Join us on the adoption journey!

Welcome!  Whether you are reading this blog as a means to stay updated on our journey or you are looking for insight as you consider adoption yourself, I pray this space will be used to show God's glory and faithfulness.

Ryan and I decided to start this blog a part from our YouCaring page to better document the timeline of our adoption and the ways God has showed up throughout the process.  Our hope is to go back and read this for encouragement in the moments of struggle and also to provide insight for anyone looking to adopt from Haiti.  The past two weeks we have felt discouraged by updates on the long timeline and the hurdles one can face along the way.  After spending some time researching today, I found two blogs outlining their journey that I found extremely helpful.  Perhaps ours can offer the same for a future family!

Right now we are waiting on approval from immigration.  I will be mailing our dossier to our agency this week so they can begin translation prior to sending to Haiti.  So far the process has gone much faster than we anticipated and we cannot help but give thanks to God for His guiding hand!  Moments to remember:

1.  Our agency recommended we get our psych evaluations scheduled ASAP as they can take the longest when completing the home study process.  When I called to set an appointment the first week of February I was told the earliest would be middle of March for an appointment.  That weekend I attended our local IF Gathering (a women's ministry conference) and met a licensed psychologist.  I told her our story and we both knew God had lead us to each other.  She was able to schedule both of our appointments within the following two weeks and we had the completed reports in hand the last week of February. 

2. Our local home study agency out of the cities was FANTASTIC about staying on top of documents needed and scheduling our visits right away.  Including Ryan's many background checks for all of his military training!  I think Ryan and I both were surprised at the speed this moved along and so was our agency!

3.  It was no accident that the Lord called us to this during the time of year where our family finances are at their lowest.  We were blessed abundantly in December and in turn gave generously.  Had we known we were going to proceed with adoption and not merely inquire, I think we would have planned much differently!  Yet God knew and wanted us to clearly see His gifts in the call.  When Ryan woke up and said, "Yes, we are moving forward" he also believed we would proceed without borrowing any of the funds.  The banker in me figured we could argue about it at a later date as a last resort but he held firm that if the Lord was calling us He would provide.  We both felt uncomfortable asking people for funds as a direct plea - but a dear friend reminded me that this journey wasn't just about us.  It was about all the people the Lord would call to come alongside of us in different ways.  By creating the YouCaring site, we opened a space for just that - those who felt the call on their heart could give.  For others, we could keep them updated and ask for continued prayers.  Friends, I am blown away by what God has done!  The site has raised $3575 over the past three months and most of the donations came right at the moment we needed them.  Our total cost to date is approx. $22,000 and by God's grace we have met every financial milestone! 

4. Our church has been supportive of the call and just this week we committed to joining with two other couples to form a support network within the church offering prayer, resources, socials, etc.  I stand in awe of the faithfulness of our God!  He is writing incredible stories through the lives of His people - stories we could not have imagined or written ourselves. 

Ryan and I have been spending a lot of time in conversation and in prayer about what the Lord has called us to in this life.  He knew us before the creation of the world. He has redeemed us and called us to a purpose that is ultimately for His glory.  John 15 tells us "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you."  As this story continues to unfold, I pray that our hearts stay encouraged and obedient.  We ask for prayers for our son, for his health, safety, and emotional well being until he is home.  Thank you for your loving kindness and support! We are the hands and feet - serving the world and each other that our Lord Jesus might be glorified.