The Long Overdue Update: Elena, our Daughter

Photo by Karen Feder Photography

      Our Elena is five and a half months old. The last nearly 200 days have been a whirlwind.  For so long I have wanted to write a blog post- sharing more of the rest of our story in going to Utah, our experiences there, her birth and bringing her home, as well as what the last few months have been like.  But I didn’t until now. The reasons are multi-faceted but mainly it boils down to two: 1. We were still processing everything.  Adoption is so so emotional and complex and crazy and wonderful and hard, that it takes a bit to decompress and start to work through everything that had just happened.  2. The decompressing period was exponentially long due the news we found out the day after she was born: pregnant.  Anyone that knows us knows that this was medical miracle and that I have very very challenging pregnancies.  I was severely nauseous and getting sick for the first six months- making me virtually useless after 4pm each day.  This, of course, delayed everything as we have largely been in what we call ‘survival mode’.  Thankfully, I am not nearly as sick right now and our sweet Elena has for the most part grown out of her colicky days.  While we are exhausted, we are happy, and knowing that we are blessed. While our hands are full, we know they are full of very wonderful gifts. 

     So, back to our journey. I last wrote at the end of March, just days before our departure to Salt Lake City, Utah.  As we prepared to leave our boys for many days, and entrusted them with the NINE people who teamed up to care for them, we were feeling a combination of anxiousness and excitement.  While we had been chosen by our beautiful birth mom, nothing is set until she signs after the birth, and thus, everything over the next several days was met with apprehension, hope and a lot of prayer.  In the plane, everything felt surreal.  Eighteen months of our adoption process had come to this. We would either be flying back with a daughter or empty arms.  We landed in SLC in the late morning and we picked up by a woman at the local church that had so greatly stepped up to help us.  She said she felt like she was on holy ground with us, and kindly invited us over for brunch at her home.  On our way, we were to pick up the car that was being graciously loaned to us by another family during the duration of our stay.  When we opened the car, there was a HUGE gift basket full of all the necessities for a baby girl- clothing, blankets, lotion, soaps, headbands, baby books and a stuffed animal.  Tears were flowing- this was becoming less surreal and more REAL. After brunch, we drove just a mile to where we would stay for the next couple weeks. The Ronald McDonald House was an amazing place.  We were humbled and grieving to see the seriously sick children and families that occupied it and inspired and encouraged by the way the staff and community made it home, and cared for all of us while there.  From meals to events to general and sincere support, it was beautiful.   We got settled in and explored the massive facilities, and explored Salt Lake City a bit the rest of that day.  Then we had a fitful night of sleep as we prepared to meet our birthmom for the first time the next day. 

   We began the next day by meeting Jeremy’s sister’s husband for breakfast.  Another crazy ‘coincidence’ is that our brother in law Alex had recently gotten a new job- and happened to be in SLC for training the same exact days we were their for the adoption.  It was crazy and again, pretty surreal to be hanging out with extended family in Utah for breakfast.  Next, we went shopping to get little gifts for our birthmom’s other children- and prayed for the right words and love to convey to her when we were set to meet her shortly. (As a side-note, I wasn't feeling well at all physically and hadn't for a week or two. We thought it was likely stress due to the adoption, but of course now we know, it was much more than that!)

I love that of all the places we could have been matched and placed at, it was Utah- home of such breathtaking mountain landscapes. God has always shown me His power and sovereignty in and through the majesty of mountains. While in Utah, we were surrounded by this both in experience and in vistas.

    A few hours later, we prayed in the car, looking at the majestic mountains just outside the Applebees.  My hands were shaking and my heart was pumping.  What do you say to a woman who is about to give birth to your daughter?  How does one make small talk with someone who selflessly carried and cared for this about-to-be-born child for nine months?  As soon as we entered, we saw her and walked to her. She greeted and hugged us, and we spent the next hour or so talking with her, her support person and our adoption coordinator.  I had tears as I thanked her and talked of how excited the boys are to have a sister- she smiled, was kind, quiet and gracious.  While she was set to be induced early the next morning, her labor had already started on its own. Another grace, God’s sweet and perfect timing, ensuring that we would be present at Elena’s birth.  As we got back into the car, I felt relief, excitement and of course was anxious.  Our birth mom also amazed me.  She was beautiful- she was so petite and kind and lovely.  She seemed steady and calm. 

