Still trying to digest the info I received from Holt after we didn't get the little boy. I'm okay with the outcome of things but not sure how to grasp their follow up comments that I requested. Here's what she said:
The main concern is no fault of your own - the lack of diversity in your town. Because of that, it's going to be extra important for your family to seek out African or African-American role models, and black communities in nearby areas.
Okay, so my issue with this is that it is no fault of our own and its also not something we can change. Hearing this has been difficult to grasp because I can't increase the diversity here. I can seek out role models but again we live in rural NE Iowa and finding those people nearby is the hard part. So if you would, pray for us as we continue to seek to learn. I'm confident that we can do this but was hoping that we would be considered good enough even though I realize we have a lot to learn.
Tonight we're heading to a nearby town where they recently brought home a little boy from Ethiopia. I'm excited to meet them and listen to their story. Hopefully I'll also have some questions prepared to ask them.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Good News!
Good News #1: God is so good. The little boy that we were pursuing did indeed get matched with a family. He was not matched with us and that's fine with me because I want orphans to have families and he will have that. How exciting for him. My prayer is that he will have peace and comfort in the coming months as he continues to grieve and transition through all these many changes in the coming months.
Good News #2: We will have a little more time to prepare for adoption and educate ourselves.
Good News #3: We have asked to view the profiles of the other available children from a few weeks ago. I'm hoping to have those profiles in hand tomorrow.
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Good News #2: We will have a little more time to prepare for adoption and educate ourselves.
Good News #3: We have asked to view the profiles of the other available children from a few weeks ago. I'm hoping to have those profiles in hand tomorrow.
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Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Action
Well the last few days have been eventful on the adoption front.
Last weekend we attended the first 4 modules of our training in central Iowa. It was a small group and we really had a good time getting to know the other two couples. The training was informational but not overwhelming and not boring. The time went quickly, granted us ladies had plenty of discussion going all the time.
During our weekend, we learned that there are more children being released for adoption than there are parents. This translates to a desperate need for parents who are willing and able to adopt. This also means that once we're paperwork ready, a referral can happen very, very quickly (compared to a 2-4 month wait). Considering I haven't been too quick at returning paperwork to the agency, this gave me a little more sense of urgency.
Granted, with that sense of urgency comes a reality of my life. I have two children at home that also need my attention and a full time job so it makes it a little more difficult for me to get paperwork turned around so quickly. Especially when the physical requires a Tb test that takes 48-72 hours to read. I have yet to have my physical though because I have to work that around my work schedule some what. Yes, I can take time off, but I need to be saving that time off so I can be home adjusting with our new child(ren) when that happens.
Speaking of new child(ren)... we are continuing to pursue a little boy who is between Scott and Bethany in age. The agency has a rule that they want the kids at least 9 months apart. I'm glad my kids were born 24 months which allows room in between for a child to fit within their rules.
Last night we had our phone interview with Holt's waiting child program. It was a time for Holt to get to know us a little more and present us to the selection committee on Thursday. We will be presented with 3 other families. Originally I was thinking we didn't have a chance at this little boy. I had been praying that God would make His will known and that we would be fine with using this as an opportunity to learn. From talking to Holt last night, the other families aren't necessarily any farther in the process than us. That means that we have a real chance of being matched with a child. A real chance. I can't believe that on Thursday evening, we could potentially have another child. (I say have because there is lots of paperwork that would have to be done before he could legally be part of our family).
The realness is setting in. I'm not expecting that we'll get chosen as I try to guard my heart, but I know that it could happen. If we don't get selected for this little boy, there will be plenty of opportunity in the coming months. Yee haw!
Last weekend we attended the first 4 modules of our training in central Iowa. It was a small group and we really had a good time getting to know the other two couples. The training was informational but not overwhelming and not boring. The time went quickly, granted us ladies had plenty of discussion going all the time.
During our weekend, we learned that there are more children being released for adoption than there are parents. This translates to a desperate need for parents who are willing and able to adopt. This also means that once we're paperwork ready, a referral can happen very, very quickly (compared to a 2-4 month wait). Considering I haven't been too quick at returning paperwork to the agency, this gave me a little more sense of urgency.
