I have written and re-written this update at least four times.
Weeks ago when I started, I was writing out of frustration and sadness.
Last week when I went back to finish, I edited out a lot of the “cranky Doh” because I had calmed down.
Today I’ve erased everything and I’m starting from scratch. So here’s our adoption update:
I’m not going to share all of the details publicly, but please ask me if you’d like me to tell you privately and I’d be happy to. About a month ago we had a situation arise with the agency we had chosen to work with. After dealing with them and finding out some things we hadn’t known before, we decided that maybe we should look in a different direction.
So there we were at what seemed to be Square One all over again. My frustration came from the fact that had everything gone as planned, we would have had a baby by the holidays. I was overwhelmed with the thought of having to go back through the process of choosing an agency. It was definitely a huge step backward, but the good thing was that over the summer we had taken a few steps forward – we had completed our home study and fundraised close to $7,000.
So where are we now? Funny thing... We’re back where we started. When we first decided we wanted to try to adopt, our hearts were really moved toward a private adoption and not an agency adoption. But somehow that seemed so impossible – we’d basically have to just tell everyone that we knew that we were wanting to adopt, and hope that someone knew someone who knew someone who was choosing an adoption plan for their child. That could take forever. When we first heard about our agency, we were ecstatic. Working with them definitely meant a baby by the holidays, not within a year or two like a lot of other places. We had waited so long for a child already, deciding to work with this agency just seemed the right move.
But now it’s back to the beginning. Looking for a private adoption situation. Yes, we are telling everyone we know to please be aware of our situation and keep their ears open. We’ve also been in contact with an adoption attorney who frequently has expectant mothers come to him looking for help with a private adoption. Legally he cannot match mothers with families since he is not an agency, but he can share information. He’s done this type of work for over 25 years and we trust him completely. He’s a very kind, compassionate, Christian man who is dear friends with some friends of ours from church.
Only God knows when and if a situation will arise for us. But for now, this is our plan and we are confident in it. Am I happy to be waiting longer? Um, no. The thought of another Christmas with a bajillion little cousins, nieces, and nephews while I sit without a child of my own makes my stomach turn. But we’re doing all we can do – taking the next obedient step. Even if that step sometimes sends us backward!
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Tuesday's Tidbits
Yes, I know it's Wednesday, I just didn't get home early enough last night to post. :-)
Last night we were excited to go to a children's consignment sale in Louisville. We looked at furniture, strollers, carseats, highchairs, and the like, but ended up coming home without making a purchase. Still, it was fun to actually be able to shop for those things! We know that a match could come more quickly than we anticipate, but for now we're waiting patiently. On a frustrating note, there was some misunderstanding with our home study, and as of today (over a week later), we still have not received a copy. That is delaying our application process for grants and loans.
We are super, super, super excited for our friends Chuck and Abby!!! (http://robinsonaddition.blogspot.com/) They found out on Friday that they have been matched with two children in Ethiopia. We can't wait to meet Layla and Ezekiel!
We are also thrilled that our friends Bo and Tara (and Colby & Kallee) have finally been able to move into their house. (http://thecracrafts.tumblr.com/) They've been an inspiration as they've walked through the decision to live life more simply, and we know Pradero will be a wonderful home for them.
My little sister Molly left for Los Angeles last weekend. I'm very excited to see what God has planned for her as she follows her talents to the west coast. And I'm secretly hoping she makes the connections she needs to quickly so that she can come back closer to home! I pray that she will find a church and group of friends quickly - people who will encourage her both spiritually and in her music endeavors.
Hope Church broke ground for the playground this week! Absolutely cannot wait for the kiddos to have a fun and safe place to play outside. Hope also celebrated its 12th birthday last weekend, and we've ceratinly been blessed to be a part of that family for the past four years.
Hope the next post brings exciting adoption news! Until then...
Last night we were excited to go to a children's consignment sale in Louisville. We looked at furniture, strollers, carseats, highchairs, and the like, but ended up coming home without making a purchase. Still, it was fun to actually be able to shop for those things! We know that a match could come more quickly than we anticipate, but for now we're waiting patiently. On a frustrating note, there was some misunderstanding with our home study, and as of today (over a week later), we still have not received a copy. That is delaying our application process for grants and loans.
