Friday, January 13, 2012

A Miracle

Today.

Isn't it amazing how one ordinary day can change your world? Can change the pattern of eternity? Today was that day for me.

 Today Chris and I were at the hospital with a basket filled with goodies for a courageous, determined, selfless birth mother.

 Today I walked in AND out of labor and delivery! When I walked in, I was the mother of 3 beautiful children. When I walked out 3 hours later, I was the mother of 4 beautiful children.

 Today my husband became a father again. He is so good at it. This has been a journey that has led us down paths we never could have anticipated travelling. My husband has shown incredible courage and faith, as he always does, in hearing the Lord's voice and doing His will. Sometimes the journey can be so different than you planned...but he has never shunned the difficult. And today he embraced his son with incredible love and tenderness.

 Today we met our new son for the very first time. And he took our breath away.

 He has a strong spirit...great strength. I could feel it holding him. And I feel honored to be his mother.

 Today I joined hands with another mother as she entrusted us with this most precious and dear of all gifts. We are partners. She has done her part and now it is time for me to do mine. Both of us play critical roles in bringing this new baby to the world and making sure he does all he has been sent to do. He has a great work and purpose...I am beyond grateful to be a part of his journey. 

 Today I marvelled that we have the opportunity to participate in this incredible blessing of adoption. I don't know why we have been blessed with the enormous gift of biological children and adopted children but I feel so blessed.

 Adoption allows you to see miracles in how the Lord brings families together. I testify that it is not an accident, that there is purpose and incredible meaning each person's place in this world. Families are a miracle...I knew that before. That testimony was reaffirmed today.

 Today my children welcomed a new sibling...and they did it with tremendous love.

 Today big brothers became that much bigger and a little sister became a big sister.

 Today Grandpa and Grandma Carr welcomed grandchild #26. We aren't helping the imbalance of girls to boys...last count on the Carr side was 8 girls and 18 boys!

Today I sat in the blue armchair in our living room for hours holding this new baby. I stroked his fingers and his soft hair and just felt overwhelmed. It is overwhelming. My emotions are a roller coaster, changing from one moment to the next. But the overwhelming emotion is of wonder and gratitude.

This has truly been a miraculous journey. I want to share that journey...but not tonight. Tonight I want to snuggle with my new baby and 3 "big" kids and marvel at what a miracle today was.