Memorial Box Monday – Our Autumn

It seems only appropriate that this Memorial Box Monday I share the story of our Autumn. (Thank you for all your prayers – we can feel them!! Autumn is headed back to Albuquerque in the wee hours of the morning tomorrow for more testing.)

As I’ve mentioned several times before, I only ever dreamed of having a boatload of kids. Adoption was part of my heart since I was a little girl and I longed for our home to be filled with kids. So, you can imagine, the deep pain that was mine when infertilty raised its ugly head. It’s not that I wanted a ton of biological children, (not at all) it’s just that adoption is such a long process and a “paper pregnancy” can be years and years of waiting.

When Abi and Tyler were little I would often get stressed out by the things people would say, “Awww, that’s great you have a boy and girl!” I figured if people I knew were saying that, then the normal “passer-by-er” would be thinking the same thing – and that totally annoyed me. I wanted a boatload, I didn’t just want “a boy and a girl”. My heart was screaming to tell the world how precious kids were and how a boatload could be an absolute blast!!!!!

We had just had a private adoption painfully fall through a few days before Christmas in 1988. In early 1989 I was having my quiet time one day and the Lord spoke very clearly that we would have a baby by the end of 1989. I said, “Okay, if I’m not pregnant by April, then you must be bringing it another way.” In April I got giddy. Yippee Jesus! How was He going to bring us a baby in the next 8 months? I couldn’t wait to watch this unfold.

I started praying that He would just drop a baby on our doorstep. And then, before long, I began to really want to have an open adoption. In 1989 there were not many open adoptions around. Friends thought I was a lunatic! What if the birth mom comes back and wants her baby? What if she tries to kidnap her baby? It had to have been the Lord placing that desire there in my heart, because none of the fears dissuaded me. I prayed even harder for an open adoption. Months passed.

In July of 1989 we went to a family reunion on Dw’s side. Dw’s beloved Aunt Beulah whispered excitedly to Dw and I, “Come here, come here, come here.” We couldn’t imagine what this whispered excitement was about? We drew away behind some trees and she said, “There is a girl who walks by my house in the town I live in….I am certain she is pregnant….would you like me to ask her what she is going to do with her baby?” We looked at each other in disbelief! Ummm – yeah!

One week later we had another family gathering and Aunt Beulah was there. She again whispered, “Come here, come here, come here.” We snuck away and Aunt Beulah said excitedly, “I talked to the girl. Her name is Mary. She wants to give her baby up for adoption but had no idea who she could find who would want her baby. She is due in October. I told her that my nephew and his wife live in Buffalo and that he is an attorney and that they would like to adopt again. She wants to meet you TOMORROW!”

Oh my gracious!! We were overjoyed!! Aunt Beulah lived a couple of hours outside of Buffalo and we were going to meet Mary tomorrow….unbelievable!!! Isn’t it crazy how we wait and wait and wait for a promise to be fulfilled and when it starts to come to pass we are surprised at how quickly it happens? (What exactly is up with that anyway?)

We prayed and decided that we would take Abi and Tyler with us. We wanted Mary to see “all of us” and see just who her baby would have as siblings and parents.

The next day we drove out to Aunt Beulah’s little home. As we pulled up, there was a beautiful young woman sitting rocking on her front porch. Her already good-sized belly was hardly noticeable compared to the sweet smile that Mary was wearing. I will never forget her expression – it was sheer delight! I ran up the porch and hugged Mary. She giggled and smiled and shared her story with us. She said before long, “I want you to have my baby.” Then she took us down the street to meet her own adoptive mom. Mary was very familiar with adoption. She, herself, had grown up with an open adoption. She had regular contact with her birth mom, but grew up with her adoptive family.

How miraculous of our God. He placed that desire in our hearts for an open adoption, knowing that Mary, herself, growing up with an open adoption would be most comfortable with that.

**Next week, on Memorial Box Monday, I will share yet another amazing God-sized miracle that occurred in all of this. But let me finish up this story….**

We kept in contact with Mary as we gathered all the necessary things to complete this adoption legally. As for a name, we had, years before, met a lovely woman named Autumn. She exuded Jesus Christ from her being. Dw and I had said that if we ever had a daughter born in the fall we wanted to use the name Autumn. Mary was due in October. We knew, if this baby was a girl, that she would be our long-awaited Autumn.