We are super, super, super excited for our friends Chuck and Abby!!! (http://robinsonaddition.blogspot.com/) They found out on Friday that they have been matched with two children in Ethiopia. We can't wait to meet Layla and Ezekiel!
We are also thrilled that our friends Bo and Tara (and Colby & Kallee) have finally been able to move into their house. (http://thecracrafts.tumblr.com/) They've been an inspiration as they've walked through the decision to live life more simply, and we know Pradero will be a wonderful home for them.
My little sister Molly left for Los Angeles last weekend. I'm very excited to see what God has planned for her as she follows her talents to the west coast. And I'm secretly hoping she makes the connections she needs to quickly so that she can come back closer to home! I pray that she will find a church and group of friends quickly - people who will encourage her both spiritually and in her music endeavors.
Hope Church broke ground for the playground this week! Absolutely cannot wait for the kiddos to have a fun and safe place to play outside. Hope also celebrated its 12th birthday last weekend, and we've ceratinly been blessed to be a part of that family for the past four years.
Hope the next post brings exciting adoption news! Until then...
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Humbled by His Plans
Sunday morning I got to church early, so I was looking back through the last few entries in my journal notebook. I laughed as I read a journal entry from about a month ago. I was freaking out over the adoption process – completely baffled at how we’d ever come up with the finances. Oh, silly girl, when will you ever learn to trust in the Lord and lean NOT on your own understanding?
Just over a week ago we marked the end of our first fundraiser. Four days at the 127 Yard Sale brought in over $5,000. Five. Thousand. Dollars. (Hey, Doh, it’s me, God. What’d I tell ya?) I have to admit that the week leading up to the yard sale I was an absolute wreck. Tim had just returned from eight days in Honduras and my mom’s house was covered with yard sale junk. So many times I felt overwhelmed and told my mom and sister that it wasn’t worth it. We’d kill ourselves trying to be ready for the weekend – we should just chill out and do it sometime later on. Thankfully they told me to chill out and convinced me to continue!
Oh how we were able to see God in our midst the whole time. First of all, had it not been for the timing working out perfectly for us to take advantage of the 127 Sale weekend, we never would have made as much as we did. On top of that, had our dear friends Drew and Cack not offered their perfect location, we never would have had the traffic we did.
Thursday was supposed to be our set-up day with no selling unless we felt ready. As soon as people saw tents popping up, they headed on over and started digging through boxes. It was absolutely the most stressful day of all as we dealt with customers while trying to unpack, organize, and setup tables and tents, but the stress and chaos of the day brought $1,000. Not bad for a day you weren’t even planning to be open – I guess God had different plans than we did.
We were overwhelmed by the generosity of our friends, family, and people we don’t even know. From the moment the yard sale was planned, we had people offering to donate things to sell. All weekend long, as we would begin to put a dent in our stash, more stuff would arrive. We thought we’d sold all of our “big ticket” items multiple times, only to have another table or dresser donated. Yet another way the Lord provided – no way did we have $5,000 worth of stuff on our own!
We had some neat experiences and met some great people over those four days. Multiple people shared with us that they had adopted, had been adopted themselves, or had adopted children somewhere in their family.
We were able to sell a tv with closed captioning to a lady who was hearing impaired. We communicated by writing everything down on a pad of paper as she asked me about the tv. I offered to plug it in so we could check it, and thankfully our friend Chad had arrived just in time to carry it over to the house for me and eventually to her car.
Mom was able to donate some Swiffer and Clorox mops to a gentleman who works at some sort of shelter or soup kitchen, and we also sent some backpacks and bags with a gentleman who helps out with a “Backpack Buddies” type program at his church.
Throughout the weekend, shoppers offered an extra dollar, ten dollars, or even more as they paid for their items. Many of them also offered prayers for us and our adoption process. People came to us at church and simply gave a donation, and other donations came through the mail. Even still we’re having people offer up things to sell at our next yard sale.
Like I said before – humbling. I don’t know that you’d ever choose in life to be in the midst of a difficult or trying situation. Yet how encouraged we have been by the outpouring of love, support, and generosity from so many around us! We are even more grateful now than we’ve ever been before for the family and friends that God has blessed us with.
