The Little I Know and What is Happening

So, embryo adoption, aka snowflake adoption. Legally, there is no such thing as embryo adoption as an embryo has no legal rights. However, for the sake of semantic simplicity, embryo adoption it is.

Here's the short of it: parents who have chosen Invitro Fertilization many times have too many embryos to use. When they are finished having children, they need to decide what to do with these little lives that have been created. They can destroy them outright, destroy them by donating them to research or they can keep them frozen for future donation to an adoptive couple.

No matter what you feel about the ethics of IVF, the fact is that there are over 625,000 little lives frozen and waiting for parents. God has called us to be part of the solution-- the absolute beauty of becoming parents all over again.

God directed us to the National Embryo Donation Center in Knoxville, TN, for this adoption. NEDC has a heart for life. They are all about the life of these embryos, giving them fuller life by giving a chance at birth. Statistics can vary, but I have read that about half of these embryos do not survive thawing, another half make it to live birth. But we are relying on God for 100%-- and you can please pray with us.

Tim and I are currently in the process of our home study for this adoption through New Life Family Services in Richfield, MN. We are certainly loving the heart of this ministry, too.

On February 1, we have our first appointment at NEDC in Knoxville. I will have screening for viability of carrying to term, consults and a "trial run" of the IVF procedure. When all goes well, we will receive parent profiles to examine and choose embryos. The usual timing until actual implantation after this first appointment is six months.

I am looking forward to a baby bump next Christmas. I can hardly grasp that our baby is waiting for us.

God has just excited our hearts for our new child or children (yes, a chance at multiples ;) ) and we feel so honored to be a part of His great plan. We are entering the new year in faith, knowing that God is 100% faithful. He has called us to step out in obedience and there is absolutely no other place I would rather be then journeying with God, being guided by His Holy Spirit.