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The Call to Adopt: Aaron's Story


The following post is from September 26, 2017. Please keep in mind that our adoption journey has changed, and you should read our most recent posts to see where we are headed!

“Aaron, I have an idea I’d like you to pray about.”

I wish I could tell you the number of times I’ve heard these words come out of Amy's mouth. Since before we were married, even during times when we weren’t technically even dating, I have heard her speak these words…and I have learned that these words almost always mean that a substantial change is coming.

 In January, 2017, Amy came to me and said these words, and the idea she wanted me to pray about was us adopting a baby. It wasn’t the first time we had talked about adopting. It’s always been something we’ve talked about, but if I’m honest, I think I always believed that adoption would be just that; something we talked about. Now, here she is, asking me to pray about it.

My first response was simple.


No way.


I mean, I told her I’d pray about it, but I already knew my answer. I’d say, “How can we even think about adopting a baby? Life is crazy busy with just three kids!” Or, “I only wanted to have two kids and I compromised with three. Now four?!” But despite all the push-back, I did agree to pray and to ask God.


For 30 days in January & February of 2017, Amy and I joined our church for a season of prayer and fasting. On day 18 of that fast, two things became clear: 
  1. God was calling me to be completely open-handed with Him in regards to my life. In the past I thought that simply meant with my career, where we live, and in our finances. However, this time He was convicting me that I need to be open-handed even in regards to the size of my family. 
  2. God was reminding me of all of the ways Amy has sacrificed in our marriage so that I could live into the dreams and callings He’s put in my heart. I was beginning to feel some tension in not allowing her to step into a dream that God had given her.
After the fast ended, I wasn’t quite ready to adopt, but I was compelled to keep praying. I felt myself becoming more open-handed with my family before God, and I actually felt a new desire rising in my heart. I began wanting Him to call me into adoption. I was scared to death! I had so many questions and not much peace, but I knew that if God made it clear, peace would follow. So I kept asking, “God, will you let your heart for adoption flood my selfish heart?”


Then it came. On July 24th I was on a staff retreat with our church staff. A friend on our staff was sharing her story and the many ways she has watched God work in her life. When she got to a place where adoption was part of her story, my ears really perked up. I had not known before that this was part of her story, and I was eager to hear more. As she shared her own experience, a phrase she felt God gave her grabbed my attention. God said to her,


“Whether a child comes into your family through adoption or birth, they are my child.”


When she said those words, my eyes started welling up with tears, and I had no idea why. It caught me off guard! Then as she finished her story she said, “Don’t be afraid of the uncomfortable seasons. Jesus’ definition of blessed is completely different than the American definition. Say yes to God in whatever places He may be calling you into something more regardless of how uncomfortable it may be.”

As she said those words, I sensed the Holy Spirit saying to me, “Yes, Aaron, yes. Say yes.” With tears in my eyes, I hid away in a corner, cried, and praised God that He would honor me and my family by entrusting us with one of His children. All of my resistance had melted, and I couldn’t wait to get home to tell Amy the big news.


We’re going to adopt a baby!

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