So here’s where we stand: We are officially home study approved! Yesterday we received a letter stating that our home study was on its way to our agency and another copy on its way to us. Once we receive it, we will send copies of it along with our applications for various loans and grants. THEN….. we’ll finish our profile for the agency and send it off so that we can be matched!
Thank you again to EVERYONE who helped with the yard sale. If you came by and spent two dollars, donated junk from your attic, or simply prayed that the weekend would be a success, you were a blessing to us. Look for details for yard sale #2 and a cookout lunch soon!
Just over a week ago we marked the end of our first fundraiser. Four days at the 127 Yard Sale brought in over $5,000. Five. Thousand. Dollars. (Hey, Doh, it’s me, God. What’d I tell ya?) I have to admit that the week leading up to the yard sale I was an absolute wreck. Tim had just returned from eight days in Honduras and my mom’s house was covered with yard sale junk. So many times I felt overwhelmed and told my mom and sister that it wasn’t worth it. We’d kill ourselves trying to be ready for the weekend – we should just chill out and do it sometime later on. Thankfully they told me to chill out and convinced me to continue!
Oh how we were able to see God in our midst the whole time. First of all, had it not been for the timing working out perfectly for us to take advantage of the 127 Sale weekend, we never would have made as much as we did. On top of that, had our dear friends Drew and Cack not offered their perfect location, we never would have had the traffic we did.
Thursday was supposed to be our set-up day with no selling unless we felt ready. As soon as people saw tents popping up, they headed on over and started digging through boxes. It was absolutely the most stressful day of all as we dealt with customers while trying to unpack, organize, and setup tables and tents, but the stress and chaos of the day brought $1,000. Not bad for a day you weren’t even planning to be open – I guess God had different plans than we did.
We were overwhelmed by the generosity of our friends, family, and people we don’t even know. From the moment the yard sale was planned, we had people offering to donate things to sell. All weekend long, as we would begin to put a dent in our stash, more stuff would arrive. We thought we’d sold all of our “big ticket” items multiple times, only to have another table or dresser donated. Yet another way the Lord provided – no way did we have $5,000 worth of stuff on our own!
We had some neat experiences and met some great people over those four days. Multiple people shared with us that they had adopted, had been adopted themselves, or had adopted children somewhere in their family.
We were able to sell a tv with closed captioning to a lady who was hearing impaired. We communicated by writing everything down on a pad of paper as she asked me about the tv. I offered to plug it in so we could check it, and thankfully our friend Chad had arrived just in time to carry it over to the house for me and eventually to her car.
Mom was able to donate some Swiffer and Clorox mops to a gentleman who works at some sort of shelter or soup kitchen, and we also sent some backpacks and bags with a gentleman who helps out with a “Backpack Buddies” type program at his church.
Throughout the weekend, shoppers offered an extra dollar, ten dollars, or even more as they paid for their items. Many of them also offered prayers for us and our adoption process. People came to us at church and simply gave a donation, and other donations came through the mail. Even still we’re having people offer up things to sell at our next yard sale.
Like I said before – humbling. I don’t know that you’d ever choose in life to be in the midst of a difficult or trying situation. Yet how encouraged we have been by the outpouring of love, support, and generosity from so many around us! We are even more grateful now than we’ve ever been before for the family and friends that God has blessed us with.
So here’s where we stand: We are officially home study approved! Yesterday we received a letter stating that our home study was on its way to our agency and another copy on its way to us. Once we receive it, we will send copies of it along with our applications for various loans and grants. THEN….. we’ll finish our profile for the agency and send it off so that we can be matched!
Thank you again to EVERYONE who helped with the yard sale. If you came by and spent two dollars, donated junk from your attic, or simply prayed that the weekend would be a success, you were a blessing to us. Look for details for yard sale #2 and a cookout lunch soon!
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Fundraiser #1 a HUGE success!
Wow. That’s really all there is to say. Wow. I am utterly amazed at the love that has been poured out upon a child who isn’t even here yet! This weekend’s yard sale was above and beyond successful.
