Hi There!
We are incredibly excited to announce that we are FULLY FUNDED!
Through our infertility journey and respite care experience, God has revealed a calling for us to pursue Domestic Infant Adoption. Adoption runs deep in our families and we have confidence in knowing that God has uniquely woven our life in a way to soften and equip our hearts towards adoption. We are just so excited to be parents!!!
As we pursue adoption, we are encouraged by the example of The Gospel – praise God that He cares so deeply for the least of these. We would love to extend the same overwhelming and selfless love not only to our future child, but to his/her birth mother. Our prayer is that God uses us to minister to a birth mother, celebrate the importance of choosing life, and raise a little disciple of Jesus.
So where does that leave us? Adoption is so beautiful but an emotional rollercoaster. We would deeply appreciate your prayers as we wait to be matched! Thank you to everyone who has doanted and encouraged us along the way. We are so excited for you to join us on our adoption journey!
I was recently asked how we cope with the waiting season. It seems like such a simple question; yet it holds so much weight. Waiting is often coupled with a secret silence and uncomfortable pressure points that outsiders are unaware of. Some days, it is exhausting going throughout the day hiding your longing heart just to unravel at the end of the day in the privacy of our own home. The waiting season is tough to weather alone.
For those who have experienced infertility or waiting to adopt, the empty home/nursery is one of those uncomfortable pressure points. Let me just be candidly real for a moment - the empty crib is unbearable at times. Sometimes, it feels so silly having a room prepared for our child whom we do not know. Sometimes, it is incredibly hard to hope in something that feels so untouchable.
As we cling to the truth that God is good and keeps His promises, we take comfort in being good stewards of what He has already given us. The truth of the matter is, He has already gifted us with every spiritual blessing we could ever think of. Children are not a badge of honor and you are not consider “more blessed” in the eyes of God by having them. As His children, we are all equally blessed simply because we are His.
So how do we wait well? There are countless ways; but I’ll spare you the long list. We have found that waiting well looks a lot like loving others well.
One of the sweetest and life-giving things we have done in our waiting has been to open our home to others. We know how it feels to come with a smile that masks the heartache hidden beneath. We hope and pray that our home provides a safe space for others to come as they are, children included. It brings so much joy to have our home, nursery and all, full rather than empty. The pattering feet, blended conversations, and joyful laughter cuts through that secret silence.
While we may not be able to share the love of Christ with our own children just yet - we can extend that same love to the people we do life with. As we pour into others in our home, they have also poured into us. They have met our heartache with such tenderness - a steadfast source of encouragement and prayer.
I say all this not to sugarcoat the ugly parts of the waiting season or to act like we have it all figured out. Inviting others in and being vulnerable is hard; yet so worth it. Our home is not a hiding place to fester in heartache and grief. Instead, it is one of the spaces that we are most seen and encouraged by our closest family and friends.
This is the beauty of the Body of Christ. God did not design us to do life in isolation. We were created to have community and to be intimately known first by Him and then by others. I am thankful for the blessing that is our brothers and sisters in Christ. What a sweet and tangible gift of encouragement God has given us. It is one of the many things that has made the waiting season a little sweeter.
A much shorter alternative caption: Waiting well looks a lot like gardening in the sunshine!
2022 wrecked me in so many ways, both good and bad. I’ve tasted sorrow and grief for the first time. I’ve also experienced God’s provision, peace, and clarity like never before. It’s funny how the two have intertwined together to make for a myriad of life lessons learned.
2023 scares me and I’m hesitant to utter the desires of my heart; even though the Lord wants to hear them.
Are you walking into the new year hesitant for what is to come and what God is calling you to do? I’m right there with you.
Are you walking into the new year feeling like you have nothing left to pour into your home, your family, and those around you? Don’t worry. I’m feeling a bit drained myself.
Praise God our salvation does not rest on ourselves and He does not abandon His weary, wondering children. I would know, I’m one of them.
While the holidays and New Year are such a wonderful and refreshing time for most - it’s been exceptionally hard for for this adoptive momma in waiting.
I’m thankful the hustle and bustle is over; and to sit in sweet stillness of the Lord. May I find my rest and hope in Him, only Him.
May we rejoice in what has already been completed and boldly hope in the promises of what is to come. Jesus, come quickly.
Another holiday season, the same longing heart.
The joy, sorrow, beauty, and ugly of twenty twenty-two has been woven together by one central theme: Crown Him, King of Kings.
My heart longs to be a mother and to fill our house with the sounds of pattering feet. I cannot wait to partner with my husband to raise little disciples of Jesus. I have idolized and coveted those titles; viewing them as the ultimate blessings life has to offer. I easily disregard the beautiful life God has already given us as I grasp for more blessings. Again and again, I have had to lay my heart’s desires at the feet of Jesus. Again and again, I have had to ask myself, “Is Jesus enough to satisfy my longing heart?”
I recently stumbled across a song by John Lucas with lyrics that brings to life the sorrow, longing, surrender, peace, hope and joy harbored in my heart. What I have struggle to vocalize has been brought together in a beautiful melody:
“I don't know the end, or tomorrow's story
But I have found the one who gives me rest.
I will make my bed in His promises
For He holds true when nothing's left.
Crown Him in your mourning,
and crown Him in your laughter,
and crown Him when it all turns dark.
Crown Him for He's faithful,
and crown Him for He's worthy,
and crown Him for He is good.
The beauty that has come
And the beauty yet to come
And the beauty that is yours and that is mine
And that death produces life
And that we are made alive
By the King who paints beauty with time”
It is true. I don’t not know tomorrow’s story; but I do know what God has promised. Our earthly lives only guarantee uncertainty. In Jesus, we hold fast to the truth that He has already given us every spiritual blessing we need to live a meaningful and beautiful life, on Earth and in Heaven.
This time of the year, we rejoice in what has already been completed: Jesus, Son of God, being born a perfect babe. We rejoice because through His death on the cross, He has made our darkness white as snow. As we celebrate what He has already completed, may we also boldly hope in and proclaim the promise of His return. YES, Jesus is more than enough to satisfy every longing heart. May we cast off all other fleeting things and crown Him, King of Kings.
Six months ago, Stephen & I had an impromptu celebratory dinner at IHOP. It was just the two of us - a sweet memory I have tucked away in my heart! We had just signed all the papers and paid the down payment to our adoption agency. The story was just beginning.
Tonight, we gathered the whole family for another celebratory dinner. Our profile is officially being shown to Birth Mommas!
Thankful for these moments. These are the memories I want to remember when I’m old, grey, & wrinkly.
Just hopping on here to casually announce that our adoption profile, video, and booklets are officially being shown to Birth Mommas!!
There's lots of emotions brewing and so many unknowns ahead of us - but the biggest one right now is gratitude.
Thank you to everyone who has encouraged & prayed for us, supported us finacially, and gifted us things off of our registry. Adoption has made Stephen & I really big softies - we cry a lot of good tears! This is one of those days. We wouldn't be celebrating today without A LOT of help from our friends.
So, what's next? We eagerly wait to be match - holding the entire process open handed and submitting to God's sovreign plan (a lot easier said than done for this Type A personality). We cling to His promises in the midst of all the unknowns.
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." - Philippians 4:4-10
If you've made it through this long sappy post before clicking the link below - enjoy!
https://lifetimeadoption.com/families/stephen-gabby/
Warmly,
The Allens
