Friday, March 7, 2008

Is it just me, or Can You See the Hand of God

This may be a wordy blog but I'm going to try my best to keep it short. I just don't want you to miss out on what I have experienced in the past 1 1/2 weeks. And some day, I'm hoping I will be looking back on this blog holding a beautiful soft baby in my arms.

Let me set the stage......When I had my ectopic pregnancy & was in the ER 2/25 and into the early morning of 2/26, the Dr who was on call for my Dr was Dr. Ollar. I heard marvelous things about her and she is in the office with my Dr. Anderson. I had heard from several women she was a Christian. When Dr. Ollar came in at 3:30 a.m. Tuesday, she treated Bryan and I with great compassion and talked to us as if we knew her for years. I really liked her. She was very informative and just had a very sweet spirit about her. After the surgery Bryan even asked if she was taking new patients. We laugh at that because I thought it strange my husband was trying to set me up with a new OB/GYN while I was knocked out! hee hee!!

Later in the week, after I came home, my Sunday School teacher's wife (her name is Toni) and I spoke over the phone. She was telling me her and her GYN had discussed adoptions previously. Her dr had told her it was frustrating at the costs of adoption when she knew adoptions her office did were a lot less than some others she had heard of. During this conversation Toni did not mention her Dr. name so I asked thinking this could be an avenue Bryan and I could pursue. Do you know Toni's doctors name.........DR. OLLAR!!! I squealed over the phone. Toni had no idea that was who I had seen! Is that not remarkable??!! My follow up with Dr. Ollar was this past Monday 3/3 and Bryan and I discussed adoptions with her. She said her office had 4 just in November & December 2006 alone but none in 2007 and at the current time she did not have a birth mother wanting to do an adoption. She said there was no problem putting us on the list for possible parents because there was just one other couple on the list. She advised us to get established with a lawyer. We left the office excited yet cautiously optimistic. The odds don't appear quite in our favor but I just think it would be just like God to beat the odds and send us a baby through this route. I'm careful not to say we are testing God, but Bryan and I do want to sit back and watch what God does. When I think of getting a baby through this avenue and these interlocking events, I just want to shout with joy. Wait....it gets better.....

This Wednesday night I was giving Toni, Amy (her and her husband lead our Sunday School Class with Todd & Toni), and Tara (attends the church we do and is around my age. She and I work in ladies ministry together) an update on my appointment and adoption discussions with Dr. Ollar. When I said there is only one other couple on the list, Tara spoke up and said I know who that other couple is......It is Steve and I!!!!!!!!!!! She saw Dr. Ollar in February and had her put them on the list. AMAZING!!!

At this point, we feel led to stay on Dr. Ollar's list and over the next month or so research and attend a workshop through Deaconess Hospital. Bryan said we should wait and save more for the next 9 months since it would have taken 9 months for our baby to get here had I carried to term. But throughout this time we are actively on Dr. Ollar's list and hope to contact our lawyer within the next week or so. After the first of the year, we think we will be more aggressive through other routes other than Dr. Ollar. Deaconess has an outstanding adoption program and I've known individuals who received their child through their program. The range of adoptions through this route is $15,000 - $32,000. We've got to save a lot more money and Bryan is not going to get a new truck this year!!!!! Pray his truck will last for many more years to come! Seriously.

Just look at how all of this is interlocked together. I almost want to say coincidence but there is no coincidences with God.
1. Dr. Ollar isn't my regular doctor yet I saw her in the ER
2. Dr. Ollar is Toni's Dr which I did not know prior to 3/1 and which Toni did not know either.
3. Dr. Ollar facilitates adoptions through her office which I did not know prior to 3/1.
4. Toni had previously spoken to Dr. Ollar prior to my ectopic pregnancy.
5. There is one other couple on Dr. Ollar's list.
6. That other couple is a couple that attends church where we do and we work in Ladies Ministry together. They just spoke to Dr. Ollar in February 2008 and were put on the list. Tara had no idea Dr. Ollar was the Dr. I saw.

I don't want to make to much out of all of this. I really try to guard against having to have an emotional/touchy feely experience before I feel I can see God. But I just can't get all the "ties" (for lack of better word) to Dr. Ollar out of my mind. Wouldn't it be HUGE of God to send our baby through Dr. Ollar's office??!!

I know some of this is babbling and may not make sense. Thank you for liking me regardless.
Have a blessed weekend.

16 comments:

Caroline said...

GOD IS GOOD!!!!!!!! PRAISE HIM FOR ALREADY WORKING THIS PLAN OUT IN FRONT OF YOU!!!!! JULIE, I AM JUST FILLED WITH JOY OVER THIS POST!!! This is not just by chance....I am praying, girl!!!!! He is GLORIOUS!

Unknown said...

I second everything Caroline said - I will be praying for you! God is so powerful, and how exciting for you to see all of this unfold before your very eyes!

His Doorkeeper said...

