Congratulations Rick, Carey & Cara Faith!

Rick, Carey & Cara Faith

“After a 9 month pregnancy, we were just 2 days from our first daughters expected due date. We had a doctor’s appointment that day and were expecting to be sent to the hospital to induce labor. Instead, the doctor said: “I am sorry, there is no heartbeat.” In that moment we had to face the reality that our first daughter would be a full-term still-born. The doctors had no explanation, an autopsy revealed no cause of death…family and friends were shocked. 

We were devastated, our hopes and dreams were crushed. A numbness took over. Could God really let this happen? Why God? Why us?

The next few years were filled with doctors’ appointments, then a miscarriage, more meetings with specialists, multiple fertility treatments, and even an attempt with alternative medicine. In every case doctors told us “you are in good health, this should work!” And then, with each subsequent meeting the same message “we are sorry – don’t give up.” Our funds exhausted, and our spirits on empty… we prayed and cried regularly.  We faced a reality that our dreams of a family would be unfulfilled.”

After many friends and family members told them of their individual adoption stories, the couple felt led to adoption. 

“If this is our path…we will walk it…but we are scared to death. Where do we begin? Can we afford this? Will we be able to bond with an adopted child? We talked to the director of the Bartow County Women’s Resource Center and she invited us to join a class taught at the center …Adoption Discovery. In 8 weeks we learned about domestic and international adoptions, the financial options with adoption, and the legal process. We met another couple, we shared experiences and fears. We created a profile…and waited. Within just a few weeks we experienced a failed adoption….and thought “here we go again.”

Then our prayers changed…rather than ask why, or tell God what we needed, our prayer simply became “Do something great God…and just let us be a part of it.” Soon after were called to tell us our profile was selected by a birthmother. We never talked to her…we never met. The truth is we expected another let down. The Center’s director reminded us – “she has chosen life…and chosen you. It will be ok.” There were months of waiting…months of silence. Convinced this too would fail, we started planning our “get-out-of-town” vacation. That’s when we got the call…1:30am March 7^th…“wake up - are you ready – get to the hospital.” At 5:15am we walked into the labor and delivery room, and for the first time we laid eyes on the birthmother. She looked at us, smiled, and said “thank you, you are a blessing - here is your daughter.”

Five years ago, God took Lauren Elizabeth before her first breath. We experienced 9 months of pregnancy, a delivery and were left with empty arms. All of the furniture, clothes, and diapers sat in our nursery. We held Cara Faith for the first time just 3 hours after her birth, and even gave her first feeding to her. God completed his work…sure, there was a gap…1682 long days… but you can trust that God does not leave loose ends untied. He will complete his work.
We thank the Bartow County Women’s Resource Center, their staff, and the Adoption Discovery support resources for helping change our community, our state, our country, and the world one little heartbeat at a time…”

Rick & Carey