No Mistake

Today is my sister-in-law's birthday and I am so wonderfully blessed to have her in my life. I only wished we lived closer together.

This is her story written in her own words:

In the summer of 1971 an unwed 15 yr old girl, named Nancy, found herself giving birth alone. She had spent her pregnancy hidden away from her classmates and community in an unwed mother's program. When her daughter, Carrie Rose, was born she was allowed only 15 minutes with her. Nancy said she spent those 15 minutes trying to memorize every thing about her daughter. And in those 15 minutes she said hello to her, and then she said goodbye. Nancy left the hospital 2 days later after her Mother signed the adoption papers. She left with 2 grainy black and white photos as proof that she was a Mother in her heart. She was told to ask for forgiveness, never speak again of the daughter she surrenderd, move forward and forget.

Carrie Rose spent the first 15 days of her her life in foster care before she was adopted by a couple that had tried to conceive for 10 years. Carrie Rose's name was legally changed to Army of Sister-in-Law.

This is my birth story. I was Carrie Rose for 15 days.I was born when abortion was illegal, but according to my Mom and her friends, readily available. I was born when young girls disappeared from schools for 5-6 months and then suddenly reappeared. I am eternally grateful for the gift my Mom gave me when she decided to carry through her pregnancy.

I was not planned by my parents but I know that God did have a plan for me. He reminded me of my worth in a book called The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren.Chapter 2 begins with 5 short but powerful words: You are not a mistake. God is able to redeem any and all situations and use them for His own good. God never does anything accidentally, and He never makes mistakes. He has a reason for everything he creates. Even me. God tells me, and He tells you, that His character goes into the creation of every person, whether planned or unplanned. Pslam 139:15 reads, "My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in a secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, Your eyes saw my unformed body."

21 1/2 years after Nancy said goodbye to me I was able to say hello to her. And to thank her. We were reunited in Dec. of 1993 after a short search I initiated. My life has since been blessed with a wonderful sister, brother and step-Father. Nancy and I had lived just 45 miles apart for nearly all our lives.

In Jan of 1994 I found my birth Father and have been blessed with a wonderful sister, 2 brothers and a step-Mom. Undoubtedly, my life would have been different had I not been placed for adoption. But, I cannot say it would have been better. For without the choice my Mom made I would not have met the man I married, I would not be a Mom to the 3 children I love and I may not have ever met each of you. God reassures me that my life is just what He meant it to be in 1 Thessalonsians 5:16, "Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Chris Jesus."

God has blessed me more than I can ever count or imagine. I have loving parents, 4 sets of them, an amazing husband, 3 healthy children (who to my great joy are seeking the Lord) and loving friends. No matter what this world tells me I am no "mistake." Because I am His.
Thank goodness we have her in our lives. That is SIL on the far left with Little Bit and me holding my niece at a family reunion in 2007.

She makes me think of Phillippians 1:15: I thank God every time I remember you.