Well, I guess the next step in our journey to a child is to be back in Houston! Andy received word that he will be transferred to an ETC team at Chevron that does reservoir modeling- starting January 4th right after the holidays. Wow...I have to admit that it's difficult to move this much, but I know he won't have to do this his whole career- this may be the last move we do for a good number of years. It almost feels like we were just getting fully settled here! But we are so grateful to be moving back to Katy, where we have a wonderful group of friends that we left 2.5 years ago, and a great church home as well. We will miss friends in Lafayette and East Bayou tremendously! I feel especially bad about the fabulous friends here in Lafayette who have been so supportive about this adoption; threw us a shower, supported us when the bad news came (twice), and now I feel like I'm abandoning them before an adoption even happens :( I am so incredibly sorry. We will definitely have to come back to visit.
We can already see that it will be a positive thing to be back in the Houston area as far as the whole adoption situation is concerned, though. We'll be close enough to the agency to have the opportunity to meet the next birth mom in person before we agree to a match, and to form more of a relationship with her (if that's what she wants). We're still earnestly praying that one of the two unmatched birth moms (due in April and May) will choose us...
We went and looked at houses this past weekend, and found three that we really like. We put in an offer on the biggest of the three (in Cinco) on Monday evening, but the seller's realtor got back to us yesterday and said they can't agree to a close date of 1/5 (which is what we need- we're not allowed to close until 2010). So, we made an offer on our other favorite last night (in Grand Lakes)- we'll see what they say today!
Katy and Kingsland, here we come!!!
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Monday, November 2, 2009
You're Not Going Under
I am constantly amazed at God's timing and the way He ties things together. Our pastor just taught on this passage last Wednesday, and then the weekly email I received from our former pastor in Illinois was on the same passage. The rest of what follows is Pastor James McDonald's 'Walk in the Word' weekly email- I don't want to take credit :) SO good...this verse in 1 Peter is incredibly encouraging to me.
"Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right." - 1 Peter 4:19
I've said it for years, there is nothing good that God brings into your life by way of transformation that He doesn't bring through the funnel of perseverance. If God can get that one characteristic into your life, He can truly make you what He wants you to be.
First Peter 4:19 encourages us with, "Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good."
Did you hear what you're supposed to do? Entrust your soul to your faithful Creator. God is faithful to you. He's got His hand on the thermostat. The fire will not get too hot. He's watching the depth gauge; this trial will not get too deep. God puts up the boundaries to your trials. "That's all. That's my daughter. I know what she can handle. Not that much. Not there. Not now." God protects His own. He will not allow you to be tried beyond what you are able to take. And in the middle of it all, He tells you to entrust yourself to His care.
God knows you better than you know yourself. You're not going to lose it; you're going to be okay. You don't know what you are capable of when you're resting in God's strength and not your own. You're going to get through this one way or another. It's not going to last forever and you will get through it - because God is faithful. He's not tired and He's not wondering when this is going to be over.
Reassure yourself, "I'm not going under." You can keep going for another day, another week because God is producing staying power in you. The ability to remain in that marriage - as hard as it is. The ability to remain in that job - as hard as it is. The ability to stick with it in that difficult circumstance - no matter what. If God can produce in you that staying power, He can give you everything else.
The good's not coming if you quit. Listen, God can get every characteristic of Christ into your life if He can just teach you to stay in the game.
~James McDonald, copyright Walk in the Word 11-2-09
"Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right." - 1 Peter 4:19, NASB. Another translation words it, "So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good" NIV. That's what Andrew and I are trying to do in the midst of the chaos- commit ourselves daily to live out our faith and trust in His plan, and continue "to do good."
"Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right." - 1 Peter 4:19
I've said it for years, there is nothing good that God brings into your life by way of transformation that He doesn't bring through the funnel of perseverance. If God can get that one characteristic into your life, He can truly make you what He wants you to be.
First Peter 4:19 encourages us with, "Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good."
Did you hear what you're supposed to do? Entrust your soul to your faithful Creator. God is faithful to you. He's got His hand on the thermostat. The fire will not get too hot. He's watching the depth gauge; this trial will not get too deep. God puts up the boundaries to your trials. "That's all. That's my daughter. I know what she can handle. Not that much. Not there. Not now." God protects His own. He will not allow you to be tried beyond what you are able to take. And in the middle of it all, He tells you to entrust yourself to His care.