We met with another women at the local church that was so supportive of adoption and an actual orphan advocate vocationally, and she provided a bouncer and moses basket for us to use while in Utah for Elena. A couple had also generously donated a couple hundred dollars to help us cover gas and food while in Utah. Literally, God saw that EVERY single detail was taken care of.  Just like the hairs on our head- He of course SAW our every need and made a clear path and provided for us in ways we are still in awe of and wrapping our souls around- amazement is the word that comes to mind.  He is SO faithful and His body of believers is really incredible.  We felt so embraced by His people in this time- people that were  largely strangers to us but that became like family during that week.  As we eventually drifted to sleep that night, I couldn’t help but wonder what the next 24 hours would bring- we would be baby girl tomorrow- but would this really be our baby girl? Would this be the one God has ordained for our family and planned for us to adopt forever? 

Moments after birth- our beautiful Elena.    

    We awoke early and started getting ready.  Shortly after awaking, we received a call from our agency person telling us to get there soon, she was in labor and our baby girl would be born soon.  We rushed to the hospital which was 30 minutes from the Ronald McDonald House, and arrived.  We sat in the waiting room for about one hour before I was called into our birth mom’s room.  She was about ready to push.  I felt a little like I wasn’t sure where to be. I wanted to support and encourage our birthmom and yet it was so strange to be in such an intimate situation with someone I just met yesterday. It felt sacred- and amazing. Within just a couple moments, Elena was born and the doctor asked me to cut the cord.  With shaking hands and tears falling, I did just that.  Elena was perfect.  At just over 6 pounds, she was like a tiny, beautiful doll. She had so much hair and big eyes.  Our birthmom held her for just a moment and then offered her to me.  Such graciousness, and selflessness- she had wanted us to bond with Elena right away.  I fed her first bottle and then we went with the nurses to clean her up in the hospital nursery.  The love was instant. The uncertainty was only in if we would be allowed to love her all the days of our lives. For the next five or six hours, we sat in a little room off the nursery with our beloved Elena. These hours were some of the most special, sacred moments of our lives.  We held her, stared at her, prayed over her, sang to her and cried joyful, anxious tears over her.  Soon, it was time to leave.  Elena would be with her birthmom for the night and we would return to the Ronald McDonald house, only to return the next morning at 11am.  Papers could be signed exactly 24 hours after Elena’s birth of 11:10am. 

Just after her first bath. Daddy's girl already. :) 

   The next 19 hours seemed like weeks.  Utah has the shortest wait time for adoptive parents- and yet we felt like we couldn’t breathe a real breath until papers were signed. We hardly slept, we talked and wondered what would happen.  We could see our birthmom’s love for Elena- that was clear in how she looked at her- and I could so understand her changing her mind and deciding to parent her.  That bond after carrying a baby within your womb for nine months is undeniable and powerful.  So, we waited with baited breath.  We arrived to the hospital a little early and were invited into our birthmom’s room.  The next hour was the sweetest experience. It was just her, us and Elena.  We talked, we all cried, we hugged and we were told things that were written on our hearts forever.  She said knew that we were the right ones for Elena- that we would love her deeply and care for her, that we would provide for her.  These were special, deep moments.  And it all felt so bittersweet.  I could see in her eyes grief and a knowing that this was what she felt she needed to do.  It was sweet for us, a gift beyond measure.  To say ‘thank you’, no matter how tearful and heartfelt was just trite in light of Elena being our daughter- all because of our birthom’s courage, selflessness and brave decision.  Of course there are so many more details, reasons as to why she chose adoption.  But I want to honor her privacy so suffice it to say- the respect we have for her is unmatched.  We left and went into our quiet room off the nursery as she was to sign papers.  Things were delayed due to a notary and again the minutes seemed so long, so slow.  I worried for our birthmom,  what was her heart feeling, was she ok?  I wondered if they would walk in and say the adoption was off- she couldn’t sign.  But soon, we received the news that she had signed, Elena could be adopted- she was going to be our daughter forever.  The joy, relief and excitement was undeniable. Later, we said goodbye to our birthmom. I watched her walk away, strong and steady yet tears in her eyes giving away her emotion, and wept a bit. This was Elena’s blood- this was her flesh. No one would ever change that- and I committed myself to celebrating her birthmom forever.

