Totally Dependent on God

Have you ever felt totally helpless? That's what we felt today as we drove and walked to the courthouse for Summer's TPR hearing. We had asked our friends and family to pray with us for God to soften Summer's birth-mom's heart--for her to do what was best for Summer and surrender her parental rights so we could make her a permanent member of our family.

Even though we were reasonably sure parental rights would eventually be taken from her birth-mom if she didn't give them up voluntarily, our hearts ached at the thought of the whole process being dragged out. If she had decided to fight us, there could have been months or years of Summer visiting her birth-mom and having her heart divided between two homes.

I am happy to announce that Summer's birth mom chose to voluntarily surrender her parental rights. She had already signed the papers when we got there! Praise the Lord!! It is God alone who grants us permission to raise children. No matter whose womb they develop in. He decides where they grow up. It is He who gives life and it is He alone who has the right to take it away. He softens and hardens hearts in order to accomplish His perfect will.

To some, Summer may have been an "accident", or she may have come along at an inconvenient time, but believe me, she was no accident. She was born in God's perfect timing. I find this interesting. The day on which Summer was born--that was the same day that we signed papers promising to adopt Hannah. Two weeks later we got a call asking if we would take custody of Summer. "Of course!," we said. God is never surprised. He had a plan for this little baby. We are so grateful. Lord willing, in only a few more months, Summer will be our forever daughter.

Thank you all for your prayers and your encouragement.