Adoption...

• the act of accepting with approval; favorable reception
• a legal proceeding that creates a parent-child relation between persons not related by blood; the adopted child is entitled to all privileges belonging to a natural child of the adoptive parents (including the right to inherit)

My story begins at the corner of 5th and 8th Streets in Bogota, Colombia, SA. I was abandoned there and then rescued by a police officer. I was taken to the state-run childrens home for approximately 2 weeks and then placed in the loving arms of Ms. Nancy Tappan. I must tell you that Ms. Nancy was in her early 20's and had been on a mission trip to Colombia. She had planned to return to America but felt a call on her life to minister to the abandoned babies and children in Colombia so she remained there. She gave up her life for us. She didn't marry or have children of her own. She was fully devoted to us, the abandoned, some abused, neglected babies. Her love changed our lives forever. She started with just a few babies and as she saw the need for a larger space, she saw the Lord move mountains for larger facilities. The orphanage was called, Infant Paradise. I had the greatest blessing from the Lord to have been chosen to be in this orphanage. I was loved and cared for by Ms. Nancy and other beautiful women who gave their time for me. At almost 9 months of age, I was adopted. I want to add that I was not the first choice for Bob & Donna. There was another baby girl whose name was Ruth at the orphanage who was appointed to them and they had gladly accepted. However, her biological mother made contact with the orphanage just before she was supposed to be released to the Browning's. This made way for ME! I was God's choice for this family and for that I'm eternally grateful.

In 1967, my parents, Bob & Donna Browning were attending Pantego Bible Church in Arlington, Texas. During a Sunday evening service, a missionary from Bogota was speaking and had a slide show of an orphanage in Colombia. My mother felt a tug at her heart and after much prayer with Dad, they started the process of adoption. The process was approximately 9 months. The cost of my adoption was $250. A friend at the church, who worked for Delta Airlines offered to use one of his "passes" and bring me to the US from Colombia! This was a huge blessing to my parents. I arrived on December 18, 1967 and a few days later the front page of the Dallas Morning News read, "Santa Arrives Early at the Browning's."

I was raised in a loving, Christian home by my parents, Bob & Donna Browning. I'm a very blessed child of God.

Our adoption journey began in my heart when I was 18 years old. I felt then that at some point, I would adopt a baby girl from Colombia and would name her Abi. Ten years later, I married Bruce Menefee. Bruce was excited to fulfill this promise God had placed on my heart and it became a promise to him as well. It was then that I realized “Abi” meant, “a joy to her father!” And that - she will be – to Bruce and her Heavenly Father!

We had Joshua in December of 1997 and Isabella in January of 2003. In 2005 we began a year of prayer as we felt the Lord prompting us to begin the adoption process on our knees. In 2006, I asked the Lord how we could begin raising money for Abi. I knew it was Him, when I heard “Abi’s Sale” (a garage sale). I certainly would not have taken this route. Bruce & I would much rather bless others and give things away but God had something wonderful in mind! Men, women and children were geared up, prayed up and ready to bless others through this sale and we did! God was present! From the sale (a day and a half) we made $1500. Before the day ended, two (very dear) men, at different times, each gave me $1,000 checks for our Abi. It was unbelievable! We left the sale with $3,500.

That Saturday evening we checked our mail to find a check for $4,500 specifically designated for Abi’s adoption…God was in it! Sunday, we gave a tithe check for $800. Monday, a college student came by with a check in the amount of $800. She felt that she heard the Lord say to give us back our tithe. The same day, a couple in our church called and insisted on coming by that evening. They left us their “first fruits” from an oil profit…a check in the amount of $4,200. In four days, God had given us ABOVE & BEYOND all we could ask or think!

In 2007, Bruce & I had the blessed opportunity to visit Colombia. I can’t put into words the difference this trip made in my life. I had never returned to Colombia. The Lord set up a Godly contact for us (which is another miraculous story for another day) and we were greatly cared for by Dr. Hector Torres and his wife, Miriam. He is a native Colombian and is passionate about the Lord and God’s people, especially Colombians. I’ve been told that Dr. Torres is to (parts) of Colombia what Billy Graham has been to the US. To have Dr. Torres’ help, support, wisdom and covering (of sorts) is a true gift from God!

I’d love to write pages and pages to share of our time while in Colombia but instead I’ll share a day from my journal…

Day 3: …We’re on our way to the corner of 5^th & 8^th Streets in Bogota. Dr. Torres & Mimi are in the front seat. Celia (Dr. Torres’ sister), Bruce & I are in the back. The roads are clean and made of red brick. I’ve no idea what I will feel when we arrive to the place of my abandonment. As we turn corners, see people walking, the clouds are grey and the car is quiet. I see the church. I know what I’m seeing is the Church of Carmen. As we get closer and closer, I ask Bruce to let me go up the steps to the door alone. I was sure I wanted to do this alone but in fact, I was not alone today…Jesus’ hand was in mine, holding me ever so closely, while walking the steps to my place of rescue!

It was huge! The top of the church touched the sky! It was an obvious Catholic church by its ornate art work, magnificent paintings off to the side of the doors, angels peering off a balcony and full of delicious, color! There they were, the largest, most beautiful doors I have ever seen… blue doors, trimmed delicately, yet boldly, with silver. I stood facing them in awe of the beauty of this building, this corner, this city and Jesus! When I turned around there was a slice of light coming through the overcast clouds before me. God was so near to me, so very present. I’ve no idea how long I stood at the doorsteps with my Father but it was a while. At first I felt numb. Could this be true? Was I left here? By whom? Was it my father (as previously shown to me in a dream and time of healing in 1994)? Such a safe place, Iglesia de Carmen, the Church of Carmen.