   For the next few days, we took care of her at the hospital, she was released (during the worst snowstorm of the year!) and we marveled at her at the Ronald McDonald House. We were blessed to have our pictures taken by Megan Lily Photography in Utah and we explored SLC and waited for state paperwork clearance so we could once and for all be united with our boys and be together, all five of us. 

    In the midst of all this emotion, uncertainty and then joy and excitement, we did some math and realized I should take a pregnancy test.  When it showed positive- hours after Elena’s birth- there was shock.  This has been medically impossible for eight years. I had needed medication to help get pregnant.  We had struggled with infertility and I had firm diagnoses.  Immediately, I thought of what that meant- I would likely be very very sick for the next six months.  How would this look with a beautiful newborn? Did God have sense of humor or what? If we had gotten pregnant even one month earlier, we would not have been able to adopt our Elena.  We wouldn’t have even been considered.  Again, surreal feelings. Overwhelming emotion, anxiousness and excitement all poured in.  After we had been there 8 or 9 days and paperwork was not going through, issues were continuing with red tape and details and the amount of days we would have to wait to fly with Elena back to Minnesota seemed to grow, we made a decision to have me fly home. The boys needed their mom and due to some scary things happening to me physically, I needed to see my doctor.  At the airport, I hugged my strong, steady and wonderful husband and said goodbye to my barely-born, itty-bitty and beautiful baby girl to fly half way across the country- half my heart stayed with them and half was ready to be reunited with my little boys.  

A snapshot of Jeremy (and little Elena in the front pack) before this father-of-the-year made 

the grueling trip across country alone with a newborn!

   For several days, we were a family divided, longing to be together.  The doctor confirmed my pregnancy. I was 7 or 8 weeks at that point.  And then, on one glorious day, Jeremy and Elena got approval to come home.  At last, we were together.  

So excited to see Daddy and meet baby sister!

Noah literally started breaking out in dance in the driveway he was so excited! 

Soaking her up (and not leaving her alone!)

Thankfully, she is less scared and more amused by her big brothers today. :)

Our treasured gift from God.

Our first picture as a family of five (or is it six?! ;) )

     

     The next five months were a blur; a mix of beautiful joy and gratitude and hard, exhausting times of my sickness and her poor colicky tummy issues and just trying to get through.  Thankfully, I am married to a wonderful man. A man who is willing to get up with Elena at night while I was too sick to get our of bed, or too nauseous to function.  Somehow, we all made it through these many weeks, and also made beautiful memories when I felt OK, and soaked up our daughter with every hour.  She is so so loved.  The boys truly adore her. It hasn’t faded- it has grown.  They can’t wait for her to wake up from nap, they long to play with her, they can make her smile ear to ear. They want to hold her, snuggle her and talk of how she is the most beautiful, wonderful baby in the world.  And they are right on all accounts.  It feels like we are the most blessed parents to have these three (almost four) gifts.  They are glimpses of grace.  While the timing of this pregnancy is so crazy it makes us laugh, and some days I feel like it is all too much- I know that with Him, in His grace, and by His mercy, we will endure the coming weeks and months with four kids five and under- and that our life is a living testimony to God’s power, goodness and love.  Elena’s every cry, every laugh, every smile and sweet cuddle is a reminder of His faithfulness.  It is a privilege to call her daughter.  And finally, today, October 1^st, 2015- two years almost to the day from our very first adoption meeting, she is legally and forever, ours.

   To end this post, we wanted to once again extend our gratitude to those who helped her become our daughter.  There are literally dozens and dozens of people who in some way, shape or form significantly contributed to her adoption.  THANK YOU will be what we echo in our prayers as we look at her every day.  May her life be a reflection of her name-

Elena (it means, bright light and was chosen to honor both my grandma's who are named Elaine)
Marie (chosen by our birth mom and birth dad- one of the meanings which is so fitting is 'wished for one')
Grace (there is no doubt she is a grace and gift from God and a beautiful reflection of our own adoption to be sons and daughters of our heavenly Father. )
Wenzel (without diminishing that she has an incredible birth mom and beautiful african american     heritage that we will honor and celebrate forever, she is OUR daughter. She is as loved and cherished as if she had been in my womb- because she grew mightily in our hearts!)

