Today is a very special Thankful Thursday post.
Some of you already know this, but many of you do not. I share this story only as a testimony of God's grace and just one of the great blessings that He has given to our family.
As I reflect back on this very day, 11-20-04 and of what took place, I am still in awe of how awesome our God is.
The story is very long and could never be told in just one post, but I am happy to share with you briefly.
I've had three miscarriages and never understood until about five years ago why a perfectly healthy woman such as myself had to endure such great pain and brokenheartedness. Each miscarriage that I had to face never got easier. Instead, they only caused more confusion in my mind and the same question was asked over and over, "Why me?" After our last miscarriage, we had pretty much given up on completing our dream of having two children. However, the Lord had other plans...better plans than ours of course.
Today, I am especially THANKFUL for our little Jaelyn. It was on this day four years ago that our adoption became finalized. We truly cannot imagine our lives without her. We met Jae when she was 2-1/2 years old and brought her home right before her 3rd birthday. Our adoption journey is a beautiful story that I wrote about in a book called Journeying Through State Adoption , published two years ago.
I am thankful that God played a major part in saving Jae for our family. There are so many details that worked in our favor that could have only been from the Lord.
I am thankful today that the Lord has completely healed me from all the hurt and pain of the miscarriages I had. He has given me total understanding in this area of my life.
I am thankful that He has and continues to use me to bless others with encouraging words when they have experienced miscarriages.
The list of thankfulness in the area are very long and I could go on and on.
Today, I walk down memory lane with a few pictures our first year with Jaelyn.
The Lord is GOOD!
My first Mother's Day with Jae.
This was taken at Dirk's grandma's home. We were celebrating Jae's 3rd birthday!
Jae and I went on a field trip with Morgan's class.
We were in a huge field of flowers. Jae was terrified, but you would never be able to tell from the pictures.
This was taken at the Alamo in San Antonio. This was our first family vacation with Jae.
Jae's first Christmas with us as her new family.
And our little Jaelyn today!
Some of you already know this, but many of you do not. I share this story only as a testimony of God's grace and just one of the great blessings that He has given to our family.
As I reflect back on this very day, 11-20-04 and of what took place, I am still in awe of how awesome our God is.
The story is very long and could never be told in just one post, but I am happy to share with you briefly.
I've had three miscarriages and never understood until about five years ago why a perfectly healthy woman such as myself had to endure such great pain and brokenheartedness. Each miscarriage that I had to face never got easier. Instead, they only caused more confusion in my mind and the same question was asked over and over, "Why me?" After our last miscarriage, we had pretty much given up on completing our dream of having two children. However, the Lord had other plans...better plans than ours of course.
Today, I am especially THANKFUL for our little Jaelyn. It was on this day four years ago that our adoption became finalized. We truly cannot imagine our lives without her. We met Jae when she was 2-1/2 years old and brought her home right before her 3rd birthday. Our adoption journey is a beautiful story that I wrote about in a book called Journeying Through State Adoption , published two years ago.
I am thankful that God played a major part in saving Jae for our family. There are so many details that worked in our favor that could have only been from the Lord.
I am thankful today that the Lord has completely healed me from all the hurt and pain of the miscarriages I had. He has given me total understanding in this area of my life.
I am thankful that He has and continues to use me to bless others with encouraging words when they have experienced miscarriages.
The list of thankfulness in the area are very long and I could go on and on.
Today, I walk down memory lane with a few pictures our first year with Jaelyn.
The Lord is GOOD!
My first Mother's Day with Jae.
This was taken at Dirk's grandma's home. We were celebrating Jae's 3rd birthday!
Jae and I went on a field trip with Morgan's class.
We were in a huge field of flowers. Jae was terrified, but you would never be able to tell from the pictures.
This was taken at the Alamo in San Antonio. This was our first family vacation with Jae.
Jae's first Christmas with us as her new family.
And our little Jaelyn today!
For more Thankful Thursday posts, please visit Iris at Grace Alone.
