Homestudy Application

Micah and i just went up to the bank to have all of our documents notarized. I can't believe the incredible amount of paperwork in this process. We also sent off the $4500 payment to the agency. YIKES!! YIKES!! YIKES! I keep praying that God will make our path straight. Some days i wish i had a blueprint to my life. I know that i have the bible, but there are alot of grey areas of Christianity. I'm a lightning bolt kind of girl.

I also sent off the first homestudy application with our $250 check. So far into this process--$5500. Trust in the Lord....

Let the classes begin!

We started the first round of classes tonight. How to Heal the Attachment-Challenged, Angry & Defiant Child. It opened my eyes to how we don't respond to stress we react to stress. How the body reacts to stress and its impact on the attachment challenged child.

I must admit that the initial paperwork is a tad bit overwhelming. Anyone can have a baby here--no questions asked. You do not need to sign up for a parenting class on how to parent. However, if you want to adopt you must attend parenting class. You must pay thousands of dollars to provide a loving home to an unwanted child. You must have your home inspected and your must go through a home study to ensure you can actually parent that child. Ironically, none of this happens if you have a baby naturally.

So at the moment, we are knee high in paperwork!

The Check has cleared

I just checked the bank statement and i see that our $300 check cleared.  The beginning to our journey.  I also scanned the endless documents the agency needed and now i wait.  I wait to see what is requested for the next round of paperwork.  It reminds me of my Army days.  Hurry up and Wait!

We signed!

It feels like the weight of the world has been lifted off of our shoulders.  My husband and I are in complete agreement over the Agency that we signed with.  We had it narrowed down to Lifeline, Adoption Advocates, Generations and FHSA.  After lots and lots of prayer we both are in agreement.  Praise God.  I can't wait to see the child God already has picked out for our family.

God am i hearing you right???

My heart is heavy.  Not the kind of sobbing cause something is wrong heavy, but the kind of heavy when you run into a gray area of Christianity.  I have been praying to foster/adopt/soften Micah's heart for what seems like forever.  Oh my goodness, how God answers prayers!!  I just don't know why i'm doubting.  I keep reading all of these negative posts about how unstable Africa is.  How we need to do this or do that for an ethical adoption.  How much corruption there is.  My head is spinning!  It's way past my bedtime but my mind can't shut off.  I know God is not a God of chaos or confustion.  God stirred my heart and i prayed.  God answered my prayer, but yet i'm questioning His will on something that i read on the internet.  REALLY???  God rewards obedience.

I am saying YES to God, but He needs to move some mountains!!  He needs to make my path straight.  It says in Proverbs 3: 5-6, Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths STRAIGHT.  I don't care if we go with the wrong agency.  I don't care if we make a mistake along the way.  I believe with all my heart this is God's will.  I believe in His promise that He will make my path straight.  For goodness sakes, God parted the Red Sea, surely he can cut through some red tape.  

Million dollar question

How on earth are we going to afford it???

That is the burning question on my mind today.  Adoption is EXPENSIVE.  We are talking in the upwards of over $22,000.  We do not have that kind of money just laying around.  I have to trust God.  Micah and I are simply are telling God YES.  I know God can move mountains.  

Adoption Agency

We are on the hunt for the adoption agency that God has picked out for us.  By no means is this an easy decision.  I have been thrown into this new world with all of these new words. 

I didn't even realize there was an issue with ethical adoptions.  There is ALOT of corruption in the adoption world.  I don't want to take a child from their parents on the sole reason of poverty.  How my heart aches when i read about this happening. 

I am so blessed.  Blessed because for some reason the Lord decided i should be an American.  Being an American alone guarantees that i'm wealthier than 92% of the world.  How sad...

I have met some wonderful people already on this short journey.  I do believe we have an agency picked out.  We have narrowed it down to 4, but i have a favorite.  :)