And wouldn’t you know, on September 20th – which in 1989 was THE FIRST DAY OF AUTUMN – Mary went into labor. She actually had our precious baby girl at 4:04am in the ambulance as it pulled into the hospital. Early that morning Aunt Beulah phoned and when I heard her voice I said, “Do we have a baby?” She said, “WE DO!” (She was giddy. Aunt Beulah had never had any children and after Autumn’s arrival we affectionately dubbed her “The Stork”.) I said, “What is it?” She said, “What is your guess?” I said, “A Boy!” (I secretly longed for a girl, but didn’t want to be disappointed.) She said, “Nope! It’s a girl!” Oh my! Our Autumn Elizabeth. The headline in a local newspaper had been that morning, “Autumn Arrives”…yes, indeed, our Autumn had arrived.

Two days later we drove a couple hours from our home to the hospital where Mary had held her little baby girl for the last two days. She had loved on her and was willing to love her enough to give her a mommy and a daddy.

We were no longer looked at as that complete little family with “a boy and a girl”. And you can just be certain that I carried my sweet baby girl 24/7 and sang to her over and over and over “You’re just too good to be true, can’t take my eyes off of you, oh Autumny I really love you…oh yes, I do.”

The Lord had indeed kept His promise and we were, once again, reminded of the faithfulness of – Our Miracle-working, Mountain-moving, Awe-inspiring, Gasp-giving God who graciously had added our baby #3 – Autumn Elizabeth.

We will place a little “Autumn” sign in our new Memorial Box. To learn more about a Memorial Box, peek here. To actually be included in our first ever Memorial Box giveaway, please drop a comment below indicating you would like to be.

53 thoughts on “Memorial Box Monday – Our Autumn

  1. What a sweet and beautiful story. 🙂

    I CAN’T WAIT to read the other part to this next week!!! (Don’t you wanna post early? *wink wink*)

  2. Once again I’m in tears reading your adoption story of Autumn. Having adopted 3 children, it always touches me deeply to hear these adoption stories. I need to go and get a Kleenex.

    Continued prayers for your sweet girl.

  3. Autumn is indeed a precious lady. What a beautiful story. I love hearing each of your kids' "stories" – they are all so unique & God-Given. No one can dispute that they were each pre-destined for "such a time" in such a family. Love you guys!

  4. I just took the time to find out about the Memory Box. What a great idea! I adopted three girls, Abbie. 20, from Brazil @ 22 days old, Molly, almost 16, from Guatemala @ 1 year to the day of her referral and birthday, July 10th. What an awful wait! And Hannah, 11.5, from Guatemala, @ 2y 11m after a 15 month wait! Hannah had a hole in her heart and a club foot. Both were repaired within 3 months of her arrival. She is doing great. I am a single mom, a teacher, and a believer in God. I have a ton of memories both happy and some not so, but memories none the less! I’d like to be entered in the giveaway. Thanks, Adrienne

  5. Oh, I just LOVE how these things happen! God is just so…so…so…GOD! 🙂 I always wanted to figure out how to let people know they could just leave any unwanted babes on my steps, ring the bell, and go. It was FINE with me! 🙂

    Will be praying for you and your sweet “Autumny” tomorrow!

    Love and hugs…and PRAYERS!

    Nancy in CT

  6. Linny, I love reading your stories of God’s faithfulness to your family over the years. And even more, I LOVE the idea of a Memorial Box. A few years ago we had talked about having something in our home where we could display little reminders of God’s faithfulness to us, but I could never really figure out how to do it! We’d love to be entered in to your drawing for a memorial box and will definitely be starting one! We so need these reminders when life gets difficult and trials come. I love your heart and am praying for your family and especially for Autumn! Blessings, Stephanie

  7. I love this story of Autumn. How wonderful…and it ends write across from a picture of Autumn’s smiling face. 🙂

    I would love a memorial box.

