Adoption: The Osburn Family

We began our adoption journey in the summer of 2008, when God prompted my heart to consider sharing our home and family….to consider adoption.  I was a little stumped by God’s prompting, seeing our tiny older home (with 4 children already filling it to the brim!), our single-van family, our small (by US standards) single income, etc.  But I told God I would pray about it but thought it wise not to mention anything to Wade. I knew that the possibility of turning him away from God’s plan was certainly a possibility, and I didn’t want to be part of that!  About 2 months later Wade just happened to start reading a magazine with articles about adoption and began talking about it.  I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I soon shared what God had been putting on my heart and we became excited about this new door God seemed to be leading us toward.  We had always thought about adoption, but after having 4 biological children, it just never came up anymore. But now God had us in his hand.  When we brought up the possibility of adoption with our 4 children (ages 10, 7, 5,  and 2 at that time), they immediately set up an “adoption jar” and began regularly adding money to it.  Our then 7 year old, Ivy, put all she had from her piggy bank into the jar.  Seeing our children’s faith solidified ours.

We moved along slowly, spending about a year researching adoption, agencies, domestic vs international, and initially began to work with a domestic agency.  We didn’t find peace in that decision however, and soon moved to an Ethiopian adoption agency.  There were confirmations from God around every corner, from surprise financial assistance to comments from others about how they had been wondering when and how God would grow our family.  We officially began our journey with Ethiopian adoption in August 2009, about one year after confirming as a family what we could see God wanted us to do.

The home study seemed to move very slowly, but we just took our time and things moved along at a steady pace.  It was tough.  I (Julie) especially tend to become obsessed with a task and  easily became absorbed in all the paperwork and checklists to be completed.  I had to take breaks and there were days when our patience with the process and each other ran thin.  We were also determined to take care of the finances ourselves, by scrimping, saving and spending every last penny of our savings if needed.  God had other plans.

Not long after we had submitted all of our paperwork and were officially on the waitlist with our agency for an infant boy or girl, we were given a referral.  We were told that there was a 6 month old moderately malnourished baby girl waiting for us in Ethiopia.  We were completely blown away with surprise and excitement. We had been 99% certain we would receive a referral for a boy since most of the families in line ahead of us were requesting a girl.  Our little girl’s name was Selam, which means “peace.” And we felt such peace when we saw her photo and accepted her referral.  We knew God was watching over her and she was in his hands as she waited for her family to come for her.  We couldn’t wait to meet her and fill her with love and good food!

Less than 3 months later, we traveled to Ethiopia to bring home our little girl.  The trip was completely overwhelming, in mostly good ways. We met some of the finest families we could ever hope to know.  We were delighted by the kind, affectionate and joyful Ethiopian people.  The poverty was so great but the beauty of the people and the land was even more evident.  We began longing to find other ways to serve this amazing nation.  We have begun sponsoring a teen boy and hope to find other avenues of service.

Meeting and loving little 9 month old Esther Selam was nothing short of a miracle from God.  While we were in Ethiopia, Esther became sick with pneumonia and was hospitalized.  We were almost overtaken by fear.  But we knew God was in control. After sending out cyber-requests for prayer all over our nation, we rested fitfully for one night. The next morning Esther was doing much better and was released in time for our embassy appointment.

Coming home to our children’s hugs and smiles was amazing. They were instantly in love with Esther Selam and still fight over who gets to feed or hold her.  Adoption has been a miracle for our family.  Considering the way our culture views finances, housing, personal space and material goods, this is almost a “loaves and fishes” story.  It is not the best metaphor, but I do think of it when I realize what God has shown us. He has shown us that we do have room in our hearts, house, and van for another precious child. He has shown us that by sharing and giving up some of what we want or believe we are entitled to, there is plenty to go around.  He has shown us that by his grace, he will multiply even our modest means and turn it into something that can support our family of 7, with plenty left over to share with others.  We are still learning everyday to put down our selfishness and serve each other. Our children are learning this as well. God is so gracious and gives us just what we need to be a family.  Much of this he has taught us through this adoption of our precious Esther Selam.

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