I have a lot of thoughts and things to share, but for now we just want to let you know how grateful we are to everyone who pitched in in any way. Your giving enabled us to raise over $5,000 toward our adoption expenses!
There are SO MANY people we want to thank for donating time, money, or things to sell. First of all, my mom, who finally got to get rid of clutter in her house and worked her tail off for two weeks to be ready for this past weekend; my sister Molly, who was slave to me and my mom throughout this whole process; and my dad, who put up with all of the insanity while being whatever help he could.
Drew Causey and Cack Detherage (the soon to be Mr. and Mrs. Causey!!!) who allowed us the use of their yard, garage, and home for four days. The location was PERFECT and we would not have had the outcome we did without your generosity. Thanks also for loaning us Scout to keep us company and entertain the shoppers.
Bethany Meacham, who showed up every day, folded and sorted more clothes than an employee at the Gap, and came with Robert to help us tear down on Sunday afternoon.
Andrew and Amy Zopff, who gave up their Saturday afternoon and evening to come – with their kids - to run our yard sale so that we could attend my cousin’s wedding. Those six hours no doubt helped toward our total. And to Amy for fixing a cooler of cold drinks for us on our set-up day.
Hope Community Church for the use of tables.
Richard Weese for helping us transport and set-up on Thursday.
Buddy Bennett, Jamey Bennett, Tommy Current, Tim Lucas, Jason Gilbert, and Andrew Zopff for loaning us canopies that saved us and our shoppers from the intense heat and sun.
Bo Cracraft, Jason Gilbert, and Brad Gross for moving furniture and boxes out to the site.
Lucy Karsner, Gracie, and Peyton for helping with set-up.
Jeff Ford for loaning us his truck the entire weekend.
Gilberts and Cracrafts for making food runs.
David Rowe for helping us transport and unload all the leftover stuff on Sunday.
Donations of various kinds: Robinson, McQuinn, Roberts, Tilley, Current, Cracraft, Zopff, Gilbert, Karsner, Reddick, Ross, Meacham, Walker, Lucas, Doolin, Chrisman, McGrath, Rennels, Noble, Foster, Maggard, Tigges, Rose, Birdwhistell, Snelling, Rowe, Uebel, Gay, Bowman, and so many more that I didn’t get a chance to write down.
You are all blessings in our lives. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
I have a lot of thoughts and things to share, but for now we just want to let you know how grateful we are to everyone who pitched in in any way. Your giving enabled us to raise over $5,000 toward our adoption expenses!
There are SO MANY people we want to thank for donating time, money, or things to sell. First of all, my mom, who finally got to get rid of clutter in her house and worked her tail off for two weeks to be ready for this past weekend; my sister Molly, who was slave to me and my mom throughout this whole process; and my dad, who put up with all of the insanity while being whatever help he could.
Drew Causey and Cack Detherage (the soon to be Mr. and Mrs. Causey!!!) who allowed us the use of their yard, garage, and home for four days. The location was PERFECT and we would not have had the outcome we did without your generosity. Thanks also for loaning us Scout to keep us company and entertain the shoppers.
Bethany Meacham, who showed up every day, folded and sorted more clothes than an employee at the Gap, and came with Robert to help us tear down on Sunday afternoon.
Andrew and Amy Zopff, who gave up their Saturday afternoon and evening to come – with their kids - to run our yard sale so that we could attend my cousin’s wedding. Those six hours no doubt helped toward our total. And to Amy for fixing a cooler of cold drinks for us on our set-up day.
Hope Community Church for the use of tables.
Richard Weese for helping us transport and set-up on Thursday.
Buddy Bennett, Jamey Bennett, Tommy Current, Tim Lucas, Jason Gilbert, and Andrew Zopff for loaning us canopies that saved us and our shoppers from the intense heat and sun.
Bo Cracraft, Jason Gilbert, and Brad Gross for moving furniture and boxes out to the site.
Lucy Karsner, Gracie, and Peyton for helping with set-up.
Jeff Ford for loaning us his truck the entire weekend.
Gilberts and Cracrafts for making food runs.
David Rowe for helping us transport and unload all the leftover stuff on Sunday.
