We’ve been reminded lately of all we’re thankful for…
1. Our adoption journey – I’m amazed how open we’ve become in talking about our journey and how we got to where we are. We’re thankful for the peace of mind and heart’s desire He has given us for adoption. We have both said that if we can help others who have or are experiencing fertility difficulties or hoping to adopt, we will do it. What a blessing this has been.
2. And what a roller coaster it’s been! The excitement of our profile being shown to the sadness of not being chosen. However, there is one constant – the Lord is and will continue to be beside us each time. We did find out we were not chosen by the birth mother due in March. Currently, our profile is being shown to a birth mother in Virginia. Thank you, Lord, for these women choosing life for their babies so that families like us have the opportunity (and blessing) to be parents!
3. Family – I always look forward to the holiday season. It means lots of family time! Our families are a constant source of encouragement to us and very supportive.
4. Friends – both new and old! Friends that make you belly laugh each time you’re around them. Every time. Friends that continue to lift us up in prayer. Friends who are there for us no matter what.
5. Our marriage – We are thankful for how God has used His Plan for us to strengthen our relationship with Him and each other.
6. Our church – we are very fortunate to be a part of a body of Christ that supports and encourages us. Each week, we feel blessed to hear from God-directed leaders.
Matt sent me this verse this morning. It brought tears to my eyes. What a gentle reminder to be joyful, patient, and faithful.
Romans 12:12 – Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Day 238 - Ten at Ten
1. Our profile was shown late Thursday night to a birth mother due in March. She is looking at multiple profiles. I'm not sure when we'll hear something.
2. It was also shown earlier in the week to another birth mother due in December. We were not chosen. I'm okay with that. It was a little exciting to think we might have a baby by Christmas. However, the reality is that in most cases profiles are shown multiple times before being chosen. This was actually the first time it was shown.
3. We received an email this past Friday and were approved at another agency - this one is Utah!
4. I spoke with the 5th agency we're applying to (also in Utah) on Friday. They have everything they need, so we should be good to go there any day!
5. Auburn won yesterday! Finally! Fun game - especially the wild 3rd quarter!
6. I've lived in this town for thirteen years and had never eaten at Jim Bob's! However, now I have! We went on Friday night - it was yummy!
7. We've spent some great time with our families over the past week. From Syrup Soppin' to the downtown trick or treating to tailgating and football! We've had a great time!
8. We've decided on a nursery paint color: Hep Green from Sherwin-Williams. It's bright, and I love it!
9. I can't believe the CWE 2010 Camp Counselors will be selected this week. Wow. This summer will be my 9th summer with CWE!
10. Did I mention Auburn won yesterday?
Good night! As always, thanks for your prayers!
2. It was also shown earlier in the week to another birth mother due in December. We were not chosen. I'm okay with that. It was a little exciting to think we might have a baby by Christmas. However, the reality is that in most cases profiles are shown multiple times before being chosen. This was actually the first time it was shown.
3. We received an email this past Friday and were approved at another agency - this one is Utah!
4. I spoke with the 5th agency we're applying to (also in Utah) on Friday. They have everything they need, so we should be good to go there any day!
5. Auburn won yesterday! Finally! Fun game - especially the wild 3rd quarter!
6. I've lived in this town for thirteen years and had never eaten at Jim Bob's! However, now I have! We went on Friday night - it was yummy!
7. We've spent some great time with our families over the past week. From Syrup Soppin' to the downtown trick or treating to tailgating and football! We've had a great time!
8. We've decided on a nursery paint color: Hep Green from Sherwin-Williams. It's bright, and I love it!
9. I can't believe the CWE 2010 Camp Counselors will be selected this week. Wow. This summer will be my 9th summer with CWE!
10. Did I mention Auburn won yesterday?
Good night! As always, thanks for your prayers!
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Day 227 - Here we go!
We've been approved at two agencies so far. The first approval came from an agency in Arizona. It took less than a week with them! That application was mailed on Wednesday, October 7. It arrived to Arizona on Friday, October 9, and we had an email welcoming us the following Monday. An agency in Georgia also approved us last week. With them, we won't be notified that our profile is being shown until after a birth mother chooses us. Additionally, we've heard from a third agency in Utah. Hopefully, our approval with them will come this week.
Wow! Things are rocking and rolling!
We've already been looking at the available situations with the agency in Arizona. We have asked that our profile be shown to two expectant birth mothers. Please be in prayer as we enter this new phase. This phase will be full of emotion - from the hope of a birth mother wanting to talk with us after seeing our profile to the despair of not being chosen after knowing someone has looked at our profile. It can also mean being elated to be matched with a birth mother, but it can also mean the harsh reality of a match failing at the last minute. This new phase will be a rollercoaster ride! It's hard to prepare yourself for this portion - there is so much that is unknown.
On another note, if you have a question about adoption or what something means, please leave it in the comment section. When Matt and I first started in this journey, we had no idea of what all adoption entailed and quickly realized we had a lot to learn. We've learned so much from other folks who have or are walking this journey, and we'd love to help educate others about the adoption process. While we don't know everything, we'll do our best to answer your questions.
Matt and I appreciate your prayers for us and for the birth parents. We know the Lord has had His hand in our journey. We know He will continue to hold us and guide us as He leads us to our child.
Wow! Things are rocking and rolling!
