I'm surprisingly calm. For those that know me well know this is not a usual characteristic for me. The home visit will be in about 50 min. Our house is all in order, and it feels great to have everything clean and uncluttered. My new goal is to keep it this way! Ha ha ha!
I'm going to make breakfast, in case this is a marathon interview. We don't want our growling bellies interrupting this important meeting! I'll update later, when it's over. I'm assuming we will know today whether or not we pass, or if there's things we need to change. Hopefully it's the first one!
Thanks for all the well wishing we've gotten so far! We have the best friends and family!
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. James 1:2-3
Friday, July 31, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
Yes, I'm still breathing!
I guess it's time for an update. Nothing too exciting going on, continually being blessed through this process. We have our home visit Friday, so we've been super busy cleaning and organizing. The men have been working feverishly to finish our new bathroom. I've come to the realization that it will not be done by Friday. However, I'm fine with it, and I hope our Social Worker will be too. Our house looks great, just a few last minute things to do Thursday night and Friday morning. AND if I could just find a way to make Macy stop shedding between now and then! Hopefully the Social Worker will be a dog lover too!
Last week, we were unexpectedly blessed. We got a card in the mail, with a very nice letter, from someone (who will remain unnamed, simply because I didn't ask them if I could blog about this!) who came across some money they forgot about. They felt led by God to use the money for something good. They chose to send that money to help us, bring home our little miracle. They actually, out of nowhere, mailed us a check!!! I am still overwhelmed when I think about it. WHO DOES THAT? A fellow Christian, that's who! Thank you thank you thank you to that family, who is so loving and caring that they could have the faith to help someone so selflessly. We can't wait for the day when we can repay them, or pay it forward, to help the next person in need of God's grace.
INDESCRIBABLE. That's how I've been feeling, and this Chris Tomlin song has been stuck in my head ever since we received that card.
From the highest of heights, to the depths of the sea,
Creation's revealing your majesty.
From the colors of fall, to the fragrance of spring,
Every creature unique in the song that it sings.
All exclaiming
Indescribable, uncontainable
You placed the stars in the sky and you know them by name
You are amazing God.
All powerful, untamable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God.
Who has told every lightening bolt where it should go
Or seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow.
Who imagined the sun and gave source to it's light
Yet conceals it to bring us the coolness of night.
None can fathom
Indescribable, uncontainable
You placed the stars in the sky and you know them by name
You are amazing God.
All powerful, untamable
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God.
You are amazing God.
Last week, we were unexpectedly blessed. We got a card in the mail, with a very nice letter, from someone (who will remain unnamed, simply because I didn't ask them if I could blog about this!) who came across some money they forgot about. They felt led by God to use the money for something good. They chose to send that money to help us, bring home our little miracle. They actually, out of nowhere, mailed us a check!!! I am still overwhelmed when I think about it. WHO DOES THAT? A fellow Christian, that's who! Thank you thank you thank you to that family, who is so loving and caring that they could have the faith to help someone so selflessly. We can't wait for the day when we can repay them, or pay it forward, to help the next person in need of God's grace.
INDESCRIBABLE. That's how I've been feeling, and this Chris Tomlin song has been stuck in my head ever since we received that card.
From the highest of heights, to the depths of the sea,
Creation's revealing your majesty.
From the colors of fall, to the fragrance of spring,
Every creature unique in the song that it sings.
All exclaiming
Indescribable, uncontainable
You placed the stars in the sky and you know them by name
You are amazing God.
All powerful, untamable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God.
Who has told every lightening bolt where it should go
Or seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow.
Who imagined the sun and gave source to it's light
Yet conceals it to bring us the coolness of night.
None can fathom
Indescribable, uncontainable
You placed the stars in the sky and you know them by name
You are amazing God.
All powerful, untamable
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God.
You are amazing God.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
She's leaving the white gloves at home!
We just got word that our home interview/inspection will be next friday. I am extremely emotional at this point, (big shocker, I know!) for some reason. Excited about being 1 step closer but a nervous wreck about being under the microscope, hoping to be told we are fit to be parents. Fortunately, everyone who we are working with has been awesome, and the Asst. Director from Genesis of Pitts. told me not to go crazy cleaning, that she won't be bringing the white gloves. Whew! What a relief!
If you are the praying type, could you pray for us as we anticipate this visit? Maybe pray for me, that I can give my worries to God and be at peace with all of this? Deep down I know that we will be fine, but it's nerve-wracking, none the less!
Since I love posting pictures and not just boring text, enjoy this one!
Monday, July 20, 2009
Praying for Patience
It's been 4 years since we officially starting trying to conceive a child. I often think about how different our life would be if we would have been successful within the first few months. Our life would be different, but I'm not sure if it would be better. I am so grateful for everything we have been through, and (no offense to those of you who had no trouble conceiving) we feel "chosen" to take the path we are on. Adoption is not for the weak at heart. We are pulling every ounce of faith we can find deep down inside to get us through this. We are still trying to figure out God's plan, and we are starting to pray for the child that will be ours. We ask that you help us with those prayers.
Adoption Update:
We have completed all the paperwork for the PA homestudy. We are waiting for our agency to set up our home visit, which will hopefully be in the next week or 2. We have been working on our profile, which is the story of our life and pictures which will be shown to potential Birthparents. Once that is all completed, we will receive our approval letter, which will be sent to Adoption Circle (Ohio agency) along with the other things required in Ohio and our profile. Once they review everything, we will be approved and waiting. We are praying that will be by the end of August/beginning of September.
