The Last Two Weeks . . .

Like my creative post title??? Yup, took me days to think of that one . . . feel free to borrow it for your blog :o)

Okay, so it's been two weeks since my last update. In that time, we received Joe's passport and some other needed documents - some reference letters and Joe's employment letter - for our dossier. I was also able to get things - hopefully - cleared up and corrected on our medical forms . . . just waiting on our Family Coordinator - Terra - at the adoption agency to approve them. Long and crazy road to getting medical forms filled out completely and correctly!! I also found out that a friend of ours is a notary, so that will make it a lot easier (and cheaper) to get all of our needed forms notarized.

We were also able to finally set our last meeting for our home study to be completed. That is on the 9th, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that we'll be able to have our completed home study "in hand" within the next few weeks. Assuming we're approved, once we have that, we can send our I-600a application in (for immigration, visa's, etc. for the child(ren)) and begin the 6-12 week waiting process for our approved form. Also, with the completed home study, we are then eligible to apply for several grants as well as our agency's Eternal Family Fund (more about that in a future post!). So, all in all, pretty excited to get the home study completed!

We're going to be very busy this week getting ready for our "Adoption Liquidation Sale" on June 5-6. Basically a huge yard sale, but we are calling this an "Adoption Liquidation Sale" because we are not just selling our unused, unwanteds, and cast-offs. We are trying to liquidate anything and everything we can in order to raise money for our adoption expenses. So there are many nice items available as well as many donated items from friends. I plan to post this on Craigslist soon. Our sale is also coinciding w/ our neighborhood yard sale. If you're in the area, you're welcome to stop by and see if there's anything you need. If not, we'd appreciate so much your prayers for nice weather and good sales!

As we've been looking over our budget the last several months, and recently as we've been talking and planning for this yard sale, I've been reminded so many times that all of our things - no matter how sentimental they may seem - are just stuff. They are temporary! I've been so rebuked at how consumed I can be with making my life more comfortable. As Joe likes to say as of late "it's all gonna' burn up!" We laugh, but it's so true! But what time, energy and finances God allows us to invest in the lives of people will last for eternity!

Thank you so much for taking the time to be updated on what God is doing in and through our lives and for your prayers on our behalf!

"Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the clouds.
Your righteousness is like the mountains of God;
your judgments are like the great deep;
man and beast you save, O LORD.
How precious is your steadfast love, O God!
The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
They feast on the abundance of your house,
and you give them drink from the river of your delights.
For with you is the fountain of life;
in your light do we see light."
Psalm 36:5-9

"Picture Pages"

Okay, so one of the documents that we have to put together for our dossier are some picture pages. Since I was born in the late 70's, every time I read or hear someone say "picture pages", the theme song to Bill Cosby's Picture Pages runs through my head. And everytime I say it myself, I have this uncontrollable urge to sing it . . . unfortunately, I don't think Joe ever saw that fun little show, so he just looks at my like I'm insane!

Anyway, some of these pictures I've posted before, but in case you're curious, here are the photos we've included on our picture pages (and YES, I'm singing the theme song in my head right now!!). The requirements are 2 posed pictures of the entire family, 4 family life photos, 1 of the outside of the house and 1 of one room inside the house.







Probably the biggest accomplishment in our adoption process this week was that we were able to complete the rest of the paperwork for our homestudy in time for Joe's meeting w/ our social worker on Friday. We now have a couple's questionnaire to fill out (very long, detailed questionnaire) and submit to our homestudy agency. When our social worker has some of the paperwork through on her part, we will then be able to set our final meeting.

We were able to get our financial statement for our dossier completed (pending notarization), but are still waiting on Joe's passport and a few other documents. We were able to get our medical forms from the doctor early in the week, but . . . I scan and email all dossier documents to our family coordinator at our adoption agency for her to review and "okay" for our dossier. Apparently there were quite a few errors made by the doctors office on the forms, which were notarized (and we had to pay an extra fee for the notary) - not the least of which was that the date of the dr.'s signature did not match the date of the notary . . . to clarify, the entire purpose of getting it notarized is that the notary is witness to the doctor's signature and that is what is notarized. One of the more interesting mistakes is that the doctor dated my form in the year 2008! Most were just a failure to actually completely fill out the form. So, this was all late Friday afternoon and a bit discouraging - especially since there's nothing I can do to clear this up until Monday. But God has not lost control! And, even though I don't like waiting, I am thankful that He's given me a few days "off" to pray and contemplate and, hopefully, react on Monday in a way that is honoring to Him.

