It was a beautiful spring night in Houston, uncharacteristically cool and breezy, lacking the brutal humidity we often felt that time of year. I was out to dinner with a group of friends when we ran into a friend of ours from church. She was headed off to the hospital to pick up twin, nineteen-month-old girls and joked that Mike and I would be a perfect family for them. I laughed and said to her, “Girl, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel and it is not a train. It’s freedom.” Mike and I were counting the days until our nest would be empty, and we most certainly had no plans to refill it.
We had no plans.
But God did.
That night, Mike and I talked about the little girls who were being rescued from a life of hell, and we prayed for the people who would someday be their forever family. Ten days later our home and our hearts were invaded by two precious, but very broken baby girls.
And oh how we loved them. We loved them fiercely and unconditionally. And some days, we thought we might not survive. We braved their brutal meltdowns. We lost sleep with them through their torturous nightmares. We saw one pediatric specialist after another to try to overcome their health and mental distress. And it took all of us, Mike and I, and Zack and Jacob to make that happen. We hired someone to keep the girls during the day while we worked, then the boys and Mike and I tag teamed the rest. We loved those babies with everything we had to give them, all the while knowing they would someday leave us to live with their forever family. And that was as it should be. Our nest was empty, and we had no plans to change that.
We had no plans.
But God did.
On Fathers’ Day 2010, we relinquished custody of our sweet little Baby S and Baby N to their forever family. We spent the day with them, trying to forever imprint our family into their hearts. We feared they would forget us, or worse yet they would think we, too, had abandoned them. Even now as I think about that day, and write these words, I struggle with feelings of guilt over leaving them. Not because we didn’t love and trust the family they were going to, but because those girls loved and trusted us, and we left them.
It was so much harder than I ever expected it to be, but as difficult as it was on me, it was inexplicably harder on Mike. He cried himself to sleep for so many nights in a row. I had only ever heard him cry like that one other time in our life, and that was when his dad died. I cannot adequately express to you just how broken his heart was.
Though we’d had no plans to refill our nest, once it was empty, really empty . . . I truly have no words to express the depths of the sorrow we felt.
We had no plans.
But God did.
As the Lord would have it, the girls ended up back in the home of their biological mom, and on September 15, 2010, she called me in the middle of the night during a domestic dispute and yelled at me to come and get them.
We have had them ever since that day.
Though the months and years that followed were tumultuous, even torturous at times, and though we lived in constant fear they would someday leave our home again, we held fast to a faith that told us God had a plan for our lives and the lives of Baby S. and Baby N., and His plans would not be undone.
On June 15, 2012, WE became their forever family and they became forever ours.
Like I said, We had no plans to change the course of our life. But God did.
All that to say, my not-so-empty nest was never designed to be empty. From the very beginning of our lives and theirs, He created us to be a family. I have made a million plans in my life, including how I would spend my empty nest years, and trust me, the plans I made look nothing like the ones God mapped out for me. Sometimes I think we look so hard for our purpose, and we get so busy making plans to live out what we believe our purpose is, that we overlook the fact that our purpose is not what really matters. Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails. – Proverbs 19:21
No Comments
Whoa loads of helpful advice.
https://www.interlandchemie.com/
online pharmacy canada
canada pharmaceutical online ordering
canadian pharmacies online
canadian pharcharmy
Kudos. Helpful information!
https://www.dunamisproductions.com/
top rated canadian pharmacies online
trust pharmacy canada
canadian drug
canada pharmaceutical online ordering
You said it very well.!
https://www.visitwaushara.com/
best online pharmacy stores
aarp approved canadian online pharmacies
mexican pharmacies shipping to usa
canadian drugs
Thanks a lot! Useful stuff.
https://www.interlandchemie.com/
canada meds
canadian online pharmacies
canada pharmacy
canadian pharmacies that ship to us
Thanks. Numerous write ups.
https://www.visitwaushara.com/
canada pharmacy online no script
canada pharmacy
online pharmacy no prescription needed
canadianpharmacy
You made the point.
https://www.visitwaushara.com/
online drugs
canada pharmaceutical online ordering
online pharmacy no prescription
canadian pharmaceuticals online
Thank you, Useful information.
https://www.lunarciel.com/
meds online
mexican pharmacies shipping to usa
canada pharmacy online
canada pharmaceuticals online
You suggested this superbly.
