I thought it would be fun to share our initial few days after our youngest son was unexpectedly born on the other side of the country. Yes, you read that correctly. He joined our family through open domestic adoption, and the whole story is quite remarkable. Meeting Luke for the first time was so surreal, especially after waiting for him for nearly FIVE YEARS. We almost gave up and missed him completely. Below is the email I sent out to friends and family on 5/31/2018. I am so glad I saved every precious word. Enjoy our first sprinkle of encouragement!
my first email home (5/31/2018)
It is almost 6am in Cincinnati, but only 3am here in California. I cannot sleep at all. And so, I am stealing a rare moment to myself to (1) send out an “official” update and (2) make you aware of an urgent prayer need. Thank you for showing me grace about a group email instead of a more personal text, message or call. There just isn’t time and everything is moving at lightning speed.
drop everything and FLY
Allan and I left everything (and everybody) in Ohio and flew to Sacramento yesterday to meet the little guy pictured below. He was born on 05/29/2018 in the afternoon – 6lb 5.5 oz. He had some early struggles. So, the medical team transferred him quickly to a larger hospital with a NICU. The NICU nurse took this photo within an hour of us meeting Luke for the first time.
His birthmom has asked us to name him, so “Baby Boy K” is now “Luke Holderby” (middle name TBD). Luke means light giving. That is what I’m going to speak over his sweet little soul for the rest of my life. “Luke” also hints at “Skywalker”, which Allan assures me has nothing to do with our choice of name. I’m not sure I entirely believe him.
a view from the NICU
Luke (not Skywalker) was born in some distress and originally needed a little help from a c-pap to breathe efficiently. He quickly weaned off the machine, and he is holding his own on room air. He is also now able to maintain his own body temperature. So, he got promoted to a regular NICU bed last night before we left the hospital. He is on IV antibiotics as a precaution as well as IV fluids. The doctor will hopefully discontinue Luke’s IV today (5/31) – all the tubes are bigger than his little wrist. He is not yet eating by mouth – he is too sleepy around the clock to effectively suck/swallow. So, he has a teeny little nose tube for tube feedings. His other end is working gloriously! He had a total diaper blowout all over Allan yesterday and then I swear smiled about it.
Will you please pray for Luke, his birthmom, the NICU team, the adoption professionals, and us? As I am sure you can imagine, this is a delicate and emotional process for everybody.
red tape slows the process
We especially need God’s provision to fall out of the sky in miracle fashion. Red tape is bogging down our financial resources for paying the attorney and the social worker in California. Needless to say, they don’t work if they haven’t been paid. As a result, we need the funds NOW. Specifically pray that a $3,200 miracle shows up by the end of the business day today (5/31). That is not the entire sum, but that is the desperate immediate need in the next twelve hours to move this process forward.
Thank you for being a part of our journey. Meeting Luke for the first time has been a miracle in itself. We are exhausted and overwhelmed and so very happy all at the same time. We literally are taking everything one hour at a time. Once we break through the financial red tape, the road opens up a little wider for us. And then Luke can get clearance to return to Ohio to await adoption finalization as a Holderby.
Boldly pray this up, okay?
We love you guys!
Melissa
Tune in on December 6th for the answer to bold prayers and our adventure meeting Luke’s birth mom for the very first time.
Featured image by Rainer Maiores from Pixabay.
