you was more than we could have ever imagined. I believe the Lord knew we needed not only this baby girl in our lives, but her birth mama too. You have become a part of who we are "C", and we are so happy to have you in our lives.

I know that this road you’ve traveled has not been an easy one, but the Lord gave this life to you, because He knew you were strong enough to travel it.

We are here for you. We love you. We are thankful for you. You are the most selfless person we have ever met. You are brave, strong and beautiful. And Emmarie...she is just like you. When we look at her, we see you. She is brave, strong and beautiful just like her birth mama. And we love that. We love that when we look at her, we see you. We cannot wait to watch her grow, and we cannot wait for you to watch her with us.

You have forever changed our lives for the better. And we thank God that He saw fit to give you, and Emmarie to us. We love you, and look forward to what’s to come in 2018.

Love,


Amber & Kevin







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