Donations of various kinds: Robinson, McQuinn, Roberts, Tilley, Current, Cracraft, Zopff, Gilbert, Karsner, Reddick, Ross, Meacham, Walker, Lucas, Doolin, Chrisman, McGrath, Rennels, Noble, Foster, Maggard, Tigges, Rose, Birdwhistell, Snelling, Rowe, Uebel, Gay, Bowman, and so many more that I didn’t get a chance to write down.
You are all blessings in our lives. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
When Life Throws You a Curve
So, Tim came home from Honduras sick. Curve ball. This week was already going to be crazy and hectic enough getting ready for our first fundraising yard sale - we don't have time for him to be sick!
He had told me the morning of their flight home that he wasn't feeling well - stuffy nose, cough, etc. He looked and sounded awful when I picked him up Sunday night, and it's only gotten worse since then. He has yet to go to work this week and only today felt well enough to get out of bed and really do anything. I'm thankful that the "anything" he felt up to doing included a trip to the doctor! Hopefully the Z-Pak will kick whatever it is that's got him feeling yucky.
Unfortunately, it's meant that we've had to postpone the second part of our home study that was scheduled for tonight. It's frustrating to me because I feel like we already lost a week with him gone, and now we'll be another week behind. But then I have to remind myself that I only think we're behind because I have some sort of schedule in my head. When you get right down to it, the timing is all the Lord's and there's nothing I can do to mess with that!
I think we're finally getting close to being ready for this weekend. We might actually be crazy for taking part in the "World's Longest Yard Sale", but it seemed too good an opportunity to pass up. I think my mother has cleaned out every closet, cabinet, and drawer in her entire house! (And believe me, she's thrilled about it.) Thursday will be our set-up and pricing day at the yard sale site, and we will sell on Friday and Saturday. Hoping the weather cooperates!
He had told me the morning of their flight home that he wasn't feeling well - stuffy nose, cough, etc. He looked and sounded awful when I picked him up Sunday night, and it's only gotten worse since then. He has yet to go to work this week and only today felt well enough to get out of bed and really do anything. I'm thankful that the "anything" he felt up to doing included a trip to the doctor! Hopefully the Z-Pak will kick whatever it is that's got him feeling yucky.
Unfortunately, it's meant that we've had to postpone the second part of our home study that was scheduled for tonight. It's frustrating to me because I feel like we already lost a week with him gone, and now we'll be another week behind. But then I have to remind myself that I only think we're behind because I have some sort of schedule in my head. When you get right down to it, the timing is all the Lord's and there's nothing I can do to mess with that!
I think we're finally getting close to being ready for this weekend. We might actually be crazy for taking part in the "World's Longest Yard Sale", but it seemed too good an opportunity to pass up. I think my mother has cleaned out every closet, cabinet, and drawer in her entire house! (And believe me, she's thrilled about it.) Thursday will be our set-up and pricing day at the yard sale site, and we will sell on Friday and Saturday. Hoping the weather cooperates!
Monday, August 2, 2010
Better Than a Hallelujah
We pour out our miseries
God just hears a melody
Beautiful the mess we are
The honest cries of breaking hearts
Are better than a Hallelujah
This song is being played over and over again on the radio lately, but for some reason it has seemed to really hit home with me. Granted, I’ve been a little extra-emotional while Tim’s been gone to Honduras, but at times the words of this song have sent me into tears. I know that a lot of what hits me about this song is that I relate so much to “pouring out my misery” to God. This decision to adopt was not an easy one to come to, and it definitely hasn’t come without some heartbreak. My whole life was planned around being a wife and mother. I never, ever thought I’d be “that girl” or we’d be “that couple”. Much of the past few years have been spent pouring out the “honest cries of our breaking hearts” about not being able to become pregnant.
The words of the song may seem a little strange. Our miseries and cries of broken hearts are sweeter to God’s ears than a “Hallelujah”? Yes, sometimes I think they are. What is better than honesty with ourselves and with our Father? He knows our pains and our trials, even better than we do. I think sometimes He longs for us to be honest. Not that he wants us to hurt, but there’s so much to gain by being broken and having to depend solely on Him.