God knows you better than you know yourself. You're not going to lose it; you're going to be okay. You don't know what you are capable of when you're resting in God's strength and not your own. You're going to get through this one way or another. It's not going to last forever and you will get through it - because God is faithful. He's not tired and He's not wondering when this is going to be over.
Reassure yourself, "I'm not going under." You can keep going for another day, another week because God is producing staying power in you. The ability to remain in that marriage - as hard as it is. The ability to remain in that job - as hard as it is. The ability to stick with it in that difficult circumstance - no matter what. If God can produce in you that staying power, He can give you everything else.
The good's not coming if you quit. Listen, God can get every characteristic of Christ into your life if He can just teach you to stay in the game.
~James McDonald, copyright Walk in the Word 11-2-09
"Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right." - 1 Peter 4:19, NASB. Another translation words it, "So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good" NIV. That's what Andrew and I are trying to do in the midst of the chaos- commit ourselves daily to live out our faith and trust in His plan, and continue "to do good."
Monday, October 26, 2009
Joy in Trials
These verses in James (one of my favorite books of the Bible) probably best describe what I know the purpose of all of these adoption trials is:
James 1:2-4, 12. "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. James 1:2-4, 12.
God is definitely developing perseverance, showing us our faith is real and grounded, and teaching us that it is very possible to have joy in the midst of trials! What a valuable lesson that I am grateful to learn. We really are doing well, and life goes on- I had a Women's Ministry meeting on Fri night and then we hung out with our wonderful neighbors, we went to the UL Homecoming football game on Saturday and then had dinner (Old Tyme po' boys! YUM) with some great friends, and then a fantastic time at church and small group on Sunday.
My prayer: Lord, make Andrew and I mature and complete, lacking nothing. Help us to keep persevering through this trial and help us to keep choosing to have joy minute by minute and day by day. We love you and fully trust in your plan for us. We pray now for the baby who is meant to join our family in the future (who may be forming already!), that you would place a hedge of protection around that baby and the birth mother- that they would both be healthy. We also pray that you would bring this baby to a saving knowledge of you in the future. In Jesus' name, Amen!
PURE JOY!
James 1:2-4, 12. "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. James 1:2-4, 12.
God is definitely developing perseverance, showing us our faith is real and grounded, and teaching us that it is very possible to have joy in the midst of trials! What a valuable lesson that I am grateful to learn. We really are doing well, and life goes on- I had a Women's Ministry meeting on Fri night and then we hung out with our wonderful neighbors, we went to the UL Homecoming football game on Saturday and then had dinner (Old Tyme po' boys! YUM) with some great friends, and then a fantastic time at church and small group on Sunday.
My prayer: Lord, make Andrew and I mature and complete, lacking nothing. Help us to keep persevering through this trial and help us to keep choosing to have joy minute by minute and day by day. We love you and fully trust in your plan for us. We pray now for the baby who is meant to join our family in the future (who may be forming already!), that you would place a hedge of protection around that baby and the birth mother- that they would both be healthy. We also pray that you would bring this baby to a saving knowledge of you in the future. In Jesus' name, Amen!
PURE JOY!
Friday, October 23, 2009
Thoughts
Just thought I would share some scripture that I'm resting in today:
"Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act."~ Psalm 37:7, NLT
Psalm 10, (NIV)
1 Why, O LORD, do you stand far off?
Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?
2 In his arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak,
who are caught in the schemes he devises.
3 He boasts of the cravings of his heart;
he blesses the greedy and reviles the LORD.
4 In his pride the wicked does not seek him;
in all his thoughts there is no room for God.
5 His ways are always prosperous;
he is haughty and your laws are far from him;
he sneers at all his enemies.
6 He says to himself, "Nothing will shake me;
I'll always be happy and never have trouble."
7 His mouth is full of curses and lies and threats;
trouble and evil are under his tongue.
8 He lies in wait near the villages;
from ambush he murders the innocent,
watching in secret for his victims.
9 He lies in wait like a lion in cover;
he lies in wait to catch the helpless;
he catches the helpless and drags them off in his net.
10 His victims are crushed, they collapse;
they fall under his strength.
11 He says to himself, "God has forgotten;
he covers his face and never sees."
12 Arise, LORD! Lift up your hand, O God.
Do not forget the helpless.
13 Why does the wicked man revile God?
Why does he say to himself,
"He won't call me to account"?
14 But you, O God, do see trouble and grief;
you consider it to take it in hand.
