Carla's Corner: November is Adoption Awareness Month

November must have been chosen for Adoption Awareness Month because it’s also the month of thanksgiving and gratitude. I know our family is certainly grateful for our adopted little Hephzibah "Eppie" Grace.

My son Josiah and his wife Jayme chose to adopt their first child before having their own.They went through several “close calls.” We even held one child in our arms for three days before the mother changed her mind. So we’re very thankful for Eppie. I truly believe it was God’s plan for Eppie to be part of our family; in spite of the struggles we faced getting her. Josiah and Jayme got their little bundle when she was less than a day old. She is now two and a half and loves her baby sister, Moriah Hope. Josiah and Jayme hope to adopt more children in the furture.

If you’re considering adopting, or know someone who is, I suggest connecting with Laura Christianson, author of The Adoption Decision (Harvest house). Friend and fellow writer, she held my nervous Granny hand during the ups and downs of the process. Her ministry helps parents network with others adopting. Our company, WinePress Group, has published many books on adoption, including Laura’s book, The Adoption Network. Laura gives this book away to ministries devoted to adoption.

Celebrate Adoption! Last November Laura guest posted on The Spiritual Mom blog site Thirty Ways to Celebrate Adoption Awareness Month. I celebrate it every time Eppie gives me a hug. This past Sunday, she stayed overnight at our house without her mommy or daddy for the first time--a big girl step. I was thrilled she had finally bonded with her Granny. She did great and we had a wonderful time.

Adoption is a beautiful reminder of how God has adopted us as his children. Just as we chose to make Eppie part of our family, God has chosen us. What more could we be thankful for in this life but being adopted by God?

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will-- to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves, (Ephesians 1:4-6).