status on Lauren from 02/01 to 02/19

Sorry this will be long, but please understand that it helps me to share. And I want you to know as much as possible so you will know what to pray about. That is my request - that you will PRAY - for Lauren and for her baby.

Almost 3 weeks ago, I got a phone call from a friend who knows that Kevin and I would love to have a baby. She told me about a young woman who is pregnant that may be considering adoption. We met her that night at the friend's house. Lauren is 22 years old and 5 - 6 months pregnant. It's a boy! We were overwhelmed with emotion for the next several days. Anxiously waiting to hear from her - something, anything. But we did not. A week later, I called her to tell her that she had been on my mind since our meeting. I am truly concerned for her; where was she, was she warm, hungry, scared? She does not have a good relationship with her mom, but she was staying there most nights and with friends other nights. (We have since learned that some of those nights were spent in hotels - ???) During that short phone conversation, I did get to tell her that I was in a similar situation when I was about her age. I was pregnant, unmarried, and hopelessly in love with my baby's father. I thought having a baby would make everything perfect. But that is not how it worked out. We did not talk for long, she was on her way out. But something I said must have stuck with her. She said she was going to the doctor the next day for a sonogram and she asked if I wanted a picture. She said she would call me back on Wednesday...

...Next chapter in our story...

I did not hear from Lauren Wednesday, but she did call me Friday morning. She was upset because she had just had a major fight with her mom and she was going to a maternity home in San Antionio. Well, somehow, we talked her into staying here and thinking about this first. Then Friday afternoon, we went and picked her up at a friend's house and she was going to stay at out house for a few days. I am not positive, but I am pretty sure when we picked her up, she was high as a kite! Very disoriented, slurred speach, red eyes with dark sunglasses, and as soon as she got here she wanted to EAT! She ate a sandwich and chips, smoked a cigarette and then took a 5 hour nap. While she was sleeping, I baked. I made 5 dozen oatmeal raisin cookies and 7 1/2 dozen dog treats. And we ordered pizza. She woke up a little after 10:00 and ate pizza, fresh pineapple, and homemade cookies - LOTS OF COOKIES - and drank a glass of milk, orange juice, sunny D, and chocolate milk! We talked for a little while and then she went back to sleep again about 11:30. Saturday morning she came down around 8:45 for a cookie and went right back upstairs. I cooked breakfast, but she did not come back down to eat. We found out that she has been to several doctors and each one of them has given her a different due date, but it's somewhere between May 10 and May 25. And she does have a sonogram picture. She does not have long to make up her mind what she wants to do. Please continue to pray that she will make good choices and that the baby will be OK. Friday night, she did not admit that she is currently doing drugs, but she did say that at the beginning of her pregnancy (when she was contemplating abortion) she did drink, smoke pot, and smoke meth. But I know when she woke up from her long nap, she was a different person - whatever she was on had worn off. I am definitely concerned for the baby, but she said she has told all the doctors about her drug use. I know we cannot completely believe someone who is addicted to drugs...and I have a strong feeling she is. I'm not sure what we've gotten ourselves into, but in my heart, I still feel like we are doing the right thing. She needs help and she needs someone that is truly concerned for HER. I have never been in that place before (addicted to drugs) so I cannot even begin to imagine what it is like. I just know she has a tough road ahead with many twists and turns and bumps along the way. And somewhere along that journey, there will be a short stop to give birth, hopefully to a healthy baby boy. I would love to be able to take care of him, love him, and raise him in our family. But if it's not us that gets that priviledge, I do want to be sure that someone does.



Sunday night, after being here for 48 hours, Lauren asked if we would mind if she went to a friend's house. I took her and against my better judgement, I left her at a house I am sure was not safe. It was awful and in the worst part of town. Before we left our house, Kevin asked her if she would be coming back and she said yes. So we waited to hear from her, and waited, and waited. The next morning, after a long sleepless night, we both had trouble concentrating on normal activities. Monday was a long day. Tuesday was no better, but I got a call around noon from Lauren's mom. She had my number from a message I had left for Lauren after the first week I met her. And apparently Lauren had talked about us. Shw wanted to let me know that a woman from Sound Options Pregnancy Services had called for Lauren and she had found a place for Lauren if she was still interested. We talked for about an hour and I learned that she deeply loves her daughter and is worried about her, but does not know what else to do. She has been dealing with Lauren's issues for the last 6 years. I told her I would try to find Lauren and relay the message about the pregnany center and that her mom loves her. I tried calling Lauren at a number I had for her, but someone answered and said she was not there. They were to give her a message. She never returned my call.



Kevin and I went on about our week, trying not to think about all this, and not being very successful at it. Then Thursday night, my phone rang and it was a number I did not know. I answered and heard Lauren talking in the background, but not to me. Then they hung up. They called back 2 hours later and hung up when I answered.

Then this morning, another call came from another unknown number. I could not answer it and they did not leave a message. Then about 10 minutes later, another call from a private number and this time I could answer. It was Lauren. She gave me some story about losing my number and leaving town for a few days because a friend of hers had died. She sopke quickly and in broken sentences, changing from one topic to the next quickly. I asked what she wants and she said she does not know, but she would like to come back here. I told her she could, but the first thing we would do it sit down with her and have a long serious talk. I will not let her take advantage of us or lead us on, but I want to make sure she is safe. She called me back 4 more times during the day, each time telling me she was trying to get a ride over here. I told her I would not drop everything and come get her because I was working. But I told her I would come get her after work. She called me back the last time a little after 4:00 and I told her I would come get her - she said give her about an hour and she would call me back. Its 6:30 and I have not heard from her...