We've already been looking at the available situations with the agency in Arizona. We have asked that our profile be shown to two expectant birth mothers. Please be in prayer as we enter this new phase. This phase will be full of emotion - from the hope of a birth mother wanting to talk with us after seeing our profile to the despair of not being chosen after knowing someone has looked at our profile. It can also mean being elated to be matched with a birth mother, but it can also mean the harsh reality of a match failing at the last minute. This new phase will be a rollercoaster ride! It's hard to prepare yourself for this portion - there is so much that is unknown.
On another note, if you have a question about adoption or what something means, please leave it in the comment section. When Matt and I first started in this journey, we had no idea of what all adoption entailed and quickly realized we had a lot to learn. We've learned so much from other folks who have or are walking this journey, and we'd love to help educate others about the adoption process. While we don't know everything, we'll do our best to answer your questions.
Matt and I appreciate your prayers for us and for the birth parents. We know the Lord has had His hand in our journey. We know He will continue to hold us and guide us as He leads us to our child.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Day 214 - Applications mailed!
Praise the Lord - we've mailed three applications to adoption agencies! I checked our delivery confirmation slips late this afternoon. One had already arrived at the agency in Georgia, one was in the post office in Kansas, and one was in "transit" to Arizona!Many of you have asked what our next step will be. From here, we wait to hear back from each agency. For example, according to one agency's website, it takes about one week to register us once our information is received. After that, we should receive an e-mail from them with instructions of how to proceed. We will have access to available situations they have and can request our profile be presented. For other adoption agencies, it can take up to 30 days to process our application.
It's hard to give a definite timeline for anything with adoption. There are so many unknowns. For me, the lack of control has been the biggest obstacle. Many of you who know me know I like control. There I said it. I like to know what's going on, I have my own method of doing things, and I want things to go like I plan. Well, adoption has taught me a lot about releasing my need to control. I'm not in control, the Lord is. He already has a precious baby chosen for us. Chosen by God. For us. Isn't that wonderful to think about?
As we enter into the next season of waiting, I have several specific prayer requests:
- Pray for those adoptive parents that have been waiting to be matched.
- Pray for our baby's birth parents. Pray for a sense of peace and assurance. Thank the Lord they have chosen life for their baby.
- Pray for the Lord to lead us to the right situation.
- Pray for us as we wait. Pray for continued patience and faithfulness.
Thank you very much for your words of encouragement!
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Day 210 - We have the home study!
We have the home study in hand! It arrived from our consultant on Friday, and we're thrilled! We are applying to adoption agencies this week - we are so thankful this day has come! Matt and I created a plan tonight for getting everything ready this week. Now that we have the home study, we don't want to waste any time!
We'll get copies made of the document tomorrow, then get them ready to mail. We are applying to five adoption agencies across the country. Once the agencies receive our application, they have to approve us as potential clients. Typically (and I use that word lightly), that approval takes no more than 30 days.
We are entering into the next step of our adoption journey. Thank you for praying continually for us - we are very blessed!
We'll get copies made of the document tomorrow, then get them ready to mail. We are applying to five adoption agencies across the country. Once the agencies receive our application, they have to approve us as potential clients. Typically (and I use that word lightly), that approval takes no more than 30 days.
We are entering into the next step of our adoption journey. Thank you for praying continually for us - we are very blessed!
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Day 198 - Home Study Update, Part 2
Thanks for your prayers! Matt was able to talk with our social worker this morning. Our social worker picked up the corrected document this afternoon and should have things updated tomorrow or Thursday. From there, he will mail the copies of the home study to our Adoption Consultant in Atlanta. Our next step is to apply to agencies! Again, thank you for being so faithful to pray for us!
On a different note, today is my Nanny's birthday! She would have been 100 years old! I have such fond memories of her - from fixing me cheese grits to scratching my back with her always painted fingernails to riding around in her HUGE tank of a car. She was such a lovely lady!
On a different note, today is my Nanny's birthday! She would have been 100 years old! I have such fond memories of her - from fixing me cheese grits to scratching my back with her always painted fingernails to riding around in her HUGE tank of a car. She was such a lovely lady!
Monday, September 21, 2009
Day 197 - Home Study Update
This has been our prayer as of late:
I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait
-John Waller, "While I'm Waiting"
I think this song should be the theme of adoption. Adoption is full of waiting. And we haven't even gotten to the point where we are waiting on a birth mother to choose us.
I'm hopeful because we've seen a draft of our home study (all 19 pages of it)! Our social worker dropped it off on Saturday, and we read through it and made corrections on Sunday afternoon (we had to dry out after that thrilling AU victory!).
It's painful because we're waiting to hear back from our social worker on when we can get the corrected copy back to him. Each day is precious to us. There were some problems outside of our control in getting the actual copy to us, and we were a little frustrated.
However, I'm hopeful he'll return our call very soon.
But patiently, we will wait.
I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait
-John Waller, "While I'm Waiting"
I think this song should be the theme of adoption. Adoption is full of waiting. And we haven't even gotten to the point where we are waiting on a birth mother to choose us.
I'm hopeful because we've seen a draft of our home study (all 19 pages of it)! Our social worker dropped it off on Saturday, and we read through it and made corrections on Sunday afternoon (we had to dry out after that thrilling AU victory!).
It's painful because we're waiting to hear back from our social worker on when we can get the corrected copy back to him. Each day is precious to us. There were some problems outside of our control in getting the actual copy to us, and we were a little frustrated.
However, I'm hopeful he'll return our call very soon.
But patiently, we will wait.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
