Dear Birthmother...

Dear Birth Mom:

As we write this letter, we are praying for peace, comfort, and wellness for you and your family. We would like to take this opportunity to remind you of God’s tender heart for you and your baby. Thank you for giving your child the gift of life. It is with deep admiration also that we recognize your decision to give her yet another precious gift: the gift of a family who will love and care for her. Your decision in choosing adoption, takes tremendous courage, trust, and, most of all, love. We believe that God has a plan for you both even now, when things may be uncertain or difficult. We know that the Lord is present in all of our lives and that it is His work that has brought us to you and your precious baby’s life.

We are Agnes and Edward, and we live in a quiet Los Angeles suburb. Edward is 38 years old and is an information technologist and has diligently worked on the faculty of a southern California university for 15 years. I, Agnes, am 33 and a pediatric physical therapist. I have a master’s degree in physical therapy and have been practicing for 9 years. Seven years ago, because of the love of working with children, I decided to specialize in pediatrics. I have enjoyed these years of being able to care for families and children with special needs, including physical and developmental disabilities. Although these are our career paths and what we do “professionally,” our deepest desire is for God’s blessing of a child, to share our love and our home. More than anything else, we want to make parenting our greatest priority and number-one job.

Edward and I met in college in1994 and soon became college sweethearts. According to Edward, he was attracted to my enthusiasm and sense of humor. He claims to have fallen in love at first sight. Soon after we met, I fell deeply in love with Edward’s quiet confidence and gentleness. In August of 2000, Edward proposed under a pale moon and bright stars, while we strolled on the beach. We were married in Malibu, CA, in May of 2002.

We are blessed to have a beautiful marriage and a home. We moved away from the city life and into a home in a quiet suburban neighborhood, with the thought that we would soon start a family. Edward was ready to be a loving father, and I was ecstatic at the possibility of nurturing and rearing children. In late 2002, we found out we were pregnant, but the pregnancy quickly resulted in a miscarriage. We were heartbroken by this trial. However, it was this year that we looked steadfastly to God for guidance. We found comfort and peace in His promise of specific plans for us. We continued to pray for a miracle. In 2004, we conceived once more, but it resulted in an ectopic pregnancy. The doctors didn’t have answers as to why this happened. We prayed about this and looked to the Lord once more for guidance. As a couple, we felt at this moment the call to adopt. We believe that the trials of losing our children have strengthened us as a couple and truly made us realize how much we wanted to be parents. It mattered not whether we conceived a child biologically or just in our hearts.
Our neighborhood consists mostly of young families with small children. It is located within a mile from parks, safe walking trails, and distinguished elementary and high schools. We have been truly blessed to reside in an area that would be beneficial to a growing and developing child. We both enjoy traveling and have been blessed with the experiences of other countries and cultures. But we would consider it the ultimate blessing to finally bring a child into our lives to share our love and our home with.

We have our immediate family living close to us. We often have nephews and nieces visiting us from various cities here in California and also from Arizona. Edward and I were born in the Philippines and raised there until our families immigrated to the United States in our pre-adolescent years. Between our families, we speak three Filipino dialects (Ilokano, Tagalog, and Cebuano). As you can imagine, our family gatherings are a cultural food fest of pancit, lumpias, and chicken adobo . . . along with loads of laughter and chatter. We’ve assimilated into the Western culture but continue to take pride in our Filipino heritage, values, and traditions.

We plan to raise your child with the support of our family, our friends, and our church. You will never have to wonder whether she is loved and cared for. She will grow up knowing about God’s love and promises. She will always know about you and your decision of deep love to place her for adoption. We will tell her about her mother’s strong and courageous character. We will tell her of your bravery and your testimony. Most of all, we will tell her stories of your unconditional love and that the greatest gift of all came from you: her life.

We promise to continue to pray for you, that you will know God’s plan for you in His perfect timing.



In Christ’s enduring love,



Agnes & Edward

After the call...

It's been it's been 17 days since we got the call. It's been a flurry of emotions and activity at our house. Records have been reviewed, acceptance letter written/signed/sealed & FedEx"ed", homestudy forms gathered, I800a form's 11 page instruction has been combed over, and homestudy visit is pending! Lots to do and we're moving as quickly as we can...but apparently, not everyone got the memo! I feel like I'm moving at the speed of light, with the urgency to do as much as I can as quickly so I can to bring my little girl home, but why do I feel like I'm always waiting on others? I'm waiting for the mail, I'm waiting for an opening in my social worker's schedule, I'm waiting for an email from my agency coordinator to let me know which form to fill out NOW, I'm waiting for FedEx tracking to let me know that ICAB acknowledged our acceptance, I'm waiting...waiting...waiting! I thought that the waiting would ease once we got the match...but it has actually intensified. I just want to bring baby K home...and be her mommy!!! Is that really too much to ask for? Apparently, right now, it is. I feel like I'm facing the mountains of bureaucracy of two countires!!!! But these are the days that I pray for strength to continue believing that my GOD is BIGGER than these mountains!!!! With His guidance and hand upon us, we shall overcome these mountains and bring her home.

