Don't Miss This Update!!!

Howdy!!!  Update on our Adoption... On April 1, 2014 we received our approval letter!  So now we begin our final push to reach and complete our fundraising goal.  We know that God doesn't call everyone to adopt but he does call us all to care for the orphans.  We want to give you the opportunity to take part in caring for orphans even if you are not called to physically adopt a child yourself.  

One way you can do this is by praying for us as we walk through this process. We need to be lifted up in prayer for wisdom in our decisions, and for God to make our paths clear.  We know that this is not an easy road, but we are so humbled by the opportunity only God can provide. 

In addition, we need support with our fundraising efforts. We are $12,760 short of our final fundraising goal. So if you feel led to support our adoption through fundraising here are a few of some of the fundraisers you might consider supporting:

•                Donate money on this website 

•                Purchase a Gililland family adoption t-shirt

•                Purchase a worship CD of our dear friend Katie Cruddas

However there is one small detail I have left out....Yesterday (April 22, 2014) we received word that a birthmother had chosen us!!!!  Today at 4:00 PM we met our daughter!!!  She is the most precious baby ever and we are so amazed at God's loving kindness!!!  Taylor is 9 months old and will join our family forever on Friday April 25, 2014!!!!  WHOOP!

When we started this journey we were told it might take up to 2 years for a birth mother to choose our family.  Little did we know what God had in store for us.  Here we were thinking we had plenty of time to complete the baby’s room, put together a few more fundraisers and have everything perfect for when we would be chosen... oops!  God's plan is always bigger!  We are excited, joyful, amazed, and humbled by His precious gift. 

Live Profile

Our adoption profile is live on the Christian Homes website!

Grief... it kinda creeps up on you

We all know that trials are a part of life, but they are such a challenge as you walk through them.  James 1 reminds us to "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.  And let endurance have is perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

One of the darkest times in my life also produced some of my deepest times of reliance on the Lord.  It was seven years ago when my mom's renal failure and mental illness collided into the hardest year of my life.  She eventually passed away in November 2007 and I was left with so many conflicting emotions... from immense grief, to relief, and guilt, as well as joy in remembering the many great memories and a mom who taught me what it means to selflessly serve others.

After seven years, the grief does not consume me the way it once did, but grief has a funny way of creeping up on you when you least expect it.  It has been normal to occasionally experience the sting of sadness when something reminds me how much I miss her or laugh a little when we bump into a funny memory.  Although, I did not realize how much the adoption process would stir up this grief.

This process has so many highs and lows.  I have really struggled with wishing she was here as we are walk through this.  I wish she was here to share in the joys and excitement.  I wish she was here to listen when days are hard.  I wish she was here to help me put the baby's room together and to sew our baby bedding like we sewed so many other pieces in our home.  Most of all I wish she was here to be the Grandy our children will only know through pictures.

Christmas circa 2004 

Nana, Mom, and Me 

Bridal shower at Coker Elementary

Spring 2006

June 17, 2006