Post Match Update #2: The Waiting, Praises and Prayer Requests

Hello!  We have reached nearly three weeks post-match.  In these three weeks, we have had the honor of talking to our birth mom, "L" two times- with number three coming up in the next day or two!  We do know her name of course, but for respect to her and privacy, we are just going with her initial. :)  It is a delicate balance as you navigate unchartered waters of the birth mom and adoptive parent relationship. You want to be so careful in what you say as to not offend her, and yet you want to shout from the rooftops: "I am so thrilled that you chose life for this baby girl, and that you then chose us to parent her, to love her, to care for her, to show her the love of Christ and so much more!"  In some words, we've had shared that with her.

We have been waiting. At first, when we were matched, her due date was unclear- and her Doctor was saying she could go into labor any day.  20 days later, we are here, waiting.  We are as ready as we can be, we have some bags packed, lists made, her closet is starting to fill, things arranged in Utah, God providing financially through generous hearts and miraculous details.  Amazing things happened in the last few weeks.  God's love and passion for adoption and for THIS adoption have been shown again and again.  I will share more on that in the coming weeks- but for now, we are so grateful for your prayers and support and love. I have said it before and I say it again, just as it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a small city to adopt one. :)  YOU are our city.  YOU are her city. Thank you will never be enough. 

Thankfully, the waiting has been full of fun- walks in the sunshine with my firefighting boys, Palm Sunday singing, visits from Jeremy's wonderful parents and my fun brother, and so much more.  I keep thinking, we are so incredibly blessed but that this adoption journey has been hard and wearing and stretching as nothing I have ever experienced. But wow, the gifts in the relationships formed and built and the deepening of our faith that has already resulted in this journey is really unspeakably beautiful.  

So- time to breakdown some praises & requests for prayer for all of our 'city' :)

Praises:
God has really continued to take care of us. We met our fundraising goal, (AMAZING) and will receive a $4,000 matching grant from the Micah fund, both to be paid out directly to the agency after placement!!!! (I can't wait to write more about how this has unfolded and our faith has grown through it later too!)

We have a place to stay (and a few back up places to stay!), a car to borrow and so much more- much of this thanks to an incredible local church in SLC with a huge heart for adoption and a clear passion to practically support those that are adopting. This is one part of our story I can't wait to share more about and to experience in person when we arrive.  Logistically, we are as set up as you can get in a moving, changing and unpredictable situation like this. 

Prayer Requests:
Health. For our baby girl, for her amazing birth mom, for Jeremy, myself and the boys, for all those that will be caring for our boys.

Peace.  I am going to be transparent here, my anxious heart grows with each day. There is real joy and excitement and there is NO doubt that we long for this baby girl to be our daughter- but nothing is 100% until it is done- and that is not dependent on us so much.  Will you all cover us, and the birth mother in prayer in this area. That she would experience such peace, comfort and a sense of certainty through the coming days and weeks and months and years? And that we would trust in HIM. Hold on to Him and know that He is good, always. 

Labor.  She really wants me in the room and supporting her through the labor and delivery. My heart would like nothing more than to be there for her. Would you pray that God would make this possible? For her, for me and for His glory?

Post Match Update #1

Hello again!  We have been so blessed by the amount of support and love we have received in the last week! Thank you all for your e-mails, calls, texts, messages and even a few sweet girly outfits & accessories have come our way!  Thank you, each one of you- for your prayers and for walking alongside us in this!!! This little girl is already so greatly loved!

I wanted to share some praises:

1. We have where we are going to be staying while in Salt Lake all set up!   As long as we are healthy, we will be allowed to stay in the Ronald McDonald House!  This is a tremendous answer to prayer.

2. A local church in SLC is currently on the search for us for a car to borrow. They heard of our need and there is an amazing orphan care ministry that is passionate about adoption and caring for all parties involved in adoptions- adoptive parents included!  We are trusting God that He will take care of this need!

3.  I just wanted to give a shout out to Jeremy. There is truly NO one else I would rather walk this rollercoaster with.  Our love has only grown deeper and stronger as we have been on this adoption journey for 18 months.  The respect I have for him has only increased.  I praise God for this beautiful grace & for our marriage. Anytime you are under stress, it can be taxing on a marriage- but we have just been so unified in every step of this- praying this continues! 