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. –2 Cor. 12:9
So many times I’ve tried to act as if everything is okay; tried to make everything okay. Pretended that the hurt wasn’t there or wasn’t as bad. And one day it sort of hit me. My weakness gives the Lord the opportunity to work in me and through me. The more I try to handle it all myself, the more I close Him off from the opportunity to love me. I can’t make it through this life on my own. I shouldn’t try to, and my Father doesn’t want me to.
Hence, the words of this song. God hears a melody when we finally admit that we are broken and hurting. When we finally quit being prideful and selfish, and finally go to Him with nothing to lose and everything to gain. When we finally say, “Okay, Lord, this hurts. Hear my cries. I give up so that You may take over.”
And He’s there. He’s been there… waiting… all along. Hallelujah!
God just hears a melody
Beautiful the mess we are
The honest cries of breaking hearts
Are better than a Hallelujah
This song is being played over and over again on the radio lately, but for some reason it has seemed to really hit home with me. Granted, I’ve been a little extra-emotional while Tim’s been gone to Honduras, but at times the words of this song have sent me into tears. I know that a lot of what hits me about this song is that I relate so much to “pouring out my misery” to God. This decision to adopt was not an easy one to come to, and it definitely hasn’t come without some heartbreak. My whole life was planned around being a wife and mother. I never, ever thought I’d be “that girl” or we’d be “that couple”. Much of the past few years have been spent pouring out the “honest cries of our breaking hearts” about not being able to become pregnant.
The words of the song may seem a little strange. Our miseries and cries of broken hearts are sweeter to God’s ears than a “Hallelujah”? Yes, sometimes I think they are. What is better than honesty with ourselves and with our Father? He knows our pains and our trials, even better than we do. I think sometimes He longs for us to be honest. Not that he wants us to hurt, but there’s so much to gain by being broken and having to depend solely on Him.
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. –2 Cor. 12:9
So many times I’ve tried to act as if everything is okay; tried to make everything okay. Pretended that the hurt wasn’t there or wasn’t as bad. And one day it sort of hit me. My weakness gives the Lord the opportunity to work in me and through me. The more I try to handle it all myself, the more I close Him off from the opportunity to love me. I can’t make it through this life on my own. I shouldn’t try to, and my Father doesn’t want me to.
Hence, the words of this song. God hears a melody when we finally admit that we are broken and hurting. When we finally quit being prideful and selfish, and finally go to Him with nothing to lose and everything to gain. When we finally say, “Okay, Lord, this hurts. Hear my cries. I give up so that You may take over.”
And He’s there. He’s been there… waiting… all along. Hallelujah!
Friday, July 23, 2010
Why It's Upside Down
I honestly never thought I'd enter the blog world. Never cared much for them, really. But I succumbed to the worlds of Facebook and Twitter, so I guess a blog was only the next logical step, right? Here is what I've decided: like it or not, we share life with everyone around us: family, friends, acquaintances, hair stylists (gossip central) and even random people in line at the grocery store. (Don't tell me you never make small talk with those people!) I for one have come to appreciate immensely the special people that I get to share my life with every day. They make me smile, give me encouragement, pray for me, laugh with me, cry with me, and listen to me... and I get to do all of that for them. I am blessed. Over the past few years I have realized more and more that opening up and sharing honestly about my life can be a truly enriching experience. It often helps others become comfortable opening up, and you know what happens? We figure out that we all have a whole lot more in common than we thought. We share fears, joys, worries, hopes, praises, and prayers. If a blog is just one more way I can share my life with others - especially those far away from me - then I'm all for trying it out.
So why an upside down life? Because sometimes it feels like life is so uncertain and uneasy, it's like trying to stand on your head and keep going like everything's normal. And because sometimes all you need to do is flip the way you're looking at a situation in order for it to look different... better.
Aaaaaaaannnnnnndddd....... Because we're ready to share with the world that our life is about to be turned upside down. Why? Because WE'RE ADOPTING!