The victim commits himself to you;
you are the helper of the fatherless.
15 Break the arm of the wicked and evil man;
call him to account for his wickedness
that would not be found out.
16 The LORD is King for ever and ever;
the nations will perish from his land.
17 You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted;
you encourage them, and you listen to their cry,
18 defending the fatherless and the oppressed,
in order that man, who is of the earth, may terrify no more."
He is encouraging us and listening to our cry- in fact, He is not far off at all- He is holding us up and keeping our joy intact right now. We will forever pray for Rene, her baby girl, and Sherri and her baby, knowing full well that there is some reason that our paths crossed; praying that Rene and Sherri would turn from their troubled ways and find true peace in the salvation of our Lord through faith, especially for the sake of the two babies involved.
"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God" Ephesians 2:8
"Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act."~ Psalm 37:7, NLT
Psalm 10, (NIV)
1 Why, O LORD, do you stand far off?
Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?
2 In his arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak,
who are caught in the schemes he devises.
3 He boasts of the cravings of his heart;
he blesses the greedy and reviles the LORD.
4 In his pride the wicked does not seek him;
in all his thoughts there is no room for God.
5 His ways are always prosperous;
he is haughty and your laws are far from him;
he sneers at all his enemies.
6 He says to himself, "Nothing will shake me;
I'll always be happy and never have trouble."
7 His mouth is full of curses and lies and threats;
trouble and evil are under his tongue.
8 He lies in wait near the villages;
from ambush he murders the innocent,
watching in secret for his victims.
9 He lies in wait like a lion in cover;
he lies in wait to catch the helpless;
he catches the helpless and drags them off in his net.
10 His victims are crushed, they collapse;
they fall under his strength.
11 He says to himself, "God has forgotten;
he covers his face and never sees."
12 Arise, LORD! Lift up your hand, O God.
Do not forget the helpless.
13 Why does the wicked man revile God?
Why does he say to himself,
"He won't call me to account"?
14 But you, O God, do see trouble and grief;
you consider it to take it in hand.
The victim commits himself to you;
you are the helper of the fatherless.
15 Break the arm of the wicked and evil man;
call him to account for his wickedness
that would not be found out.
16 The LORD is King for ever and ever;
the nations will perish from his land.
17 You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted;
you encourage them, and you listen to their cry,
18 defending the fatherless and the oppressed,
in order that man, who is of the earth, may terrify no more."
He is encouraging us and listening to our cry- in fact, He is not far off at all- He is holding us up and keeping our joy intact right now. We will forever pray for Rene, her baby girl, and Sherri and her baby, knowing full well that there is some reason that our paths crossed; praying that Rene and Sherri would turn from their troubled ways and find true peace in the salvation of our Lord through faith, especially for the sake of the two babies involved.
"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God" Ephesians 2:8
Monday, October 19, 2009
Hoping the Third Time's the Charm
This is the email I received today from the agency regarding hearing something from Sherri- finally.
Marianne,
Yes, he was home. He told me that Sherri is in a halfway house. He didn’t know the address but he did provide me with her telephone number. M called Sherri late Saturday afternoon and Sherri told her that she is trying to get her life back together and she is going to allow her aunt (her mother’s sister) to raise the child. She has decided to take this approach because adoption is permanent and she may want to parent this child in the future. Her aunt is going to give her this option; we would not. I am so sorry this has happened to you. Please know that we are working diligently to find you the right birth mother. Please call us if you have any questions. ~ D
Well, YES, adoption is permanent!! That's the idea- to place the child in a stable, permanent home that she can't provide. But could she not have decided that she wanted to parent this child herself before she chose us and strung us along for more than two months?! Okay, my ranting is over, promise. We're really thinking that after these two experiences (not getting to meet the birth mothers), we should meet the next birth mother in person before we agree to be matched with her; make her think through her intentions and feelings sooner. We're just praying that the next person we're matched with is much more honest and solid in their decision, and that she'll be much further along in her pregnancy before we're even involved! Read my prior post for more info. We are hanging in there- thank you for all of the kind emails, facebook posts, and prayers.
To everyone who has been encouraging us: "I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers." Ephesians 1:16
Acts 1:7- "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority."
