If you have visited here before, you can probably see that I have changed the name of the blog again. I started blogging at 4URuthie to tell the story of our journey to adopt our 1st daughter. I changed it to Mountains for Maggie when we were praying for God to move mountains on behalf of our 2nd daughter. Well now it is no longer just Ruthie’s or Maggie’s stories. It is now our family's story, and the stories of those we share life with, as we Conquer Mountains together. Both ConqueringMountains.net and 4URuthie.blogspot will lead here.

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I am a pastor's wife, mother of 4 kids (2 adopted and 3 with special needs), physical therapist, and photography junky. This is where it all comes together for me. Feel free to join along as I process life out loud.

Friday, February 18, 2011

What If We Had Known

I don't know how familiar you are with the special needs adoption process.  Basically it starts with a lot of paperwork and one of those forms is a place where you specify what you are open to.   This can be a scary form because there are a lot of diagnosis that you may not know very much about and it can be unsettling to say yes or no to them.



Trent and I approached this form with prayer and a lot of internet research.  We felt like we had a pretty good picture of "what we could handle".


When Ruthie's referral came, she had a diagnosis of "both hands endoduction abnormality" and a few other things consistent with institutionalization.  There was no mention of the involvement of her elbows or shoulders. 

Early in the process, a story like this would have so frightened me.  However, I can easily say that I am  glad that I didn't know.  Trent and I talked the other day about how if we had approached this process on our understanding, we might have had a very different outcome and we would have missed out on one of the best gifts God has ever given us.


Adoption is a scary thing.  Yes there are a lot of unknowns but I can say that it was one of the greatest steps of faith I have ever taken and I have not regretted it for a single moment.  


I am glad I didn't know that her elbows and shoulders were also involved in her diagnosis because I am scared to think how that might have affected my decision to move forward and it brings me tears to think about what I would have missed out on.


Proverbs 3:5-6  Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways submit to Him and He will make your paths straight.

10 comments:

Hunan Mommy said...

Ginny your post really speaks to me. We were also unaware of Sidney's complete diagnosis not knowing about the limb difference on her legs and missing her fibula bone which is the root of her issues. We are also so happy we didn't know. Thank goodness we trusted God in our decision to move forward or the outcome might have also been different. I typically analyze everything to death, and I had peace about this decision. I don't know how anyone can go throught his journey without faith.

Amanda M. said...

Oh what a gift she IS! She is such a darling little girl!!

Lori said...

How sweet! God bless you both for stepping out in faith!

Melody Lietzau said...

Amen! This post is spot on. We think about the same thing all the time and we went into our adoption of a heart baby and almost lost days after returning home. She is Amazing and we are so Glad for the unknowns.

Renee said...

God is so wonderful isnt He?

We look back alot too and see how God was directing each move of our adoption. I believe He actually stop us from reaching our doctor that weekend to discuss Reese's medical information and we had to trust a completely unknown Doctor to sign off on her medical documentation. Later when we were able to speak with our doctor, she had nothing but negative things to say about the medical reports. It really upset,confused, and scared us. But we are so thankful God knew us and loved us enough to put the right people in just the right places to bring our daughter home. We wouldn't change a thing either and we're so thankful..God's ways arent our ways and His understanding isnt our understanding.

Jenn said...

Right with you there. Right with you.

The View From Here said...

I am glad I didn't know * either* about our daughter's extra special needs.
What a gift we received when we stepped out on faith !

Unknown said...

Such an honest and real post -- can I repost it on www.wearegraftedin.com? Let me know...
Kelly

Lisa said...

It amazes me how God gives us just enough information to follow Him. His ways are perfect!

tristan said...

I am an old christian with a new relationship with a new savior, Jesus Christ. this Jesus loves me and forgives me. Hes not a God of no's, but yes's. Your blog wasnt just found by chance but God led me to your blog. a few years ago I saw your video on you tube and I knew by your whole demeanor that you are a christian and that God led you in everything you do. I love to see His blessings when we follow by faith. my email is kimspring4@gmail.com. please email encouragement. we are in the beginning of adoption. sn from china. i agree so much with this post. kim spring

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