It’s amazing how God works in our hearts, you know?

Thirty-three years ago when I first became a mom I couldn’t imagine having a medically fragile little one.  I couldn’t.  Why?  Because it sounded way too scary.  I mean, what if something was happening and I didn’t know what to do.

And back then I wouldn’t have imagined having an open adoption.  Why?  Because that sounded scary too.  Everybody has heard nightmare stories of open adoptions…

Interesting how the Lord works and that the only reason I would initially be held back from each adoption possibility (open adoption and medically fragile) was rooted in fear.

Makes me think God’s not a big fan of letting fear rule our lives and loves to lead us places we once couldn’t have imagine to overcome said fear.

And suddenly as I’m typing that I started to laugh and yell (in my head), “NOOOOO!” because of the “I would never” idea that just popped in my head and well, here I am telling y’all about the potentially fearful things that held me back are now some of our families greatest joys…I mean.   Isn’t that kinda’ wild?  Who would’ve ever guessed?  ha!

So back in 1988 the Lord had worked in my heart and eventually I prayed earnestly for an open adoption and along came our sweet Autumny.

Then we loved open adoption so much that we prayed for another….in fact we prayed sincerely for nearly three years after Graham was born, genuinely asking the Lord for an open adoption of a sweet bi-racial baby.

I remember tucking Graham into bed one night and his handsome little face asking me in his deep, gruff and always-very-serious voice, “Hey mom, why doesn’t Jesus answer our prayer?”  I’m pretty sure he was ready to be a big brother (he’s the best!!) but  I didn’t have a fancy answer, merely that it must not be time and we would just keep reminding Him we were ready whenever He was.

As for that, “I couldn’t really see myself with a medically fragile, totally dependent little one” and then one day, almost five years ago I found myself begging the Lord to allow me to be Ruby’s mommy.

Crazy what people will do when they love someone, even if just from afar!!

So back to that second prayer of an open adoption with a bi-racial baby….

One day, in mid-April 1999 the phone rang…it was a girlfriend of mine, that I’ve been friends with since we were 4 years old…and she wanted to know if she could ask me a crazy question…I told her that I was a Pastor’s Wife and I was used to crazy questions…*smile*

“Would you guys ever consider adopting another baby?”

I began screaming so loudly that the kids came running…

She went on to tell me that there were three things…

1.  The birth mom was already having contractions.  (After all that waiting, we were overjoyed! Let’s do this!)

2. It was a girl!  (Squeallllll – that would be perfect!!)

3.  “Oh, and the baby is *bit of a pause* ummm bi-racial!!”

Loud screams again!!

“OH my gracious K – we have been praying for a bi-racial baby!”, I cried into the phone…

“You have?” she questioned…

I assured her we had for three years!!  That week-end we had the privilege of driving a couple of hours from where we pastored to meet a precious birth mom and her family….

*******

Seventeen years ago today that answer to all our prayers was born…and has brought us incredible joy every day since.

Liberty is a delight to all who know her.  If you’ve never heard her laugh, what a loss.  She makes me laugh just hearing her laugh – her enthusiasm for life is completely contagious!!

She’s gentle-spirited and kind.

Tenderhearted.

Gracious.

Easy-going.

Flexible.

Loving.

Generous.

An amazing cook/baker.

Thoughtful.

Helpful.

An incredible role model.

Her face is stunning but it’s really a reflection of her heart.

Wise so far beyond her years it’s almost scary.  Some of her wisdom blows me away.

Faithful friend.

Loyal.

The kids will beg us to go out so Liberty can baby-sit…she’s that much fun!!!  And they are always disappointed, no matter how long we’ve been gone, when we arrive home.  (Thanks a lot Lib.)  

And over the years the Lord has been working on our precious girl’s heart and she feels called to serve alongside her very best friend and big sister, Emmy.

In fact, she’s been with Emma for the last seven weeks serving an internship at The Gem that’s why she’s not in any pictures these days.

So being quite honest, this being her 17th birthday, I’m feeling rather melancholy missing her and wishing she was home and really, really needing to hear that giggle of hers…

But as I’ve prayed today for her, her day, her future, the Lord reminded me of the years of praying for another baby and how I’ve been blessed far more than I’ve ever deserved…and that all the prayers for her to come home were so worth the wait…she’s just that precious!

And it would totally tickle this mama if you would be so kind to wish our Liberty a Happy Birthday and I’m sure she’d be tickled too!!  

I could tell by her expression today that she’s missing home.  

Then again, maybe it was the connection.  

Actually I’m stickin’ with the “missin’ home theory”…it’s the only one that works for me.

Happy Birthday Liberty-girl.  You’re the best!!  And I love you most – don’t tell anyone else!!