Dw, Abi and I continually prayed for our little one waiting in Korea. It took forever. On Abigail’s 3rd birthday her only birthday wish when blowing out her candles was that we would get a call about “her” baby. Five days later she and I were cleaning out the fridge. Dw phoned to say that he had called the adoption agency to see if they had had any referrals lately. The director of the agency said, “Actually we have been given the file for a little boy that had a rough start…..” She went on to explain about some complications this little guy had had and how they might make him a “lifer”. Dw explained it all to me. I will never forget – I hung up the phone and turned to Abi who was standing on a chair with the fridge door open where we had been working together to clean it. I said, “Ab, Daddy talked to the agency and they have a little boy who had a rough start.” She just turned to me and said, “That’s our boy.”
{Obviously the Lord healed all possible limitations as Tyler is currently
depl*yed with the Special Forces where he is serving our country.
And in the words of his favorite big sis, “That’s Our Boy!”}
Abigail is the best big sis {all her siblings adore her and she regularly calls, texts and teases them}. When Tyler arrived, although she had her own room, she would sleep on the floor beside Tyler’s crib, night after night. She didn’t want Tyler to be lonely and she had waited so long to be a big sis….and, no doubt, he adored her…and so she barely ever slept in her own room.
**
When Tyler finally started to talk, Tyler had a huge, huge, huge speech impediment. He spent a long time in speech therapy. But until we were able to understand him, she was his interpretor. She understood him perfectly. I would say, “What did he say?” and she would give me a complete translation. It is a miracle, but you would never, ever guess today that he had even had a speech issue. Incredible and complete healing from the Lord!!
1988
Eventually Autumn joined our family (through a private adoption) and my heart sang – I was no longer “just like everyone else”….I had THREE kids….and I couldn’t wait to add more…
(1991 – while we were living in Virginia Beach and Dw was in seminary……
and that’s Cinnamon, Abigail’s bunny that she is holding)
And all nine of her little siblings love her to pieces…..
Abigail has a wonderful sense of humor and she keeps us laughing when we talk to her. For you who have grown daughters you know what I mean when I say, she is my daughter and somewhere along the way she became my close friend. She is (usually) the first person I call when something is wrong or I need to bounce something off someone. She has wise advice and has a strong gift of discernment. She is also one of the most thoughtful people I have ever known. Once she met a young woman who had just moved to LA from the East Coast and immediately invited her to join them for Thanksgiving. The girl has since become one of her dearest friends. She ran into a stranger at a store a few months back and that brief encounter prompted this very moving post on her blog followed by a contest… {Tragically, Alisha died only three weeks later and never had the opportunity to be photographed with her two baby girls.}
But, Abigail, still did a photo shoot with Lisa {the second place winner} and this is just one of a bunch of pictures that Ab took of their family.
She is married to her soulmate, Ryan, whom she met in Bible college. They have both worked many, many times in orphanages in Nicaragua, Mexico and Uganda. They recently announced that they are in the process of adopting their first child from Uganda. Abigail wanted people to know that adoption is their first choice. (Yippee Jesus – we’re going to be grandparents!)
Abigail you are indeed our source of joy. Your life represents Jesus. You give and give and give. We are so proud of you, your life and your testimony. Jesus is clearly glorified by your life and we cannot thank Him enough for allowing us to be your parents. You are a treasure and we love you with all our hearts and, yes, we always miss you. Would you, my sweet bloggy friends, join us in wishing this precious girl of ours a very happy 27th birthday? xo
Already chatted w/ her on facebook but wanted to throw a comment out there too! Happy Birthday Abi!!
Oh my! What a precious gift from God! You're truly blessed by ALL of your wonderful children! Happy Birthday Abi!
What a lovely daughter. You are so blessed. Hope you have a wonderful birthday Abigail. I can't wait to hear more about your new family member. You will be a great mother.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
Wow, I didn't realize your story of your miracle baby was sooooo much like ours. Our agency also wouldn't let us adopt our first little boy due to me getting pregnant (he's still mine in my heart though.)
Dear Linny,
Just read your twitter post… am praying!!!
But, i want to wish your Abi a wonderful birthday!!!
May God continue to richly bless her in the years to come!
Love,
Alycia
I can see why she is your joy! Happy Birthday, Abi!
happy happy birthday!!! Hope your day is filled with lots of joy, fun and love!
Happy birthday, Abigail! You are so blessed to have such an incredible mom and family!
Happy Birthday Abi!!! I hope you are having a wonderful, amazing birthday and that you are being showered with all the love you pour on everyone else every other day!!
Linny, your post brought tears to my eyes. Your daughter is obviously such an amazing gift and I am SO glad she was brought into your life. <3
Happy Birthday!
happy happy birthday -Abigal! My this coming year bring you heaps of joy, love and laughter – and draw you closer to our amazing God!! Happy Birthday!
Happy Happy Day! This is SO sweet. What a beautiful life; beautiful girl.
Happy birthday Abigail! We are praying for your sweet treasure from Uganda. We have three boys adopted from Korea. It's an exciting journey!
The Wright family from MT
So beautiful how God works. I've just recently started reading your blog and I didn't realize that you struggled with infertility issues. I've had trouble for some time now. My husband and I are longing to adopt although we haven't the money (yet!) and I'm very thankful for the difficulties that I went through because it has brought my husband onto the same page as me when it comes to adoption (I've wanted to/planned on adopting since I was about 15…)
Happy Birthday Abigail! What a joy it is to be in such a close relationship with your mom:) I hope your day is fabulous!!!
