Our Journey Continues...

Hello friends and family, 

I feel like we need to get you all up to speed on our current adventures.... 

It simply amazes me how God works in our lives, if we are quiet enough to hear him. I will try my best to paint for you the past few months at the Whipkey household.  It started last October while Barry and I started attending a church group with other married couples. It has been wonderful to get to hear other couples stories, and to meet other couples that share a passion for our Lord. During one of those meetings, the topic of "family planning / number of children" arose. We both shared a little at the meeting, but it was when we were home that we began to dig deeper into the topic. When we welcomed little Elias James into our family 2 years ago, we both just "assumed" that we were done growing our family. We were even so sure about this "assumption", that we sold most of our baby gear. Well, when the question was discussed between Barry and I that fall evening, we both didn't hesitate to say, "we would consider the option, if....." And so that conversation began. 

We would both drop comments or hints in conversation, but with the holidays on the rise, we put it on the back burner. When the holidays wrapped up, we really began to pray. I decided to stop using Facebook as a social media outlet, as I felt that maybe if I was more present in my day to day life, I would be better able to hear what God was trying to say... 

It was a January day that I was just overcome with emotions. We were actually at my parents house, and my mom and I were in the kitchen together. I remember my heart just racing. I remember thinking "what in the world was coming over me?"  I began to share with my mom what was on my heart. I remember saying things like, "Is this just a phase?", "Is this just baby fever?", "Am I nuts?" To saying things to her like... "I feel it so powerfully on my heart that it is scaring me. I feel like we are being called to this. I feel like I am holding myself back. But God is pressing it so hard on my heart." My mom just sat back and listened to me speak. I am sure it was a flood of words for her to comprehend, but she was so calm and reassuring. She said, "Wow, this is pretty powerful sweetie. I think you really need to pray on this, and listen to what God is trying to say for your family." And so we prayed, 

Come February, we both had discussed this topic of growing our family again, but we never got far into the conversation, without some sort of distraction. It was on Valentines weekend that we attended a Marriage Encounter Weekend thru our church. It was a weekend for us. A weekend to reconnect, listen, talk, pray, and really dig deeper into what was on our hearts. We both had an amazing experience. We cried, we laughed and we prayed like we never had. We both come home with a fresh attitude and ready to say "YES!" to God's plan for our lives, no matter that that meant! 

Well, we've officially started the adoption process again! Our home study is in the process as I type these words, and we are thrilled! We called our adoption agency back that we used with Oakley. It was such a special moment. It felt surreal to call them, and to be speaking the words that I never that we would again. But it feels so right. We are so calm and excited about what God has in store for us! We know that the journey will be long, and hard but we are ready!!

With that being said, we’d really appreciate your support in the following ways:

First, we would really appreciate your prayers.  Please pray for the process, for the baby, for the birth family, and for us.  The love and sacrifice required to place a baby for adoption is both heartbreaking and beautiful.  So, please pray for the birth family, and the birth mom as she grapples with this decision.  And please pray for us, that we would draw our strength from God and trust him through this process.

Second, We could use your financial support.  Adoption is quite expensive but we are confident that God will provide, as he always does. We are still amazed at how well we were provided for with Oakley's adoption and know God will make a way again.  If you’d like to support us financially, there are a couple of ways you can do so.

We have a fundraising website: 

 https://www.gofundme.com/atw8bcec   

Or mail us a check if you would prefer that option: 

Barry or Sarah Whipkey

8 Sunrise Drive

Watertown, SD 57201

Lastly, we would love it if you could share our story with others who you think may be interested in supporting us.  Feel free to share our fundraising site on social media or to pass the information along to friends. We know there are so many people out there with a heart for adoption, and we would love for them to share in our story!

Thank you all so much for your support and love!

Barry, Sarah, Oakley and Elias Whipkey​

Seasons

Good day everyone!

As I reflect and just savor in this crisp, fall weather that we are having here in South Dakota, I just thank God that we have this season. I love it for so many REASONS! From the changing leaves, to the apple and pumpkin picking, to the tastes and smells of this wonderful season! I am glad I live in the Midwest where we have such a beautiful time of year.

