The Silver Lining Bundle by Sugar Pie Scraps. Template by Chrissy W. Font is PeaAngeDawn.


Dear Kaden,


As a newly married couple, the puzzle pieces of our marriage began to steadily fall into place. After a few years, the picture was nearly assembled, but one piece remained to make the puzzle complete. We realized it was time to move past being a couple and become a family. We searched high and low for the missing puzzle piece. Months of disappointment turned into years. After several failed attempts at fertility treatments, our empty hearts began to break. We cried out to God, "Why can't we conceive?" He answered, "I AM WHO I AM."


It was then that He began to bombard us with adoption. Every radio station, T.V. program, magazine article, sermon, and conversation seemed to steer toward adoption. Like Jonah, we tried to run from God’s call, giving every excuse for why it wouldn't work. We worried that taking a piece from another puzzle and trying to make it fit into the empty spot in ours would cause problems. God replied, "I AM WHO I AM."


As adoption consumed our thoughts, our hearts began to change, and we became more excited about the possibility. Instead of viewing it as a "second-best" option, we began to view adoption as an exciting, God-ordained way to build our family. We began doing reserach, and God opened and closed doors until He had led us to the path He had chosen. When the information arrived, we anxiously tore into it, excited to proceed. And then, we hit a brick wall - the cost. We were so angry with God. Why would He lead us to this point knowing that we could not afford to adopt on our limited income? Once again we heard, “I AM WHO I AM."


We mailed our application in on faith, still having no idea how we would make the finances work, but we knew God did. As we trusted in Him, His plan began to unfold. A job offer, information on grants, gifts from family and friends, and other means of saving money became available. We began the long wait for your referral. Holidays came and went, and our arms remained empty. Though we were closer than ever to completing our puzzle, it seemed as though the last piece would never be found. God reassured us, “I AM WHO I AM.”


On June 20, 2006, we received the phone call of our dreams. We had a baby boy! You were ours! We memorized your photo and clung to every scrap of information the agency sent. We loved you instantly. Our hearts rejoiced that our puzzle piece had been found in you, but ached to hold you in our arms and make the picture complete once and for all. God held us through the long nights and softly whispered, “I AM WHO I AM."


Two months later, we held you for the first time, and that will always be a special day for us. It was the day our puzzle was completed. God had been holding onto the final piece all along! It was not a piece taken from another puzzle and forced into ours, but the piece that God had intended since the beginning of time to fit and make our picture complete. We are now a family, and you are our joy and delight. Though we sometimes worry about your growing years and our ability to be the parents you need, we know that we love you and God is in control and already holds the future in His hands. When we are tempted to let doubts creep in, God reminds us yet again,“I AM WHO I AM.”


Love,
Mommy & Daddy