A Mercy Adoption Story

December 27, 2016

It is estimated that 34% of young women in America get pregnant at least once before age 20. There are 750,000 teen pregnancies each year with 59% ending in birth. An estimated 82% of teen pregnancies are unplanned (Guttmacher Institute 2011).

Mercy Multiplied is committed to providing solutions for young women facing an unplanned pregnancy. In addition to receiving weekly counseling sessions and group counseling through Mercy’s residential program, pregnant residents complete a six-week Basic Decision Making course. This additional class includes biblical counsel and practical information on the options for both parenting and adoption. Mercy is dedicated to providing resources to help each young woman make a decision that brings her peace. As an approved Tennessee Licensed Child-Placing Agency, we can facilitate adoptions for expectant mothers who are current Mercy residents and have chosen to place their child for adoption.

David recently made a special visit to the Nashville home and found Joshua’s photo on Mercy’s “Baby Wall of Fame.”

David recently made a special visit to the Nashville home and found Joshua’s photo on Mercy’s “Baby Wall of Fame.”

We recently had the opportunity to catch up with Connie and David who adopted their son Joshua after his biological mother attended Mercy and made the decision to place him for adoption over 20 years ago! Read Connie’s Q & A responses below:

How did you first find out about Mercy Multiplied?

We heard about Mercy Multiplied in 1995. It was actually New Years Eve. Our church was hosting a party, and Nancy was a guest of our pastor. Pastor John introduced us, and as they say, the rest is history.

When did you decide to pursue adopting through Mercy Multiplied?

I received a call from Nancy two or three days later. She was telling us about the possibility of adopting a little boy that had been born to a young woman attending Mercy’s program. We were over the moon. Although that adoption fell through, God had bigger plans… Joshua was His plan all along.

Tell us a bit about Joshua as a baby and child.

Joshua was the best baby and child ever. He was and is the light of our lives. He is patient, kind, funny, and smart.

As a baby he loved to cuddle. Those were the best times. After his bath he used to love for me to wrap him in a towel and rock him. Many times he fell asleep, and I just sat there and soaked up the tenderness of my little boy. As he grew into toddlerhood and early childhood, he loved anything that included a ball. His favorite thing to do was to play with his plastic bat and ball in the house. Dad (David) had to pitch, and I had to sit on the bleachers (our stairs) and cheer him on.

Right before Joshua started Kindergarten, we had a child (biologically) and Joshua asked, “Mom, who is Jonathan’s other mommy?” I reminded him that Jonathan grew in my tummy, so Jonathan did not have two mommies. He thought about it and decided that he needed to fix that. Joshua decided that he would share his other mommy with Jonathan so that Jonathan would also have two mommies and daddies. Joshua only heard great things about his birth mom; he saw it as a double blessing and other kids were not as blessed as he was, as they only had one mommy and daddy. 

How did Joshua learn about his adoption story?

(left to right) A family photo: Jonathan, David, Connie, and Joshua

(left to right) A family photo: Jonathan, David, Connie, and Joshua

There was never a moment when he learned about his adoption story because it was always his story. From the time he was in the cradle, he heard his story, and it was presented in a picture book we put together for him. It captured and reinforced how much he was, and is, loved by his birth mother and how very remarkable his life is, as God chose him specifically for our family.

What is Joshua doing now?

Joshua is doing great. He is in his second year of college and doing fantastic. He is still just as kind, sweet, respectable, responsible, adventurous, and loving young man as he was as a child. He and his brother have developed such a strong relationship, and we love watching them grow up together.

How has adoption impacted you both individually and your family as a whole? 

There are no words to adequately express the impact of having adopted Joshua. I am amazed at the goodness of God for having allowed us to parent Joshua. Since being placed in our arms 20 years ago, life has been so joyous. It was such an honor to be gifted the title of “Mom,” and it has and continues to be a cherished and heartwarming privilege.

How have you seen God through your adoption journey?

It is completely amazing, the love and grace that God has shown our family in allowing us the honor of parenting such a wonderful person. God is in every single detail. We laugh because Joshua and David even share the same allergies. Not that allergies are a laughing matter, but we are just amazed at the goodness of God. Ironically, he and his brother share the same birthmark on their chests. God knows how to bring families together and imprints them not only with little signs along the way, but firmly with His love. Our family and extended family are all the more rich with Joshua in it.

There came a time when the desire to see Joshua grow up with a sibling became something we started praying for as a family. We tried, sought the help of doctors and prayed, but couldn’t get pregnant. At one point, Joshua, always being attuned to our emotions, saw how heavy my heart had become for him to have someone to call his brother or sister. He asked, “Why don’t you just ask God?” In a moment of transparency, I remarked, “I’ve asked so many times, and mommy just doesn’t know how to pray for it anymore.” So, I asked him if he would pray. He did. He said, “Dear Jesus, would you give my mommy a baby so she will stop crying?” The next month we discovered that we were pregnant. 

If you could say one thing to young women who are facing an unplanned pregnancy, what would it be? 

I know that this time can be quite scary and uncertain, but God has an amazing plan for you and your baby. Whether you choose to place or parent, trust in Him and His plan. Know that God and the people of Mercy Multiplied are for you and will help you in this season of uncertainty. May the peace of God that surpasses all understanding guard your heart and mind during this time.

What advice would you give to prospective adoptive families while waiting to be matched?

Remember that God is the one who designs and puts families together. I think that’s what stands out most from our story. The first adoption fell through, and that was a painful loss, but we were grateful for the waiting experience. It prepared us for what God had in store. Trust God’s process for you and your family – He does all things well and in due season.

Learn more about Mercy Multiplied’s Adoption Services.