The Paine family is excited to announce that we have begun the beautiful process of adoption!
Our first post is a little background on both Steven and my calling to adoption. I received the call to adopt while in high school. God gave me a heart for the orphaned around my freshman year in high school. I began praying about what this calling would look like and began to research what the process would look like and an excitement came over me. God placed families in my life that have adopted both domestically and internationally and I have been able to spend quality time with these beautiful souls through babysitting, church functions and lunch/dinner dates.
I personally felt called to the Asian region but was not limited to that area. While in College I took a study abroad trip to Thailand where I fell in love with the people group. After being blessed with an opportunity to student teach I was given a job as a teacher upon graduation. While living and teaching in Thailand I volunteered at an orphanage where my calling only grew stronger. At the time I was single and wanting to adopt due to impatience. The Lord closed the door on a particular little boy I had a strong connection with. God reassured me the call would be fulfilled but it was not time yet. I needed to find a loving husband with the same call for the orphaned.
Steven and I met through a mutual South African friend here in Columbus Ga. Steven is South African and he came over on a golf scholarship. I asked the Lord to confirm who my husband would be while dating by allowing him to not only have the same calling but to be the one to first bring up the topic. Steven explained to me his work in South Africa at his friend's mother's orphanage. He did lots of volunteer work there and spent a lot of time with the orphans. He explained he had a heart for orphans and the call to adopt. BOOM! God you are so COOL!
Steven and I have been married now for 4 years (on Thursday) and we have a beautiful one year old son. God has a funny way of showing us that our plans are NOTHING in comparison to the incredible plan He has designed for us. Steven and I had a 5 year plan to wait to grow our family and we thought (or I thought) we would adopt first. After 3 years of marriage God grew a desire in our hearts at the same time to try and have a biological baby. Secretly, I did not know if I would be able to conceive because God birthed the call to adopt so early on in my life I did not know if he was also preparing my heart.
Liam Avett Paine was born last September and we were ecstatic. He has brought so much joy to our lives and we never knew we could love so deeply. God had a greater plan! Liam's name means "strong-willed warrior and protector." Liam was supposed to be the first born so he could be the big brother who protects his younger siblings. I have seen these characteristics flourish in Liam. He cares deeply for other babies and children and it bothers him when they cry. Liam wants to comfort and protect those around him and he is such a giver. He learned himself how to share!
We will announce soon which program we have been approved for and which region we know God has our daughter waiting for us.
We are excited for you to take this journey with us!