"Do you not know? Have you not heard?
The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth
Does not become weary or tired
His understanding is inscrutable.
He gives strength to the weary,
And to him who lacks might He increases power.
Though youths grow weary and tired,
And vigorous young men stumble badly,
Yet those who wait for the LORD
Will gain new strength;
They will mount up with wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary."
Isaiah 40:28-31

A Change of Scenery

I am trying to put an update on here at least every week, so we'll see how it goes. Some weeks are more eventful than others, although all are mostly going to be about paperwork for a while. I know, exciting stuff!

This week we received our certificates of completion for the 8 hours of online adoption training that we finished a few weeks ago. We're still waiting on Joe's passport. We also talked with our doctor's office this week and we should be able to pick up all of our medical paperwork sometime next week.

Thursday I received a call from a local marketing research firm. I've been on their call list for probably about 5 years now and I always take their calls and surveys, but have only qualified to participate in one of their focus groups one time - and ended up I couldn't do that one because of scheduling conflicts. Anyway, on Thursday the girl told me that I qualified for this group, but that the slots for my age group were full, so she'd have to talk w/ her manager to see if they would fit me in and then call me back the next day. She said if she didn't call, then they didn't need me. And, she explained the process. This group actually has 3 meetings, for a total of about 5 hours, and a total payment of $285. She didn't call yesterday, so I figured it was a "no go", but she called me this morning and said they'd like me to participate! Yay! I know it is just a "drop in the bucket" in the grand scheme of adoption expenses, but what an amazing God we serve! For so long I've been on their list and taken their surveys, but never qualified when I could do it . . . until now! And most jobs pay $75-100, and this one could pay a lot more! I will have my first meeting this week for which they will pay me $100. Then if they want me to continue w/ the remaining two meetings, they will pay me the remainder of the total.

We've got some paperwork to finish up this week before our second homestudy meeting on Friday. Then we will be given more paperwork to complete. We are also still working on needed documents for our dossier. And, only two more weeks left of school!

So to conclude this week's update, the post title is simply because I changed the look of the blog. I really liked the previous background but I think it was causing difficulty in being able to pull up the blog. So, hopefully this background will make things a little easier.

This verse has been a tremendous encouragement to me this week:
"For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from Him."
Psalm 62:5

Homestudy beginnings

So, since our last update we've done a few more things. Joe and I both had our physicals last week - SO fun! And had some blood work done to go along with that. We received our state clearance letters and fingerprints, which was a surprise because that was much sooner than they said. We're still waiting on Joe's passport.

Last weekend our family friends, Mike and Babs Hull, had the kids over to do some "yard work" (picking up sticks) to earn some money to put toward adoption expenses. Of course the kids had a great time, and it was such a great opportunity to talk with the kids again about why we are doing this and for them to invest and be involved in the process. We love Mike and Babs and are so thankful that they thought of doing this for the kids!

We had our first meeting (of 3) for our homestudy today. I was a little nervous as I didn't know what kind of questions she'd be asking, but also so very excited to get this part of the process going! She just did a quick walk-through of our home (yes, our house is cleaner than it's been in a long time!) to basically check for space requirements and any safety concerns. She sat down with the kids to ask them a few questions and then for a longer period of time to interview me. That part was a little more difficult than I expected - I usually don't have any trouble dominating a conversation ;o) Joe will go to their offices in the near future to be interviewed. In the mean time, we have a little more paperwork to complete for the home study. After Joe's interview, there will be more paperwork, followed by a third visit at our home. Then she will write up the info. and send it to us and our adoption agency for review before the final draft. This process should take about 6 weeks . . . we'll see!