4.  Perhaps most exciting, I (Kate) was able to talk with our sweet birth mom on Wednesday!  I was so very nervous but God was so very present and it went really well. It felt like we were on a bit of what I would say is 'sacred ground' where God is doing a work far bigger than we can imagine or know. We will continue to build a relationship with her- this is a precious gift.  I was overcome with genuine love for her immediately and it was pretty amazing to feel and experience- and a joy to share.

5. We have raised $1,500 of the $3,500 needed for us to go get her!  Amazing!  Thank you so much to those of you who have donated in the past several months and in the recent days to get us so close! We are humbled by God’s provision through your generosity and passion for adoption. We have just FOUR DAYS left, friends!

Continued Prayer Requests:

1.     Peace. For our Birth Mom, for us. This is not an easy situation as you can imagine- so that we would all experience peace. And just that her heart & life would be blessed with encouragement and support and God’s love.

2.    Health. Again, for her, for our baby, for all of us. 

3.    Details. So many details have fallen into place, but so many more are to go. We know we serve a faithful God and have seen His faithfulness abundantly in this time.  We trust He will take care of us and those involved in this situation.  The biggest one is that we can be there for the labor & delivery. “L” would love for me to be there to walk with her through labor and delivery and I would of course, LOVE to be as well.

4.    For all finances to fall into place in these last couple days!

We are basically just continuing to get ready for that phone call. It could come today or it could come in the next couple weeks- so we just continue to find joy in the TODAY and the present and yet wait with hope and excitement for that call!

Thank you again. We feel covered in prayers and that is truly the best way you can support & minister to us and to “L” and baby girl!

In Christ Alone,

Kate

BIG BIG NEWS, PRAYER REQUESTS AND PRAISES!

Wow. I don't even know where to begin. My mind is rushing a million miles an hour, I haven't stopped moving since we got the call- my lists have grown tenfold each hour of what we need to do, all the details that need to fall into place- but my goodness, the biggest thing we are feeling is OVERWHELMING, INDESCRIBABLE JOY!  So.... let me back up a bit and let you know how we got here and then answer a few questions we have been getting.

First, although we didn't get to our fundraising goal, at the end of December, we felt led to step forward in faith (again) and start showing our profile to potential situations.  This is just an 18 page book with a lot of pictures and sharing more about our lives, our family, our faith and how we got this place of adoption.  January and February were rough.  The first situation we presented to was 'perfect'.  All the details seemed perfect. 12 long days went by before we found out she had not chosen us. We were devastated.  We couldn’t see how something so ‘perfect’ wouldn’t have come together.  And yet, we learned, He is trustworthy and no plan is perfect unless it is His perfect will.  Several more weeks went by, several more situations, one more that we were presented to where the mom decided to parent.  Rollercoaster’s of hope and despair, emotion and uncertainty.  These were some of the hardest months and weeks of my life. And yet they were beautiful.  Even now, I can’t believe I can write that with such conviction. But in this time, we clung harder than ever to Him, His word, His promises.  We found solace in His character. And one week ago, at 1am, after wrestling with Him and fighting Him in my heart, I finally laid it all down.  The cliché Christian word of ‘surrender’ became a reality in my soul.  All the finances, the logistics, the details, the hopes, the dreams and the deep desires were laid down.  And not reluctantly, but joyfully. Because I finally saw that HIS ways are better, HIS story that He is writing for our child, for us, for His glory is better. It is harder than I would write it, but better.  And then yesterday, after two weeks from when we were presented to our sweet birth mother, “L”, we got the best phone call of our lives. She had chosen us. She had chosen us with confidence.  Joyful tears flooded down my cheeks, elation overwhelmed my heart and in an instant, the months and years of suffering, hardship, fear, leaps of faith, frustration, hurt, was worth it. 

I could write a small book about the details and the ways God has woven this story together.  But here are a few cool highlights:

1.    A few days before we received word that we were chosen, a friend of mine gave me some newborn baby girl clothes with a note that she was believing we would need these soon.  She said she felt led by the Holy Spirit to do it that day.  I was moved, and hopeful, but we were presenting to both boys and girls, and who knew when it would be- it could be months.  Little did we know, it was just days and yes, it would be a GIRL.

