The Road Less Traveled

I'll be the first to admit, God's will has not always been clear to me. But every once in a while, He makes it so clear, that there is no question about the direction He wants us to go in. Ever since the beginning of our adoption journey, there have been two options on the table. Traditional adoption being one of them. The other, a less "traditional" route. I've debated on making this public, but with people donating and supporting us, and praying for us, I felt it was necessary to keep people in the know.

Our family holds traditional conservative values at a high standard. That being said, we believe that ALL life is created by God. And we believe that life begins at conception.

Embryo Adoption.

Every year, thousands of couples that struggle with infertility use in-vitro fertilization (IVF) to concieve and build families. After the family is done growing, the left-over embryos are frozen and put into storage. They have no purpose. They will either be destroyed or just sit in a nitrogen filled container until someone decides to change their fate. Enter embryo adoption.

Many adoption agencies have started programs where the families that have these frozen embryos can donate them. Infertile couples can adopt these embryos and become a surrogate for them and deliver them, raise them, and love them, just as if they were concieved by them. So, not only do we get to adopt a child, we get to enjoy the pregnancy part of having a baby, too. The best of both worlds.

You may say, "Isn't that like playing God"? Believe me, that was a huge struggle in our prayer and decision making process. It was made very clear to us, though, that regardless of how a life is created, God made it.

Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. Psalm 127:3

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born

I consecrated you... Jeremiah 1:5

But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand. Isaiah 64:8

Unfortunately, the Bible is not very clear on the matter of embryo adoptions. As we counseled with our pastor, he said "Its just not in the bible." Then he said "Oh, wait, yes it is.......Jesus."

Jesus was not of Joseph or of Mary. He was of God and the Holy Spirit.

Mary was a surrogate and the mother of Jesus. And Joseph was his earthly father.

We have chosen a partner agency to Bethany Christian Services called the NEDC (National Embryo Donation Center) in Knoxville, TN. There are still costs to this adoption. But, it is significantly less expensive than the traditional option. We still have to go through lots of paperwork, a home study, and medical screenings. The total amount will be around $8000. So, we would still like to have your support. We have filled out the application and I will be sending the application fee of $300 today.

This video highlights the "Snowflake" program that began the Embryo Adoption movement. It also gives details about how the process works. Please take a moment to watch it.

The yard sale in Donalsonville is still scheduled for October 2-3 at the First Church of the Nazarene on Wiley Ave. We look forward to seeing everyone. If you would like to donate items, please contact my mom, Linda @ 229-220-8881. We will also be posting an ad in the Donalsonville News as a reminder.

Our other fundraisers are still in the works. We are planning another yard sale in Columbus for the end of October. We have raised $500 so far! We are very thankful and blessed by the donations we have had. Please keep us in your prayers as we go on this exciting journey!

-Whitney