So here it is folks, my attempt at writing a blog and putting our life out on public display!

Ever since I first met Jeff and began my relationship with this wonderful man, friends have often told us that we should write a book. Now this could either be something recognized as, “wow we are so cool, that our friends think everyone should hear about us,” or (more or less), “we are so unusual that everyone should see who we are!” I believe the latter to be more of the drive behind the comment and encouragement. But all that to say, I kind of get it.

Although, one would argue in defense, to their encouragement to us being authors, the truth is, we are quite unique and we know that. Why do we know that? Well let’s just start with some of the ridiculous comments we have heard from the general public in reaction to meeting a man in a wheelchair. Everything from the severely emphysemic women who was trying to sell us a miracle vitamin that she swore would heal Jeff of quadriplegia, as if it was a disease. To the women who’s assigned seat, on a flight to Michigan, was next to us at the window. In mid-straddle over Jeff, she realized she did not want this arrangement of having to climb over Jeff every time needing to use the restroom. In response, she begins yelling out to her son in the back of the plane and pointing at Jeff, in her attempt to switch seats, “He can’t walk, he can’t walk.” No, no, not embarrassing at all! With my humor I just lifted my arm and began to wave to the rest of the passengers, yes, yes, it’s us he can’t walk, as if we were the winners of a random raffle drawing.

We get it, we stand out, and to tell you the truth, being an only child, I don’t mind it a bit! From the beginning we knew we were going to experience life differently then those around us and have experiences (like the ones stated above) that do not compare to our friends. But we also see the flip side, that each of these moments, are not typical, and through them God teaches us to rely on him and each other more and more. The strength of our relationship not only to each other, but to God does not always compare to the average Joe. I feel blessed that some of the trials we are placed in are not typical and we are brought closer to Jesus through them. That makes being different, totally worth it.

Well speaking of being different, our journey in life continues down the road of uniqueness. We have been married now for almost nine years. We have been so blessed with friends all over the country who we love so dearly. We have been so fortunate to have support in the areas of our life that are not always easy, breezy. God is always there! Right when we are denying ourselves of our uniqueness in our attempt to “fit-in” and be normal, God taps us on the shoulder and gently reminds us, that is not the calling he has for us.

We are excited to share with you, if you have not already heard, the last gentle tap God placed on our shoulder, was the pressing on our hearts to adopt. We have been trying for the past couple years to conceive naturally, but again, that may just be to “normal” for the Dykemas. God has a plan for everyone, and his plan for us, is to keep us unique for now. We could not be more thrilled by this, and understand fully this is a blessing from God to have such a desire to adopt. In all honesty, the enemy tries his hardest to get us down, by rubbing in our faces we are not “typical” and at times this can be hard. We would love that you pray for us during this time. We are waiting for our Home Study date to be set. Please pray, that through this process, that can be quite long, we continue trusting in God and find joy through the wait, not lacking in patience. Thanks for reading. The next update will be much shorter I promise!