Faith

Meet my beautiful little girl, baby K. I am beyond words with the emotions that I am feeling right now. All I know is I am totally in love with her. She is currently being taken care of at a foster home in Makati thru the CRIBS Foundation. She is 17 1/2 months old, happy, healthy, and just adorable. The moment I saw her, she had my heart. I've always wondered how this moment would be, when I see my daughter for the first time. I am amazed at how much I loved her the moment that I saw her. Never did I imagine how powerful a mother's love truly is until now. There isn't a moment now that I don't think of her. I think about holding her in my arms, rocking her to sleep, and just kiss those scrumptious cheeks! In essence, I just really want to be her mommy. I am so blessed that God has given me the chance to mother this sweet little girl. Ironically, I began this blog as a way to vent when I was frustrated with "the wait" for a match. It is a true blessing that today, I'm writing that I know why that wait was necessary. God was preparing her birth family's heart to make a difficult decision to let her go and He was also preparing our hearts to accept such a wonderful treasure. So, those of you who are still waiting for a match, on the hot trail of paper chasing, waiting to be invited to travel, or waiting to return home with you precious little treasures: I am praying for all of us to remember that God's timing is perfect. Despite the frustrations, set-backs, and disappointments along the way, know that God's hand is upon all of us. He has a perfect plan, so don't lose hope...He has amazing wonderful promises for all of those who remain faithful in Him. Goodnight blogging moms...and blessings to you little one.

Miracle

We witness a miracle every time a child enters into life.
But those who make their journey home across time & miles,
growing within the hearts of those who wait to love them,
are carried on the wings of destiny and placed among us
by God's very own hands.
--- Kristi Larson

I ran into this quote today. It's surreal to realize that God has been orchestrating and planning all of the details to bring my little one home, from the beginning of time. I can't wait to meet you sweet one, you who was created specifically for me to mother and love...

To my waiting little one,

I know you're on this earth now...I pray that you are loved, safe, and content. It is my hope that you are cared for by those who God has entrusted you to, before coming home to us. May the Lord make His face shine upon you and give you peace. May these things sustain you until we meet...

Mommy

Kisses in the Wind to my little one...

KISSES IN THE WIND (The Waiting Child's Lullabye)

I hold you in my heart and touch you in my dreams.
You are here each day with me, at least that's how it seems.

I know you wonder where we are... what's taking us so long.
But remember child, I love you so and God will keep you strong.

Now go outside and feel the breeze and let it touch your skin...
Because tonight, just as always, I blow you kisses in the wind.

May God hold you in His hand until I can be with you.
I promise you, my darling, I'm doing all that I can do.

Very soon, you'll have a family for real, not just pretend.
But for tonight, just as always, I blow you kisses in the wind.

May God wrap you in His arms and hold you very tight.
And let the angels bring the kisses that I send to you each night.

--- © Pamela Durkota, written for Josh

Waiting - by Thomas Hicks

This is bigger than nations.

Something too big for borders is happening here. This is more than relations. Something thicker than blood is pulling us near. Somewhere there is a hand that needs another to hold, And here I am with my hand empty. Across an ocean a cheek needs a good-night kiss, And these words are the kiss I’m sending. I am waiting for you, you are waiting for me, there is nothing but time between us. I’ve never met you but you are all I can see. I’m just praying that you can feel this. A tiny heart beats inside your little chest and every beat is in step with mine. If I could open my heart like a locket, a tiny picture of you is what we would find. Every morning I pray for your safety, And every night I ask for your peaceful sleep. And every morning when you wake wherever you are is another day closer to me. I am waiting for you, you are waiting for me, there is nothing but time between us. I’ve never met you but you are all I can see. I’m just praying that you can feel this, too… Everybody around the world sing “I need somebody to love”… From me to you, wherever you are, I am coming for you, I am coming with love… I am praying for you there waiting for me. Ten thousand miles is only a day. When the sun sets on you it rises on me. One day closer that you’ll come home to stay. I am waiting for you, you are waiting for me, there is nothing but time between us. I’ve never met you but you are all I can see. I’m just praying that you can feel this. ©2007 Thomas Hicks - All Rights Reserved

 

Did I already mention white sandy beaches????????