2.     On Sunday, after church, Jeremy and I both came home and told one another that we had felt the Lord confirm that this situation was our baby.  We had no reason, no audible voice, but we both felt a strong peace and confirmation.  We were scared to even say it out loud, but we couldn’t deny it.

3.    The social worker who is working with our sweet birth mom said that she felt from the beginning that we were the family for this situation. “L” looked at many profiles, and yet here we are.  This social worker said this feeling is very very rare for her, but it was strong and real. 

4.    Our four year old Isaiah, who has prayed for months for our baby, told me the day before that this situation was our baby. He knew it, he said. I told him that only God knew- but we could pray and wait and trust. He said, "I just know, Mommy."  He had never said that before in the other situations.

5.    And lastly, for nearly two years, as we walked this adoption process, we prayed for our child. As hard as I tried not to, EVERY time I prayed for them, a little girl came into my mind. I prayed so hard that God would remove this desire for a girl away, and yet it only grew.  Jeremy felt that we should be open to and present to both boy and girl situations, and so we did, and I was ready to love another boy (I would have!). All the while I prayed that this desire would go away- so that I would feel content with either.  The fact that this is a sweet little girl is a gift. A boy would have been just as much as a gift, but our God is a gracious God, a kind God who gives good gifts.  Again, we would have felt joy either way, but this is special- God knew the desire of my heart.

Ok… now to some answers and specific needs/prayer requests as many of you have asked:

1.    Our birth mother is from Mississippi but the agency we have been matched with is in Salt Lake City, Utah.  They are caring for her there and she will deliver there.  So we will be traveling there for anywhere from 10 days to 3 weeks depending on how long it takes Utah and Minnesota to process the paperwork.  They don't know her exact due date but her Doctor believes it will be soon. The latest it would be in one month, but again, they don't think she will make it that long.

2.    Two situations will likely happen. We need to prepare for both, and one will then happen. Either she will make it to her induction date in a few weeks, and we will all drive down together to SLC and be there for the labor and birth, or we will get a phone call that she is in labor and just Jeremy and I will jump on the first flight available to get there. We are praying for the first.  In the first situation, we can be with all our children, experience those first few weeks as a family and enjoy our baby girl together.  In the second, one of us will have to fly home to care of Isaiah and Noah after a few days, while the other stays behind with our sweet newborn.  One of us will miss precious days and weeks and bonding.  We are preparing our hearts for both.  We are praying for a small miracle that the first will happen.  Would you join us?

3.    Many have asked, is there risk? Yes.  Adoption is a risk, a leap of faith for all those involved. There are many, many variables and moving parts. But, truly, Utah is the best state out of all the states for this. At 24 hours after birth, she will sign the papers and that sweet girl is ours.  Most states are 3 days, 5 days, two weeks, or even months.  This is a grace to us.  Please pray that “L” would have peace that passes understanding, and comfort from God as she continues to walk a path that requires a tremendous amount of selflessness, strength and courage.  In addition, the agency that we ‘happened’ to place with is the ONLY one out of all of them we have worked with that has no money at risk. If the ‘scary’ would happen and “L” would understandably decide to parent, all of our money would be rolled into the next match.  We pray this doesn’t happen, but what a gift to only have our travel costs be ‘at risk’.  What a grace and mercy. 

4.    Finances.  We are close. Just a few thousand and we are there. We could get the call tomorrow that she is in labor and so time is of the essence for us. Pray for Him to make a way.  And if you feel led, here is a link for how to make a tax-deductible donation to bring our baby girl home: https://www.purecharity.com/wenzel-adoption.  I can’t wait to share more about what God has already done to make this adoption (which was WAY more financially than what we signed up for months ago when we started this process) a reality.  When there is time, I will. :)

So, in short, we need prayer for these things primarily:

1.    Travel logistics, and many details that go into having an adoption occur in general. Time, airfare, childcare, travel mercies, etc etc.

2.    Peace for us and our birth mom. 

3.  Health for our baby girl as she enters this world soon.

4.    Finances

That about sums it up!  Words cannot convey the way we have been blown away by your support, prayers, donations, encouragement, practical offerings of help and more.  It truly is the most beautiful thing we have experienced to see a community of people we love come together and pursue and love and fight for this child.  Tears of joy stream down again now as I type these words.  NONE OF this could happen without your support. Thank you for being a vessel of God’s glory and will.  We love you more than we can say.

