Wednesday, November 19, 2008

A Significant Change In Our Adoption Plans

A couple days ago we got an email from an adoption coordinator at our church asking if we would consider changing our adoption plans and praying about a domestic adoption of an African-American infant from Alabama.

We were pretty taken aback, but we desired to be open to what God might have for us. Yesterday, we were quickly put in touch with the adoption folks in Alabama and were told the details of the case. It was very unusual that they were having a difficult time finding a family for a healthy infant with a great background, but many involved in the case were praying that God would bring just the right family. We seemed to be a great match but we would need to have all of the money by the time of placement (thousands of dollars in a very short time period) and we needed to tell the adoption coordinator in AL within 24 hours if we would be able to cover the cost.

We prayed that God would make it clear whether He wanted us to move forward by either closing doors (having another family interested, not being able to come up with the money in this short period, or both of us not feeling a peace about it) or that He would obviously provide. The limited story is that in this short span of time God provided in amazing ways through his people and it looks like we’ll have a new baby girl added to our family in about two weeks! Kim and I plan to fly out there to pick her up sometime during the first week in December.

She was born on Oct. 27th and at the time of this writing we have not given her a name. Right now she is in the foster care system in AL. We got a chance to talk to her foster mother yesterday and she said baby girl is doing very well.

What about our plans for international adoption from Bulgaria? Great question. This has been a bit agonizing for us to come to terms with, but the short of it is that by faith we are moving forward with this opportunity, but don’t feel like we have decisively closed the door to international adoption in the future. Who knows, perhaps we’ll be a family of five in a few years! There are needs for adoption in almost every corner of the world and we believe we are following God’s leading with this amazing opportunity.

Let us know if you have any other questions. We are very excited for this new addition to our family!

32 comments:

Anonymous said...

Carrie referred me to your blog 'cause she knew I'd love your story. I'm SO excited for you!! Congratulations!

jamie said...

oh my word zach that is awesome- i'm so excited for you guys- she is PRECIOUS!
keep us updated
much love to the fam

greg said...

Awesome, brother! Congratulations. God is infinitely wiser than we are. Happy Thanksgiving, indeed!

Anonymous said...

She is CUTE! congrats!

Anonymous said...

wow ... so happy for you guys! what a beautiful girl and what a beautiful story of God's grace and wisdom.

Patricia said...

Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow - and what a beautiful blessing this little girl is. Congratulations!

Unknown said...

hi...I don't know that we've officially met, but my husband is Dave Hansen...I was just reading your blog and have to say congrats...how faithful of you and Kim to follow God's lead! She is beautiful and I wish your whole family the best! enjoy your baby girl!!! Jess Hansen

Lois said...

to Zach and Kim, knowing you are great parents, God knew who needed this little girl the most, and you are the chosen ones. That is so awesome! Big Congratulations!!!

Anonymous said...

Congrats! God has an amazing way of leading parents to the children He has in mind for them... we know that first hand. We are also waiting to see how God works in our lives as we pursue our second adoption. So happy for you and pray that everything goes smoothly! She's precious!

Christy said...

Congrats Zach and Kim!! God is awesome and always provides! Can't wait to read the updates on this story.

Erica said...

WAHOOOOOOOO!!! Congratulations! She is absolutely precious! I can't wait to hear more of what God is doing in your family.

Shadley said...

Aunt Shadley is VERY happy and excited...I might need to book some tix to ABQ...

Anonymous said...

Wow, congratulations!!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations. We will pray that she will be safely in your arms in the coming weeks.

Ve said...

Congratulations! Praise God.

M&M in Japan said...

Praise God! We are so excited for how God is leading you. Prayers are going up!

carole said...

Wow! Baby #4 is on her way! Congratulations.
We are waiting to be matched (domestic adoption) and have seen God provide financially for us in amazing, amazing ways. I am confident he will do the same for your family.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on your new family member! Sounds like God has an awesome plan for your family.

laura b. said...

Congratulations Zach & Kim! What an amazing opportunity.

Aaron said...

Praise God! Simply amazing and beautiful! Congratulations

Tim said...

This sounds exciting! Our two adoptions were from Alabama; let us know if we can be of help.

It'll be good to know another family that has adopted transracially.

Tim and Kristin in ABQ

Eric S. said...

How wonderful! That's great news. May God bless your home!

John C said...

sorry - I've been out of town for a few days at a funeral in Dallas.

Wow . . . I'm kind of awestruck at how this all came about. Very interesting/amazing. Keep us posted.

- J

Anonymous said...

Praising God with you!!

Hooray!!

Yours,
Fred, Tara & Sophia Grace Barthel

Becky Bartlett said...

Hooray for new baby Nielsen!!! We're so excited for you... she's precious. We've been praying for this!

Jane said...

Congratulations - we are very excited for you! It is wonderful to see how God brings families together when they least expect it....He is so faithful.

Jane and Joe

Anonymous said...

sincere congratulations on the newest addition to your family! what a huge blessing for you and for your baby girl.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations to you ALL!! Baby Girl is indeed a blessing and a beauty! Love to everyone.

Michael and Jana said...

I love it! Congratulations!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations, Zach and Kim! I already sent an e-mail to this effect, but why not say it again, because this is just such an amazing "God" kind of situation? :-)

Kimmie said...

Wow, congratulations. Never doubt, always follow God...His way is the very best!

Enjoy your journey!

Kimmie
mama to 6
one homemade and 5 adopted

Anonymous said...

I am so blessed by your story. My husband and I adopted from Alabama in July 06, a little black boy through Lifeline. We know what it's like to come up with a LOT of money in a LITTLE time. We have just opened our home to adopt again, and are praying about that new little one we'll be adding to our family. You'll be so blessed by this baby girl! Thanks so much for sharing.
Megan
abcpro@windstream.net