Julie, I know God is working out His perfect plan for you! Difficult circumstances are sometimes opportunities for you to intentionally focus your faith in God and see what he will do to give you hope and healing. Keep praying and keep looking to Him in all things.

valerie said...

Julie,
Thank you for commenting on my blog. I'm home for lunch and swore I wasn't going to get on here :) but here I am and so glad I did. Your posts really blessed me.
Isn't it amazing how we can read a total stranger's story and weep with them and for them?
I think you (and your husband) sound like an amazing couple.
God is going to work all of this out for good. I love all of these events you've listed. I love when things happen that you know only God could orchestrate.
I'm doing "Stepping Up" right now at my church. We are on week 4 this week. It's so good!
I'm going to write you an e-mail to tell you some other things.
Bless you today and you are added to my blog favorites and I'll be checking in often.
Blessings to you and your family,
Valerie

Melissa said...

That is so cool how everything is connected! I just finishing up week 3, and you are right, it's pretty good! I am still praying for yall! I even prayed financially for the adoption, that is a lot of money!! IF we get together this summer at Caroline's lake house, we need a bake sale! :)

Kelly said...

This post gave me goose bumps!!! God works through mysterious ways and His ways are PERFECT! He has had a plan for you all along and now he just needs to work it out and you just have to trust!
I'm so excited for you and I know that you are going to be so blessed.
I'm also so amazed at your attitude and your graciousness. You are an inspiration to me.

Unknown said...

Hi Julie! Thank you for stopping by my blog! I always love to meet new sisters in Christ here in blogville!

I read through some of your posts and can I just say, WOW. You have been through SO much!

I love your attitude. God will bless you for trusting Him in the midst of all of this!

I just want to say a quick prayer for you before I go, and also tell you that I am looking forward to reading more of your journey to becoming a mom. I will be back for sure!

Hugs,
Teri

Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus I just ask right now that you would perfectly orchestrate the adoption for Julie and Bryan. Father you have put a desire in their hearts to become parents and You are in control of all of that! I pray right now that nothing would get in the way of Your will being accomplished for Julie and Bryan. Father in every adoption there is a situation behind the birth mother needing to give the baby up, Father I pray now for this woman. Prepare her for Your plan, draw her to You and touch her in a tangible way so that she knows she is doing the right thing. Give her a glimpse of how much You love her, in the midst of her mistakes, pain and sin...YOU LOVE HER, please help her to know that in the depths of who she is. Father You know the timing, You know the circumstance, Father, work all things together for good according to Your purposes. I thank You for Your unfailing love. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Judy said...

Julie, I don't believe in coincidences either. I believe that Dr. Ollar is part of the plan and God knew exactly what He was doing when you went to the hospital on her shift. I loved how Teri prayed for you. God says, "Delight thyself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart." Teri is absolutely right when she says that God placed the desire for a baby in your heart. He will accomplish all that pertains to you.

Sarah said...

I came to your blog through Kelly's. What an awesome encouragement! Thank you for sharing this.

Shelly said...

I'm praying for you! I found your blog through Kelly's Korner.
My husband's cousing adopted a baby a few years ago. When it happened, it all just fell together. I'm praying for your new baby. God already has a plan and knows exactly where that baby is (or will be) and His plan is perfect!

Candy said...

You already have such an amazing testimony to share how God is placing people in your path! I love hearing your stories. You are such a sweet blessing. I'm so excited to see what God has planned. Still praying!!

Ashley said...

I found your blog through Kelly's Korner. I just started reading her blog. I'll be back to yours for sure. You stole my heart. I will certainly be lifting you up in prayer as you pursue adoption.

I noticed you mentioned Deaconess Hospital. Do you live in OK City? My sister lives there. Just curious what church you go to. She goes to Crossings. It's a beautiful church.

Angela said...

This makes perfect sense! God is so good and I love how He is comforting you during this time. I love to see Him at work. Please share more...I know there will be more.

Francine said...

Julie, I was sent her by kelly's blog and I am so glad I was. WOW what a testimony you already have. I will be in much prayer that God will soon VERY soon put that sweet baby in your arms where it belongs. I LOVE it when we can stand back and see God at work it is just AWESOME! Don't give up the hope know God is there and he has not given up either. That baby is just a prayer away.
Hugs,,
Francine Howell

Lindsey said...

I am visiting from Kelly's blog and I just want to send you a hug. I went back and read all about your ordeal. I am so sorry. I know that the Lord is just going to bless you and your husband. The Lord has the perfect plan and He will reveal it to you:) Take care!! Thanks for letting me visit. God is good all the time!

Tara said...

I have been amazed with how God is working in both of our situations. I have been so excited for the both of us with this possibility. I love how we have become closer through this. God will recieve all the glory! Steve and I are really praying for you two. God has the perfect child for each of us, whatever way that may come. I am excited for our new adventure together! Sending lots of love!!!!