Seasons around here - come and go. Some last WAY to long and others are cut short, but all in all they are all here for some amount of time and we are all thankful for each one in its own special way.

With that reflection of "seasons of weather" makes me think of "seasons of life". It amazes me to think of how fast the seasons of weather happen and also the seasons of life. If life had a pause button, I think I may just press it. I am just loving this season of life we are in. Barry and I frequently look to one another in wonderment of the little man that our 2 year old son Oakley has become. He is always learning and talking. The other day he brought out his favorite book from when he was tiny. The book is a Baby Einstein book that is currently in 3 parts, as we have read it so many times that the binding is gone. Here was our little baby, reading this book to US! It was such a cool moment in our parenting journey. He was pointing to all the pictures and naming things from a peacock to a robot! Blew my mind! :) But I was oh so proud of him!

Another moment that made my heart just smile was another "Oakley-ism". We were driving in the car, just him and I. We were traveling to daycare as we normally do during the week. On our morning commutes, Oakley talks the entire time. I just love it. He tells me about the corn field and the soybean field, the church that we pass, the stoplights that we stop at and which color light we wait for before we GO, and we count how many school buses we pass before we make it to our final destination. Well, one day in particular he was quite. And so was I. We both must have just been pondering life. When from the back seat a little voice pipes up and says, "Don't worry, mommy." I looked up and looked back at him and he was just looking at me with his big blue eyes and smiling. I smiled right back with a little tear in my eye and said, "I won't, baby."

This little man has taught me more in his first 2 years of life than I would ever imagined. Here he was just watching me from a distance and thought to say those words. It made me realize that there is really NOTHING to worry about in life. God will provide for all that we need. Always. I have prayed for that very thing, to not worry many times in the last years. It amazes me that in this season of life that our little son has such a big heart and is wise beyond his years.

It is easy to worry and to anticipate the unknown in fear. But I try to just savor in this moment, this season if you will. When worry or fear seem to cloud my vision I often try and look to Barry and Oakley as they are in my present moment and they are all I need. I then pray. I often visualize Jesus in the season or moment of life that I am worried about. He is always there. He goes before us. He is always with us. So comforting to know that he will never leave us. Even more comforting that a cozy sweater on a fall day! :)

Blessings.
Sarah

Mold Me and Make Me

Hello everyone! :)

Long time! I am happy to have logged back into the blog today and have a few moments to reflect and write a little. I have been meaning to get on and update you all as well as share all the wonderful things that God has been doing in our lives, but life is busy and I just didn't have the time. But today is the day!

So, where do I begin?

Well, I will just jump right into it! Barry and I are pleased to announce that we are expecting a miracle baby! This baby is due on March 4, 2014. We had quite the summer with appointments to ready our minds and my body to prepare for this exciting time! We prayed each step of the way as that is the only thing we know how to do. We never doubted God's plan, His timing or His grace... we just trusted and believed that THIS was what He was calling us to do. And boy! Are we sure happy with His answer to our prayer as well as His faithfulness to us.

This pregnancy has been absolutely amazing. We found out that we were blessed again, on June 20, 2013. It was a day I will never forget. It felt so surreal to be in that moment of life again. But the thrill and the excitement hasn't worn off, at all. We are still amazed and in awe of this little life and the little person that will become Oakley's brother or sister. It truly makes my eyes water and my heart beat a little faster as I anticipate this next chapter.

One part of the pregnancy journey I want to touch on today is the beauty of my changing figure. I have always said, that there is nothing more beautiful than an expectant mother. I have always loved being pregnant and embracing my new body.

