Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Our Temple Adventure




On March 13, 2010 Brad and I sat in a sealing room of the Salt Lake Temple with our 4 beautiful children dressed in white.
It was an amazing day! 
I have no idea how it feels to be pregnant or give birth but I know how it feels to look around me and know that I am part of something that the Lord extended His hand and created.   Brad and I have witnessed miracles for the past 12 years as we have built our family through adoption.   We have watched incredible acts of courage, witnessed tender love and tender mercies.   We have had prayers answered and blessings poured out upon us.    I know we are not infertile by chance...it was part of the Lord's plan for us and it is an amazing feeling to KNOW we made the right choices at the right time and did all we could which allowed the Lord do step in and create miracles. 
There were times I wondered if I would ever hear a little voice call me "Mommy".   On mornings when I felt like I was made of lead and could barely get out of bed and face the day it was a small tiny bit of hope that kept me going.   So many tears shed, so much pain....so many lessons learned and growth in every way created....I want to tell the Lord THANK YOU!!!!!  I am so grateful for what He has done for me, for us and to me!   This has been a 12 year adventure I will never forget and always have with me in my heart.
I am a different person in every way....in a very good way!

Spencer's Adoption story started when I heard a song called "Do you have a little love to share?"  For me this was the begining of the thought of becoming foster parents.   After 7 children in our home in 2 years time....2 very hard goodbyes a young woman sat in a hospital room holding her baby and knew she wanted him to have more of a life than she did or that she could give herself.  She wanted him to have happiness.   This incredible woman gave him life and then gave him the life she dreamed for him....one that she wished she could have had for herself.  Even after being asked over and over and over again by the judge in the courtroom this woman continued to say "yes, I understand what this means...yes I want to place him".  After hearing the same questions posed in different ways again and again she proclaimed "I understand what you are saying....I want my baby to have a happy life!"   I don't know how she stayed so strong through that hearing but she did.  Another miracle witnessed!
I think of this woman as I share these special pictures with you!
Thanks for being here and supporting me and my family in this adventure!
 
















All photos were taken by Leisha Kelsey. 
She is multi talented...check her out!
Leisha Kelsey Design
Leisha Kelsey Photography

9 comments:

Hallie Owens said...

The pictures are beautiful! What a wonderful day for your family! Congratulations.

Leslie said...

Okay, I am in LOVE with these pictures! SO beautiful, and it was a beautiful day. Thank you for letting us be a part of it!

Christine said...

What a beautiful family! Adoption is the BEST miracle!! Thank you for sharing your experiences!

Kelly said...

What a beautiful family you have.

Heather said...

What a beautiful family you are!!! Amazing pictures, just amazing!

Jill Oberhansley Johnson said...

Brenda...these pictures are so Beautiful! It brought a tear to my eyes :) I can't tell you how incredibly happy I am for you. Thank you for opening your heart to children...even if it hurts sometimes.

Christine Dallimore said...

Ohhhhh!!! Congratulations! I see your pictures and it makes me tear up- in a good way! My hubby and I are preparing ourselves for foster adoption. When it seems too much at times I just imagine that day of all of us dressed in white being sealed together forever. You are that example I wish to follow! Happy, Happy day for you all!!! LOVE the picture of your entire family linked together at the Temple's door- AWESOME!!!

~Our Family~ said...

Congrats.. That is totally awesome.. He is such a cutie.. I think that is the first time I have seen a picture of him... So happy for you.. Happy Mother's day yesterday.. Hope you had an awesome day...

Bonnie Boo said...

What awesome pictures! Your family is so cute! And Brenley has braces!? They grow up so fast!