Scott and Mary Alice Edwards planned to start a family. Through testing, they soon learned the chances to conceive were slim to impossible. Fertility drugs or invitro was an option, but after much prayer, they were not led in this direction. Adoption was not in Mary Alice’s plans, but as she walked through the woods one day, God opened her heart for adoption, and they have never looked back.

Scott and Mary Alice had several friends who’d used Bethany Christian Services in Knoxville, Tennessee. They were highly recommended, so they set up an initial meeting. The process began. A packet filled with challenging questions such as How they were each raised, their thoughts on what it meant to be parents, why they desired to parent, and to name personal strengths and weaknesses in their parental role. After several weeks of prayer and soul-searching, their independent answers were submitted.

With a Pastoral letter of recommendation, fingerprints, background checks, home inspections, and financial examinations were completed. Scott and Mary Alice found humor in this extensive process, joking, “If parents wanting to have a child had to experience this rigorous process, there’d be fewer children.” All joking aside, Scott and Mary Alice took pictures of themselves, their home, their pets, and the nursery. This profile was shown to Birth mothers seeking a family for their unborn child. While waiting, these prospective parents attended Adoptive Parent Group Meetings.

After the first year passed, Scott and Mary Alice prayed and prepared. They waited six more months. The call came. A Birth mom was interested, but they weren’t picked. Disappointment occurred, but with it came the assurance that their child would arrive in God’s time.

Scott and Mary Alice were delighted that the next birth mom picked them. They met with her regularly three weeks before birth. Kaeden was born, and meeting this healthy, perfect baby boy at the hospital was an answered prayer. These new parents took their baby home on Thursday and to church on Sunday.  

The call came on Monday. The Birth mom wanted Kaeden back. Scott and Mary Alice were devastated. Mary called for family and friends to pray. After Kaeden fell asleep that night, Mary Alice packed a tote full of “Things Kaeden Likes.” The seventeen-year-old Birth mom would need clothes, formula, diapers, wipes, bottles, and toys. The agency counselor had never seen such packed provisions from heartbroken parents, but love compelled this selfless act.

They were told this would bring the stages of grief as in death. Phones off, Scott and Mary Alice decided to leave town for a few days. But God showed up. In West Virginia, Mary Alice’s turned-off phone rang. The Birth mom was ready to give Kaeden back. Their answer was, “Of course!” After an extensive Holy Spirit-led conversation, they voiced concerns about another take-back baby and called the agency after closing hours. The following day, Kaeden came home again.

The twenty-one to twenty-eight day waiting period started over. Would the Birth mom change her mind again? Scott and Mary Alice trusted the Lord and took one day at a time while knowing Kaeden was meant to be with them. The waiting period passed, and peace replaced anxiety. Celebration ensued, and the court day for adoption was set six months later.

Scott and Mary Alice first chose closed adoption, and then God led them to open adoption. This proved to be their biggest challenge. They provided monthly photos, updates on Kaeden, and meetings with his Birth mom. She married and birthed four children while often seeking parental counsel from Scott and Mary Alice. Kaeden enjoyed time with his half-siblings for a while, but the Birth mom’s meetings went from sporadic to no-show. She divorced, lost custody of her children, and made poor choices.

Scott and Mary Alice love Kaden’s birth mom. She holds a special place in their hearts and always will.  They openly informed Kaeden of her life choices without judgment and walked him through his disappointment. Respect is given to the Birth mom because she chose life in tough times so God could bring Kaeden to Scott and Mary Alice.

Her decision to give Kaeden for adoption was a struggle that brought heartache to herself, Scott, and Mary Alice. Her mother’s love for Kaeden caused her to take him back and then realize adoption would give him a wonderful and loving life. This gut-wrenching path of suffering gave new life to Kaeden, who was adopted into the Edwards family, where he received abundant love and blessings.

Scott and Mary Alice have effortlessly loved Kaeden and raised him to adulthood. He experienced years of playing hockey, playing football, hunting, and exploring the great outdoors. Kaeden continues to do what he loves by creating https://www.southernboysoutfitters.com, obtaining a Hunters Guide License, farming, and operating heavy equipment. His parents encourage these career paths. Scott and Mary Alice gave him the freedom to choose the path for which he was created. Kaeden is fearfully and wonderfully made as a gift from God for Scott, Mary Alice, and others who know and love him.

Let’s not judge Birth mothers who chose adoption. They choose life over abortion. Because of this selfless, suffering, loving act, new life is given. Jesus selflessly suffered to provide us with new life. When we choose to believe in Jesus, we are adopted into God’s family. We then live out our created purpose as God’s gift to others.

Adoption is a good and pleasurable process for all who receive this beautiful gift.

According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

Having predestined us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

Ephesians 1:4 and 5