Adoption App

We finally completed and mailed our adoption application today. I know it seems silly but I couldn't help but wonder if our answers were good enough. I felt like we were filling out a job application...choose us, we're great! Lifeline is a Christian organization so they asked for some doctrinal background and individual testimonials. I typically don't like testimonials because they seem ME centered (unlike this blog, right?) so I wasn't exactly loving the idea of having to type one up but it was a good exercise in reminding us of what God has done in our lives. I will say that as I typed a sentence, I deleted two; it was frustrating trying to tell "my" story that really isn't about me. I didn't chose God, He chose me; He made me a new creation. Gage, however, liked the idea; he's started to type his own testimonial. I have yet to see the finished product but am looking forward to reading it. We're trying to keep the kids as involved in this process as possible. We're going to make an "adoption savings" box. If Cady has her way, and let's face it she probably will, there will be lots of glitter and stickers on said box. Assuming that our application is approved, I think the next step is a background check which can take a couple of months to complete. If Danny's criminal past stays hidden, we'll be one step closer...just kidding in case this blog is a part of the background check...

A Year Later

This time last year, Danny & I were excited about the prospect of having another child. After meeting with doctors and weighing the costs (both financially and physically), we came to the conclusion that getting pregnant again might not be the best decision for us. Since then, we have talked about possibly adopting a child. At first it seemed adoption would be financially impossible for us. We are not what our country considers “rich”, but we are blessed and God has provided for us even though we don’t deserve it. Adoption is costly, but we are hoping for God to show us a way. Through grants, fundraisers, and, if need be, interest –free financing (a girl can dream), God will provide a way for us to add a child to our family. While there are still many decisions to be made, I ask that anyone reading this pray for us as we begin this amazing journey.  

We have found the organization we are going to use (Lifeline Children’s Services). We originally thought of doing an international adoption but after receiving some more detailed information have decided that domestic adoption may be the best option for us at this time. Our next step will be filing our application. I’ll try to update this periodically to let everyone know how things are going. If you or someone you know has adopted or is in the process of adopting, please feel free to leave some advice for us. We need all of the support we can get!