Evelyn Joy...One Less Orphan

This is a bit long, but far too INCREDIBLE not to share.

Adoption has been on my heart since my childhood.  My parents talked of it, though it never came to fruition.  Then I grew up, spent many years in school and then began having children of my own!  Five to be exact.  And then I continued to age, now 46.  My hubbie Kirt was 53. We had a very FULL house and we were old and a little tired!

I felt God speak to me intermittently, but often over the years, mostly through others, that adoption was a way I could advance His kingdom.   Kirt, wonderful and involved father that he is, felt otherwise as the kids and job gave him far more than enough to keep him busy.  However, this could not stop my thoughts or change my heart.  I thought about adoption almost daily.  I eventually realized that I would NEVER change Kirt's heart for adoption, only God could do that and began chatting with God and praying that He would change Kirt's heart if that was the vision He had for our family.  I prayed a lot.  It would be a very very large miracle I knew.  For many years with every adoption prompt He gave me, "Lord, only You can change His heart!"  

Our 22nd wedding anniversary came along.  We were able to get away for the night!  Our anniversary day fell on day 28 of my cycle (sounds like TMI but important in the miracle of it all).  Also, just to be safe, I did an ovulation test...negative.  You can see where this is going....

I almost fell over...I was pregnant.  How does this happen on day 28 of a VERY regular girl's 30 day cycle and in the setting of a very NEGATIVE ovulation test....GOD.  Of course!  I then thought in my oh so human brain....Aha! This is the reason God has not changed his heart, he needed another Beckes warrior!

We were so very excited as we knew this was planned by God and a total gift from GOD.  Our whole family rejoiced!  Adoption fell from my thoughts for a bit, as I realized I'd be busy for a while...

One night I was awakened abruptly with a name.  "Evelyn Joy.  She will bring you great JoY."  I woke Kirt, as this had never happened in any of our prior pregnancies (ten total).  He might have been a little annoyed as it was 3 am.  But he liked the name.  

I had my first ultrasound, the baby was 6 weeks 2 days with a beautiful gestational sac and perfect heartbeat.  Two weeks later, I went for my first OB appointment.  My OB is my dear friend and she was as excited about this miracle pregnancy as we were!  

The tech put the probe in.  Wow.  How did this happen?  She was no longer alive.  I was so confused.  I knew without a shadow of a doubt that God was orchestrating something,  right?  

Why all of the cool conception miracles, God?  Why a name, God? I cried out to Him!  I am faithful!  God this is ok, as you ultimately are the Lord of my Life.  You know so much more than I can even fathom.  So we moved forward, thankful for the short time of incredible joy!  This was my 6th miscarriage in my lifetime, so not unfamiliar.  Never easy, of course. 

Two weeks later, as I lie in bed, Kirt came in the room and asked if he could talk to me.  "Sure...(thinking it might be another budget talk as we have a lot of cash going out for schooling for the 5--one going to college at 52K a year and another one following her the next year!)"  BTW, physicians do NOT get financial aid....

And then he said words I will never forget as long as I live....

"I think we should adopt."

I almost choked.  Holy GOD!   He continued, "We must sell the lakehouse, because we will never be able to afford 'her' school, 2 college tuitions, plus private school for the other 3..."  I love the lakehouse.  It's the only thing we do as a family.  Our family time.  We take no other vacations.  However, Lakehouse or Orphan......It was really very very simple.  

I then mumbled as I was still in shock, "What changed your mind, honey?"  

"All I know is that Evelyn-Joy is supposed to be in our house.  I really wanted her.  Your pregnancy made me realize that I had room and energy for one more."

Holy cow!!!  God is so incredible!!  He is so creative!  I am so human!  

We sold our lakehouse that week.  Another gargantuan miracle.

We cannot wait for the next miracle, as we are certain that with every backwards step with the paperwork fiascos that He is still preparing her for us and we will remain faithful and patient for His timing.  

Please join us in celebrating our incredible journey as we follow God's desire for our family to make one less orphan in the world. 
We have never been more sure that our Eve is out there, chosen by the Master, for our family.   She is so wanted and will be so very treasured.  We cannot wait to share her with our fabulous village (that's you)!! Your life will also be changed I am certain as you assist us in making this happen!