GUEST BLOG ADOPTION UPDATE FROM KRISTIN ARTRIP:
Mercy Marie Artrip born 10-28-2012 8:02pm
Wow, I cannot believe that I am sitting here in our hospital room writing this blog entry! This day has been a whirlwind and here is the story…
Today is Monday October 29, 2012. It is Mark’s day off and we did our normal routine of going to the Y in the morning. We came home and made lunch and the boys played around the house. I had this crazy desire to reorganize the boys’ toy room and clean the whole house. So, that’s what I did. The boys went down for nap and I was checking my email and it was 3:30. My phone rang and I saw that it was our adoption agency calling. So, I answered and the conversation went something like this… “Hi Kristin are you and Mark still interested in pursuing adoption with us?” I said “yes, we are just waiting for the call” and she said “this is your call. Your daughter was born last night at 8pm. The birth mom just went through the profile books and picked you. I need you to come to Dayton right now to pick up your baby girl! She is 6lbs 13oz healthy and beautiful”.
So we kind of of went into crazy mode and woke the boys up from nap, and threw together three overnight bags, gathered the insurance papers, and got in the car and headed for Dayton at 4:30. The great thing is that my parents live in Dayton so my mom was able to meet us at the hospital to pick up the boys. We met the birth mom very briefly and then within minutes of that we went to the nursery and they said, “here is your room and here is your daughter”.
So, wow I am in sitting here and Mercy is such a sweet baby. She is very calm and hasn’t cried at all. She is a great eater and is coming through all her test with flying colors! She is with us here at the hospital in our room and we will go home tomorrow. We are amazed at the moment and know that God knew all of this was going to happen even though we didn’t have a clue! Thank you for all the prayers and financial support over the last year as we raised money in anticipation of this day! We will do our best to keep facebook/twitter/instagram updated so you can all share in this with us!
Lots of love,
Mark, Kristin, Malachi, Canaan and Mercy
markartrip.wordpress.com 
This brings tears to my eyes. This I am so happy for you and Mark!
Very cool you guys! What a sweet story! Congrats 🙂
GOD never does anything small it is always BIG and BOLD and BEAUTIFUL and always brings GLORY to HIMSELF and BLESSINGS to His children!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How did you pick the name??
I am so happy for your family. How exciting to get Mercy. God Bless you all.
I am so happy for you and Mark. As the adoptive mother of three children, I can feel the emotions and the happiness you are feeling right now all over again!
Congratulations on this latest blessing in your lives and ministry. Your family visited my church about a month ago and I was lead to commit to pray for you all for the next year. The Lord really put your children on my heart since I know that they are spending many a Sunday visiting new churches. I will add Mercy to my list!
Blessings to you all,
Jennifer