Granted, with that sense of urgency comes a reality of my life. I have two children at home that also need my attention and a full time job so it makes it a little more difficult for me to get paperwork turned around so quickly. Especially when the physical requires a Tb test that takes 48-72 hours to read. I have yet to have my physical though because I have to work that around my work schedule some what. Yes, I can take time off, but I need to be saving that time off so I can be home adjusting with our new child(ren) when that happens.
Speaking of new child(ren)... we are continuing to pursue a little boy who is between Scott and Bethany in age. The agency has a rule that they want the kids at least 9 months apart. I'm glad my kids were born 24 months which allows room in between for a child to fit within their rules.
Last night we had our phone interview with Holt's waiting child program. It was a time for Holt to get to know us a little more and present us to the selection committee on Thursday. We will be presented with 3 other families. Originally I was thinking we didn't have a chance at this little boy. I had been praying that God would make His will known and that we would be fine with using this as an opportunity to learn. From talking to Holt last night, the other families aren't necessarily any farther in the process than us. That means that we have a real chance of being matched with a child. A real chance. I can't believe that on Thursday evening, we could potentially have another child. (I say have because there is lots of paperwork that would have to be done before he could legally be part of our family).
The realness is setting in. I'm not expecting that we'll get chosen as I try to guard my heart, but I know that it could happen. If we don't get selected for this little boy, there will be plenty of opportunity in the coming months. Yee haw!
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Lunch Break
I just spent my lunch half-hour organizing the paperwork we have to send it. Its repetitive and ridiculous but I get a laugh at it because I require that all the time here at work. Just to give you an idea of paperwork that I should have had sent in two weeks ago:
- FBI background checks for each of us and an extra one in my maiden name
- State of Iowa background checks for each of us and an extra one in my maiden name
- Child Abuse checks for both of us
- formal application
- copies of birth and marriage certificates
- some other random form
- 4 different checks, I might be able to write two checks: haven't done this one yet
Oh and we've touched the tip of the iceberg! I have a lot to learn and am anxious to start learning as I continually will be calling on Him!
Now if I can sneak in an extra few minutes, I want to create a flyer asking for desserts for the auction to put in boxes before we leave tomorrow.
The following are a few verses one of my girlfriends just shared with me. Thanks Kara for sharing scripture after I complained to you about the waiting child process.
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- FBI background checks for each of us and an extra one in my maiden name
- State of Iowa background checks for each of us and an extra one in my maiden name
- Child Abuse checks for both of us
- formal application
- copies of birth and marriage certificates
- some other random form
- 4 different checks, I might be able to write two checks: haven't done this one yet
Oh and we've touched the tip of the iceberg! I have a lot to learn and am anxious to start learning as I continually will be calling on Him!
Now if I can sneak in an extra few minutes, I want to create a flyer asking for desserts for the auction to put in boxes before we leave tomorrow.
The following are a few verses one of my girlfriends just shared with me. Thanks Kara for sharing scripture after I complained to you about the waiting child process.
Psalm 145:13-30
"The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving towards all he has made.
The LORD upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.
The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time.
You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.
The LORD is righteous in all his ways and loving towards all he has made.
The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.
The LORD watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy."
Psalm 31:14-15a
"But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, You are my God.
My times are in your hands…"
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More Children Available
We've been watching the waiting child lists for several months with no action. Then a few weeks ago, there was a little boy that fit the agency and our personal criteria. The committee will interview us about him. Then Tuesday night, a new list of waiting children came out. There were 3 children on that list that we would potentially be interested in. But because we have decided to pursue the first little boy, we can't even look at the profiles of the other children. I'm a little bummed about that because I don't know if the committee will ever choose us to be his family (there are other families interested) and I don't want to miss the opportunity to connect with the other children if we don't get the first one. Policy is policy and I can't change that. Though I'm a bit bummed, I continue to trust in The One who sees the big picture... maybe He has twins in mind for us :)
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