“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV).

“Are you and Bill perhaps interested in…” The woman, an adoption advocate named Carri, paused before, “A daughter?” My heart seemed to stop.

Could it be?

More, were we ready to risk heartbreak again?

After all, we’d already lost two daughters through failed adoptions—the first in 1998 and the second in 2008. I’d learned from these gut punches—there were no guarantees.

Carri interrupted my thoughts. “Hello?”

“Yes, I’m… I’m here.” I cleared my throat. “Let me talk to Bill when he gets home. I’ll… we’ll be back in touch.”

After a few more minutes and a brief description of this child’s particular situation, we hung up.

And what did I learn?

A little girl from Greenville, SC was in need of a forever family. She’d already been adopted once, after having first lived with a guardian from her birth in June 2009.

The reason?

Unfortunately, her biological parents lost custody despite an earnest desire to get their lives together. They were young, had made some poor choices, but it was never due to a lack of…

Love.

Still, this little one eventually ended up in the care of her maternal grandfather, then was adopted by him in January 2012.

Unfortunately, in March of that same year, her “Papa Jimmy” suffered a massive heart attack at the breakfast table one morning and passed away.

“That’s why we’re needing an immediate placement,” Carri had explained, and that’s what I shared with Bill when he arrived home.

“And you’ll never guess her name.” I couldn’t keep from smiling. “Allie Elizabeth.”

“No kidding.” Bill, too, smiled. “Just like Ali Elizabeth.”

It was true. Our niece—the daughter of my sister and her husband—shared the same name.

“Yep. They’d only be a year apart. I bet they’d be the best of friends.”

It was decided.

We’d once more take the risk—open our hearts to a child, a daughter, with hopes to grow our family by two additional feet.

Only, this time?

These feet weren’t those of a newborn baby. They were the feet of a busy toddler who would arrive with a history—carrying a share of pain, a storehouse of memories, despite being just shy of three.

Allie Elizabeth

After our initial meeting in Greenville not long after this phone conversation with Carri, we invited little Allie, as well as several family members, to Selah Farm.

They arrived on a bright Saturday morning in late March, and the first friendly face to greet our tiny guest was a smiling Ali Elizabeth. And they were…

Fast friends!

That was more than thirteen years ago.

Funny thing—our Allie arrived with a suitcase and literally never left.

Before that spring Saturday visit came to a close, we’d signed papers showing our intent—to adopt this child just as soon as we could.

And as it turned out, that day came only several months later—on July 23, 2012. It’s what we call our…

Happy Day!

What joy to hear a judge pronounce, before God and family—with just the simple strike of a gavel, “Today, Allie Elizabeth…”

“You’re a Miller!”

One cute story.

Bill and I each took our turn in the witness chair, having laid our hand upon God’s Good Book before answering some basic questions.

The judge was a stoic man, serious in nature, withholding smiles like they were set apart for Saturdays and Sundays alone.

When it came my turn to take the witness seat, I promised to “tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me, God.”

And I did—answering yes to…

• Will you care for this child?

• Will you provide a safe home for this child?

• Will you love this child?

Yes. Yes. Yes.

Little Allie was sitting with her grandparents who’d come along to bear witness to this momentous event, our then 10-year-old son Jacob and 12-year-old son Ian sitting with them as well.

All of a sudden, in the quiet courtroom where one could hear a pin drop in the pauses between the judge asking and me answering, came a tiny voice—

“Why… why Momma in time-out chair?”

Instantly, my face flushed and my gaze flicked toward the stern man wearing a black robe high above me in the judge’s seat.

I was inclined to apologize for the interruption, but before I could—before anyone could—we beheld…

What was it?

Yes—there it was. A twitch of his mouth, then another. Then another. And… a smile, broad and bright.

But, there was more. His smile broke into full on…

Laughter!

And the ice in that somewhat chilly courtroom broke too, warming the space with the joy of an adoption—

Our Allie’s adoption.

O Happy Day!

Today we celebrate our beloved daughter’s 13th Happy Day! What joy she’s brought to our family, and oh, the stories.

At sixteen, Allie loves driving, friends, her youth group and Fellowship of Christian Athletes, basketball, and yes…

Horses!

Best Friend

We had to say goodbye to her dear Mick who passed away after nearly thirty-three wonderful years.

This beautiful white Missouri Fox Trotter was Allie’s best friend for more than a dozen years, and he is greatly missed.

But God in His goodness answered the desires of Allie’s heart earlier this year by bringing Scarlett to Selah Farm.

She’s a 27-year-old rescue who’s had quite a painful past. (If only she could talk!) But this sweet girl will live out the remaining years of her life with Allie as her caregiver.

What a gift!

And isn’t our Father like that? He’s so, so good!

Indeed, He answered the desires of our hearts too—after years of waiting, after heartbreaking losses.

It just goes to show.

He truly does give us the desires of our hearts as we delight in Him (Psalm 37:4)—directing us on the paths of hope and promise, toward His best and most perfect…

Plan!

Father, thank You for the gift of our daughter and for all our precious children. Mostly, thank You for guiding us in paths of righteousness, for Your namesake. Amen.

So how about you?

How has God guided you in His plans and purposes—offering you the promise of hope and a future?

I’d love to know.

Please share a story in the comments. Next Wednesday, July 30th, I’ll draw a name from those who participate for a giveaway—a copy of Michelle Rayburn’s collaborative This Reimagined Empty Nest. One story in this delightful book is about our… Allie Elizabeth.