Marianne,
Yes, he was home. He told me that Sherri is in a halfway house. He didn’t know the address but he did provide me with her telephone number. M called Sherri late Saturday afternoon and Sherri told her that she is trying to get her life back together and she is going to allow her aunt (her mother’s sister) to raise the child. She has decided to take this approach because adoption is permanent and she may want to parent this child in the future. Her aunt is going to give her this option; we would not. I am so sorry this has happened to you. Please know that we are working diligently to find you the right birth mother. Please call us if you have any questions. ~ D
Well, YES, adoption is permanent!! That's the idea- to place the child in a stable, permanent home that she can't provide. But could she not have decided that she wanted to parent this child herself before she chose us and strung us along for more than two months?! Okay, my ranting is over, promise. We're really thinking that after these two experiences (not getting to meet the birth mothers), we should meet the next birth mother in person before we agree to be matched with her; make her think through her intentions and feelings sooner. We're just praying that the next person we're matched with is much more honest and solid in their decision, and that she'll be much further along in her pregnancy before we're even involved! Read my prior post for more info. We are hanging in there- thank you for all of the kind emails, facebook posts, and prayers.
To everyone who has been encouraging us: "I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers." Ephesians 1:16
Acts 1:7- "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority."
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Second Disappearing Birth Mother
Stunned is really the only word to describe how we felt when we got the news that this second birth mother who we were matched with disappeared as well. She was released from prison last Monday, 10/5, and the original plan was for the ladies from the agency to pick her up and help her move into one of their apartments right away. We had put together a care package for her and sent it off to the agency already (a letter from us, restaurant gift cards, magazines, books, a Bible, a book of puzzles, etc) to be given to her the day she got out.
She called the agency two days before she was released (Sat, 10/3) and said that her mother was going to visit and pick her up, they'd go shopping, and she'd come to the agency's apartments within a couple of days. They haven't heard from her since. They've tried calling her mother's cell, but it's been permanently disconnected, so they're taking that as a sign that Sherri (the birth mother) changed her mind. I don't think she'd had contact with her mother in a long time, and I don't think her mom originally knew she was pregnant. Seems a lot of things changed once she found out that she was, and my guess is that 'grandma' didn't want to lose a third grandchild. Sherri had already lost custody of one child to his father, and had placed another for adoption.
The agency is going to start showing our profile to other birth mothers (we're 'active' again) at this point, although at this moment, they have no unmatched birth mothers to whom they can show our profile. Wow- it's hard to understand God's plans sometimes, but that doesn't make them any less wonderful. What could be stranger than God in a manger, for example? We trust that his plans are perfect, and ours are not. But that doesn't mean this is easy. It's as though we've lost one baby the week she was to be born, and a second two months before. SO. DIFFICULT. We're trying to figure out what we're supposed to learn from this. Perseverance; definitely. Are we meant to be parents? Are we going the right route? Are we in God's will? We had thought so. I still think so. I really think He's using this horrible choice of the birth mother's to refine our trust, patience, and perseverance. From a worldly perspective, Sherri doesn't have any business with this child based on her prior record. Nonetheless, we'll be praying diligently for this child with the trust that God will use any bad experiences in his/her life to draw him/her closer to Him- and hopefully Sherri as well.
I just keep reminding myself of what a story of God's faithfulness we'll have to share with our future child someday- that both of these 'failures' brought us to them, and that they were no accident. No, indeed.
"The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18
She called the agency two days before she was released (Sat, 10/3) and said that her mother was going to visit and pick her up, they'd go shopping, and she'd come to the agency's apartments within a couple of days. They haven't heard from her since. They've tried calling her mother's cell, but it's been permanently disconnected, so they're taking that as a sign that Sherri (the birth mother) changed her mind. I don't think she'd had contact with her mother in a long time, and I don't think her mom originally knew she was pregnant. Seems a lot of things changed once she found out that she was, and my guess is that 'grandma' didn't want to lose a third grandchild. Sherri had already lost custody of one child to his father, and had placed another for adoption.
The agency is going to start showing our profile to other birth mothers (we're 'active' again) at this point, although at this moment, they have no unmatched birth mothers to whom they can show our profile. Wow- it's hard to understand God's plans sometimes, but that doesn't make them any less wonderful. What could be stranger than God in a manger, for example? We trust that his plans are perfect, and ours are not. But that doesn't mean this is easy. It's as though we've lost one baby the week she was to be born, and a second two months before. SO. DIFFICULT. We're trying to figure out what we're supposed to learn from this. Perseverance; definitely. Are we meant to be parents? Are we going the right route? Are we in God's will? We had thought so. I still think so. I really think He's using this horrible choice of the birth mother's to refine our trust, patience, and perseverance. From a worldly perspective, Sherri doesn't have any business with this child based on her prior record. Nonetheless, we'll be praying diligently for this child with the trust that God will use any bad experiences in his/her life to draw him/her closer to Him- and hopefully Sherri as well.