https://www.visitwaushara.com/
canadianpharmacy
canadian online pharmacies
king pharmacy
canada drugs online
With thanks, Great stuff.
https://www.visitwaushara.com/
canadapharmacy com
canada pharmaceuticals online
pharmacy price comparison
canadian pharmacy online
You revealed that effectively!
https://www.dunamisproductions.com/
canadian online pharmacy
canadian pharmacies without an rx
canadian cialis
global pharmacy canada
Very good content. Appreciate it.
https://www.lunarciel.com/
prescription drugs canada
canada pharmacy
cheap canadian drugs
online pharmacies of canada
Cheers, Helpful information.
https://www.interlandchemie.com/
best online pharmacy stores
canadian drugs
canada drug prices
canadian pharcharmy
You actually revealed it really well.
https://www.waltcoexpress.com/
candrugstore com
canadian pharmacies without an rx
mexican online pharmacies
north west pharmacy canada
Nicely put. With thanks.
https://www.dunamisproductions.com/
discount pharmacy online
canada pharmacy
canadian pharmacy meds
canada pharmacy
Lovely stuff. Kudos.
https://www.lunarciel.com/
the canadian pharmacy
north west pharmacy canada
top rated canadian pharmacies online
london drugs canada
Incredible lots of good facts!
https://www.waltcoexpress.com/
canada pharmacies
canadian pharmacies that ship to us
canada pharmacies prescription drugs
canadianpharmacy
Thanks a lot, Helpful information!
https://www.interlandchemie.com/
visit poster’s website
canada online pharmacies
online rx pharmacy
canadian pharmacy online
You said it adequately.!
https://www.visitwaushara.com/
best online pharmacies canada
northwestpharmacy
canadian pharmacies that ship to us
north west pharmacy canada
Very good info. Regards!
https://www.waltcoexpress.com/
prescription drug price comparison
trust pharmacy canada
no prior prescription required pharmacy
canadian pharcharmy
Appreciate it! A lot of write ups.
https://www.waltcoexpress.com/
canada pharmacies
canadian drugs
medication costs
london drugs canada
Really loads of superb knowledge!
https://www.visitwaushara.com/
canadian pharcharmy online
aarp approved canadian online pharmacies
pharmacies near me
canada online pharmacies
Seriously loads of excellent info.
https://www.waltcoexpress.com/
no 1 canadian pharcharmy online
northwestpharmacy
canada drugs pharmacy
canada pharmacy
Thanks, Ample knowledge.
https://www.interlandchemie.com/
northwest pharmacy
canadian pharmaceuticals online
canadian prescription
canadian pharmaceuticals online
You explained that exceptionally well!
https://www.dunamisproductions.com/
canadian pharmacy no prescription needed
mexican pharmacies shipping to usa
top rated canadian pharmacies online
canadian pharmacy
Cheers. I appreciate it!
https://www.interlandchemie.com/
top rated canadian pharmacies online
mexican pharmacies shipping to usa
prescription drugs online without
canadianpharmacy
This is nicely said. !
https://www.visitwaushara.com/
canadian pharmacies shipping to usa
canadianpharmacy
canada pharmacy online orders
canadian pharmacies online
Fantastic advice. With thanks.
https://www.visitwaushara.com/
prescription pricing
canada pharmacy online
visit poster’s website
canadian online pharmacies
You made your point pretty nicely!!
https://www.interlandchemie.com/
pharmacy prices
canada pharmacy
canadianpharmacy
canadian pharmacies-24h
Very good write ups, Kudos!
https://www.interlandchemie.com/
ed meds online
canada pharmaceuticals online
medical information online
canadian pharmacies that ship to us
Thanks a lot, I like this.
https://www.visitwaushara.com/
canadian pharmacies top best
canada pharmacy
canadian pharcharmy online
canadian drugs
Fantastic postings, Many thanks.
https://www.visitwaushara.com/
canadian pharmacies
canadian pharmacies that ship to us
canadian drug
canadian drugs
You’ve made your point very clearly..
https://www.lunarciel.com/
cheap drugs online
aarp approved canadian online pharmacies
online drugstore
canadian pharmacies without an rx
Regards. Plenty of advice.
https://www.lunarciel.com/
canadian drug store
mexican pharmacies shipping to usa
online canadian discount pharmacy
canadianpharmacy
Amazing tons of good tips.
https://www.lunarciel.com/
safe canadian online pharmacies
canadian pharmacy
buy drugs online
northwest pharmacy
You suggested this exceptionally well!