I know I keep saying it, but thank you to all of you who are getting involved with us in this process by praying for us!

"And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you." Psalm 39:7

Paper trail . . .

So, as we continue in this "paper chase" phase, we are working on obtaining documents, information, etc. as we can. Joe and I both applied for our passports a couple of weeks ago. Mine came in the mail yesterday, so we're expecting Joe's soon. I'm working on gathering some needed photos. We've all had our TB tests done, except Joe who has to wait to get his at the dr. b/c he can't get to the health dept. during their testing hours. We've got the kids medical forms completed that are required for the homestudy, and Joe and I both have physicals this week (yay) for our homestudy and our dossier. And a lot of other paperwork, references, etc. in the works.

We spent the afternoon in downtown Indy last Friday. The kids and I spent some time reading and looking at books at Borders while Joe got some more copies of his birth certificate.

Then we walked a few blocks to the government center to submit the paperwork for police clearance letters and be fingerprinted. I thought that part was actually pretty interesting. I met a lady who was being finger printed when we got there - she is in the process of adopting two children from Haiti! Anyway, we should get that paperwork back in a few weeks. Over this past week, we've both been working on our 8+ hours of required online adoption training.

This is the kids waiting for us to be done at the government building - don't they look thrilled to be there? ;o)



The kids watching Joe getting fingerprinted.


Next week we officially begin our homestudy with an in-home meeting where I will be interviewed as well as Joey and Gracie. Joe will be interviewed at a separate meeting at their offices.

For those of you who are praying for us, first of all, we appreciate it so very much! It is so evident to me personally by the peace that God gives in the middle of desire, anticipation and business. It is still struggle to quiet my mind and rest in God, some days harder than others, but it is so clear that people are praying and that He is working. He continues to provide financially as we need it, and we are so grateful! As far as the prayer request in my last post, we have not reached a decision in that area yet. We are praying, as always, for wisdom, faith, and patience! I am also praying that I won't be so consumed with the things going on in my own life that I fail to see the people and the opportunities that God puts around me everyday!

Psalm 62:5-8
"For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,
for my hope is from Him.
He only is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
On God rests my salvation and my glory;
my mighty rock, my refuge is God.
Trust in Him at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us.
Selah"

Prayer Request

When we filled out our application to the adoption agency, we marked that our desire is to adopt two siblings. There was also an option to mark if you were willing to adopt two unrelated children. We decided that we were open to that option as well. However, I talked with our family coordinator yesterday and she informed me that they do not place two unrelated children in one home in the age range that we fit into (Ethiopia's requirement is that the adopted child be at least 12 mos. younger than the youngest child currently in the home). Not a huge deal, but, from a human standpoint, this does lessen the chances that we will be able to adopt 2 children - sibling groups are more rare in that age range. So, still knowing that God is in complete control and that if He wants us to adopt siblings they will be there, in working with our adoption agency and the country of Ethiopia, we do have to set up parameters of what we are looking for. There are a lot of "sub" issues of how specific to get in our preferences, but the big one is deciding if siblings are not immediately available, do we wait for siblings (and how long) or do we go ahead and adopt a single child? So if you are praying for us, besides all of the obvious and ongoing requests of wisdom and financial provision, we would appreciate your prayers for specific wisdom in this area - and that as we pray and seek God's wisdom that He will graciously allow us to be of the same mind.

"But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him."
James 1:5

What's been going on?

Okay, so I'm not really sure if/when people check here for updates, what they want to know. A lot is going on, but probably not too exciting for most of you. Over the last week we have set up doctors appointments (need physicals for our homestudy and our dossier), set up our first meeting for our homestudy, gotten lots of paperwork started/ordered, etc. Feels kinda' like we've thrown a bunch of balls in the air and are waiting for them all to come back down. Along with a lot of paperwork comes a lot of questions on my part - wanting to make sure everything is done right to avoid problems in the future - so I'm sure our family coordinator is getting sick of hearing from me!

