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While adoption is a challenging process that involves uncertainty and waiting, it can be one of the biggest blessings of your life.
Read about Lowell and Natalie’s story about becoming adoptive parents — and waiting for the chance to adopt again.
What led you to adoption?
Lowell: It wasn’t something I grew up with, but I knew my wife had a strong desire for [adoption]. Over time, God worked in my heart a desire for adoption as well.
Natalie: My desire to adopt had been there since I was a little girl. Through a series of events, God led me back to that desire.
How did you feel when you first met your child’s birth mom?
Lowell: She put a lot of trust in us. We’re so thankful to her for her decision.
Natalie: I was terrified. Not because of her because she is amazing. Mainly because the situation was so sudden. We didn’t know how to approach her or talk to her. We were so scared. But she is super sweet. When we met, we talked, hugged, and I believe we even cried. It was a special time.
What was it like the day your child was born?
Lowell: Chaotic. For us, we didn’t know about our child until we got the call he was in the hospital. We started our day as normal. I’m a farmer, and I went to work and was out in the fields when I got the call.
Natalie: But then meeting him was indescribable. As soon as we held him in our arms, he felt like ours. He (Lowell) was worried beforehand if he would be able to love this child, but after everyone left and it was just the three of us, he (Lowell) looked at me and said, “This is my child, and I love him.”
You’ve had a successful adoption and a failed adoption plan. What was that like?
Lowell: Honestly, I just try not to think about it.
Natalie: It’s really hard. With our first adoption, we didn’t even know about him until he was already born in the hospital. So we weren’t really prepared and had to quickly get things. I think if I remember correctly, we even left the hospital for a few hours to go buy things to take our son home. In our second adoption, we had more time to prepare for the child, but the mother decided to parent. It’s been a couple of years since that loss, and we are still waiting for the chance to adopt again. Some days, you wonder about the child and what they are like and who they are now. We pray for the mother and the child often.
Adoption can often take a while. How do you get through the wait?
Lowell: It’s hard when you have people around you having babies and you’re waiting.
Natalie: We are still working on it. It’s tough. There are good days and bad days. Most of it for me is working on not being angry at God for the waiting and trusting that he really does have a plan and that it is good.
We can help you navigate the joys, challenges, and emotions that come with adoption — from working with birth parents to the waiting process and everything in between.
Gifts of Grace Adoption Support Center has worked with expecting moms, adoptive families, and children in the Lafayette, Indiana community since 2013. We believe that quality, affordable, Christ-centered adoption services empower pregnant moms and dads, create thriving adoptive families, and help all children be placed in a loving home.
For more information, please contact us. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
