We were approached a few weeks ago about adopting a baby girl due in January. This has always been something we wanted but we weren't anywhere near where we needed to be financially to save up for this sweet baby!? After a lot of prayer, we thought we would go for it! We really feel like this is where God is leading us.  We need to raise $13,000 in 3 months.....no big deal, right?! :) We're gettin' ready to sell everything we own and live off of rice and beans if we have to!  If you feel led to help us bring our baby girl home, we would be extremely grateful. Her 3 older brothers are ready to see what life is like with a little bit of glitter and pink mixed into this house full of boys! 

You can read the details of our adoption story here:



6 - That's the number Abby had been hanging around our house for years. 

 6 was meant to represent the sixth member of our family. Abby had hung that number up in our house to remind her to pray for our fourth child that she hoped would become part of our family one day. After our third son was born, I was convinced we were finished and really had no interest in adoption.
Upon finding out what the six meant, Abby graciously said she would be praying that God would change my heart. I told her I would commit to praying but really didn't feel that was what God had planned for our family. 

But then, months later, things began to change. I received some editing help from a friend to finish a book I was working on. That's a story all its own, but what happened during that time ended up being a major contributor in my heart changing for the better. Ginger (editing friend) and her husband, Tim, announced they were going to be missionaries. Through following their selfless journey and how much they were willing to  sacrifice, I began to realize the amount of impact that our family could have on a baby who needed that kind of love. Low and behold, God did a work in my heart and gave me an intense desire to invite a child in need into our home.
I will never forget the look on Abby's face when I said, "I think we should adopt." Today, the 6 hangs on the wall as a constant reminder that one day, soon, we will have the opportunity to be a blessing in the life of a child who needs us.
-Mike

I love being a mom. I can remember when I was little watching my mom flit around the house making meals, helping me and all of my siblings and I with school projects, making every holiday special, leaving notes for us in lunches or in an over night bag when we were apart, reading us books and tucking us in at night. That was what I wanted to be. I wanted to make my kid's childhood as special as I remember my mom and dad making mine. I am so thankful I married a man that shared that same desire and I am so grateful God blessed us with 3 strong, beautiful boys.

I started feeling God putting adoption on my heart several years ago after our youngest son was born. I remember mentioning it to Mike and he just wasn't sure but knowing not everyone is meant to adopt, we promised to pray about it. I was at a cute little shop and saw a metal tag with the #6 on it, I bought it and hung it on the wall to remind me to pray through out the day for the baby I hoped to adopt. As I prayed, I remember feeling the Lord whisper, "Just wait." and so I waited :)  

You know, God just knits a plan together. As I was trying to patiently wait, God was working. Mike began to write his first book and he was looking for someone to proof read it. A good friend offered to help him which was a huge blessing. We were so thankful for all of the work she was putting into helping him, all the while they were preparing for a big life change of their own! They were responding to God's call to head to Nicaragua and become missionaries. She shared with Mike about serving at the orphanage out there and what a life changing experience it was for the whole family. Perfect place. Perfect time. I will forever be grateful to the Mohrs for not only responding to GOD'S calling to move across the world to serve these children but for allowing God to use them to speak to Mike's heart. 

We were both on board with adoption and thought the best way would be to go through the foster system. But we were kind of thinking we would wait a few years, save up more money and start taking the classes to get licensed. We had lots of time. No rush, right?! God's timing is not always our timing :) 

God also brought another family into our lives several years ago. We knew they were precious to us from the moment we met them. They have felt like a part of our family from the beginning. Sharron heard about this sweet baby needed to be adopted and our family came to mind. She asked me if there was any chance we were looking to adopt a baby.... WHAT?!?! HECK YES!! I just sat there praising the Lord for not listening to my plan and for perfectly orchestrating everything together even when it felt like nothing was changing. He is good, all the time. Thank you Sharron and Greg for listening when God prompts your heart and for continuing to be such a blessing to our family.

-Abby

So here we are after lots of prayer and after seeking lots of wisdom, asking for your prayers. Please be in prayer for not only our family but for the birth mother and her family. Please be praying for Mike and I as we transition from being a family of 5 to a family of 6.  We've heard raising a girl is a little different than raising boys :) 

We also ask if you feel led to help us financially bring this sweet baby home, we would be so grateful. Its very humbling to have to ask for help but I have been brought to tears these last few days. So many people stopping to pray with us and for us. Friends who are helping with fundraising ideas and offering clothes, advice or wisdom they learned through their own adoptions. Its almost overwhelming how much love we have felt since we started letting people know about the adoption. Thank you will never feel like enough.

If you would like follow our journey and get updates through our adoption process, we started a Facebook page to keep everyone up to date. 
https://www.facebook.com/groups/emertadoption/