My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
-Phillipians 4:19
Adoption Update:
We have completed all the paperwork for the PA homestudy. We are waiting for our agency to set up our home visit, which will hopefully be in the next week or 2. We have been working on our profile, which is the story of our life and pictures which will be shown to potential Birthparents. Once that is all completed, we will receive our approval letter, which will be sent to Adoption Circle (Ohio agency) along with the other things required in Ohio and our profile. Once they review everything, we will be approved and waiting. We are praying that will be by the end of August/beginning of September.
My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
-Phillipians 4:19
Monday, July 6, 2009
For Megan :-)
I posted on FB last night that I had some good stuff to blog about, then didn't have time to blog. My friend Megan has been stalking my blog all day waiting, so I'll write a quick update before she goes crazy!
We were so excited Wednesday night when we realized we had all our paperwork completed for the homestudy, we couldn't wait to get it in the mail! For those of you who have never done a homestudy, it's a huge hurdle in the process. HUGE! There were so many questions and requirements to complete it's not even funny. Hopefully everything is filled out correctly, and we get the call to schedule our home visit/interview/inspection soon.
We spent the weekend in Virginia visiting some of Justin's family. We had a great time, visiting with our cousin's Mark and Misty, Kaitlyn, and their new little one Cannon. It's always great spending time with family. We saw fireworks both Friday and Saturday night, and laughed alot! I'll post pictures later. Some of the family even donated to our adoption fund, which was completly unexpected! Also, while driving home from Virignia, my sister called me and was so excited she couldn't wait to spit out the words!!! There's a little church in the town where I grew up, that has decided to make our adoption fund their mission for the month of July!!! We didn't ask them, we don't even know the minister. A friend who goes there was telling the Minister our story, and they want to help! They have decided that any money that comes in and is designated to go to the missions fund, will go to us. They also have a jar where people can donate their loose change and it will go to us to! The financial burden that comes along with the adoption process is one we decided to grin and bear. We know that God has brought us to adoption for a reason, and that he will provide the funds to help us bring home our miracle! The fact that this church and community have decided to take interest in us, is humbling, and it brings tears to my eyes. God is so good, and we continually are reminded of it. We are blessed beyond belief, and I can't wait for the day that we can repay all the people who are being so generous during this time.
It's almost surreal, watching this blessing unfold before our eyes. Before we decided to adopt, Justin was hung up on the financial end of it. Fees, and more fees, and oh, did I mention fees? It is overwhelming. I told him that God has brought us here, and he will provide. At that time, I really don't think I believed those words. I would have said anything to help persuade him to take the leap! Thanks to the "Big Guy" upstairs for helping me out with that!
I hope some day I can write the appropriate words to describe this whole process. It's changing my life, and I hope that if 1 person is touched from our story, they will also take the leap and adopt. I will be a better person, truly facing adversity and surrendering it all to God. We will have a stronger marriage, having been tested to the max and coming out on the other side, with a greater respect for each other and our faith.
More to come about our entire journey, from the start of our dreams to be parents til now. Sorry Megan, I know that's gonna drive you crazy too. I'll send you a private message when I post so you don't have to stalk my blog all week! ;-)
By the way, Megan and her husband Josh are fellow adoptive parents from Adoption Circle. She's been sharing her wisdom with me, keeping me sane so far. Pray for them as they are in the process of their second adoption, chosen by the birthmother of a miracle to be born in October.
We were so excited Wednesday night when we realized we had all our paperwork completed for the homestudy, we couldn't wait to get it in the mail! For those of you who have never done a homestudy, it's a huge hurdle in the process. HUGE! There were so many questions and requirements to complete it's not even funny. Hopefully everything is filled out correctly, and we get the call to schedule our home visit/interview/inspection soon.
We spent the weekend in Virginia visiting some of Justin's family. We had a great time, visiting with our cousin's Mark and Misty, Kaitlyn, and their new little one Cannon. It's always great spending time with family. We saw fireworks both Friday and Saturday night, and laughed alot! I'll post pictures later. Some of the family even donated to our adoption fund, which was completly unexpected! Also, while driving home from Virignia, my sister called me and was so excited she couldn't wait to spit out the words!!! There's a little church in the town where I grew up, that has decided to make our adoption fund their mission for the month of July!!! We didn't ask them, we don't even know the minister. A friend who goes there was telling the Minister our story, and they want to help! They have decided that any money that comes in and is designated to go to the missions fund, will go to us. They also have a jar where people can donate their loose change and it will go to us to! The financial burden that comes along with the adoption process is one we decided to grin and bear. We know that God has brought us to adoption for a reason, and that he will provide the funds to help us bring home our miracle! The fact that this church and community have decided to take interest in us, is humbling, and it brings tears to my eyes. God is so good, and we continually are reminded of it. We are blessed beyond belief, and I can't wait for the day that we can repay all the people who are being so generous during this time.
It's almost surreal, watching this blessing unfold before our eyes. Before we decided to adopt, Justin was hung up on the financial end of it. Fees, and more fees, and oh, did I mention fees? It is overwhelming. I told him that God has brought us here, and he will provide. At that time, I really don't think I believed those words. I would have said anything to help persuade him to take the leap! Thanks to the "Big Guy" upstairs for helping me out with that!
I hope some day I can write the appropriate words to describe this whole process. It's changing my life, and I hope that if 1 person is touched from our story, they will also take the leap and adopt. I will be a better person, truly facing adversity and surrendering it all to God. We will have a stronger marriage, having been tested to the max and coming out on the other side, with a greater respect for each other and our faith.
More to come about our entire journey, from the start of our dreams to be parents til now. Sorry Megan, I know that's gonna drive you crazy too. I'll send you a private message when I post so you don't have to stalk my blog all week! ;-)
By the way, Megan and her husband Josh are fellow adoptive parents from Adoption Circle. She's been sharing her wisdom with me, keeping me sane so far. Pray for them as they are in the process of their second adoption, chosen by the birthmother of a miracle to be born in October.
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