We did a couple of small things on Monday. We got a few things notarized, the first of many to come. And we went to the post office and applied for passports. The agency suggests that you go ahead and do this, because they can take a long time to come back. Also, it’s nice to be ready to go – when the time comes. That time is still quite a long way away, but it was fun to be able to put the destination as China on the application!
And Tuesday, we turned in our background check paperwork. So the 6 – 8 month process for that can get started.
Besides the interview and home tour portion of the home study, we have so many forms to fill out – and lots of essay questions to answer. We are going to just have to tackle them one by one, so we don’t get overwhelmed. Taking a little step everyday is working out pretty good so far.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Inked and Organized
Our first OFFICIAL meeting with our social worker was Wednesday. We got our manual (a huge 3-ring binder) that details every step of the way - from the very first form to the details of travel. In addition, we had our first home study session - the first of four interviews. Our social worker makes it so easy, just like conversation.
With our manual in hand, we were given the task of getting started on the forms for a standard background check, including getting fingerprinted. Because these take the longest to get returned to us, they get top priority right out of the starting gate. Our meeting with the social worker was so fast, that we decided to go and get our fingerprints done. We went to the police station, and as we were waiting for our turn, we saw a sign.
“Fingerprints: 9AM – 10:45AM Wednesdays only”
Well, it was 10:05 AM on a Wednesday. We just happened upon the police station at the exact time and the exact day that we needed to be there. That was God - leading us on the right path, guiding us along the way. So we got fingerprinted – it was a lot more fun than I thought it would be. Plus they have these cool wipes that clean off the ink, so we didn’t have to go back to work with black fingers!
That evening, with just the first 4 forms to fill out spread across the kitchen counter, it was already confusing and complicated. I knew I needed to get organized. So after a trip to Wal-Mart to get an expanding file (and a few other organizing tools), I got my highlighter, a Sharpie and my label-maker and went to work!
My light green 19-pocket expanding file (with flowers) is pretty, functional and well-labeled! It is complete with matching notebook for making lists. We are going to have to be looking at these things for a long time – they might as well be cute! There is also the much smaller file (black and blue) for the current tasks – also more utilitarian for taking with us to get things notarized.
This journey has begun – and it’s going to be crazy – but hopefully organized!
With our manual in hand, we were given the task of getting started on the forms for a standard background check, including getting fingerprinted. Because these take the longest to get returned to us, they get top priority right out of the starting gate. Our meeting with the social worker was so fast, that we decided to go and get our fingerprints done. We went to the police station, and as we were waiting for our turn, we saw a sign.
“Fingerprints: 9AM – 10:45AM Wednesdays only”
Well, it was 10:05 AM on a Wednesday. We just happened upon the police station at the exact time and the exact day that we needed to be there. That was God - leading us on the right path, guiding us along the way. So we got fingerprinted – it was a lot more fun than I thought it would be. Plus they have these cool wipes that clean off the ink, so we didn’t have to go back to work with black fingers!
That evening, with just the first 4 forms to fill out spread across the kitchen counter, it was already confusing and complicated. I knew I needed to get organized. So after a trip to Wal-Mart to get an expanding file (and a few other organizing tools), I got my highlighter, a Sharpie and my label-maker and went to work!
My light green 19-pocket expanding file (with flowers) is pretty, functional and well-labeled! It is complete with matching notebook for making lists. We are going to have to be looking at these things for a long time – they might as well be cute! There is also the much smaller file (black and blue) for the current tasks – also more utilitarian for taking with us to get things notarized.
This journey has begun – and it’s going to be crazy – but hopefully organized!
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Feelings
It has been great sharing the exciting news of adopting with our family and friends. Slowly, but surely, we are spreading the news. And everyone (thanks!) has been excited and SO encouraging. My mom said that when I was telling her about our decision that my face lit up. I guess the hope and joy that this journey brings is just visible. I can feel it in my heart.
My feelings toward beginning the adoption process are really very surprising to me. I thought that when we got to this point – choosing to adopt over having a biological child – that I would have to get used to the idea, that I would feel like I was missing out on something. I thought that I would have to settle for adoption as a good, but second, choice. It is completely the opposite. This feels like the perfect choice, the perfect path for us. I have such joy, hope, peace and excitement about this journey we are embarking on. These are feelings that I have never had, at least not this strong. And these feelings, I know, come from God and His blessings on our lives and future. We have a need and desire to have a family, and there will be a child out there that needs us as much as we need her.
My feelings toward beginning the adoption process are really very surprising to me. I thought that when we got to this point – choosing to adopt over having a biological child – that I would have to get used to the idea, that I would feel like I was missing out on something. I thought that I would have to settle for adoption as a good, but second, choice. It is completely the opposite. This feels like the perfect choice, the perfect path for us. I have such joy, hope, peace and excitement about this journey we are embarking on. These are feelings that I have never had, at least not this strong. And these feelings, I know, come from God and His blessings on our lives and future. We have a need and desire to have a family, and there will be a child out there that needs us as much as we need her.
Monday, October 1, 2007
The very beginning...
We begin our journey this week, to adopt a child. We have been seeking the fulfillment of a family for a while now. The many paths that we have traveled have been quite bumpy - and fruitless in giving us this dream. We have learned and grown from the trials that been a part of our search, but we have clearly been led to this path before us.
This summer, we were open to listening to what God wanted to tell us – what path we were to travel down. There was an informational meeting of a Christian adoption agency at a church VERY close to our house. This was a sigh to me that we needed to go and just hear about some of our other options in starting a family. The meeting was such a blessing. Afterwards, I was choked up with tears, joy and excitement all at the same time. This was a calling – a ministry that we could participate in, with full hearts. The China program touched my heart. This was the path for us. Both the organization of the program and the social worker in charge of it were a great fit for us, even from the overview that we heard that day.
We thought and prayed more about it. We read a book about Christian adoption. And after asking a few questions to the social worker over email and meeting with her in person, we decided this was it for us. We set a deadline for ourselves – application mailed in by the end of September.
So today we mailed the 8-page application – the very beginning of all the paperwork!
This summer, we were open to listening to what God wanted to tell us – what path we were to travel down. There was an informational meeting of a Christian adoption agency at a church VERY close to our house. This was a sigh to me that we needed to go and just hear about some of our other options in starting a family. The meeting was such a blessing. Afterwards, I was choked up with tears, joy and excitement all at the same time. This was a calling – a ministry that we could participate in, with full hearts. The China program touched my heart. This was the path for us. Both the organization of the program and the social worker in charge of it were a great fit for us, even from the overview that we heard that day.
We thought and prayed more about it. We read a book about Christian adoption. And after asking a few questions to the social worker over email and meeting with her in person, we decided this was it for us. We set a deadline for ourselves – application mailed in by the end of September.
So today we mailed the 8-page application – the very beginning of all the paperwork!
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