I just keep reminding myself of what a story of God's faithfulness we'll have to share with our future child someday- that both of these 'failures' brought us to them, and that they were no accident. No, indeed.
"The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Letters
We received a response letter from the birth mother on September 14th! We wrote her a couple of weeks before that, but the letter had to go through the agency, then to her, etc, so we've been anxiously awaiting a response :) When she chose us, she requested that we write her a letter in order to start up a relationship with her until we can meet her in person (she's in Houston). We wrote her a three-page letter, first and foremost thanking her for the amazing gift that she is choosing to give us, asking her a bunch of questions about herself, what she wanted the baby to know about her decision, and we told her a little more about ourselves.
In her response, she was actually very energetic and sweet- saying that she saw our young, smiling faces in our pictures and knew we were the ones, and that she's the life of the party usually but has been very tired. She said she eats and sleeps a lot to make the time pass quicker- which as she put it is "every pregnant woman's dream"! She also said that she wants this child to know that she doesn't view this adoption as 'giving the baby up', but rather as giving the baby a chance at life. She wrote about a page and a half, and said she'll have a lot more to say in person when she meets us (potentially in October)! We just continue to pray for favor and blessings in this process (for the baby, the birth mom, and us), and that this birth mom really would choose this time to make a change in her life for the better. We cannot wait to meet her! We're still hoping to find out the sex of the baby in October- we'll see!
It is also wonderful to think about the two of us and Kelly and Bryan starting out on this parenting journey at the same time. How neat it will be to have cousins who are the same age (birth mom is due ~12/14 and Kel is due ~12/7) and my sister to share this with and bounce questions and ideas off of...it just makes me smile. Sisters, best of friends, and moms at the same time.
1 John 4:16-17 "And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him."
In her response, she was actually very energetic and sweet- saying that she saw our young, smiling faces in our pictures and knew we were the ones, and that she's the life of the party usually but has been very tired. She said she eats and sleeps a lot to make the time pass quicker- which as she put it is "every pregnant woman's dream"! She also said that she wants this child to know that she doesn't view this adoption as 'giving the baby up', but rather as giving the baby a chance at life. She wrote about a page and a half, and said she'll have a lot more to say in person when she meets us (potentially in October)! We just continue to pray for favor and blessings in this process (for the baby, the birth mom, and us), and that this birth mom really would choose this time to make a change in her life for the better. We cannot wait to meet her! We're still hoping to find out the sex of the baby in October- we'll see!
It is also wonderful to think about the two of us and Kelly and Bryan starting out on this parenting journey at the same time. How neat it will be to have cousins who are the same age (birth mom is due ~12/14 and Kel is due ~12/7) and my sister to share this with and bounce questions and ideas off of...it just makes me smile. Sisters, best of friends, and moms at the same time.
1 John 4:16-17 "And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him."
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
A New Hope on this Roller Coaster Ride!!!
Wow, what a roller coaster ride!!! About six weeks ago, we received the terrible news that the previous birth mom/dad we had been matched with had moved out of the apartment prior to the birth without saying anything to the agency; we had been scammed. But how quickly new hope arrives!!! Last Friday, 8/14, we received news that a new birth mom has already chosen us!!!! What we know about her is that she is 4'11' and 113 pounds, brown hair, blue eyes, and that she is in Houston. We don't know anything about the birth father or the sex of the baby- we may find out the gender in October. She is due on Dec.14th, but originally they said Nov. 27th, so...the next appt with the doctor may give a better approximation? We are INCREDIBLY excited, and will love and pray for this baby and birth mom just the way we did the last one- with abandon, no matter what the outcome.