https://www.lunarciel.com/
cialis canadian pharmacy
canada pharmacy
pharmacy near me
aarp approved canadian online pharmacies
Fantastic info. Cheers.
https://www.waltcoexpress.com/
prescription drugs without doctor approval
canada pharmaceutical online ordering
canadian rx
canada pharmaceuticals online
Incredible tons of helpful advice.
https://www.visitwaushara.com/
buy drugs online
canada pharmacy online
best canadian prescription prices
canadian pharcharmy
Thanks a lot. Ample information.
https://www.interlandchemie.com/
northwestpharmacy
aarp approved canadian online pharmacies
drugs without prescription
trust pharmacy canada
This is nicely expressed. !
https://www.visitwaushara.com/
reputable canadian mail order pharmacies
north west pharmacy canada
prescription prices comparison
canadian pharmacy online
Reliable material. Thank you.
https://www.waltcoexpress.com/
best canadian online pharmacy
canadian online pharmacies
online pharmacy without prescription
canada online pharmacies
Valuable info. Appreciate it.
https://www.waltcoexpress.com/
best online international pharmacies
canadian pharmacies that ship to us
compare rx prices
canadian pharmacy
You actually expressed it terrifically!
https://www.visitwaushara.com/
discount pharmaceuticals
canada pharmacy online
discount prescription drugs online
online pharmacies canada
Superb tips. Regards!
https://www.interlandchemie.com/
discount prescription drugs online
canadian cialis
discount pharmacy
canada pharmacy online
Nicely put. Appreciate it.
https://www.interlandchemie.com/
prescription without a doctor’s prescription
canadian pharmacies
canada drugs pharmacy
canadianpharmacy
You’ve made the point!
https://www.interlandchemie.com/
canadian meds
global pharmacy canada
canada drug prices
canada pharmaceuticals online
You actually mentioned this superbly.
https://www.lunarciel.com/
online pharmacy
canada pharmaceutical online ordering
canadian pharmacy meds
canada pharmacy online
Many thanks! I value it!
https://www.interlandchemie.com/
canadian pharmacy without prescription
london drugs canada
canadian pharmacy
north west pharmacy canada
You said that very well.
https://www.interlandchemie.com/
online pharmacy without prescription
canadian pharcharmy
canadian pharmacy meds
canadian online pharmacy
Amazing stuff. Appreciate it!
https://www.lunarciel.com/
canadian cialis
canadian drugs
northwestpharmacy
top rated canadian pharmacies online
Thanks, Excellent stuff.
https://www.dunamisproductions.com/
online pharmacy reviews
canadian pharcharmy
legitimate canadian mail order pharmacies
canada drugs
Nicely expressed truly. .
https://www.lunarciel.com/
online prescription drugs
canada drug
canadian drugs
canada pharmacy online
Truly loads of wonderful information!
http://canadianpharmaciescubarx.com/
canadian pharmacies online
canadian pharmacy
prescription drugs canada
canadian pharmaceuticals online
Tips clearly taken.!
http://canadianpharmacymim.com/
online canadian pharmacy
canada drugs
most reliable canadian pharmacies
mexican pharmacies shipping to usa
Thanks a lot, Ample postings.
http://canadianpharmacysilo.com/
online pharmacy
north west pharmacy canada
canada online pharmacies
canadian online pharmacy
Superb postings, Thanks!
http://canadianpharmacymim.com/
canadian pharmacies online prescriptions
online pharmacies of canada
canada drugs online
mexican pharmacies shipping to usa
Many thanks. Great stuff!
http://talahicc.com/
trusted overseas pharmacies
canadianpharmacy
canadian prescription drugstore
canadian pharmacies online
You explained it wonderfully.
https://nicktambone.com/
24 hour pharmacy
canadian pharmacy
get prescription online
mexican pharmacies shipping to usa
Seriously loads of wonderful material!
http://canadianonlinepharmacynnm.com/
24 hour pharmacy
canada drugs online
costco pharmacy pricing
trust pharmacy canada
You’ve made the point!
http://canadianpharmaciesnnm.com/
buy cialis
canadian pharmaceuticals online
discount pharmacy
canada online pharmacies
Perfectly spoken truly! .
http://www.canadianpharmacymsn.com/
canada pharmacy online reviews
canada online pharmacies
approved canadian pharmacies online
online pharmacies canada
Wow plenty of superb advice.