I recall a moment that seems like yesterday, but it was in fact June 30, 2010. That morning was the morning that Barry and I had to travel to Sioux Falls so that I could be induced to deliver our Hudson Daniel. It was a day I will never forget. I distinctly remember getting out of bed and undressing to get in the shower. Our bathroom is right off our bedroom. Barry was still in bed, but I was up. I remember standing in front of the bathroom mirror, just sobbing as I look at my beautiful reflection. I wanted to stay in that moment forever as I wanted so badly to keep Hudson with me and in me forever. I can recall opening the bathroom door and calling to Barry. I would say to him... "Look and remember this body. This will be the last time we will see me pregnant... " Those words and the thoughts that ran through my head that day were so bittersweet. 

Little did I know that day, that God would bless us once again. Three years of steady prayer and thanksgiving has led us to where we are today. As soon as we found out that God had blessed us, once again, my heart just overflowed with joy! I never thought that this day would come again for us.

As we began the journey of this pregnancy we embraced and glorified God in all of it. Through the weekly appointments at the beginning, to the hundreds of ultrasounds to follow as well as routine labs, we took each one with open arms and savored in each moment. As we pray daily for this little miracle baby as well as our miracle son Oakley, we can almost feel God's grace surround us and hold us through this chapter of life.

As my little tummy has begun to grow, and grow some more we are amazed with the miracle of life inside of me.  We are thoroughly enjoying this special time in our lives and God is healing our hearts once again with His blessings.

Blessings.
Sarah

Words On My Heart

"Mom."

"Dad."

"Grandma."

"Grandpa."

"Lexi."

"Elmo."

"Uh-Oh."

"Juice."

"Yummy."

"Potty."

"Thank-you."

"Good Night"

"Good Morning."

"Bless you."

"Love You!"

"Amen."

Simple words? Yes. Music to my ears? Absolutely. These words are just a few of Oakley's words in his variety of his every growing vocabulary. He speaks all the time and is picking up on conversation and new phrases every day. It is so fun and amazing to see his little mind at work. It really puts a smile on my face just to hear his sweet little voice and all the little words he learns everyday.

It seems like yesterday that he was cooing and just beginning to smile occasionally to now speaking and voicing his wants. I love it.

Speaking of voicing "wants." I want to share a little something.

For the last week or so I have had something happen to me. I find it comforting, and yet surreal. So, for some reason for the last few nights, I have been very restless. I am not sure why, but I am. But when I awake, I find something rather interesting happen. When I wake, and in the silence of the night, I hear something. That something is my voice. And that voice is silent. That voice is the voice inside my head. That voice awakens me from my deep sleep. This voice is speaking. This voice is speaking its wants and desires to Him. To God. To Heaven.

For the last few nights, when I awake during the night I am "mid-prayer." I am praying while I sleep. I am speaking the words in my heart to Him.  I can't even descirbe it. I find my heart content and my soul happy, but I am speaking to God while I sleep rather. I can almost decribe the prayers when I awake, but yet I am so comforted by the thought of it, that I drift back to sleep.

 Sounds a little crazy, right?

I had to share this with Barry the first morning after it happened, just becuase it was something that has never happened to me.

For the last 4 1/2 years, when I lay in bed and begin to fall asleep, I pray. I started this routine faithfully following Tanner's death. I would whisper in the silence of my heart to heaven and "talk" to Tanner and to Jesus. It instantly gave me comfort and hope. I have only continued this routine every night as well as many times throughout my days.

I have had a lot on my heart lately. I know that is why I pray without ceasing, even while I sleep. He knows the words that I say, even when I cannot find the words to speak to Him.

The words on my heart and the words on my lips I want them all to be pleasing and glorifying to Him. I want to not only speak but to listen. I want always to praise Him and thank Him. I want to do nothing more than to listen and obey.

Speaking. Listening. Praying. Believing.

Blessings.

Sarah

The Good in Challenges

Happy Sunday everyone!

It is a blustery day here in South Dakota. I am sitting by the space heater and soothed by the hum that it creates. I am sipping on some coffee and just soaking in this free time. Oakley is napping and Barry is watching the race and so this just seemed to be the perfect opportunity to update the blog.

