Home Study

One week ago today we were wrapping up our home study.  If you do not know, a home study is when an case worker comes into your home to ensure that it is safe for an adoptive child to be raised in and ask prospective adoptive parents about their family, values, aspirations, methods of discipline, etc...  This is a big step because it is typically the last step before adoptive couples become "active", meaning their profile becomes available for birth mothers to see.

Like every other adoptive couple we spent a lot of time cleaning.  This was not because our home was so dirty but because it gives you something to do.  It makes you feel like you are doing something to help the process rather than just waiting.  While cleaning Jessie and I had lot's of conversations about the process thus far and how great it has been to see God provide in such unexpected ways.  In the last year or two God has surrounded us with adoptive couples who have patiently answered our questions, prayed with us, and journeyed alongside us.

Back to the home study.  Our interview went well and we received lot's of positive feedback so while we are still awaiting approval (this takes 4-6 weeks) it seems that everything went well.

Please continue to pray that God provides us with patience and peace as we await our approval.  Please also feel free to circulate the information concerning our adoption.  At this time, other than your prayers, our biggest need is financial.  While we know this is a big task, our God is bigger than any financial obstacle and we rest in the knowledge that He can and will provide.

Puzzle Fundraiser

Scott and I have decided to do a puzzle fundraiser.  We do need help to bring our baby home.  Located on the right side of our page is a picture of an elephant collage jigsaw puzzle.  We are suggesting that our friends and family buy a piece of the puzzle for $10 (if you would like to give more, please feel free to do that!  We have been asked about accepting checks or cash or even anonymous donations and those can be mailed to us or dropped off at Scott's office. )  We will in turn write your name on the back of a puzzle piece and will  hang the puzzle in the baby's room.  A wonderful keepsake for our child, and also a reminder for us, of those who helped us bring our child home.  We appreciate your support and are so thankful for the amazing people God has placed in our lives to encourage us.

Our Latest Agency Class

So we attended our last agency class this past Friday.  It was a very encouraging, exciting and humbling experience.
Encouraging, as we were able to meet some new couples who are just as eager to become parents and it always helps to spend time with people in similar life situations.
Exciting, as we were able to hear many adoption stories and see pictures of some of the children who have found their forever home through the agency.
I am not sure if I have ever sat through a more humbling experience.  A poem was read aloud that was written by a birth mother.  It really hit home how I am asking a woman to do something that I know I could never do myself.  I was able to fully understand how each of these women desire that their life circumstance were different so they could take their baby home.  Women who are being asked to put faith in a couple when they receive only glimpses into their life at most.  I admire and appreciate these women more than I can ever put into words and almost feel ashamed that I know I could never be that self sacrificing.  Any woman who is able to give a couple like us such a precious gift will forever hold a special place in my heart.
We have scheduled our home study and cannot wait for the day when we will get a phone call that a birth mom has chosen our profile or that there is a baby waiting to be picked up at the hospital.
Please join Scott and I in praying for this precious woman who will allow us to become parents.