I will be doing updates frequently so watch this blog and facebook for more.  In the last few hours, we have figured out where we will stay in Salt Lake, received over $800 of the $3,500 and had a few people say they are searching for a way to get flights for us.  God is a God of adoption, one passionate about showing His love for adoption and a God of details. This will no doubt continue to be a wild ride, and your prayers will carry us through!!!!

Kate

Adoption Update

Hello friends and family!  We wanted to write an updated for you regarding our adoption journey!  We have now been in the adoption process for over one year.  It has been challenging- but in the last month we have been met with an incredible amount of support and have been greatly encouraged!  The Facebook Adoption Auction raised just over $1,800!!! In addition, we have been completely humbled by so many donations through the pure charity site and direct donations!  We are now over 50% to our required amount to move forward and be matched with a child!!! With just 13 days left for the Pure Charity fundraiser, we are down to the wire.  We also continue to work hard and pour every cent we can into the call of adoption.

Still, we have a peace that passes understanding. Time and time again, we have experienced doors that were closed, open wide.  God continues to make His call over our lives abundant and we are grateful for your prayers, your friendship and your support.  If you haven't already, please feel free to click on the Pure Charity link on the right, read more of our story and pray for our adoption.  And even more so, pray for orphans in general. There are over 143 million orphans worldwide with 120,000+ of those on US soil.  Our hearts have continued to grow over the months for our child specifically, but also, for the overarching global need for people to rise up, pray for, and care for these children.  Beyond this adoption, we hope to make it our lifelong mission to help advocate for and support orphaned children.

Thank you again for your continued prayers. There really are no words to express our gratitude. Please continue to pray for endurance & trust in this long, wearing process.  Please pray for God to make a way to the child He has for us, as only He can. Please for our child- that they are safe, growing, and well. While we don't know them yet, there is a great need and once we have the final funds, we are likely to get matched in just a matter of weeks!  This excites us to no end!

Waiting and Resting in Him,

Jeremy & Kate

An Amazing Auction: Generosity & Awe

 

  When I had the idea of doing a Facebook auction to help us raise the remaining funds for the adoption, I had no clue that in just a matter of 36 hours, the auction would be LIVE. And within just a day or two of that, we would have well over 20 businesses contact me to donate incredible products, gift cards and items!  The generosity of the donators was nothing short of incredible- and we felt overwhelmed by the outpouring of kindness, love and support!  As we started the auction, we really had no idea of what to expect.  And over the last week or so, we have watched as amazing people have bid on these items- on several occasions going over the retail value of the item- all in an unreal show of support!  We have to say, from the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU to all the DONATORS and BIDDERS!  Because of you, we have raised over $1,500 with this auction- bringing us closer to bring a child into our family and home, forever.

   Most people know that the adoption process is difficult. The time, energy, finances and emotions invested over the last 13 months have been challenging at times. But we feel so called to this journey and walk joyfully.  YOU all have encouraged our hearts more than you will ever know.  THANK YOU again.

   Below is a comprehensive list of all the donators so that you can support their small businesses for your future needs and purchases. Their generosity and excitement for our adoption is just one of many reasons why you should support them!

Bodywise Chiropractic Center, Donated a One Hour Massage

Missy M of Princeton, Donated a Custom Jersey Bag

Angela of Advocare, Donated the 24 day Challenge

Brittany J of Stella & Dot, Donated a $50 gift card

Alisha and Anthony C, Donated a $25 Old Navy Gift Card

Kim C and Michelle G of Isagenix, Donated a 9-Day Cleanse

Jill H of Bodycounter, Donated $55 in products

Hannah of Taco Johns, Donated (3) $15 Gift Certificates

Painter Kelly O, Donated (3) Lithographs of 'Mine for a Moment'

Ashley W of Rodan & Fields, Donated a Skin Care Collection

Ralu W of Sweet & Shy Boutique, Donated children's Bow Tie & Hair Bow Set

Tammy K of Sassy Bean Boutique, Donated a Shabby Chic Window Frame and Christmas Set

