Adoption Month: Hear from a local family!
The Gulf Coast Mom has partnered with Southern Christian Services for the month of November to feature local families and their incredible stories of adoption! This week, Elizabeth Conerly shares her family’s story!
In First Samuel, Chapter One, somewhere around Verse Twenty Seven, it reads as follows: For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of him: This was my prayer for years. I joined my husband in Holy matrimony June 1, 2013. There was so much pressure from family, friends, and strangers following the wedding. Many people would tell me not to wait too long after marrying to have kids, buy a house, and live life. What they didn’t know was that we never stopped trying to start a family or do any of the other things. It just didn’t happen the way they envisioned it for us. It was their plan and not God’s.
My husband, Dennis, and I agreed before we married that we would be open to adopting in addition to having biological children. We both had mentors growing up that were apart of our “village” that impacted our lives tremendously and we wanted to pay it forward. We both serve in our Church in multiple roles and we wanted to share our love for God with someone that wouldn’t have the opportunity any other way. We were well equipped to welcome a child into our hearts and home. Now, we needed someone to help usher us in the right direction.
After conversing with a college following a meeting at the Knights Non Profit Center, she advised me to go upstairs and check out an office belonging to Southern Christian Services for Children and Youth. I was nervous and unprepared on what I should do or say. I met a woman named Tana inside the office. As we sat and talked, all worry and fear faded away. I left that initial meeting feeling like my husband and I could be ready to start a new journey as foster/adoptive parents. Tana and everyone at Southern Christian Services made the process smooth and we felt supported along the way. It’s been almost five years since then and we have grown from a family of two to a family of three.
We have grown from a family of three to a family of five. At one point, we were a family of seven! God is so good! Our hearts have been overflowing. The laundry is endless. The chaos is continuous. Sometimes , we have to hide in our cars or the bathroom to get a moment of peace, but we’ve been all in and we will remain all in!
Anyone seeking to become a foster/adoptive parent, my advice to you is to just do it. Go for it. The children want normalcy and consistency. You are already equipped with the love and tools you need to succeed. I was so afraid of not being able to help my children transition into my home. With time, I showed each child that no matter what , I will be there. Through the good , I’ll be there. On your worst day, I’ll be there. They just want to be supported and loved.
Additionally, seek wise counsel. Southern Christian Services has changed our lives for the better. They have blessed us with our children and our children with their forever home. They were there every step of the way and they offered a plethora of resources before and following the adoptions. The agency and the staff make all the difference. The best part of adopting a child for me is knowing that I get a chance to help them rewrite their stories. I love chats with my kids about what they want do with their futures.
One day, I’ll be the proud mama of a unicorn princess, an architect/painter, and a gamer. I thank God for answering my prayers giving me and my husband an opportunity to shower our littles with love.
