A lot has happened since my last post. We are all excited to announce the official adoption of Grant Justice DAHL!! This formality has never been a huge priority to us....until Grant starting asking about it. We have always said the legal aspect doesn't matter and have explained it to him. Jeff has always expressed to Grant that he is his son all the way. Grant knew all that, but he was at an age where being a legal "Dahl" did matter. So off we went on the journey of "adoption".
In a way this was all a little strange to us. Jeff often expressed this. "It's seems strange adopting your own son." I agreed. But we really saw the other side of it, Grants side. He knew his last name was St. Hilaire. That last name was different. And He kept expressing he really wanted to have the legal name of Dahl, like all of us.
After a few months, the process was almost finished and ready for court. We were all a little nervous. And as the day came closer, the more emotional I got. I didn't realize how I was feeling about all this until near the end. I felt a huge since of relief. Knowing that my son legally belonged to my husband and I. The father that I see with all of my children, now is and always will be "legally" the father of ALL my children. And, the joy I was feeling for Grant. This was a small thing I feel to him, but knowing that his dad did this "small thing" was HUGE to him. And that made it big. Big to all of us. I felt God's grace. His joy. His everlasting love. And I felt it all over our family that day. And I feel like I could breath in a way.
I am so grateful for God's grace through this adoption process. He showed us that His Spirit of adoption is for ALL of us. We all want to be wanted, need to belong, and be loved unconditionally. I pray that Grant will carry the Spirit of adoption all of his life. Knowing that he is chosen, that he belongs, and that he is loved by not only his earthly father, but MOST of all, His Heavenly Father.
Romans 8:15
For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father."
The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and children, then heirs-heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ. if indeed we suffer with Him , that we may also be glorified together.
