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Author could've used own book

When she was looking to adopt, she wanted a guidebook with a Christian perspective. Not finding one, she decided to write it.

By CHANDRA BROADWATER
Published September 5, 2006

Author Natalie Nichols Gillespie never thought she would have kids.

Instead, as she wrote in one of her seven books, she imagined as a young girl that she would one day be rich and famous.

The oldest of four, she had been a babysitter all of her life. There would be no children - ever.

Now, at 39, she laughs because she has seven: the three she gave birth to, the three she became stepmother to after marrying her husband, Adam, 45, and the one she adopted from China in July.

She also has a national award for writing her latest book, Successful Adoption: A Guide for Christian Families.

U.S. Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite recently announced that Gillespie was the 2006 Angels in Adoption winner for the state's 5th Congressional District.

" 'His, hers, ours and everybody's,' is what we say around here," Gillespie said, sitting on the couch at her house north of Weeki Wachee. "Sometimes it gets a little crazy."

Four of the five children still at home - Jessica Woolbright, 15; Joshua Woolbright, 11; Justin Gillespie, 8; and the newest addition, Amberlie Joy FuShuang Gillespie, 1 - squeezed onto the sofa with their mom and dad one morning last week. They all took turns holding a teething Amberlie, who played with a favorite silver spoon.

Outside, the family's large Ford van sat in the driveway. Big enough to fit all nine of them, it costs about $90 to fill up a tank. A few hours later, they would pile inside it to head to homeschooling classes at their church, Christian Church in the Wildwood, just down the road on U.S. 19.

The Gillespies, who moved to Hernando County from Clearwater four years ago, also take some of their children to school in Pinellas Park a few days a week.

It was about two years ago when the busy Natalie Gillespie, who is also a journalist, started thinking about adoption.

"I started wondering if it was a calling, and so I prayed about it and wrestled with the idea," she said. "I thought about telling my husband, but we already had six kids and I thought he would think I was crazy."

But when she did bring it up, his reply shocked her.

"You've been thinking about that, too?" he asked.

The two of them decided to ask their kids for guidance. They didn't want to spread themselves too thin.

The kids' only question was when they could get their new sibling.

When she began the adoption process with Adam, Natalie Gillespie wondered how many others felt like she did. Just where were they supposed to start? Should they adopt in or out of the country? Could they really afford it?

All of those and more questions got her thinking as she searched the Internet, read books and asked friends who had adopted before for answers. She had yet to find a handbook with a Christian perspective. A practical book with some guidance from Scripture was what she needed.

So she floated the idea to an editor she knew. And as she and her husband made their way through the yearlong process to adopt Amberlie, Gillespie started writing. The 394-page book came out July 21. Amberlie came home July 28.

In a few weeks, the Gillespies will be in Washington, D.C., to receive the award along with other honorees. The gala will be hosted by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption, and the president and the first lady will be at the event.

More than a month into Amberlie's arrival, the family says they're surprised at how fast she has become part of the family. There have been adjustments - Justin had to give up his spot as the baby in the family which he said was okay for a little sister, and Natalie had to get used to carting around a diaper bag full of baby supplies - but so far, life has been good.

It's like Amberlie has always been there.

"I know she has a great purpose for her life," Natalie Gillespie said, watching Josh hold the baby.

They all laughed when Amberlie got excited and twirled her tiny hands and feet around in small circles at the same time. They have noticed that it's her signature move.

"And I can't wait to see how it unfolds."

Chandra Broadwater can be reached at cbroadwater@sptimes.com or (352) 848-1432.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Go to www.successfuladoption.com for more information on Natalie Nichols Gillespie's book Successful Adoption: A Guide for Christian Families.

[Last modified September 4, 2006, 21:59:35]