37 comments:
Daphine,
I had no idea that Jae was adopted. She must have been Heaven sent because she favors you and Dirk so much. I am sorry that you had to go through all that you went through. What a blessing it must be to have Jae in your life now. She is an absolute beauty! God is so good!
Praise God for His precious blessings my friend.
Daphine!! Talk about the perfect time for a TT!!!
Wow..that was awesome! Our lives do parallel in various way. My husband was also adopted. He has been w/ his parents since he was 1 day old. He is latin, and his parents (who adopted him) are caucasian! I also have had two miscarriages. This was when my husband and I weren't even married yet (around 15 years ago). I'm just so thankful that the Lord has healed the hurt although I will never forget it. I always think that we would of had way more kids! But, God is good, and His ways are not our ways!!
Thank you for sharing and being so open!! I'm always excited when you post something new!! God bless you, sis! Alicia
I had absolutly no idea that Jae was adopted! What a wonderful and special gift! LOVED all the pictures! She looks like you so much too!!
...xx....
I am in tears. She is so beautiful, and completes your family. I would have never known. Those pictures were absolutely precious. God doesn't make mistakes does He? Look at your wonderful girl! Great post! Great Thankful Thursday for sure!
Daphine,
The journey gave me warmth, as I was reading it. Jae is a cutie. I am thankful that your marriage remains strong throughout your miscarriages.
Jean
P.S. Thank you for praying for Trina.
I have tears in my eyes. Daphine, what a beautiful, beautiful post -- a tribute to God's faithfulness and grace, and a tribute to your beautiful daughter. Praise God and give thanks indeed!
What a wonderful post...she is so cute! I love the pictures especially the ones in the flowers!! God has blessed you so much...what a great Thankful Thursday!
-sandy toes
Daphine,
I didn't know that Jae was adopted! I've commented to you before that she looks a lot like you...and she does!
I suffered two miscarriages myself, so I understand what you've been through. What a tremendous blessing to have Jae come into your lives! That was designed solely by God...no doubt about it!
She is a doll and I know that you are so proud and thankful to be her mom. You have been blessed, my friend!! What a wonderful story!!
Wow! Daphine I want to cry looking at the pictures and reading the story. What a blessing! She is such a beautiful little girl both inside and out. May the Lord continue to bless you and your family.
Take care, my friend!
Hey friend! What a great story. I'm so happy you shared it today. I had no idea she was adopted, she is a perfect mix of both you and Dirk! What a blessing indeed. My best friend and her husband just adopted a little girl about 5 weeks ago. It's so amazing when God answers our prayers.
Hi Daphine
I would never in a hundred years have guessed Jae was adopted. She really does look like you, your husband and Morgan.
I was so sorry to hear about your miscarriages and the pain you must have gone through.
I was really moved by reading your post. Jae certainly has brought extreme joy to your family.
I would love to read the book you wrote. Where can I get a copy?
Lindsay
Daphine,
Humbled by the mercy of our Lord and united with you by your words of confession of miscarriages.
((hugs)) to you my friend.
Love your sweetness and testimony of how Great is our God!
Wow that is beautiful ya'll make a great family. Thank you for all your prayers it really means alot!
Wow, so cool. I knew there was something special about your family. I saw your job title too, e-mail me what line of transportation your into. My husband works for a transportaion company too. rricker1@insight.rr.com
God is good isn't he?
Thanks for sharing!
I had no idea she was adopted!
That was just a really sweet post!
Praise the Lord for little Jae and the wonderful family He chose for her!!!
I am sorry that you had to go through miscarriages and the pain you must have gone through.
Jae is so pretty.
Precious blessings.
Brenda.
Daphine,
Jae is such a blessing. God is so good!
Tonya
What a beautiful post and a beautiful daughter! Such a great lesson in remembering that God doesn't always answer our prayers the way we think they will be answered! Wanted you to know I have an award waiting for you over at my blog.
