Written by Katie on February 11, 2015

The Unexpected Adoption Story (The beginning)

YHWH’s ways are not our ways. This is a verse, I have heard all my life, yet for some reason I am always surprised by the way He does things. For example, when Jeremy and I married and talked about having a big family, and about helping other families through foster care, we never planned to adopt any children. We also never imagined we would have 14 children. But, now looking back, I can not imagine what our family would be like without even one of our children. Each and every one fits into our family perfectly. It doesn’t matter how God brought them into our home. Each of them is a unique piece of the puzzle of our home.

And this is even true with our newest member of our family. Who knew six months ago that God had a beautiful little girl prepared to join our family at just the right time. Back in September of 2014, Jeremy said to me that he thought it was time for us to think about starting the adoption process. This wasn’t a surprise to me, since we always felt God would have us adopt one more time. But, I knew that if Jeremy was telling me this that it was from the Lord. With each and every one of our previous adoptions, God spoke to Jeremy clearly. And then shortly after speaking to him, YHWH always confirmed that it was Him. This was to come true again, and very quickly. The very next week, Jeremy mentioned to my sister and mother at Sunday dinner, that he thought it was time to get started on another adoption.

Less than a week later, my sister called to share with me about a family in need. This family needed to find a home for their daughter right away. They had adopted this child as an infant and loved her and wanted the best for her, but due to her special needs found they could not keep her in their home. As soon as I heard this story, I knew this was a family God was placing in our lives to help. The daughters needs were all very familiar to our family. We had the training and understanding needed to help. I was actually excited to meet this child. So, we set a date to meet in October.

And on October 30th, 2014, we brought Mary Kate home for a visit. We wanted to give the family a break, and some time to be sure they just didn’t want us to provided respite care for them. From day one, she belonged here with us. It was only a matter of weeks, and both families knew God had brought us all together, in His perfect timing.

It reminded me so much of when we brought Davey home. I often think about how if Davey came earlier to our family, I would not have been ready to be his mother and care for him in the way he needed me to care for him. Also, if Davey had not been with his foster family that had him before we adopted him, he would not have been prepared to bond and connect with a family. They had done wonderful work with Davey, and they loved him. But they did not feel called to adopt Davey. It was hard and sad for them to see him go, but they knew it was the right thing for them and him. Later they would adopted two other special needs children. To think if they had Davey, they may not have taken in these other two children later. Isn’t God’s timing amazing.

So, now as Mary Kate has joined our family, I think to how God in His perfect timing brought her here just now. Again, if I would have gotten her five years ago when she was born, I would not have been able to care for her, or my other children in the way that they needed me then. Instead, God placed her with a family that loved her and care for her until just the right time that she could join our family. How amazing He is.

So, now it is February 11, 2015, and we have begun the beautiful process of private adoption. It is a very different process than foster to adopt. It is a costly process, but God has again shown us favor. We found a Christian, lawyer that has experience with second chance adoptions. He took on our case at a discount. Then just this week we found an agency to do our home study that also has experience with second chance adoptions. So far, the lawyer payments have been made on time without a burden to us.

So, we are excited to see where and how God continues to provide for this unexpected adoption to be finalized. Mary Kate continues to bond and grow in understanding of what it means to be a Hirn. Thank you all who have been praying for us, and supporting us. I will continue to blog about the adoption process, as things continue.

(Our friends have set up a fundraiser site for the cost of this unexpected adoption, if you are interested in donating click Help the Hirns.