Top of the Blog

My friend Hallie and her family were featured on the top of my blog for a mere month? before getting great news of a daughter born in Utah on February 9th! I truly believe every positive thought and prayer offered in their behalf, led them to their blessing. So... I have another opportunity to 'Spotlight' another special family that I love dearly dearly dearly for your good thoughts and prayers if you don't mind.
I have known OF Gretchen since I first moved to Murfreesboro in 2002. We go to the same church but attend different wards (congregations are called wards and are assigned by where you live geographically- like school boundary's). I would constantly hear her name spoken of for good: her faithfulness, service, kindness, humor and dedication to her responsibilities.
When I had the opportunity to serve as Stake Primary President 3-4ish years ago, I was clueless as to who to consider to assist me until a little angel named Arthur Hale suggested Gretchen. Until then, I knew of him and knew of her but had no idea they were father and daughter. He knew his daughter would freak out over this calling I'm sure but as most parents, he knew her full potential and that she would excel in the calling. I jumped at the chance to extend the calling to her. Lucky for me, she accepted the calling and was completely my right hand man. I depended on her spiritually and physically and she never disappointed me (even though to my total surprise, I learned she petrified of speaking in public... which is all we do in the calling, lol. she did it anyway, of course). She, her parents and sometimes her daughters were at every appointment we attended for our church calling and I got to spend privileged time with her family. They also got to know me and my quest to be a mother through Adoption. Evan blessed our family and everyone who knew, shortly after my appointment to this calling and he went with me for a few months. Gretchen's family rejoiced with me, has since also celebrated Cora Grace with us as well and now... I want to rejoice with them as they add the family member they have been led to find through adoption.
Gretchen and her husband Steve have 4 beautiful children biologically. Her body can't handle more. Still she was content with her two boys and two girls until a nagging feeling came over their entire family to adopt. Their whole story is in Gretchen's words:
HERE
And although they are pursuing Adoption through the foster care system, they are also eligible for what I will call, a 'designated' adoption. This is where a birth mother is referred directly to the Solomon's without aide of an agency to find their family. ie; your co-worker's daughter or pregnant 'cousin' asks you for help and you say, wait, my friend Lila has a friend... etc. The more mindful and open you all are to share someones quest to find their child, the more successful they will be in their goal. I believe they really were lead to Adoption because they are missing a family member so I hope you will join with our family in prayer for them to see success very soon.

Top of the Blog- Helping a friend

This is my friend named Hallie (he he, I'm sure you don't mind if I borrowed your picture. wink). I have talked about her before. She and I grew up in California together for a few years after her family moved to our Town and into our ward. Years later, after we were both married a number of years and had both moved away from home, I accidentally found out she and I were in the same club: Adoption club. :) Their son Landon came to their family through Adoption about... 3 1/2 years ago. Their family is always doing something fun, taking advantage of life at every moment they can. Currently they live in Detroit Michigan where Hallie's husband teaches at their local University while she is able to stay home with their son. They love to travel anywhere they can and anytime they can. They are both in love with each other and with their son. They have been trying to Adopt again for well over a year (sorry I don't know the exact time frame) and are very motivated. They are not shy about talking about Adoption and they are not afraid to tell everyone they know that they are in search of their 2nd child. I will speak for myself and say that no matter how good of an attitude you have about 'waiting' to hear that a birth mother has chosen you, it is a very sad and depressing weight, full of emotion. In my case, I have never been able to be pregnant (not even to miscarry later) and it is a bitter pill of reminder when you are 'waiting' for your child to be placed in your family when you just wish it could be 'easier' and you could get pregnant 'like everyone else'. I know pregnancy is not easy but when you are dependant on another to find you; thin enough, young/old enough, cute enough, smart enough, wealthy enough or worthy...I myself have feel that paranoia that I wasn't good enough, therefore not chosen. It seems only fair that you only have to pass one test, Heavenly Father's. So, if you would be prayerful for my friend Hallie's family to find their baby that is out there somewhere, sometime and be prayerful that a birth mom is out there preparing herself for a family like Hallie's, I know she, and I would appreciate all your thoughts and prayers. In the mean time, if you hear of someone who is pregnant and considering Adoption, please encourage them to talk to a professional at our agency's website:

https://www.itsaboutlove.org/ial/ct/eng/site/pregnant/

then let them decide if they would consider Hallie and her family here:

http://lookingtoadoptagain.blogspot.com/

Thank you so much for your time. I have included a link to their Adoption blog at the top of my blog posts that will remain there until they receive a child that will add blessings to their home. It will remind me to say another quick prayer for them. God Bless everyone.