Because many of you have asked, here are our thoughts on the previous failed adoption (this was written before this new match):
Yes, God allows pain and evil to occur in as much as He gives all people free will. These birth parents were given free will, and they messed up royally and broke our hearts, yes. But God is comforting us and holding us up right now, like any loving father would. "The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, A refuge in times of trouble. And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You." (Psalm 9.9-10) How in the WORLD could I hate Him when He is the one who first LOVED me and sent His Son to die for me? There is no greater love than that, and I shouldn't need any more 'proof' that God loves me beyond him being willing to die on a cross for me (and for those birth parents who scammed us, for everyone; for you). "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8. He chose (and continually chooses) to love us abundantly and lavishly (even to death on a cross), and we did the same thing in preparing for that adopted baby girl. We knew there was a chance that the birth parents wouldn't choose to give up the baby, but we wanted to love on that baby and those birth parents anyway during those months of waiting. That's the same thing God does for us (to a million-times greater scale)- loves us even when we deny him and turn our backs on Him and pretend He doesn't exist (just like those birth parents did to us in the end). To God, we are worth it. Our eternal salvation is worth it. My and Andy's eventual pairing with a different baby is worth the pain of this couple who didn't end up choosing us.
That cliche saying that what doesn't kill us only makes us stronger is TRUE. "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." 2 Corinthians 4:17 This failed adoption situation has already brought Andy and I closer, brought both of us closer to God, and will only make us stronger in the end. I have full confidence in that. Every 'bad' or 'tough' situation I've been through has been turned into some good in the end. None of those things have been easy or always pleasant, but they have taught me so much and made me a better person because I leaned on God and sought to figure out what His plan was; what He was trying to teach me through each thing, and became closer to Him because of it. "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28.
THANK YOU to everyone who has been supporting us through this.
Because many of you have asked, here are our thoughts on the previous failed adoption (this was written before this new match):
Yes, God allows pain and evil to occur in as much as He gives all people free will. These birth parents were given free will, and they messed up royally and broke our hearts, yes. But God is comforting us and holding us up right now, like any loving father would. "The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, A refuge in times of trouble. And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You." (Psalm 9.9-10) How in the WORLD could I hate Him when He is the one who first LOVED me and sent His Son to die for me? There is no greater love than that, and I shouldn't need any more 'proof' that God loves me beyond him being willing to die on a cross for me (and for those birth parents who scammed us, for everyone; for you). "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8. He chose (and continually chooses) to love us abundantly and lavishly (even to death on a cross), and we did the same thing in preparing for that adopted baby girl. We knew there was a chance that the birth parents wouldn't choose to give up the baby, but we wanted to love on that baby and those birth parents anyway during those months of waiting. That's the same thing God does for us (to a million-times greater scale)- loves us even when we deny him and turn our backs on Him and pretend He doesn't exist (just like those birth parents did to us in the end). To God, we are worth it. Our eternal salvation is worth it. My and Andy's eventual pairing with a different baby is worth the pain of this couple who didn't end up choosing us.
That cliche saying that what doesn't kill us only makes us stronger is TRUE. "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." 2 Corinthians 4:17 This failed adoption situation has already brought Andy and I closer, brought both of us closer to God, and will only make us stronger in the end. I have full confidence in that. Every 'bad' or 'tough' situation I've been through has been turned into some good in the end. None of those things have been easy or always pleasant, but they have taught me so much and made me a better person because I leaned on God and sought to figure out what His plan was; what He was trying to teach me through each thing, and became closer to Him because of it. "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28.
THANK YOU to everyone who has been supporting us through this.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Matched Again Already!!!
My facebook post when we got the news on Friday, 8/14: "Aaaahhhhh, GOD IS SO GOOD!!!! We're matched again!!!!!!!!!! She's due Dec.14th and they don't know the sex of the baby yet. We're SO excited!!!! If you pray, please be praying this match works out!"
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Out of order: Katy Friends had a Beautiful Shower in Honor of Norah!
This post is out-of-date, but I wanted to include pictures, and I guess I've been slacking in my blogging lately! :) Our wonderful friends from Katy hosted a fabulous shower in honor of Norah Jane on June 13th, 2009. It was a such a special event that I can't wait to tell Norah about in the future. I definitely left feeling prayed over (and more importantly, so many prayers lifted for Norah and the birth mom), and also feeling so blessed to have so many people supporting us. We appreciate it more than I can possibly say!! Ephesians 1:16 says it better than I can: "I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers."Some more pictures...
The shower was at my great friend Heather's house!
Thank you VERY much to all of the friends who were the hostesses (Aimee, Amanda, Heather, Janet, Kim, Lacy, and Laura), and to everyone who came!
Cute, precious gifts for Norah!!
And I can't leave out the YUMMY, yummy food!!!
