Stonebriar is a large church made up of many beautiful families, so it seems only fitting that we take the time to get to know one another better. And what better way than sharing some of the God-sized stories behind many of the familiar faces we see? I’m so appreciative of The Creek Family for accepting the invitation to share their beautiful testimony of adoption–not only into God’s family, but the children who the Lord ordained to be theirs. Grab a cup of joe, kick off your shoes, and enjoy learning more about these brothers and sisters of ours.
Sheena and Greg Creek met in the Spring of 2002. She was a sophmore who thought the Coppell High junior was a “cute guy with blue eyes” she wanted to know better. After one date, they were officially an item. “When you start dating at 16 and 17 you grow a lot! We’ve shared so many memories and milestones and have been there for most of our big moments and decisions…even the dumb teenage ones that ended in us being grounded.” It’s precisely that grounding and solid foundation that would help them on their journey to grow their family.
The couple attended the University of Texas at Dallas and tied the knot on December 8, 2007. The following Fall, the couple began trying to conceive, but by Spring 2009 they decided to pay a visit to the doctor. After six months of non intrusive medicine and no results, they were sent to a fertility specialist. “Our first IUI resulted in pregnancy but we lost him/her at 6 weeks. We did 3 more IUIs after that and then our Doctor decided to do laparoscopic surgery to better see what was happening. The surgery revealed moderate endometriosis.”
“From the Fall of 2008 to that point I never really had a moment of clarity or peace. Even before we knew about my fertility, something just felt a little off. I think that’s why we saw a doctor so early; I was kind of anticipating it.” The lack of peace Sheena felt helped make God’s calling on The Creek Family all the more clear. When the doctor said the next step was IVF, Sheena and Greg knew the next step was actually adoption and as they say, “a huge weight was lifted.” While it wasn’t going to be easy, for the first time in over two years, they understood their path.
“We did a lot of research, talked to a lot of agencies, and landed on our agency. We wanted an agency who loved the birth mothers, the babies, and us and we found that. Waiting was hard but we knew we were waiting with purpose; we knew we were listening to God so while it was still so hard to be patient we felt a more at peace than before.”
“We spoke with our children’s birth mothers after they chose us and flew up to meet them before the births. It was wonderful to get to know these amazing women better and we wouldn’t trade that time for anything. We understand them and most importantly love them. They gave us our family as it is today. We love that we can tell Colleen and Jensen all about them in a truly personal way.”
Sheena says couples need to listen as “God talks to us in very personal and individual ways. How Greg and I knew this was the right path for our family was different. I knew it was right because my gut just didn’t feel ok until we decided to adopt, I felt so heavy up until then. Greg listened to God a little differently. It was obvious to us that this was where we were being led and because Greg knew God was writing our story he had a peace about whatever God would do. I don’t know if that makes sense but Greg was just prepared for whatever doors God kept opening and closing.”
“We had a deep longing in our hearts to be parents and we knew that our baby did not need to share our DNA to be ours. God, not so gently sometimes, led us down this path because He loves us. He knew our hearts’ desire better than we did. If you feel pulled to do something but you don’t have a desire for adoption or foster then pray your heart out. I don’t think we’re all called to do everything.”
“My pride was wounded in the worst way as a woman when I couldn’t conceive. I was so humbled that these women, who were in pain and struggling with various things, chose to carry beautiful babies in their bodies for 9 months and then lovingly placed those babies in our arms so we could be mom and dad. God is still working on my pride daily. Sometimes I think about how Colleen will most likely be pregnant some day when she starts her own family and my stupid human pride makes me think about how I won’t be able to give her advice or share pregnancy stories with her and it makes me worry that I’m not enough for her. I feel the lump forming and the feelings of inadequacy and then God reminds me that I don’t have to be “it all”, because He is. He’s got everything handled and He doesn’t need my help. I foresee this {adoption} being a lifelong education, and I picture God repeatedly shaking his head and saying “Ok, Sheena one more time, here’s the deal” as He again explains everything to me like only a Father can.”
If you would like more information on family and parenting, please click HERE. And, if you have a God-sized testimony your family would like to share to encourage others, please email Gabbie at Parentingpathwayblog@stonebriar.org.
Until next time, may His grace and peace cover you and yours on this Parenting Pathway!
His,
Gabbie
October 27, 2016
Thank you Sheena and Greg for so openly sharing your story with us. So many struggle with families infertility, it is heart warming to hear how God filled your life with the children you dreamed of parenting.