So we are almost finished with our application, just waiting on a letter from our Dr and out it goes in the mail! I'm so anxious to "get this show on the road". Fundraising is a primary focus at this point, as well as soon preparing for the home study. My sister Melissa has been really helpful in the fundraising process and a big support, woot woot to you sister :) Also, my mom has been collecting cute nursery stuff for a while for me and gave it to me the other day, super special! There was even a blanket she made in jr high that we plan to use. Also, my dear friend Gabbee, who in the midst of being diagnosed with breast cancer and having a double masectomy, bought me my baby's first blanket and this wonderful baby book for adoptive families. These gifst are so encouraging, as it makes it feel real and I know I have the support of dear family and friends.
We feel we have been really on the learning curve for understanding how the process works, what to start to expect, time frames, and all that jazz. I have connected with a couple families who have adopted, one from Ethiopia specifically and that is really a good support. It's great to talk with adoptive families, because the information is so different and SO helpful. As this adventure is not one many people travel down, it can feel lonely and scary, so connecting with these people is a Godsend.
We had a great initial conversation with out consultant through CHI. She is a great lady who has adopted internationally three times and obviously has a passion for this. We talked for over an hour and discussed everything from qualification requirements to costs, to hair and skin care for our child, as well as what it is like to bring home your child. She is down to earth, encouraging, and practical for what we will face. She is clear on requirements, so we are not surprised and that everything goes right the first time. When the conversation ended, I felt like that had been a God moment and felt peace and excitment! God is good, all the time.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Sunday, September 5, 2010
September 5, 2010
Update time!
The biggest update is that John and I are looking at Children's Hope International at Ethiopia. The story behind this is interesting, and I believe God-inspired. We were pursuing buying a larger house and renting our current house out. The lady we were planning to buy from is a teacher at the school I work at. When I talked to her, I felt led to explain to her that we were pursuing the house in order to prepare for adopting and starting our family. When I told her, she said "oh my gosh, I have goosebumps. My husband and I tried for three years to adopt. It didn't work out for us, but it makes me so happy to think of my house being used for that". It was such a God moment. She went into more detail about how we need to make sure we are working with a good agency. She recommended Hope International, and she was SO right so far! Sadly, it's not working out for us to buy that house because it's too financially risky for the agency to approve us, but I KNOW God has plans :)
We have been in communication with a consultant from CHI, who is really helpful with information, regarding finances, the process, paperwork, etc. Can I just say it is NOT easy. These are our labor pains. I am glad it is not easy because it means more when we have to work for it and it will mean more. When I start to feel overwhelmed by everything ahead of us, all I think about is a child from a documentary we watched called "Invisible Children", about children in Uganda, and what they go through. Their suffering is horrific, as they go into hiding in order to escape being forced into the child army constructed for overturning the government and torturing and murdering. The older children who speak English speak out about how they want people to know they exist at least. One child said "Maybe you won't remember us, but if in a month you can remember us, please pray". I REMEMBER everyday and am waiting to take our baby out of that.
So, we're starting to tell people, which is REALLY fun. One of my favorites has been telling some of the teens in our youth group. Their reaction was so supportive and excited! They are arguing over who gets to babysit, what sports our kid will play, and what we should name him or her.
It is so much fun researching the history of Ethiopia and looking at pictures of Ethiopian babies, trying to guess what he or she will look like. We think it will be a boy because the waiting time is shorter for boys right now.
Anyway, here are my thoughts, put together or not :) God is good, all the time.
The biggest update is that John and I are looking at Children's Hope International at Ethiopia. The story behind this is interesting, and I believe God-inspired. We were pursuing buying a larger house and renting our current house out. The lady we were planning to buy from is a teacher at the school I work at. When I talked to her, I felt led to explain to her that we were pursuing the house in order to prepare for adopting and starting our family. When I told her, she said "oh my gosh, I have goosebumps. My husband and I tried for three years to adopt. It didn't work out for us, but it makes me so happy to think of my house being used for that". It was such a God moment. She went into more detail about how we need to make sure we are working with a good agency. She recommended Hope International, and she was SO right so far! Sadly, it's not working out for us to buy that house because it's too financially risky for the agency to approve us, but I KNOW God has plans :)
We have been in communication with a consultant from CHI, who is really helpful with information, regarding finances, the process, paperwork, etc. Can I just say it is NOT easy. These are our labor pains. I am glad it is not easy because it means more when we have to work for it and it will mean more. When I start to feel overwhelmed by everything ahead of us, all I think about is a child from a documentary we watched called "Invisible Children", about children in Uganda, and what they go through. Their suffering is horrific, as they go into hiding in order to escape being forced into the child army constructed for overturning the government and torturing and murdering. The older children who speak English speak out about how they want people to know they exist at least. One child said "Maybe you won't remember us, but if in a month you can remember us, please pray". I REMEMBER everyday and am waiting to take our baby out of that.
So, we're starting to tell people, which is REALLY fun. One of my favorites has been telling some of the teens in our youth group. Their reaction was so supportive and excited! They are arguing over who gets to babysit, what sports our kid will play, and what we should name him or her.
It is so much fun researching the history of Ethiopia and looking at pictures of Ethiopian babies, trying to guess what he or she will look like. We think it will be a boy because the waiting time is shorter for boys right now.
Anyway, here are my thoughts, put together or not :) God is good, all the time.
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