That's right, folks. Yesterday we completed part one of our home study. Our case worker was super sweet and easy-going. She made the whole process much less stressful! We each spent some time chatting with her about our lives from childhood up until now, she talked with us together about our choice to adopt, and shared with us how all of the procedures would work. She spent a VERY short amount of time actually looking over our house - turns out we may not have needed to do all the prep work after all! She honestly has no idea if we have medicines or cleaning supplies within a child's reach or if all of our outlets are covered. LOL, praise the Lord for allowing us to be over-prepared and not the opposite!
The second part of our home study will be on August 3rd, and from there it will be roughly 1-2 weeks before it's officially approved. After that we can move ahead with our agency and prepare for placement! We're thrilled to have the first part of our study complete, and are so very thankful for the prayers and well-wishes that we received yesterday. Also a very special thanks to those who wrote our recommendation letters - they were amazing and we feel very blessed to call you friends.
So what's the deal? We are working with Graceful Adoptions out of Iowa. They place adoptive families within two weeks of approval, and families are placed with a birth mother in her third trimester. We are excited and a bit nervous that we could be welcoming a child into our lives by Thanksgiving! We have also not ruled out the possibility of a private adoption should the situation arise. Those things tend to happen by word of mouth, which is part of the reason we are sharing this with all of you.
What's next? Fundraising. We are planning a yard sale most likely for the weekend of August 6th, so start grabbing all the junk you want to get rid of! We have also tentatively scheduled a lunch & music fundraiser for Sunday, August 15th.
Our prayer right now is first and foremost that we would simply continue to follow the Lord in taking our next obedient steps. It's been a long and not always easy process so far, but we have seen His guidance and provision one step at a time. We are also praying over applications for grants and matching funds that we will be sending the minute our home study is approved. Because our agency works so quickly, we need money quickly. We plan to hold off on going "active" with our agency until we are comfortable with the finances, but also hope to be able to complete an adoption by the end of the year.
We'll continue to share more with you over the next few weeks. For now, welcome to our upside down life!
So why an upside down life? Because sometimes it feels like life is so uncertain and uneasy, it's like trying to stand on your head and keep going like everything's normal. And because sometimes all you need to do is flip the way you're looking at a situation in order for it to look different... better.
Aaaaaaaannnnnnndddd....... Because we're ready to share with the world that our life is about to be turned upside down. Why? Because WE'RE ADOPTING!
That's right, folks. Yesterday we completed part one of our home study. Our case worker was super sweet and easy-going. She made the whole process much less stressful! We each spent some time chatting with her about our lives from childhood up until now, she talked with us together about our choice to adopt, and shared with us how all of the procedures would work. She spent a VERY short amount of time actually looking over our house - turns out we may not have needed to do all the prep work after all! She honestly has no idea if we have medicines or cleaning supplies within a child's reach or if all of our outlets are covered. LOL, praise the Lord for allowing us to be over-prepared and not the opposite!
The second part of our home study will be on August 3rd, and from there it will be roughly 1-2 weeks before it's officially approved. After that we can move ahead with our agency and prepare for placement! We're thrilled to have the first part of our study complete, and are so very thankful for the prayers and well-wishes that we received yesterday. Also a very special thanks to those who wrote our recommendation letters - they were amazing and we feel very blessed to call you friends.
So what's the deal? We are working with Graceful Adoptions out of Iowa. They place adoptive families within two weeks of approval, and families are placed with a birth mother in her third trimester. We are excited and a bit nervous that we could be welcoming a child into our lives by Thanksgiving! We have also not ruled out the possibility of a private adoption should the situation arise. Those things tend to happen by word of mouth, which is part of the reason we are sharing this with all of you.
What's next? Fundraising. We are planning a yard sale most likely for the weekend of August 6th, so start grabbing all the junk you want to get rid of! We have also tentatively scheduled a lunch & music fundraiser for Sunday, August 15th.
Our prayer right now is first and foremost that we would simply continue to follow the Lord in taking our next obedient steps. It's been a long and not always easy process so far, but we have seen His guidance and provision one step at a time. We are also praying over applications for grants and matching funds that we will be sending the minute our home study is approved. Because our agency works so quickly, we need money quickly. We plan to hold off on going "active" with our agency until we are comfortable with the finances, but also hope to be able to complete an adoption by the end of the year.
We'll continue to share more with you over the next few weeks. For now, welcome to our upside down life!
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