“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
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