http://canadianpharmaciesnnm.com/
canadian pharmacy no prescription
canadian viagra
mexican pharmacies shipping to usa
canada drugs
Excellent stuff. Cheers!
http://canadianonlinepharmacynnm.com/
us pharmacy no prior prescription
canada pharmaceutical online ordering
drug costs
canada online pharmacies
Useful content. Thank you.
http://canadianpharmacysilo.com/
best canadian online pharmacy
northwest pharmacy
prescription drug cost
canadian pharcharmy
Thanks! Excellent information.
https://nicktambone.com/
buy prescription drugs canada
canadian pharmacies online
cheap canadian drugs
canada pharmaceuticals online
Thanks a lot, An abundance of information!
http://canadianpharmaciesnnm.com/
international pharmacies that ship to the usa
canada drugs online
discount pharmaceuticals
canadian pharmaceuticals online
Nicely put. Appreciate it.
http://canadianpharmaciesnnm.com/
drugs without prescription
canada drug
canadian drugstore online
canadian pharmacies without an rx
Awesome information. Kudos.
http://canadianpharmacymim.com/
canadian online pharmacies prescription drugs
canadian cialis
online discount pharmacy
canadian pharmaceuticals online
Seriously loads of fantastic knowledge!
http://canadianonlinepharmacynnm.com/
international pharmacies that ship to the usa
canada drugs online
canadadrugs.com pharmacy
canada drugs online
Wonderful postings. Thank you.
http://canadianpharmacysilo.com/
canadian pharmacy
online pharmacies of canada
pharmacy prices compare
canadian pharmacies without an rx
Thank you. Very good stuff.
http://canadianonlinepharmacynnm.com/
mexican pharmacy online medications
aarp approved canadian online pharmacies
prescription drug cost
canadian pharmaceuticals online
Nicely put. Thank you!
http://canadianonlinepharmacynnm.com/
canadian drug store
canadian pharmacies without an rx
prescription cost
canadian pharmacy
Thanks! Valuable stuff.
http://talahicc.com/
no prior prescription required pharmacy
canada drugs online
canadian pharcharmy online
canada pharmaceuticals online
Excellent postings. Thanks!
http://talahicc.com/
buy prescription drugs without doctor
canadian pharmacy online
canadian pharmacy reviews
canadian pharmaceuticals online
Reliable information. Many thanks.
http://canadianpharmacysilo.com/
prescription drug assistance
mexican pharmacies shipping to usa
drug costs
global pharmacy canada
Wow loads of helpful advice!
http://canadianonlinepharmacynnm.com/
no prescription online pharmacy
canadian drugs
canadian pharmacy no prescription
aarp approved canadian online pharmacies
Regards. A lot of material!
http://talahicc.com/
visit poster’s website
canada drug
trust pharmacy canada
online pharmacies of canada
With thanks! Wonderful information.
http://canadianpharmaciescubarx.com/
cialis online
online pharmacies canada
buying drugs canada
northwestpharmacy
Thank you, Loads of forum posts!
http://canadianpharmacymim.com/
candrugstore com
canadian pharmacies online
online pharmacies canada
canadian pharmacies that ship to us
You actually explained that really well.
http://canadianpharmaciescubarx.com/
pain meds online without doctor prescription
canadian pharmacies
prescription prices comparison
canada drugs online
You suggested this exceptionally well.
http://canadianpharmacymim.com/
canadian drugstore online
global pharmacy canada
canadian pharmacies online
canadian pharmacy online
Very good postings. Thanks.
https://nicktambone.com/
pharmacy canada
canadian pharmacies that ship to us
canada pharmacies without script
trust pharmacy canada
Fine advice. Cheers!
http://canadianpharmacysilo.com/
canada pharmacies online prescriptions
canada pharmacy online
cheap prescription drugs
canadian viagra
You reported this wonderfully.
http://canadianonlinepharmacynnm.com/
ed meds online
north west pharmacy canada
canadian pharmacy online
canada drugs online
You actually said it perfectly!
http://canadianpharmacyntx.com/
canadian pharmacy viagra
trust pharmacy canada
canadian pharmacy 365
canada drugs online
With thanks! Valuable stuff!
http://www.canadianpharmacymsn.com/
online canadian pharmacy
canadian pharmacies without an rx
top rated online canadian pharmacies
canada online pharmacies