What must it have been like for him to lay down a precious baby on or around these steps? The pain in leaving me. The hope in someone to care for me. The last look of his eyes into mine. My heart aches for who I believe was my father who left me. A young man, in his mid-20’s, leaving three other men a few feet behind him, walked these steps, the ones I had just taken, to lay down his daughter? Why?...for a life of blessing, love and opportunity. On that March day in 1967, I was sacrificially given. For my life has been covered in prayer and the sweet presence of Jesus. Even when I strayed from God, He was near and understood me. He was ever so willing to accept and love me…amazing love! There are no words to fully describe the peace that overcame me in this moment, on this day! The joy of knowing my Heavenly Father delights in me goes beyond my imagination!

Upon our return from Colombia, Bruce & I began the process with Gladney Center for Adoption in October of 2007.

I've been so blessed to already birth two children! Bruce and I love parenting! As hard as it seems, at times, the rewards are GREAT!!! Bruce is an amazing father, full of love and leadership for our kids. Joshua is 12.5 years old and is awesome. He's musically inclined (just like his Dad), loves to be outdoors, build things (out of anything, especially huge Lego sets), is quite humorous and just a wonderful son! We are very close. Bella is our 7 year old princess. She is a little lady and loves anything girlie. She's a jewel, very dear to my heart. We are all excited as we near the end of our adoption journey. We've had ups, downs, highs, lows, joyful moments, sad moments, angry moments, exciting moments, moments of lull and moments of sheer happiness. The adoption process, for us, has been tedious, long and soon-to-be...WORTH IT!!!

Recent Time Line:

February 5, 2010 - we received news that we had been denied approval by ICBF (the government run adoption agency). They seemed to have been confused with the age of the child that we were requesting since the age we requested had risen due to the length of time the adoption process was taking. The Lord had given me a prophetic word during a women's retreat that I was attending and it was...TENACIOUS. I clung to Him and pulled out my big guns for the final laps of this course called adoption.

March 16th, 2010 - we received written, APPROVAL from ICBF! We were approved for a 3-4 year old girl. We desired a baby but due to our age, we fell into this category. We trusted in God for His best for our family.

March 25, 2010 - we were assigned a "region"...Medellin, Colombia! We were told we would receive our "Referral" (the picture and information of the child that was chosen for us) within 30-60 days. On day 37, I wrote our case worker at Gladney and asked if most people wait for the full 60 day time period. She later told me that Gladney had received our Referral the following day (Day 38) but that she couldn't release the information to us because it hadn't yet been through the translation process.

May 17, 2010 - we received our Referral. Day FIFTY-FOUR, out of 60! It seemed like years before we received her name and picture. VALERIA...age 11 months old, healthy, happy and loved by her foster mother since she was 5 days old. She LOVES music, smiles alot and seems to be on target for her age and weight! She's never been institutionalized and will be ONE on June 13, 2010! Our miracle to receive a BABY has been given to us!!! She's perfect!

May 24, 2010 - we sent ALL of Valeria's documents and her photo to an International Pediatrician at the University of Minnesota for their review.

May 28, 2010 - we received a good report back from the International Pediatrician.

June 1, 2010 - we spoke with a dear friend, here in Lubbock, who is a physician for his view on the medical report for Valeria. He, too, was at peace with her progress and health at present.

June 3, 2010 - we sent our LETTER OF ACCEPTANCE for Valeria to become our daughter!

June 10, 2010 - we prepared a DVD of our family and home for Valeria. May I just say that it's really difficult to act like life is normal when you're "acting." Rance, our youth pastor at City View, came over with camera in hand. We discussed all that needed to be included on the video and away we went. He began across the street getting a full picture of our house, walked up to the door and rang the bell. I opened the door and said, "Hola Valeria! I'm your Mommy!"...cheezy but had to be done. We walked into the living area to find Daddy, big brother, Josh and big sister, Bella on the couch. They all said, "Hola Valeria" and introduced themselves. We had a few "re-takes" as we were cracking ourselves up. We took Valeria through all the rooms. Josh began and added, while in his room, "Valeria, I hear you like music! So do I! Here's a song for you." He went on to play Mary Had a Little Lamb on his zylophone. Yes, that huge contraption is in his room for the summer before returning to Band at Evans Middle School. Side note: he's a great percussionist! :) Then it was Bella's turn. She said, "Valeria, this is OUR room! This is your baby bed! These are your toys! These are YOUR dolls (while opening the closet door)." Bruce showed Valeria the cocina, kitchen. We all sat our bed in mine and Bruce's room and giggled a bit...again, trying to act playful and normal. Then we went outside and showed her Rocky, our almost 2 year old, heeler/collie. The kids did tricks with him. All of TWO tricks...sit and shake. He loved the attention and treats. He's such a great dog! Then the kids jumped on the trampoline and laughed. We ended back on the couch and said, "Te amos mucho Valeria"...We love you very much, Valeria! I think Bruce said "see you soon" but in Spanish and that was it. Rance added some great flair to the DVD...it's darling. It opens with our family picture in the center of a large sunflower. The music is playful. It's just perfect!!! Thanks Rance...you're the best! Valeria will LOVE it and us! :)

I hope you've enjoyed this update. It's been good for me to think through all of the pains and gains of this process. God has been faithful to us. My plan is to daily post while in Colombia. Thus the reason for creating a blog. I hope you will keep us in your prayers and rejoice with us as we prepare for our trip to Medellin, Colombia.

Much love, Ruth