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“Just as powerful was a sense that we were
empowered by the community that rallied
behind us, and Eden was a part of Clinton’s
story. The whole process transformed my
view of the Body of Christ, as people shared
their hopes and dreams alongside us.” At the
conclusion of 2014, the Followell’s traveled to
India to meet Eden and bring her home.
Eden is Home: Making Medical Decisions
As the Followell’s settled into life with Eden,
they began to navigate the range of emotions
and needs that accompany adoptive parent life.
One of which, Jess notes, was the aforementioned
fundamental need for community. “The power
of community has been present from the moment
we got home, and it has not let up,” says Jess.
This community has propelled them through
each stage of the last ten years, including
navigating the medical landscape of Eden’s
treatments.
Upon arrival back to the States, one of the
Followell’s primary objectives was seeking out
care and knowledgeable opinions regarding
Eden’s birth defects. Eden was born with defects
causing blood restriction in all four limbs, which
prohibited all of her fingers from fully developing.
As a result, she had many varying issues with her
lower limbs.
To date, Eden has had eleven surgeries over
the last ten years of her life, with some being
minor and outpatient, while others were far more
complicated. “The most recent surgery she had
was a reconstruction of both feet,” explains Jess.
“Thus far, the surgery has been deemed
incredibly successful.”
Life Now
Reflecting on the journey of adoption, with
both its joys and challenges, Jess says that,
“We believe adoption is beautiful because it
stretches the whole family to embrace life
lessons and perspectives we would never have
had without Eden. She has pushed us to take a
hard look into places and to endure things that
have strengthened us all. We have a broader
experience with love, suffering, perseverance,
and community because of her.” The ways in
which Eden has added such beauty to her family
is largely due to her personality, which Robby
says, “is deep and complex, while also affectionate
and wildly defensive of her independence.
Our journey has been one of reminding her that
she doesn’t have to protect herself.”
Eden is reminded of this reality both in her
parents and siblings (older sister Meg, now 11,
and younger brother Simon, who was born in
2016), and by being raised in the welcoming
environment of Clinton. “Clinton has an
approachability that is distinctive,” says Robby.
“It is such a beautiful mix of people, including
many adoptive families.”
The Adoptive Calling
When asked what advice they would give
prospective adoptive parents, Robby says,
“The hardest part of the adoption journey isn’t
getting the child, but following with the child
after the ‘Gotcha Day.’ There is so much
emphasis on the front end, and not as much on
the lifelong commitment.” As the years in the
adoptive journey have passed, Robby says
they have realized, “There is no way to get
as up close and personal to the Gospel,
than to adopt a child. If you feel
any tug, walk one step at a
time and God will lead the
steps to follow.”
34 • NOVEMBER 2023