They Prepared for Adoption, Inside and Out — Then One Animated Little Girl Changed Their Lives
Nikki: Through any process, God gives you little gifts along the way if you’re looking for Him to show up. For me, I love to decorate—I like to have things nice and put together, which helped me to design the baby’s room in advance.
There was this crib I really wanted, but the price was just ridiculous: $800! No one I know would pay that. So I was checking Craig’s List for a crib, whatever was available—and the exact one on my heart showed up, for $75 including the mattress.
We were the first to respond and were able to get the crib. It’s one of those little things that showed me God knows my personality and He wanted to confirm we were on the right path. Things like that happened along the way, especially when we felt down or exhausted. God provided right when we needed it; it was Him saying, I’ve got you.
Bound4LIFE: When did you name your little girl?
Nikki: In June, before we even knew of Zoe, I was praying and felt like Zoe was a good name for a girl. Then in August, during my devotional time I was reading through The Master is Calling and it talked about having “the Zoe, prayer-inspiring God-kind of life that Jesus intended for us to have.”
It was then—seven months before we met our Zoe—I felt that we would be adopting a baby girl and Zoe would be her name. It was exactly what we wanted for our little girl.
The meaning of Zoe is: The state of one who is possessed of vitality or is animated. A life vigorous, devoted to God, blessed. We know that God has a special calling on her life. She is very animated and full of zeal!
Bound4LIFE: With jobs that involve travel or weekends away, how have you both prioritized being parents?
Erik: It’s nice that when babies are born, they’re not running around yet! We see God’s design there to ease us into parenting. As with any parent, the journey is a trial by fire: we learn as we go.
While we were waiting for Zoe, we took advantage of the time to seek God and prepare our hearts. When we got the call, it felt right; we felt prepared. Since Zoe came into our lives, priorities have changed significantly in terms of how we spend our time and what we’re able to do. It’s been a transition for sure, but a great one.
Bound4LIFE: How has becoming an adoptive family informed your pro-life convictions?
Erik: This journey has given us more sympathy towards women who hear our culture promote abortion as the easy way out.
The truth is, adoption requires a lot from a birth mother—for her to be bravely selfless. She brings a child into the world, yet is not able to parent them; so she has to grieve the loss of her child.
Adoption is a great example of the redemptive power of God. It might not actually be the easiest option for the birth mother, but the results of the process are incredible for the family waiting for a child to love. Also, we know from our experience that the birth mother receives great comfort—not only was she able to bless a family with a child, but she can know her child is going to be well cared for.
Nikki: Our experience has given me a higher sensitivity to women facing the decision to abort a pregnancy. Going through this process, I can see how it is a struggle for the woman facing this decision. She may have no idea how she’ll provide for the child; she’s not sure what to do; she feels hopeless. It’s a lot harder than we may realize.
Walking through this helps me pray for people in that situation, who don’t necessarily get the love and support from their family and friends that they need, which leads them to believe that abortion is the only option for them.
Erik: I have all the more respect for women in that situation who choose life.
For any woman thinking of going through with an abortion, we can attest that there are many families waiting for a child to love. Our culture needs to know that adoption is a beautiful option.
Reprinted with permission from Bound4LIFE.
And step by step, You’ll lead me / And I will follow You all of my days.”
– Rich Mullins, ‘Sometimes by Step’