I have been asked numerous times over the last weeks if I have stopped blogging? Or if I was going to continue... and the answer is YES! I am going to continue and I am going to try my hardest to update more often. Life is simply busy. ;)

Not too much going on here at our house. We are all antsy for spring, that is for sure! Just moments before I sat down at the computer I received an Emergency Alert on my cell phone saying that we are in a Blizzard Warning! It seems like every Sunday for the last month or more we have had some weather roll in and create more wintery scenes all around us.

Earlier today I was reading some scripture and a verse just like hopped off the page and into my heart. The verse comes from the book of Job. Job and I have things in common and I have become very familiar with the book of Job. The verse is Job 33:14 "God always answers, one way or another, even when people don't recognize His presence." Pretty simple, yet pretty powerful stuff.

My whole life, thus far has been all about learning and believing. Learning to trust. Learning to recognize my inner strength. Trusting in my heart and in my self. Believing that my God is real and He is my Father in Heaven. So much learning has taken place, but yet so much more to come. We never stop.

Life brings challenges. Every path of life, that every soul walks, brings challenges. Every time I see and overcome a challenge I feel as though I move closer to the path that God is leading me to and that path is blessed with health, happiness, and His holiness.  Such blessings have taught me there's value in challenges. For one thing, they help us discover or rediscover and look inside ourselves. When we face some overwhelming problems or when we're urgently trying to overcome something, we cry out to Him, begging Him to help us. And in response, as the friend of Job told his problem-prone pal, God will answer.

Truth is I haven't always had this outlook. The challenges of my life thus far, especially in the loss of our sons and in the pain of our fertility related future, have led me on a path and given me a new outlook. I view life completely different than I once did. I sometimes am shocked at how I once viewed what was important and meaningful. Now I am humbled and grateful for the new eyes He has given me. Eyes to look at life's big picture. Eyes to see Him in everyday things. And eyes to look forward to eternal life.

The apostle Paul instructed us to "be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens." We should be thankful for the challenges we encounter, because God may be using them to ultimately help us. As Job's friend also said, God may use our difficulties to "get out attention through pain." Job 33:19

When I pray, I pray for so many things as I am sure you do too. Prayer is a sacred vessel I believe that helps oneself have strength to face another day. To have faith to believe; no matter what challenges we will face, we will be held in His hands. When I look back at the path that my life has led me down and the prayers I have prayed, and the challenges I have been faced with, and the challenges we have yet to face I am fascinated at how the prayers that reflect those moments go. Does that make any sense?  :)

God is good. Challenges are a part of life. God is here. Life is hard. He listens. He will answer. I believe. I am a believer. I know Him. He knows me. I will pray for you. Please pray for me. :)

Blessings.

Sarah

Where to turn?

Hello! I am back! Did you miss me? ;)

It has been a few weeks since I have sat down and opened up this blog. I have missed it. It somehow has become a friend to me. If that makes sense? I feel as if this blog holds many thoughts, conversations, and emotions just as a dear friend holds in their heart for you...

We have been SO good here on our end. Oakley is growing and changing everyday! He talks so much and is developing such a sweet, silly personality. I just love him. I love all the little moments we share as a family. From the morning routine of getting ready to head out the door for the day, to the lazy evenings of playing with his trucks on the floor. It all is priceless in my heart.

So, when I ponder on what to talk about today - I get overwhelmed. Do you ever get overwhelmed by just "thinking" and not "doing" anything? I feel as though I always have like 100,000 thoughts running through my head at once, that I TRY and stop and just live in that moment before it passes. Lately, I think Barry and I have had more thoughts than ever running through our minds and our hearts. Oakley is growing and changing and we are beginning to get baby fever! Not going to lie! It's true! :) This blog is real. I am real with you!

But with that, comes many prayers. Many thoughts. Many conversations with one another and with God. Many tears. Many emotions. It just ain't easy. But it is the truth. It is our new reality as a couple on where to turn next! ;)

I want to share a little story with you as a side note before we continue on...