  8. Linny,
    Thanks for your words today, dripping with hope and God’s favor. As we start our adoption process, it seems a bit overwhelming and many think we’re crazy. Serving as a missionary family, we’re used to it, but I truly desire a boatload or quiver full of arrows as well. I can no longer carry little ones in my womb, but I certainly can carry them in my heart.

    God will bring our little ones home, maybe in the autumn.

    -Sarah Dawn

  9. What an absolutely sweet story of God’s faithfulness and of His giving you the desires of your heart. Thank you for sharing and we will be praying that your sweet Autumn is healed in a mighty way.

  10. Linny,
    I read the story of Ezra and it touched my heart. I have been reading your blog since the fire and it has really been a blessing to me. I am praying for Autumn. My sister had a pituitary tumor (benign) diagnosed while she was in her early 20’s. She took medication for years, but a few years ago it was decided she did not need medication at all. They had gradually decreased her dose over the years. She is 58. Praying for wisdom for the doctors.
    I would love to be included in the Memorial box giveaway. What a faith builder for the family!
    Blessings,
    Sue S (in GA)

  11. Oh my would I love to be in on the give away. When I first found your blog and read about it, it rang really loud bells in my spirit, and ever since, I have been looking for my own box. During our adoption, God told me to start writing down my own memorials so that, “Never again, would I forget the things that He has done for our family.”
    You bless me every time I read your posts and I’ve dubbed you my “new mentor.” God has used you Linny and He will continue to use you. I pray for you and your family as you go through all of these trials.
    We’ve gone through our own housefire when we were missionary’s with YWAM. There are many things we have in common, and I just giggle that God led me to your blog. He definitely had a purpose. I have been so encouraged by your faith, and I’ve been challenged in the areas where I’ve been failing to walk in faith.
    God Bless,
    Jenn Heckert

  12. I love how God brought Autumn to you and how He prepared you for the “how” of it.

    Praying for you and for Autumn- for peace, for strength, for no fear, for wisdom, for an abundance of love flowing between all of you…straight from His hands.

    Kimmie
    mama to 7
    one homemade and 6 adopted

  13. I would like to be included in your memorial box giveaway. I have been so inspired by your stories of God’s faithfulness. I have plenty of stories too, but I know I haven’t written them all down or even kept a good record at all. Thank you for sharing God’s faithfulness to you with all of us! Blessings,
    Jan, Ft. Worth, TX

  14. How appropriate that the post ends right by Autumn’s picture!

    I love that smile and her love of life!

    What a beautiful miracle!

  15. what a beautiful story. and i loved that you pointed out how we will pray and pray and wait for God to do something and then we’re amazed by how swiftly everything does happen. i’ve done that many times in my life.

  16. Linny,

    I am sitting here with tears just streaming down my face, and my heart swelling with a new love for you and your family! Thank you for sharing this story, TODAY of all days! YOu have no idea how much I needed to read it TODAY!

    You see, tomorrow markes the birthday of my daughter, one that I put up for adoption when she was 6 months old. One of the reasons I love reading blogs of those who have adopted is because I can get a sense of just how much they love the children that they adopt. And as a parent who put a child up for adoption that is soooooo very important to me! Thank you for ALWAYS sharing how much you love your children! thank you for giving us a clear look into your family! Thank you for showing a woman who aches everyday for her child, that she was indeed loved by her Mom and Dad!

  17. LINNY!!!! I did my first ever Memorial Box post today and it was about MY kiddos and timing too!!! Go figure! Great minds think alike!!!

    Oh Autumn…we pray with the gentleness of the leaves in the fall, and the fierceness of storms in the spring.

    GOD IS GOOD…

  18. I love reading about the way your beautiful children all joined your family and the miracles that occur in your life. I also love the thought of a memorial box and would love to be included in your drawing. You, Autumn and your family remain in my prayers.

  19. That is absolutely, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful stories I’ve heard! Thank you for sharing your story of your precious Autumn! What a miracle she is!

  20. Linny I got shivers from head to toe the entire time I read this post!!! Wow!! I would love to be inclused in your Memorial Box give away!!!!
    Kathie

  21. I love reading the stories about how each of your precious children came into your lives! What beautiful gift on the first day of Autumn!
    Blessings,
    Jean

  22. This is something we have talked about doing for years, and I am amazed to see what a treasure it is for you. Thank you so much for bringing it back to our attention!

