My precious friend, Bonnie, writes often about redemption. And I love reading about it. Today, I read about the Loux family and their adoption process. I hope its okay with them that I copied a portion of one of their posts to share with you. It speaks perfectly of God's redemption. I'm so excited and wanting to be obedient to the Father who did the unimagineable to save me. Here's what I copied from the Loux family blog:
On the drive home that night, the Lord whispered in my ear, “This is Redemption. Derek, do you know how far I travelled to get you and bring you back? I had to be separated from my Son, in order to get you, just like you are separated from your children in order to get these boys. Do you know how expensive it was for Me to purchase you? It cost me everything. Do you know how broken, sick, damaged, twisted, dirty, smelly, and hopeless you were? And at the end of it all, you had nothing to give me or add to me. I did it for you. I emptied myself and became nothing so that you could have it all. This is redemption.My friends, adoption is redemption. It’s costly, exhausting, expensive, and outrageous. Buying back lives costs so much. When God set out to redeem us, it killed Him. And when He redeems us, we can’t even really appreciate or comprehend it, just like Dimitri will never comprehend or fully appreciate what is about to happen to him … but … he will live in the fruit of it. As his Daddy, I will never expect him to understand all of this or even to thank me. I just want to watch him live in the benefits of my love and experience the joys of being an heir in my family. This is how our heavenly “Papa” feels towards us.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
We did an Application
Yikes, we kinda/sorta did an application. I was all set in my mind to go with Ghana for adoption through About a Child. They website doesn't mention Ghana but they're doing some cool work there through a Ghananian pastor. Ghana isn't big on adopting out infants but they have been known to do it. I asked the agency about adopting an infant through there and they think its possible, maybe just a slower process because they're not as likely to come through.
Today I talked to the agency about our application to find out if there was a fee since their website doesn't mention an application fee. They don't have one which is great news on our pocket book! She recommended that I talk to the head lady (its a small agency) about some eastern european countries because of my interest in an infant. I wasn't sure if she was just making me aware of the opportunities there or she was saying that an infant from Ghana might work out. I will try to call tonight and talk to the head lady. I'd also be okay with a Russian adoption but that country fee is $4500 more than Ghana.
Lord, we continue to ask that you would have favor on us and that whatever child we adopt will be in Your will and would glorify You. God, would you please surround us during this process - going ahead of us, bringing up the rear, and even giving us the words to communicate as we email back and forth. Thank you for adopting us!
Today I talked to the agency about our application to find out if there was a fee since their website doesn't mention an application fee. They don't have one which is great news on our pocket book! She recommended that I talk to the head lady (its a small agency) about some eastern european countries because of my interest in an infant. I wasn't sure if she was just making me aware of the opportunities there or she was saying that an infant from Ghana might work out. I will try to call tonight and talk to the head lady. I'd also be okay with a Russian adoption but that country fee is $4500 more than Ghana.
Lord, we continue to ask that you would have favor on us and that whatever child we adopt will be in Your will and would glorify You. God, would you please surround us during this process - going ahead of us, bringing up the rear, and even giving us the words to communicate as we email back and forth. Thank you for adopting us!
About A Child Fee Info
$4,000 Case Management ($2k due with service agreement, $2k with dossier submission)
$ 900 Home Study ($250 fee if someone else provides)
$ 400 Post Placement Report ($200 ea. done at 30 days and 12 months)
Travel for Homestudy & PPR is $0.35/mile plus $10/hr travel time
$ 8,500 Ghana Program ($10k for siblings...c'mon twins. $2k at dossier submisison, $6,500 when travel arranged))
$ 830 USCIS I-600 (permission to adopt form) (670 + 80 per fingerprinting)
$ 300 Medical/police clearances, marriage license, birth cert, other dossier documents
$ 500 Authentication (notary and apostile/cert)
$ 400 DS-230 (child's immigrant visa)
$ 100 Child's medical eval for DS-230
$ 900 Home Study ($250 fee if someone else provides)
$ 400 Post Placement Report ($200 ea. done at 30 days and 12 months)
Travel for Homestudy & PPR is $0.35/mile plus $10/hr travel time
$ 8,500 Ghana Program ($10k for siblings...c'mon twins. $2k at dossier submisison, $6,500 when travel arranged))
$ 830 USCIS I-600 (permission to adopt form) (670 + 80 per fingerprinting)
$ 300 Medical/police clearances, marriage license, birth cert, other dossier documents
$ 500 Authentication (notary and apostile/cert)
$ 400 DS-230 (child's immigrant visa)
$ 100 Child's medical eval for DS-230
Monday, March 2, 2009
Scott and Bethany
My kids love each other and for the most part, they are really sweet to each other. Last night I was filling Ryan in on a few details about our application and began asking the kids if they wanted a brother or sister. Scott answered the first time that he wanted a brother. Not suprising to me since he already has a sister. A few minutes later I asked him again assuming that his answer might change. This time he put two fingers up on his hand and said he wanted two sisters. That's my boy. Truly, I'd love to get a set of twins, or maybe even siblings that are real close in age so it was fun to see him counting his two fingers and requesting two siblings. Bethany, she likely didn't understand this whole idea of a "baby". I'm sure she was thinking I was asking her if she wanted a new baby doll.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Two Books in One Week
I'm reading my second book in one week about adoption. Those who know me, know that my life doesn't allow for time to sit and read a book. But I've been making the time. The kids are in bed early (aka on time) and I'm sitting down to read. I'm making sure that I'm also getting some time with God and reading His Word in addition to these books.
