It's Official: Our Family Is Expanding-- in a way that came as a BIG surprise.
Last week, my uncle in Missouri called and asked if we would consider letting my second cousin, Adam, who is 12 (turning 13 in November) come live with us. Based on his current living situation my uncle has watched the hope fade from Adam's life. Because of this less than positive impact and chaotic living situation my uncle could see unfolding yet again in Adam's life, my Uncle shared that wanted to provide an option to his daughter (my cousin) for her son -- that option was us. He hoped to talk to Adam's mother about the whole thing that week but wanted to see if we would be willing before saying or doing anything! Josh and I spent the evening and next day praying over this and decided, we were in.
Hope is something we are always looking toward! And what an opportunity to share hope with a young man seeking this so greatly! We moved forward thinking "we're willing but what are the odds of the mom wanting to do this and the 12-year-old son also wanting to do this. I mean Nevada is pretty far away from Missouri."
Less than 12 hours later we got a call.
We had an emotional conversation but...
Mom wants to do it.
Adam wants to come live with you.
It's a go.
Wow! This is really happening.
Over the weekend we spent time video chatting with Adam. As we got to know him even a little over the computer - it was clear he is looking for hope. He wants to climb a mountain (which works out since we live in the mountains) and is eager for people see him, and care for him in a new way. (His mother was pretty overwhelmed and his biological father was just sent to prison.)
By the end of Labor Day weekend 2013, plane tickets were purchased and everyone agreed this would be an incredible opportunity for Adam at a crucial age.
So here we are, less than 5 days later, and I admit Josh and I are freaking out! As of September 28 we will be guardians (till at least the end of the school year) of a 12/13 year old!
As I sat outside tonight praying - "Lord I'm not ready!" I felt His comfort surround me saying - "yes you are! I've been preparing you."
I'm leaning into that still small voice! And am encouraged by a scripture that has been following us around all summer: "Be Strong and courageous, do not be afraid, for the Lord Your God is with you where ever you go!" - Joshua 1:9
Our family is growing.
It's exciting yet terrifying to be where we are at this moment. We've dreamed about how our family would grow for years and what that would look like, and yes this is a different angle than I expected. But here we go. Let the adventure begin, we're starting with a preteen!
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Monday, July 1, 2013
Renewed Hope with Unexpected Recovery
Talking about SHOCKING NEWS! Here's the latest ...
During the past few weeks we visited a new fertility doctor in Reno, NV. Doctor Scott Whitten. He encouraged us to have many tests done again (since it had been more than 5 years) to just see if Josh had had any recovery. While it would be very unlikely it wouldn't hurt to try before we started investigating IUI or using donor sperm.
We all (even the doctor) were amazing and shocked to learn that Josh had recovery. Not only did he have active sperm but in fact there are enough of these little guys for us to move forward with some options. We believe, this is a story of healing.
Between 2007 and 2008, we were told that Josh was sterile, because of the amount of chemicals he had pour into his body during two bouts with cancer (age 15 and age 25), it would be very unlikely that he would ever have "stuff to work with" for growing our family biologically.
What an exhilarating feeling to be listening to a doctor in Reno, NV (who would have thought Nevada?) - sharing with us that there is hope and healing.
The next part is what do we do now. Dr. Whitten shared while there is not much stuff, it would be possible to pursue In Vitro Fertilization using my (Jenn's) egg and Josh's sperm so we could potentially have children using our very own DNA. This is a new dream that we actually had thought was dead.
We are once again filled with HOPE as God as restored in a way only he can. What's next? We will see, but for now many more options have opened up to us.
During the past few weeks we visited a new fertility doctor in Reno, NV. Doctor Scott Whitten. He encouraged us to have many tests done again (since it had been more than 5 years) to just see if Josh had had any recovery. While it would be very unlikely it wouldn't hurt to try before we started investigating IUI or using donor sperm.
We all (even the doctor) were amazing and shocked to learn that Josh had recovery. Not only did he have active sperm but in fact there are enough of these little guys for us to move forward with some options. We believe, this is a story of healing.
Between 2007 and 2008, we were told that Josh was sterile, because of the amount of chemicals he had pour into his body during two bouts with cancer (age 15 and age 25), it would be very unlikely that he would ever have "stuff to work with" for growing our family biologically.
What an exhilarating feeling to be listening to a doctor in Reno, NV (who would have thought Nevada?) - sharing with us that there is hope and healing.
The next part is what do we do now. Dr. Whitten shared while there is not much stuff, it would be possible to pursue In Vitro Fertilization using my (Jenn's) egg and Josh's sperm so we could potentially have children using our very own DNA. This is a new dream that we actually had thought was dead.
We are once again filled with HOPE as God as restored in a way only he can. What's next? We will see, but for now many more options have opened up to us.
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