They Blessed our Hearts!

This past weekend we headed up to Ben's college graduation (Jon's brother)and got to spend wonderful time with family and friends. It was so refreshing to be away from home and have the whole weekend off! During this adoption we have often found ourselves in another world so it was so nice to step back from it for a moment. Adoption can be all consuming which is not a good thing.

One of our greatest blessings was spending so much time with Grandpa and Grandma Heidebrink. They are true reflections of Jesus. They are so selfless with their love and devotion to everyone in their lives. They are sincere in when they ask you a question they truly want to know the answer and they listen without interrupting!(Something I need to learn how to do!)

All weekend they just loved us without ending and they have such a burdens for everyone to get to experience salvation is Jesus Christ! They especially seem to have a burden for our baby, their first great grandchild! They were so interested in our adoption asking question after question letting us know they really cared. Not only have they given financially to us for the adoption but Grandma made us a beautiful blanket. She made it so we could use it when we go out with our baby to the park or beach and she said she could just see them crawling around on it! So can we Grandma!


So this posting is dedicated to you Grandma and Grandpa! We could never have prayed for more supportive, loving and accepting Grandparents of what God has called us into. We are so thankful for you and love you so much! We can't wait to travel out to visit you with your first great grandchild!


PS (Grandma you wanted this recipe so I googled it for you!)
Ingredients
1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple, undrained
1 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups brown sugar, packed
1 egg
3 cups quick-cooking oats
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup raisins
Directions
1Drain pineapple well, reserving 1/2 Cup of juice.
2In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg, crushed pineapple and reserved juice. (Mixture will be very wet).
3In a medium bowl, combine oats, flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and raisins. Stir into pineapple mixture.
4Drop by heaping tablespoonfuls onto greased baking sheets. Bake at 300 for 20-25 minutes or until golden. Remove to wire racks to cool. (Unfortunately I didn't copy down the oven temp when I copied the recipe. I played with it a bit and found 300 to work well for me, even though it seems a bit low).

"Your Own Children"

Throughout this adoption process many people have asked us why we don't have our "own children". The questions and comments never seem to end, "Have you tried to have your own children?", "Do you want your own children someday?", and probably the most painful "When are you going to have your own children?" I think most people just assume adoption is second best and we are really longing for children by birth instead.

However, these comments and their hidden meanings are not at all how we feel. We as adoptive parents are just as excited as any parent who is pregnant and dreaming of the day they will see their child face to face. Our child is just as real as one that is growing in a Mother's womb. Our child is growing in our hearts and daily we dream of them and wonder what they will be like. We wonder will we have a boy or girl, will they be shy or outgoing,and what kinds of things will they like to do? We wonder what they will be when they grow up and we pray they come to know and love Jesus at an early age.

Other people have also been dreaming of our child as this past week we received our child's first gift. As Mom Johns was shopping it suddenly occured to her she is going to be a grandmother and her daughter is carrying a baby in her heart! So just as she would be out buying outfits if we were traditionally pregnant, she decided it was time to buy stuff for the baby that is growing in all of our hearts! And here came to be their fist gift along with a baby bottle fille with change they have collected to help bring their grandchild home. This gift was more special than they would ever know!




We also were blessed with more baby bottles filled with change from my friend Tanaya and all the nurses on her unit at the hospital.She has been such a fundraising help to us and support of our adoption! We are so thankful to her and all the other nurses generous hearts!

And to help bring home their first Great grandchild, Grandma and Grandpa Heidebrink sent us a very generous check. It said "To Bring Home our Greatgrandchild". As we thanked them for the money, Grandma said "Don't worry about it, its for my grand baby!" We just praise God for their maturity and faith and support of our Adoption! We couldn't ask for more supportive grandparents.

Adoption is just as real and exciting as being pregnant and having a child by birth. It is also just a much of a miracle.

So as not to offend but educate about what adoption means let us share one of our favorite quotes from the book "Cross Cultural Adoption".

"By regaling us with anecdotal stories of women who found themselves pregnant shortly after adopting, you are somehow demoting the wonderful thing that has just happened to us to a second rate experience- as if she is just something to distract us until the "real" thing comes along or a means to a more desirable end."

"Lift up your eyes round about and see; They all gather together, they come to you.
Your sons will come from afar, And your daughters will be carried in the arms." Isaiah 60:4