The first book was written by the woman who started All God's Children, an adoption agency we'd been considering. It was good to read. The second one is one that I started and almost finished several years ago. The book mark is still there but I thought a fresh reading of it would be good. Adopting for Good by Jorie Kincaid is a little dated (published in 1997) and likely many things have changed in the last 12 years but it still has valuable information.
I'm not the type that reads books to find out how to parent, how to be pregnant, etc. But in this case, I'm hungry to learn and to know what things to be praying for:
Today, right now God, I pray that you will be preparing the heart of the child you have for us. Specifically that the child will be able to attach and feel at home in our family if he/she looks different.
The first book was written by the woman who started All God's Children, an adoption agency we'd been considering. It was good to read. The second one is one that I started and almost finished several years ago. The book mark is still there but I thought a fresh reading of it would be good. Adopting for Good by Jorie Kincaid is a little dated (published in 1997) and likely many things have changed in the last 12 years but it still has valuable information.
I'm not the type that reads books to find out how to parent, how to be pregnant, etc. But in this case, I'm hungry to learn and to know what things to be praying for:
Today, right now God, I pray that you will be preparing the heart of the child you have for us. Specifically that the child will be able to attach and feel at home in our family if he/she looks different.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Ghana Africa
God, today you have turned my heart towards Ghana Africa. May I be willing to go wherever you send me to love whatever child you ask me to love.
He will provide
I've been doing some reading and have found that most couples who adopt do so as a way to build their family. I think that's a wonderful thing; it not only provides an opportunity for a couple to have a child but also allows another option for a woman who's not prepared to be a mother. I believe strongly that abortion is wrong and I'm so thankful that there's adoption is such a wonderful option. With that in mind and dear to my heart, that's not why we seek to adopt. I'd like to also connect with families who already have children and are seeking to adopt since that's the ship we're sailing.
Recently God has greatly provided in two clear ways a connection that my heart desires. Let me share briefly [if briefly is possible when my fingers are on a keyboard]:
1. Two weeks ago I did a quick search for a family where I grew up that had their own son and then adopted two Korean boys. I just wanted to pick their brain a little but the search only provided a street address and I was hoping for something more internet-ish, like a way to contact them via email. I resorted to knowing I could phone them at some point in the future. Then last week as I was praying for little Eli and reading through the comments on his mom's blog, I found myself linking to the blogs of those who commented to see if I knew them too (since it was a blog of a friend back in CA). At the top of one of the blogs, I saw Jerad's picture. Jerad is the son that was born to the family prior to their adoption. I couldn't believe it. And not only that, but the picture was celebrating Jared and his wife's brand new baby that they ADOPTED! Again, I couldn't believe it. So I contacted this stranger whose blog I was staring at and asked for Jerad's email. This morning I emailed him and am excited to hear back.
Today my prayer to a God who can make the simple but amazing connection is asking that He will have favor on my email and that it won't be sent to Jerad's junk or spam mail.
2. During our Discipleship Hour on Sunday, we had two families join us to talk about their call to full time missions in Guatamala. Little did I know nor could I be prepared for the emotion that stirred in my heart as I heard the family talk about adopting two children from Guatamala. They told of how the adoption let them to become missionaries in that foreign place. I had read about these families and don't at all recall reading about their adoption connection. How amazing.
Today my prayer to a God who can connect two strangers through a totally different topic is asking that He will continue to introduce me to those in whom we can find encouragement through this process.
Recently God has greatly provided in two clear ways a connection that my heart desires. Let me share briefly [if briefly is possible when my fingers are on a keyboard]:
1. Two weeks ago I did a quick search for a family where I grew up that had their own son and then adopted two Korean boys. I just wanted to pick their brain a little but the search only provided a street address and I was hoping for something more internet-ish, like a way to contact them via email. I resorted to knowing I could phone them at some point in the future. Then last week as I was praying for little Eli and reading through the comments on his mom's blog, I found myself linking to the blogs of those who commented to see if I knew them too (since it was a blog of a friend back in CA). At the top of one of the blogs, I saw Jerad's picture. Jerad is the son that was born to the family prior to their adoption. I couldn't believe it. And not only that, but the picture was celebrating Jared and his wife's brand new baby that they ADOPTED! Again, I couldn't believe it. So I contacted this stranger whose blog I was staring at and asked for Jerad's email. This morning I emailed him and am excited to hear back.
Today my prayer to a God who can make the simple but amazing connection is asking that He will have favor on my email and that it won't be sent to Jerad's junk or spam mail.
2. During our Discipleship Hour on Sunday, we had two families join us to talk about their call to full time missions in Guatamala. Little did I know nor could I be prepared for the emotion that stirred in my heart as I heard the family talk about adopting two children from Guatamala. They told of how the adoption let them to become missionaries in that foreign place. I had read about these families and don't at all recall reading about their adoption connection. How amazing.
Today my prayer to a God who can connect two strangers through a totally different topic is asking that He will continue to introduce me to those in whom we can find encouragement through this process.
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