A Miracle of Timing: Mike Marsden's Story of Faith, Adoption, and Resilience [S5E2]

Mike Marsden is an adoptee from Nashville whose story is filled with timing, loss, gratitude, and faith. After being delivered prematurely at only 3 pounds and 2 ounces, Mike spent months in the hospital before finding his forever family.

Despite a tragic loss at a young age, Mike was able to move forward and find the courage to reach out and connect with his birth mother, only to suffer yet again. Despite his trials, Mike tells his story with grace, humility, and compassion for others.

This inspiring journey is filled with faith re-establishing moments that are sure to help you heal and move forward. Mike is a true example that despite what life can throw at us, it is indeed a beautiful thing.

Below are some of key links in Mike's story that trace the outline of a tragic life, but one that is full of resiliency and strength as well!

[#1 Some Details on Mike's Birth and His First Meeting of His Foster Parents]

• In the episode, Mike talks about his adoptive parents and how they had fostered about 30 children before they adopted Mike.
• After adopting Mike as an infant, his parents stopped fostering other children.
• He was born prematurely at 3 pounds, 2 ounces but flourished despite this tough beginning.
• And Mike was named as a tribute to his adoptive uncle who passed away while he was still a baby.

[#2 Tragedy as a Vehicle for Re-Establishing Your Faith ]

• Mike wants to remind you that tragedy can be used as a strengthener of your faith. It may not seem like it at the time, but you can build and reinforce your faith as a result of tragic events in your life.
• He states this because he himself had doubts and his faith had started to waver. But in the long run, he knew that God was looking out for him.

[#3 Mike's Motivations and Methods For Searching for His Biological Mother ]

• After taking his biological son to the doctor, Mike realized he didn't have any family medical history to draw from because he was adopted. This was further inspiration to seek his birth mother.
• After using the DNA tracing service 23andMe, he was able to find a last name which he used as a starting point. While at first this seemed to lead to a dead end, Mike didn't give up.
• Mike ended up typing in "Wisconsin Adoption" in a search engine and picked an agency. He then sent a letter, filled an application, and paid $80. And this was last year (2018)! So, this is a viable option for those who have been adopted and looking to connect with their biological parents.

[#4 The Emotional Impact of Meeting His Birth Mother After 35 years! ]

• Mike was ecstatic to learn that after going through the process of finding his birth mother, she agreed to release the necessary information to meet with him!
• During the episode, Mike also talks about the power of the letter that he wrote to his mother, and how he thinks it ultimately helped them reconnect.
• And as a testament to the maxim that things work out in the end, what his mother wanted for Mike was indeed provided by his adoptive parents. She wrote a letter back to him with her contact information and they talked and one of the first things they did was meet up!
• In addition to meeting her son, Mike's birth mother also got to meet her grandson.

[#5 A Miracle of Timing: A Testament Towards Reconnection ]

• As Mike states, as tragic as the story ends, he ultimately received the blessings of closure and completeness in this aspect of his life.
• He states that he is wholeheartedly glad he embarked on his journey of reconnection.
• And he gives advice for adoptees when he states, you really have to be open to any type of outcome when reconnecting with a biological parent. You may not get the outcome you want, but if you don't do it, you won't be able to experience the joys as well!

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