Samuel Paul Lum came along just as planned. This was just confirmation to me that Jeff and I must be pretty good planners. We had often discussed through our dating and early marriage years that three children seemed like a good number and things seemed to be moving right along. So, in 2008, when Sam was almost two, we moved on to the next expected step of having another child. However, when a year went by and no pregnancy, a hint of concern began to creep into my mind. I began praying in earnest because surely God's plans were the same as mine. I wondered why he was making us wait so long. But, at a year and a half when I found out I was pregnant, I thought, "God must have been just trying to teach me patience."
At eight weeks pregnant, right before Thanksgiving, I knew that bleeding wasn't normal. But, I was in denial, nothing could be happening to this baby. This preganancy was all a part of the master plan. Surely God would not allow for anything to happen to this precious new life. By the time Thanksgiving came and went, I really didn't feel much like being thankful. The baby was gone and our plans seemed to be shattered. Again, I asked the question, "what must God be trying to teach me?"
After a ruptured appendix (definitely not a part of my plan), many doctor's visits, ultrasounds, fertility treatments and procedures, the news came that if we were going to continue on the path that our planning had lead us, we would have to get pregnant artificially and even then there was no guarantee. Needless to say, that news was devastating. How could this happen? I mean, we had plans. Things had been going so smoothly.
After a couple of months, thoughts of adoption starting popping into my head. I'm not sure where they came from. I had always been aware of adoption, but never really thought about it for my family. I had plans you know. But, for whatever reason, it kept coming up. I started doing research on the internet, looking for information, agencies, etc. I came across America World Adoption Association web site. I'm not even sure what lead me to click on their link, but I did. What I read there touched my heart. And before I knew it, I had filled out a form for more information. Soon after getting the information in the mail, I bumped into my good friend and cousin Cristy at Camp Meeting. In her arms was the most precious little girl that she and her husband had recently adopted from Rwanda. As we stood there talking, I discovered that Cristy's family had used an agency none other than America World. I thought, "God, what are you trying to tell me?"
Jeff and I began to talk more seriously about adoption. What would this mean for our family? Would we be able to afford it? We found out that America World was holding a seminar in Charlottesville. How convenient. So we went. A little boy adopted from China greeted us at the door. His name was Samuel. We sat there listening to the stories of adoption. Asked questions. We felt an incredible tug on our hearts that this was the right thing to do. And, not only was adoption the right thing to do, but adopting through China's Waiting Child Program for children with special needs.
We filled out the application and began the paper chase, otherwise known as the paper pregnancy. Being in the health care field I thought I could handle paperwork. Surely they wouldn't throw anything at me that I couldn't handle. Boy was I in for a suprise!
When we finally turned in our waiting child application, I anxiously waited for the phone call that would let us know that we had a referral. For those of you who are not familiar with the process, this is the phone call that lets you know that you have been matched with a child. However, we still had a lot of our dossier to complete. In fact, our Home Study was still in the works. So, when I asked our family coordinator when we might expect a phone call, she very gently said that we had a while to wait yet...a couple more months in fact. So, needless to say, when the phone rang exactly one week later, I was not expecting the voice on the other end to say that there was a little eight month old boy waiting for us. I didn't know what to say. Very shortly after the phone call, I was staring into the face of a beautiful baby boy on my computer. What was God trying to tell us?
After we recieved the referral, we had 10 days to respond regarding whether or not we would accept the referral. In all honesty, I had no hesitation. I knew that little Qing Fu Jun was waiting for us. We needed to go get him. Now, many documents (and long stories) later, we have recieved approval and will hopefully travel in mid October. Almost exactly a year after starting our journey to adoption.
As for all the times I asked, "What is God trying to tell/teach me?"....I think I have discovered the answer in a Bible verse that I'm just now beginning to better undertand...."For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord..."
