Instead of Building Higher Walls,
Build a Longer Table
I heard another adoptive parent say this today and it took me back. Tomorrow our little Reesie turns 2. Her first two years have just cruised on by. I remember being a sleep deprived mama (Reese was 8 months old) and my sweet husband offered a date night out to eat. I brushed my hair and put actual "nice" clothes on, free of spit-up and hired a babysitter. There is something about going out ALONE with your spouse. You feel like a limb (or two) are missing. Something doesn't feel right as you pick up your fork, take a bite of warm food and realize that nothing is hanging off your arm. Adam and I got to have an entire conversation from start to finish, with NO interruptions. You would think at this moment we wouldn't be thinking of having more children. But then something came out of Adam's mouth. "I really think we need to re-look at adopting." My jaw about hit the floor as I had always had that desire and just never thought we could ever afford it. Adam is the king of spreadsheets and anti-debt, so his fear of taking the leap financially was a lot higher than mine. So, you can imagine when he started talking to me about his desire to adopt a child, my heart was full.
Our joke has always been: Adam wanted two kids and Hayley wanted four, so we settled at four. We laugh at this but realize it's more of what God wanted for us and for our family than what we tried to control . We came up with a lot of excuses why we couldn't financially take on this leap. We would bring up all the things we could do with $30,000. A few house remodeling projects, maybe a more reliable vehicle, and the list went on. I just started to stay at home with our kids and wasn't pulling in very much money since my time in the day was spent with our children. How on earth could we afford this endeavor? We worked so hard to be debt free so that our family wouldn't have financial strain.
We put up walls in fear and God took them down. Every road block will be taken out of the path that leads us to our son. So far every penny has been raised that has been needed and at just the right time.
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. - 2 Timothy 1:7
This past year our design and photography business has had it's best year. I LOVE working with families and infants and am thankful for the creative gifts I can share with my design clients. Adam LOVES his new job as well. He has a great team he works with that are like family members to us. We have had amazing support in all of our fundraisers (you have no idea how thankful we are!) . God provided.
We look back at this time last year when our fears were taking control and the "what if's" were pushing us down....that God opened up doors for both of us in our careers, allowed me to stay at home and raise our children and on top of it save and fund the adoption of our son. God made it known to us that we were CALLED to be parents to a child that needed to be loved and in this we learned humility and trust.
We are currently working on our dossier. It's almost done. We hope to have it ready to go with state seals by the end of January.
Adam and I were recently placed on the list for China's special needs waiting children. We could get a phone call any time with a referral. Please continue to pray for our son. We know he has been born and is out there. For some reason his parents felt they could not take care of him or keep him. We pray for their hearts and are thankful for their decision to give him a chance at life.
He is wanted. He is chosen. He is loved. He is OURS.
Our family prays many blessings upon you all. We remind you all that you are a very important part of our life's story. Thank you for making it such a great one!
God is GOOD, ALL THE TIME!
The Kaemingk Crew
Upcoming Fundraiser: Eat Pizza, Bring Home Brother!
at 5 PM - 8 PM
Pizza Ranch
South Side by new Walmart. Rapid City
15% of sales and ALL tips go towards our Adoption Fund!