  Last week Barry, Oakley and I were in a local business. A woman walks up to us and comments on how big Oakley is getting and how cute he is. We say, "Thank you!" But the woman continues... Her next question is "Where did you get him?" At first, I was like... "Excuse me?" And then I thought, "Um, from God?" But then she continued to say... "Like from what state? I have two adopted grandchildren and one is from Texas and one is from Florida." I didn't know what to say to her. It was sort of an abrupt thing to ask. I just can't imagine asking all the other mother's out there "Where did you get him/her from?" As if you went to the store and picked him/her out. You were GIVEN this child to love. End of story. This woman then continued to say..."Ya, adoption is a neat thing when you can't have regular children - OF YOUR OWN." 

This was a learning moment for me as a mom. I don't' really know how much more REAL and OF MY OWN, Oakley can be? He has MY heart. He has ALL MY love. He has MY soul....

I have been praying about this lately, and about these little types of moments. I ask questions to God, such like "How can You use me, to open their eyes?" How can You use me, to open their hearts?" I so badly wanted to say something back to that woman, but I didn't have the right thing to say at that moment.

I believe God has given me a new heart within the last 2 years. I feel that I had a good heart that could love and be loved. Then that heart was shattered and broken and a few pieces went off to heaven to be with my boys. But THEN, God gave me a new, shiny, radiant, glowing heart. THIS heart is whole. This heart can love WAY more than I ever knew was possible. This heart can look beyond the DNA. This heart can look beyond where you were formed. This heart looks at your soul and at your heart.... It is the best NEW heart I could ever imagine.

I am so blessed that God GAVE Oakley to us. I thank Him for opening my heart to love a child that may or may not have my DNA. I understand that not everyone can do that. I have had people say that to me... I can't imagine my life any other way.

As we pray and navigate on where He will lead us to next, I pray. I pray that He will GIVE us our next infant to love and BE OUR OWN. No matter where he/she comes to us from. That part doesn't matter, to me. And I will continue to pray that others eyes and hearts will be open the beautiful world that we now live in.

Blessings.

Sarah

Indescribable

December today. December 3rd to be exact. How can that be? Where did November go? Or October? :) Amazes me how time really does fly. I know I say that often, but I really can't believe it sometimes. To my faithful followers, sorry I have been late on updating this. Yes, all 2 of my followers! ;) With Thanksgiving and family activities, I just didn't find the extra time. But tonight, I am making the time as I find this blog to be very therapeutic and enjoyable for me.

As I begin to type this blog, I am sipping on a cup of coffee. Yes, it is 8:43 pm. And listening to Chris Tomlin. My favorite Christian artist. My baby is asleep and my hubby is catching up on some football. So, this time is just perfect to sit and reflect. :)

The song that I am currently listening to is entitled "Indescribable." As I listen to the words, I secretly pray them into my heart. What does the word indescribable mean I wonder? As I look it up - it means, "not describable, too extraordinary for description."

Too extraordinary for description... as the words from this song play it paints such an amazing picture in my mind and in my heart of Jesus Christ. He is indescribable. He is not describable. He is too extraordinary. What an amazing gift we find in Him. Thank you God for Your precious Son.

This Sunday marked the first Sunday of Advent. The next 4 weeks we are to prepare and ready our minds and our hearts for the birth of the Christ child. How exciting? We have our Advent wreath on our family dinner table with our bible on one side and a daily devotional on the other. We are going to start a new tradition here at our household. We plan to light the candle in the evening and read the daily passage.

I love traditions. I love how they can be instilled as a young child and carried on from generation to generation. Oakley is at such an impressionable age, that I want nothing more than to show through action and word, the love of our Jesus. He smiles every time Barry and I bow our heads and pray. But the most adorable thing he does when we conclude is when he says, "Amen!" with a sparkle in his eye! Melts my heart.

As I watch the world through Oakley's eye's and see that sparkle as he has in them, I try to wave that sparkle into my eyes as well. I want to anticipate Christmas like a child. I want to eagerly await and count down the days. I want it to be special and meaningful. I want it to be about Jesus more now than ever. Don't you?

I want it to be "Indescribable!" :) And I believe it can be! Happy Advent everyone!

Blessings.

Sarah