Daphine, this is the sweetest! Look at that precious Jae! Oh, I'm so delighted you shared your story with us. She is just the most beautiful baby girl, and I know you are thrilled to have her. And she is so blessed to have you!
This story makes me want to cry (in a good way). It's so tender and sweet, and you're sweet to share it with us.
Thank you for coming by my blog. It is such a pleasure to meet you.
Please come again.
XO,
Sheila
Oh Daphine! Such precious!! I too have experienced miscarriage (5), lost Kenners' twin and had a stillbirth. My Rand, who is turning 10 tomorrow, was our adoption miracle. Her adoption was completed 8 years ago on Oct. 19th. We too adopted through the state (or I should say Commonwealth). God is so good!
What a beautiful testimate to God's blessings!
Thanks for sharing!
Daphine,
Wow! I'm so glad you told me to read today's post. I was going to do it at lunch, but my co-worker and I decided to get out and stretch our legs...and fill our tummies. But, God is good and He reminded me this afternoon to take just a moment to read your blog. I am so THANKFUL He did.
I would ask one thing of you in the future...you need to put a tissue rating on your posts...this would have been a MHT rating (Must Have Tissue). It really touched my heart. I had no idea Jae was adopted, but I think that is a testimony to how God has woven your lives together. And seriously, I even think she looks like you guys. What a most incredible blessing your family is. I am so thrilled to be learning more and more about you all every time I read your blog.
What a wonderful God we serve, and how thankful we are this Thursday and all days for the many blessings He brings our way, even those sometimes disguised as trials. Thank you so much for sharing today.
Love to you all!
Jennifer
Daphine this sweet story just moved me to tears. Of course I had no idea that Jaelyn was adopted, and as others have said, I think she looks like you and Dirk! Thank you, thank you for sharing this very personal story. I'm glad you're healed from your hurts--the Lord has blessed you with two beautiful daughters!
Wow - that was a beautiful story (and a beautiful little girl!!) I really don't know what to say - WOW - except that God is truly so good!! Thanks for sharing something so precious to your heart!
And isn't amazing how God works it so that she fits so perfectly with your family....you were never guess that she was adopted! I love that!
The pictures were beautiful. I didn't know that Jae was adopted! She's a gorgeous little girl and looks so much like Dirk! I was very surprised but felt for everything that you went through. She all yours and you have such a wonderful family!!
Also I would love to read that book!!
I had no idea that Jae was adopted. Thanks for sharing with us. :)
Wow, this is an amazing story. I am glad that you were so blessed by god, and she has grown up to be quite a beautiful girl. :)
I, too was adopted at a young age.
Good morning Daphine--I re-read this post today because I just think it's so special. Please stop by and visit I have an award for you.
I missed this yesterday!!
What an absolutely precious miracle! Adoption is such a wonderful thing to do.
Like everyone else I'm just amazed because both of your girls looks so much like you and your hubby! What a gift from God - there's just no other way to explain it.
What a beautiful little girl and a beautiful story of God's grace and goodness. I loved looking at your pictures...thanks for sharing them!
You know, its amazing how Jae was the perfect fit for you family. God is good! It is also amazing to see how much she really looks like Morgan. She is such a blessing!!
I never would have guessed Jae was adopted. Is Morgan also? You all look so much alike! Beautiful story. Thank you for sharing.
One of the things that has always amazed me is that Jae looks so much like Morgan!...I guess that's just another example of how God works out things in such a neat way!
I'm so happy that you have Jae (and Morgan of course) and that you and Dirk are such great parents to her. What a sweet gift for you to give to her and what a sweet gift she is to you!
I'm so glad you are ministering to other women who have suffered miscarriages. That is one of those times that it helps to talk to someone who has truly been there! Thanks for allowing God to use such painful situations for His glory!
Hey Daphine,
Those pictures are all just incredible!!!
What an amazing testimony!!
Blessings my sweet friend♥
She looks like she has ALWAYS been a part of your family. What a wonderful gift for all of you. The way she is looking at you in that second picture makes my heart smile. :)
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