We first met in March 2006 and there was an instant connection. We shared the same love relationship with Jesus and desired to put Him first in our lives. We also shared others loves like dogs, Indiana Jones, Mexican food, traveling, and the desire to begin a family. It didn't take long to discover that we were made for each other and we got married in a beautiful, winter wonderland in December 2006.
Two years, going on three...
After a year of honeymooning, we decided to start a family. Over the course of several years, we have come to know the pain and struggle of infertility. Many of you have shared our loss and I'm sure there have been times many of you have wondered, as we have been asked many times. We have not given up hope because our God is a mighty God! However, our desire to have children has grown immensely over time and our hearts have been moved in another direction.
Before Todd and I were married, adoption was something we both desired to pursue after we had biological children. Once infertility became an issue, we started casually researching adoption options. It's a long, expensive process, that can also be heartbreaking, and it's something we were hesitant to explore.
In our casual research about adoption, we found a picture of a little boy that looks like a Bottorff. He has blond hair, blue eyes, and dimples:) Over the past 8-9 months, his face continues to appear in our memories and we can't stop thinking about him. But, the more we researched, the deeper the fear set in. However, God wasn't done with us and He kept tugging on our hearts. After much prayer, we decided to find out more about this little boy.
We called to talk to the placement agency about this little boy and we discovered he is in an orphanage in Ukraine. His birthday is December 9th (one week exactly after our wedding:) and he will turn four years old. We also found out he suffers from the hip dysplasia. Although he is older, successful surgery can still be performed. We are told he is a very smart little boy and everyone loves him! Because of his age and disability, we are looking at adopting him within 3-6 months! We are so excited to start our family and my sister even bought him a little Star Wars shirt:) Mommy is also going to get him a little MU shirt and it shouldn't upset Daddy too much based on their perfect record so far this season:) We are quickly gathering and completing all the paperwork needed and have officially started the adoption process!
In our conversation with the adoption agency, we also found out that the cost of the adoption and the required, extensive travel will be near $30,000.
God-sized events...
We spent about two weeks enjoying the decision to adopt Sam with each other, while also completing the paperwork. Then, we began telling our family and close friends. One night we were driving back from telling my parents and we got a phone call about a person who wanted to buy our doghouse. There actually was a "bidding war" because two people wanted it. Well, the couple that ended up buying the doghouse happened to be a pastor and his wife...that were also missionaries...that also ran their own ministry...who also had a heart for adoption!!!! Coincidence? No...God! The next day this couple came to pick up the doghouse, gave us much encouragement, offered us some fund raising contacts, and also donated more than double what we were asking for on our dog house!!! What an awesome and encouraging God we serve!
Not long after we sold the doghouse on Craig's List did we get another person who wanted to purchase a $10 bath spa system. I happened to mention we were raising money for an adoption and she told us her husband was in a Christian band! She also told us she was going to talk to the band to see if they would be interested in holding a concert to raise money for our adoption!! We are still waiting for more information, but are praying this is a go!
"She named him Samuel, saying, 'Because I asked the Lord for him'". Samuel 1:20
One morning before church I woke Todd up and we instantly started talking about Little Bottorff. See...we knew Sam wasn't his "real" name, but we didn't know if we were going to change it or keep it the same. Since that's how we've been praying and talking about him, we really didn't know how that was going to work. In our conversation that morning, Todd pointed out that Samuel was a judge in the Bible...that reminded me that he was also Hannah's son...God's gift to her after years of being barren. I've been praying "Hannah's Prayer" for over two years now...isn't it just like God to actually bring me Sam?!?! Wow...we're NOT changing his name, God created him for us.
His birthday is December 9th...
The more we think and pray for Sam, the more we grow to love him! Alicia and I also picture him in ways we imagine he might be based on the one picture we have of him. (we can't share the picture on-line because he is not our son yet) Over time, God has even revealed to us that He answered prayers we had more than 4 years ago almost as soon as we uttered them. Sam was born December 9, 2006. We were married December 2, 2006. Alicia was only half of my answer to prayers of hope for a loving wife and children. I didn't know it at the time but God answered the rest of the prayer half way around the world. I can see now that I would never understand this attribute of God if we got pregnant with ease.
Mark the dates...Friday, November 12 and Saturday, November 13 we are holding an ADOPTION FUND-RAISER GARAGE SALE!!! We are selling a variety of items, including hand-made bracelets to bring Little Bottorff home! Please come and shop OR let us know if you have any items to for the garage sale!!!
Please pray for items to sell and for generous shoppers:)
Also, if you'd like to make a donation, you may send it to:
PO Box 860114
Shawnee, KS 66218
What a sweet story! You made me cry!
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