MARY for the Gustafson family — OR
Blind dates do work! Lance and Erika were set up on a blind and knew by the end of this first date, that they had found their other half. After a year of dating, they chose each other for a lifetime and have now been married for almost 5 years. About 3 years into their marriage, they welcomed their son, Rowdy (2). They would learn shortly after his birth that Rowdy had been keeping a little secret, he was born with Down syndrome. Rowdy has been such an easy going, happy, social baby and is only recently really starting to live up to his name! He is a busy little body that would be swinging from the chandelier if he could get to it! Lance and Erika are working to keep up!
The couple’s heart has grown for children with special needs, while parenting their son over the last 2 years. They have seen firsthand on a daily basis the value that their son’s life has and the beautiful perspective of the world he has granted to all who know him. They wanted so much to grow their family, and the Lord was calling them to build it HIS way and in HIS timing. After struggling to conceive a second time, the couple felt that God was confirming what He had already been laying on their hearts for months, they were being called to adopt. Not just adopt, but being called to adopt a child with Down syndrome. Reece’s Rainbow has been an organization that Erika has known about since being a part of what she calls her “modern day support group” of blogs of families with children who have Down syndrome. Erika was on Reece’s Rainbow recently and the last photo she came across was sweet Mary…she knew instantly this little girl was theirs. The Lord was asking them to take a step of faith and not spend time figuring out details or asking questions, but to just put their “yes” card on the table and follow Him. Erika told Lance about Mary and the Lord’s prompting, then just stepped back and prayed. She knew it would be a complete miracle for Lance to respond quickly, as he is known to really think through situations before making any move. That miracle came, not 24 hrs later Lance knew too that the Lord had chosen this little girl to be their daughter. We were now on a mission!
Lance and Erika know that God’s plan for their life is ALWAYS so much more beautiful than what they could have planned themselves. They feel honored to be chosen to be Mary’s mommy & daddy. They are looking forward to the journey of raising “twins,” Mary is one month older than Rowdy! Now they have set out on a grand adventure to redeem their daughter and bring her home to her family that loves her so much already!
1/23/12—FIRST TRIP FEBRUARY 6
Follow the Gustafson family’s adoption journey on their blog at http://redeemingourdaughter.blogspot.com
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