Quilt #23 Debbie and Asher Worthen Gilbert

Quilt #23 was presented to Debbie Worthen Gilbert for her newly adopted son (final today!!) Asher. Spoiler Alert: This story has a very happy ending.

Darling Frog Quilt donated by Sandra Chin

Debbie is the sister-in-law of my dear friend Maidy Worthen. When I talked to Maidy a few months ago about The Duncan Project, she shared with me a little of Debbie's journey to add another child to their family. 

Here is Debbie's story in her own words:

Asher on adoption day!

For years we wanted more kids! Since we already had two girls we could not figure out why we weren't successful.  After a miscarriage 2 years ago  (and turning 40) we knew we needed to go another route.  A few months later we were invited to a scholarship dinner for 'at risk' kids.  Kids who had beaten the odds and had made it through high school.  One kid was homeless, one girl had a baby when she was 15, kept it, and managed to get good enough grades to get accepted to college.  It was so inspirational.  That night I told my husband we are supposed to do more.  We didn't know exactly what that meant.  Since I work on TV we thought it might mean I use my high profile position in the community to become some kind of advocate for troubled youth.  A few days later (and I'm actually crying while I'm writing this which is surprising me) I was getting my hair cut and my hairdresser mentioned another client who was a foster parent.  It was a total answer to a prayer.  I KNEW that's what we were supposed to do. 

I called my husband and told him to think about it.  His exact words were,"Isn't it only weirdos that foster kids?"  I actually still laugh at that because the truth was, I had never know anyone who HAD done it!  But, he's an awesome guy who basically follows every single prompting I get with a smile on his face. 

We started the process the get licensed and about six months later we got our license.  Three days later we had our first baby... just in time for Christmas.  His name was Julian and he was two months old.  Absolute blessing!  (Anyone who has ever had a baby knows the feeling that child brings into the home is nothing short of a gift from God.)

A couple of months later we gave him to his grandma where he is loved and thriving.

Two weeks later we got another call.  Another baby boy needed us.  His story was much worse.  He was three months old, severely neglected.  Couldn't make eye contact or hold his head up.  His head was stuck to one side.  (Likely because he wasn't held.  Just stuck in a car seat.)  He didn't cry (sign of neglect) and his arms and legs were limp.  We found out his parents panhandled with him in his stroller in 20 degree temperatures.  They would leave him at the homeless shelter while they left to sell drugs.  He had pneumonia and whooping cough at six weeks.  This was all after detoxing from heroine and meth at birth.

Gilbert Family

After a couple of weeks at our home he was smiling and making eye contact.  After several physical therapy sessions he could turn his head.  Three months later doctors told us he showed no signs of missing milestones. 
Our adoption is final 10 days before his first birthday.  He's a wild man that is always happy.  We named him 'Asher' after finding out that name means 'blessed, fortunate happy one'!  The reality is, we needed him a lot more than he needed us.  God is good.  He answers prayers and there are no mistakes when it comes to his children.

I love how the blessings come when we respond to the promptings of the Spirit.  I am so happy to share this beautiful story.

There is "Love in the Stitches."

 

The quilt was sewn and donated by my

mentor Sandra Chin