Ok. So last time I updated we were in contact with our resource worker and received even MORE paperwork to fill out and read etc.etc. Just when we thought we were done with the paperwork and then there is even MORE!!! But it's all good. To be honest the paperwork has been the best thing for us because we sat on it over the summer. Miss. D (our resource worker) said something to us in our first meeting that we took to heart. She said "this process can take a long time and can be pretty wearing on a family; so really enjoy your family as it is right now" So we did!! We made some pretty fantastic family memories in DISNEYLAND in June....what a blast! and then all summer we enjoyed alot of family camping time. We just really soaked in what we have and it was so good for the kids. Brett especially, was having a bit of a hard time with the whole 'change' aspect of adoption. His personality tends to be more cautious; doesn't necessarily embrace new things and changes. But once he is doing it he loves it and does really well. But our delaying the process over the summertime allowed Brett especially to settle into the idea and embrace it a bit more:)
So where are we now? We have completed what we think is every last bit of paperwork and self assessments.... everything is handed into Miss D and now we wait for her to have some time for us to come and do our home portion of the assessment. This probably won't happen until January 2012 because she is swamped. It is unfortunate because we would really like to see things move along; but we truly believe it is all in Gods timing. We know he has children picked out for our family already; so whatever the timing is to get those kids here, we will wait.
In the meantime, when going through our reading and discovering the different needs that our new children (have I mentioned that we signed up for siblings??!!) are going to require as they settle into our family....as well as the extra needs of our biological kids as they get used to our new family dynamics; we realized that we cannot necessarily maintain this extremely busy lifestyle we live day to day. So we are assessing our schedule, and our life in general and making some small changes. "No" is really difficult to say when there are needs; but our family comes first right now and 'no' is necessary. So the biggest change for me so far is that I have decided to step back from leading worship at church for awhile. If you know me well, you know how hard of a decision this was. I was passionate about leading music/worship. I have led for 16 years without any breaks (not even more than a few weeks to have babies!) But after much prayer, I felt it was time to step back and take a break. I didn't realize how busy this one area kept me; but since stepping back mid-October I feel like 1000 lbs have been lifted off my shoulders and it still feels like the right decision (even when the church now has a baby grand!!) oh how tempting.....;) I feel like I had lost some of my passion in this department and taking a break is allowing me to gain some passion and 'fill my tank' again. :) it's a good place to be.
The last few weeks we have had some really neat connections to some really neat people. I believe God is moving and guiding us through this whole process and that meeting these folks are nothing but Him opening some doors to show us a bit of His direction. We have been in contact with a foster mom who has two little girls in her care at the moment. The birth mom is unable to look after her babies and signed them over for adoption. Anyway, they are looking for a Christian family for these girls and through various people they were led to us. Cool huh?? So at the moment Brad and I are praying like crazy before we actually meet this foster family and the girls. (ages 2 and 4) We ask that you would pray with us to help discern where to move with this decision. Basically the birth mom has a say in choosing the adoptive family and if we choose to move forward with these particular children then we will meet and have visits etc. Once we meet and as long as the birth mom wants to choose us then we would be considered a direct placement. There are different family dynamics involved with the girls and things that we need to find out regarding family history etc. so we really are trying to figure out where to go from here. MORE things to pray about!!
So that's where we are at right now. Who knows, maybe we will be a family of 7 early in the new year! crazy heh? We still have our 5-seater car....but will definately be needing to make a change there as well. It's all good as long as we don't get a minivan! (One of Brett's requests in the situation;)...the boy just doesn't love or understand the convenience of the minivan world!)
Through this process, Brad and I have this amazing peace about it all. Even these big decisions aren't that scary because we believe God has got everything under control and planned out. We are not naive to the many problems and 'baggage' that we could be welcoming into our home by adopting children with somewhat unknown histories etc; but we truly believe that God has children chosen for our family. We know that we can handle all things given to us because we don't rely on our own strength; but His. If we have the opportunity to extend only a portion of the love that God has extended to us (and I mean all of us!) to our children...and to our new children we will be living out some of Gods purpose for us on this earth. We are called to make a difference in this world and that's what we intend to do! Can't wait to see how it all unfolds...
So to review things you can pray along with us for:
-for our kids to continue to get used to the idea of our family growing
-for Brett to embrace the changes
-for our BIG decisions involving the right matches for our family
-for our in home assessment (home study) to continue in a timely fashion!
-for us to rely on God's strength; not our own.
Thank you so much for taking the time to catch up with us on this. We covet your prayers and your thoughts for our family. Drop us a line anytime if you have more questions.
Signed by: the mom who is overwhelmed by Gods love and grace and is anxiously anticipating meeting our newest additions!!
Dana:)
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