I believe in Miracles

Two of my closest friends were given the gift of a child to love and cherish last week. After more than 6 years of close calls and disappointment, Amelia Joy was finally placed in their arms. Watching them go through the ordeal of false promises and a previous failed adoption, I wondered what kind of god would allow people to experience such pain. But without the pain, there wouldn't be Joy...Amelia Joy, that is...

I think we are all geniunely touched by the idea of adoption. Giving a human being, that didn't ask to be conceived, a family that is waiting to shower them with love and guidance is the ultimate gift.

I visited my friends Jenn and Steve the other day, and I got to meet Amelia Joy. I have never seen such a content newborn. It was as if she was saying, "I'm where I belong". There was so much joy in their home, as friends and family dropped by and said hello. There was peace amongst the chaos of well wishers crowding their living room. We all were celebrating together. I was more than okay with not holding Amelia as much as I would have liked, because I sat back and watched how much happiness this baby was bringing everyone. I was desperately trying to soak it all up, take it all in..that one of the most important people in my life is now a mommy. A dream she chased for many years.

I believe in Miracles...

Another miracle in my life, or maybe a test... for me and my husband.  We bought our cute little cape cod about 6 or 7 years ago, only a few months before we were to walk down the aisle. It was an adorable home, and we were thrilled to own something together. However, this was during the time that Countrywide Home Loans, now apart of BOA, signed off on shady home loans. Yes, you guessed it...we were one of them.

As we watched our interest rate SOAR each year, the economy began to take a nose dive. My husband works in the printing industry, an industry that is being buried by the digital age we live in today. He was told he could take a pay cut, or, he could leave. It felt horrible to send my husband off to work at a job where they could do that to him....cut him off at the knees and demand the same level of work each day.

Bills began to pile up, I was robbing Peter to pay Paul...and things were spiraling out of control. The stress of keeping our heads above water wore us down, and the strain was felt between the two of us.

I read some articles about Obama passing legislature regarding loan modifications. According to the specifications, we were IDEAL candidates. However, that didn't mean BOA was approving everyone. I read so many horror stories about people being denied. After many sleepless nights, I realized I had to fight for my home, for my babies well-being.

I used my experience at work writing business proposals and created a binder of our finances. It was an extensive proposal, complete with tabs and a letter pleading our case. Two weeks, yes..two weeks, we were approved. This was after I called BOA every SINGLE day asking for status. Our payment was reduced, and I felt the noose around our necks getting looser.

I believe in Miracles...

G