MEET THE HARRISONS

Our adoption journey with God is best described as a closed fist gently being opened.  We love control; when we started looking into adoption, we were grasping for control over a situation that was completely beyond our control.  We were certain that open adoption was not for us and that we were going to use an agency.  But, little by little, God worked in our hearts and minds, and on May 28, 2003, we watched as our first daughter came into this world and joined our family in an open, independent adoption. 

Two years later, we were ready to adopt again and knew we wanted to work with an agency again.  Our adoption of our daughter was wonderful, but the stress of doing it independently seemed too daunting to undertake again.  Within a few months, we were once again a “waiting family”.  We waited for over 2 years; we prayed to be picked in many situations only to be disappointed and frustrated.  When it came time to update in 2007, we did our best to talk ourselves into giving up.  We had a great family; our finances had been put on hold long enough; we had new expenses on the horizon. It seemed like over the last 2 years, we had tried to talk God into so many situations being the one for us only to realize that perhaps we were meant to be a family of three. 

Then, we learned about adoption grants.  We had always prided ourselves on being able to pay for our adoptions on our own.  But, then we thought, why not?  Who are we to limit what God can do for us?  So we applied and were shocked to receive a letter a few months later informing us that we were receiving a grant.  It felt like a kiss from God, reassuring us that as we let go of how we thought we should do things, we were letting God do what He wanted to do for us all along. Feeling encouraged, we updated for another year. On December 11, 2007, we received THE phone call.  We had been chosen for a baby girl due in February. We met our birth parents the day after Christmas, and on February 7, 2008, we stood outside the door to hear the first cries of our second daughter.

Our family finally felt fulfilled and complete.  Yet, even as joy filled our hearts, worry started to take root in our minds again.  Our adoption expenses had been very high.  So, we once again decided to apply for a grant—this time with Kinsman Redeemer.  Two days after we were notified that we were receiving a grant, we were sent an email that explained that our estimation of fees was inaccurate and that we owed our agency more money.  Instead of being consumed with anxiety, we were able to praise God for taking care of us and for being in control all along.

Adoption has certainly been the most fulfilling and the most challenging experience of our lives.  While our natural inclination is still to close our fists and seize control, our experience with God throughout our adoption journey has made us more open to following God’s lead and to choosing paths that do no limit what God can and wants to do in us and through us.