  23. I LOVE this story! 🙂 Our oldest two boys have open adoptions and I think it is such an amazing relationship. Praying for Autumn!!

  24. Linny, that is a beautiful testimony of God’s faithfulness! His timing is perfect, always, isn’t it?!? Praise Him for your precious Autumn!
    Love~

  25. Linny,

    That was such a sweet story! We continue to pray for your precious Autumn! How beautiful she is!!

    I might have already said this, but we would like to be in the Memorial Box giveaway contest! We are certainly racking up our share of God moments to remember.

    Janet and Kevin

  26. Oh Linn, what a beautiful story!

    God’s love for EACH ONE of you is so evident in the way He chose you for one another and revealed your Autumn miracle to you and Dw. And what a special gift for Aunt Beaulah to be able to share the blessings with you. It all makes my heart so happy to read.

    Love and Prayers Unending, sweet friend…

  27. I’m praying for your journey today and the testing and of course, sweet Autumn. I loved hearing about her name. I remembered the rest of the story, just not the part about how you named her. I love how God is a part of the smallest details too (even though I think names for our children are very significant).
    Love you guys, you are in my prayers daily.

  28. You know it’s funny..I have been told so often about how our adoption stories give folk’s goose bumps…and your story of your sweet Autumn gave them to me. God Bless you all.
    Please include me in your give away.
    The Chrisman’s/CA

  29. What a very sweet story! God Bless Autumn!!!! I would also like to be included in the Memorial Box give-away, I love the idea!!!

    From the mommy of an Autumn!!!!

  30. Linn, thanks for sharing the story of how God brought you to Autumn and Autumn to you. What a sweet, precious story!

    And I love your memorial box idea. I remember when you preached at church a few years ago and you used your memorial box as part of your message. Back then, I thought to myself that I needed to begin "documenting" God's miracles in my life…. but, alas, I never did. It's still something I think of and I would like to be entered in the giveaway. I've started a list of miracles to include in the our memorial box.

    Continuing to pray for you & Dwight, Isaiah, Tyler, Autumn and your whole wonderful family. Love you guys!

  31. I loved your post about Autumn. God is so amazing! I will be praying for Autumn.
    I really want to start a memorial box. God has really blessed us with 5 bio kids and 2 adopted. what a great way to record and remember His blessings.
    Christy

  32. Oh what a beautiful story. I too have a similar story of how God works in our lives and makes us the most blessed on earth. This morning I watched our little blessing drive off to school in her own car for the first time …oh how fast the time goes. I am praying for Autumn right now. I can’t wait to read next monday either. You can sign me up for the giveaway too. Have a blessed day. You certianly blessed mine.
    Love, Kristy

  33. what a sweet story. i have always wanted to adopt. for the last 10 years. i have wondered why God would put such a desire on my heart only to break it. my husband does not share my desire for a boatload. or even a life preserver full. i have always wanted to adopt from china. after being there three times and having seen orphanages and foster families in real life, i still have that desire. after being an ESL teacher there, i have my own “kids” young adults who call me mom. i still yearn, but for now have chosen to be content in what blessings the Lord has given me. namely, a son and daughter. and in four short months, our nest will be empty.
    your story was so sweet and i am praying for your precious autumn elizabeth.

  34. I love your Memorial Box Mondays. I would love to be included in your give away but China is a long way to send a “box”. Besides, I do need to start one since yesterday, I received my long awaited REFERRAL! Yes…I am to be a mommy of a 2 and half year old little girl with albinism located in…TIANJIN! 🙂 Isn’t He amazing!
    blessings,
    Dawn

  35. I always dreamed of 8 children. I have 3 now that we have adopted in the last 3.5 years. As I am pushing 45, and this last adoption kind of did me in emotionally, I probably won’t see #8. BUT, it annoys the heck out of me that people seem to think that 3 is a lot of children and that I should be content. GRRRR… I have no idea if we are really “done” or not, but I can’t wait to see wait to see what happens.

    I’m so glad you didn’t listen to the comments of others! Your children are precious and I really feel blessed every time I come to your blog.

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