Happy Birthday Abi! What a blessing she is! I follow her blog and I'm so excited for them to become parents!
xo ellie
Happy Birthday Abigail!!! From your VT mother herself!!! I think your parents should come here and celebrate a belated birthday with you! I will bring presents!!! I hear your mom has a really BIG favor to give away too!!!
happy 27th bday abi!
It is my absolute pleasure to wish you a very Happy Birthday Abigail. What joy you have brought to your family. have a fabulous day!!!
Happy Birthday Abi!!!!!!!!
Many Blessings, Lisa C.
Happy Birthday Abigail! Your mamma is very proud of you and from what she says any mamma would be proud of you. Hope you have a very special birthday! I can't wait to hear about your journey to your first child! Sooooo exciting! Happy Birthday!
Happy birthday Abigail! I pray that you are abundantly blessed today! Congrats on your adoption! I am going to Uganda in July and we are adopting two from Ethiopia! You sound like you are truly a "Gods girl" and I pray that my little girl will love Jesus at an early age just as you did!
Abigail, your Momma is sooo proud of you!!! Happy Birthday!!!!
Kathie in NY
Of COURSE, I will join in that request! Happy Birthday, dear Abigail.
I feel honored just to read about you, through your mom's post.
What a remarkable woman. What an awesome life journey you are one!! May God richly bless you all of your days.
Happy Birthday Abi!
The happiest of birthdays to you! Both you and your family are an inspiration. God Bless!
Carrie & Bella
Ooo! I get to be first!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY ABI!!! Be blessed ~ as you are a blessing to others!!! :o)
Happy Birthday Abi!!
What a wonderful daughter and friend! I know what you mean Katie and I call each other first, too!
Thank you for sharing your/her story- what a precious daughter she is! Love the pics! Oh, and Dw you should get a rug- love the hair! (okay, I'm JK, you are very handsome the way you are!)
Happy Birthday Abigail–you sound like an amazing woman.
Happy 27th Birthday Abigail!! Wishing you a blessed year! Anxious to hear more about your adoption, too!!
Blessings,
Carla
Happy Birthday Abigail!!! What a wonderful blessing you are to your family! I pray that my daughter will grow up to love God like you and to serve him with such a joyful and loving spirit. Much prayers for the adoption of your first little one!
Lots of love,
jenn
Happy, happy birthday!!!! You are an amazingly talented lady, who is obviously very loved and loving. : ) I hope you have a super great birthday!
Happy Birthday Abby!
You are only 2 months and 8 days older than I am!
Many blessings throughout this year and praying your baby comes home soon!
What a beautiful story!
You are so inspiring! 🙂
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ABIGAIL!
Happy Birthday Abby,
What a precious young woman you are!
May the Lord richly bless you and your family with this new lil one
you are about to adopt.
Hope you have a wonderful birthday with all the people, places and things you love the most.
Blessings from Florida,
Nellie
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Abby! (I have an Abby too! And she's this mama's source of joy too!)
You have a talent to capture the heart and put it in a photo!
I hope your day is filled with bliss and JOY!
Happy birthday!
Happy Birthday Abigail. I can look forward to seeing pictures of you with your new child and their grandma:-)
Happy birthday Abigail. You sound like a very special young lady with an awesome family.
Happy Birthday! I love following you mom's blog. She says some lovely things about you!
Sitting here crying at my desk…Wow! My mommy heart just wants to reach through blog land and hug you. To have the ability to partner with God to raise such a wonderful girl is amazing! My Sarah Ann is 10 and everyday I see more of HIM in her! Praise God for the GIFT of motherhood!
In Christ Alone,
Sherri
http://romans12-9.blogspot.com
Happy Birthday Abi!! I am hoping to have you as my wedding photographer one day!!
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday tooo you,
Happy Birthday dear Abigail,
Happy Birthday to yooooooou!
Blessings in abundance to a beautiful source of joy!
Tina
Abigail, Happy Birthday!!!!
Linny,
Thanks for posting the old pictures. Sort of like a pre-blog glimpse into the past. God has brought you a long way from no kids to… I lost count how many??? I thank God for your families' testimony and encouragement and joyfulness.
Julie
Linny, although it's not possible for you to have a daughter 27 years old, I'll celebrate with you the gift of your precious Abigail.
Happy birthday to a perfect reflection of her mother's love (Abi), who is a perfect reflection of her Father's love (Linny). May you be beautifully blessed in the coming year!
Much Love,
Kathie
what a sweet story. i love to hear about the precious beginnings of all of your children!! what a sweet and loving heart she has. (and a good eye, too, for beauty and photography)
happy birthday sweet girl!
what a sweet story. i love to hear about the precious beginnings of all of your children!! what a sweet and loving heart she has. (and a good eye, too, for beauty and photography)
happy birthday sweet girl!
Happy Birthday sweet Abigail! What a blessing you are to so many. Thanks for loving Jesus and making such a difference. Have a blessed year!
Happy Birthday to you, Abi! You are a joy and a blessing to your family! I've been following your adoption story & enjoy reading your thoughts for your sweet baby. Bless you!
Happy Birthday Abigail! You are truly a source of joy to your family (it is obvious!). May God bless you abundantly in this coming year. He is good!!
Blessings,
Sarah