Adrienne, Donated a Lia Sophia bracelet, earrings and necklace set

Susan S of Mary Kay, Donated a TimeWise Miracle Skin Care Set

Sarah S of Arbonne, Donated the Baby Care Collection & the Neutral Eye Set

Katee of Katee Holland Photography, Donated a Mini Session & Images

Jess Z of Norwex, Donated Household Package and Travel Cloths

Rebecca W of IT WORKS, Donated Ultimate Body Applicators

Stacey of Ramshackled Treasures, Donated two Window Art Frames

Sarah E of Beachbody, Donated 21 Day Fix, Shaker Cup and Shakeology Samples

Chrissy J of Babycakes, Donated $25 Gift Certificate

Katy F of Jamberry Nails, Donated Four Holiday-Themed wraps and application kit

Shana B of doTERRA, Donated the Beginners Trio of Essential Oils

Kary T of ThirtyOne, Donated the Gifts Solution Set

Strouf of Red Shed Supply, Donated a Snap Circuits Jr toy


DIRECTIONS FOR WINNERS OF AUCTION ITEMS:

If you placed the highest bid on a single item or the highest bids on multiple items, please follow the directions below to receive your winnings:

1. Go to our PURE CHARITY site and click Donate to this Fundraiser.

2. *Donate the amount that you bid on the item NO LATER THAN DECEMBER 16th. Please be sure to NOT donate anonymously. You will receive something from Pure Charity for taxes as this will be a tax-deductible donation.

3. Contact Kate Wenzel either on Facebook or at kate@katewenzel.com. Please provide your name, what you won, address & e-mail address so that the winning item(s) can be shipped to you directly from the donating business.

4. Enjoy your winning item(s) and know that you GREATLY contributed to the adoption of a child in need of a family & forever home!

That's it! :)



**** Please be sure to donate by Dec 16th at 10pm so that the donators can ship your winnings on the 17th.

Humbled

Again, while this blog sat quiet, we have not been idle in the least! 

In October, after sending in an extensive application and then being interviewed by a small panel, we learned that we are receiving the Micah Fund Grant!  This is a grant where they match $2,000 of the donations we received from family and friends. Please check out more about the Micah Fund HERE and head to our personal fundraising site HERE for more information and details both about our story and this process as a whole.  We have been greatly blessed by those who have donated thus far!

We would be lying to say this last year has been easy. Don’t get me wrong; we are INCREDIBLY blessed and grateful. But, as I have learned while talking with others who have adopted- life seems to become full of trials, (both related and unrelated to the adoption) when in this journey.  In all of it, we can feel Him shaping us, leading us and loving us.  Anyone who knows me well knows I love the following John Piper Quote: “He is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.”  What I am learning (again) is that I often have to be emptied of myself and what I held too tightly to in order to hold most tightly to Him and therefore, find that HE is most satisfying. No amount of success, friendships, church involvement, or anything else can fulfill what our hearts were made for: something eternal. That something eternal happens to be a wonderful God- the author of joy, peace and love, of grace and truth, and of transformation. He transforms lives and we think He is doing just that as we walk the path of adoption.  While this child’s life will be changed, OURS are being changed now and will continue to be. We are growing, our worldview is expanding, and our perspective for what is important is shifting.  All of this is great, but most great things require work, sacrifice and, I believe, surrender.  Between significant health challenges, expensive car repairs and a few other challenging circumstances, we are emptied. Thankfully, that is when we most greatly cling to grace and find a peace that was allusive to us in our own strength.

The definition of humbled is: reflecting, expressing or offered in a spirit of deference or submission.  I find that we are in this place. It really isn’t something you can create or force- but through a series of trials, and when you’re in a place where you can’t move forward alone, you’re humbled.  Asking for family and friends to partner alongside us in humbling.  It is not natural to our human nature to want to share a need, or to be unable to accomplish what we feel called to in and of ourselves.  And yet, I am learning, that is the point exactly. God gets so much more glory by moving mountains. That is why so many that adopt cannot afford it themselves.  And yet, if we took that as a definitive ‘no’ to adoption, if all those before us did, how many MORE orphans would there be?  This convicted us.  We cannot let our pride, our limitations; stop us from advocating for, and pursuing the orphans.   Inconvenience, and dare I say it, hardship, is so worth it because these children who need families and homes are so worth it. 

So our lives are a poured out offering.  We can only seek to honor Him day by day, and trust that He will bring to pass what He has so clearly called of us. 

Thankful, above all, for Him,

Kate