I have been excited to see how God is providing for us so far. All along the way there are costs to keep things moving - forms, fees, etc. God has allowed for no unexpected big costs to arise over the last few months, has allowed me to keep under budget in groceries, etc., and little things like finding good bargains and deals on things we need - all "little" things that add up to being able to pay all costs that we've needed to so far. I know He will always provide for our needs when He KNOWS we need them - not when I THINK we do! Our God is so good!!

On a personal note, probably my biggest struggle right now is anxiety - big surprise ;o) Not necessarily right now for the adoption to be completed, but since I tend to be task-oriented, I find myself getting anxious to get these steps and paperwork completed to get our dossier ready. I guess feeling like I have some kind of control over how fast this part of the process goes makes me forget so easily that I am NOT the one in control. It's funny, on a human level you'd think that being in control (or thinking you are) would give you some sense of security, but it's just the opposite.

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:6-7

"Paper Chase"

We just spoke to our family coordinator (our representative at the adoption agency) for the first time today. She sent a lot of paperwork describing the mountain of paperwork, etc. that we're going to be having to do over the next several months - talk about overwhelming! The paperwork portion should take about 4-6 months, at which point we submit all of our documents (dossier) to Ethiopia. The agency calls this paperwork stage the paper chase - hence the title of the post :o)

To our family and friends . . .

As you may or may not already know, we have just begun the process of adopting two children from Ethiopia – maybe siblings. We began thinking about adoption about three and a half years ago, at which point we listened to a message online about adoption. We spent a lot of time in prayer, but it seemed that God did not want that for us at that point in time. The desire, however, has never left our hearts.

Our desire to adopt began to intensify this past fall. We sat down and began to seriously discuss going the route of international adoption. We prayed apart and together, and independently came to the conclusion that we wanted to adopt from an African country. Again, more prayer, finding an adoption agency, research, prayer, all the while the desire building in our hearts for this path that God has for us. We sat down with both of our parents to seek their wisdom, as well as seeking advice from others who have adopted. Through much more prayer, we settled on the country of Ethiopia and are going through the American World Adoption Agency (www.awaa.org).

Since we know we can do nothing and are nothing apart from God, we sincerely need His wisdom. We need His grace to help us be patient during this whole process and to trust Him to bring in the necessary funds to be able to adopt. So, we ask that you pray along with us in this matter. We want to learn what He has for us in the process as well as the end result. We want to be willing to move forward and content to stand still!

Our words cannot adequately express how grateful we are - what a wonderful thing God is allowing us to do! Again, we ask for your prayers, and if you want to be updated on our adoption process, you can check back on here or look me (Sarah) up on Facebook.
“A father of the fatherless and a judge and protector of the widows is God in His holy habitation. God places the solitary in families and gives the desolate a home in which to dwell.” Psalms 68:5-6a

“For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, 'Abba, Father!'” Romans 8:15

"Cardboard Testimonies"

What a wonderful reminder of all that we are and have in Christ . . . through His grace alone.

Water, a stick, and a dog . . . a little boy's bliss!

Just havin' fun!

Joshua took Strider for a walk at the church picnic . . . well, maybe it was the other way around?? Either way, they were so cute together ;o)

UPDATE!!

Okay, so I've gotten carried away on facebook so I haven't been keeping my blog updated for those of you who still check it. I'm going to attempt to "catch up" on the last two months w/ a few pictures. Hold on, here we go!

I got my hair chopped off - 10 inches and, yes, I'm donating it to "Locks of Love"

Joshua discovered he's like Daddy in one more way. . .

Papaw & Grandma McDaniel got chicks just before Easter.

Madie turned 4 on April 16 - celebrating with pink cupcakes, of course!

Joshua continues to try to climb anything and everything to get whatever he wants - and he's very pleased with himself, too!

Madie got her hair chopped off, too - another 10 inches to donate to "Locks of Love"

Our trip to the zoo

shark petting

touching the Chocolate Chip Starfish

In the butterfly gardens, Gracie sat so still and so patiently just waiting for a butterfly to land on her, and one finally did!

Camping in Papaw & Grandma McDaniel's back yard - in less than 50 degree weather!

in our HUGE tent!