Only 6 more days until we meet little Norah Jane!!!
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
First Contact with the Birth Mom
Wow, what a surreal experience getting to speak to the birth mother for the first time last Tuesday... What could I really say to express what I was feeling? She is absolutely giving us the most precious gift of all (and I told her that and we both got teary) but how do you say that with meaningful enough words?? It seems virtually impossible.
I spoke with her for about 40min and she was very, very sweet- she seems very excited for us (she told me, "have your family there, have the camera ready, bring the camcorder!, children are such a blessing" etc). She also still seems confident in her decision to place her baby girl with us. She said she and the birth father are both positive that they chose the right family when they chose us. And there was such a 'God incidence' involved in them choosing us, too (not suprising!!): she said that when they were given ~50 profiles of waiting adoptive familes (from the agency) to choose from, they were 'accidentally' given two of ours, so when they had each looked at them and were ready to discuss who they thought they should choose, they BOTH had our profile in their hands! Just amazing... She told me about her other four kids; what they like to do, what their passions are. She told me where she and the birth father are from. And she also said that she would like me and the birth father to be in the operating room for the birth, which is AWESOME!!! I will get to see this miracle up close and get to see baby 'Norah' right away!!!!!
Please continue to pray for the birth mother and father and of course, Norah. Pray that she would be able to hold off until the c-section date next Friday. WOW- next Friday, Andrew and I will be parents. We'll be leaving for Houston next Wed, and Andrew's aunt and uncle are letting us stay in their home while we are there for probably over week. You two are wonderful- thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear ..." 1 John 4:18. The Bible says that God is love, and He alone is the reason that Andrew and I have no fear as we enter this next week of meeting the birth parents and becoming parents ourselves! He truly has given us peace that passes all understanding, because we have seen how He has provided, strengthened, and prepared us for each step of this process, and we have full confidence and peace in the fact that He will continue to do so.
I spoke with her for about 40min and she was very, very sweet- she seems very excited for us (she told me, "have your family there, have the camera ready, bring the camcorder!, children are such a blessing" etc). She also still seems confident in her decision to place her baby girl with us. She said she and the birth father are both positive that they chose the right family when they chose us. And there was such a 'God incidence' involved in them choosing us, too (not suprising!!): she said that when they were given ~50 profiles of waiting adoptive familes (from the agency) to choose from, they were 'accidentally' given two of ours, so when they had each looked at them and were ready to discuss who they thought they should choose, they BOTH had our profile in their hands! Just amazing... She told me about her other four kids; what they like to do, what their passions are. She told me where she and the birth father are from. And she also said that she would like me and the birth father to be in the operating room for the birth, which is AWESOME!!! I will get to see this miracle up close and get to see baby 'Norah' right away!!!!!
Please continue to pray for the birth mother and father and of course, Norah. Pray that she would be able to hold off until the c-section date next Friday. WOW- next Friday, Andrew and I will be parents. We'll be leaving for Houston next Wed, and Andrew's aunt and uncle are letting us stay in their home while we are there for probably over week. You two are wonderful- thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear ..." 1 John 4:18. The Bible says that God is love, and He alone is the reason that Andrew and I have no fear as we enter this next week of meeting the birth parents and becoming parents ourselves! He truly has given us peace that passes all understanding, because we have seen how He has provided, strengthened, and prepared us for each step of this process, and we have full confidence and peace in the fact that He will continue to do so.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
C-Section Date!!!
Rene went to the doctor this morning, and they scheduled a date for the c-section!!! Friday, July 10th will be the big day...the day we finally get to meet our precious Norah!!! However, I'm wondering if she will even make it that long- Rene is already 1-2cm dilated and 50% effaced, so I figure Andrew and I better get that infant car seat installed ASAP and get some bags ready!!! AAAAAHHHHHH, I am excited beyond words!!! The fact that it will be on a Friday is unusual (and wonderful for Andy's work situation). We will likely be driving to Houston the evening of Wed, 7/8, meeting Rene for the first time on Thurs, 7/9, and then the c-section will be Friday. We found out that we will be required to stay in TX (meaning Houston in our case) until all ICPC paperwork goes through, which usually takes a week. We'll be able to take her home from the hospital before then, but we can't bring her across state lines until inter-state paperwork goes through in both TX and LA. Thus, we may make it back to Lafayette on Sat, 7/18, or Sun, 7/19?
We will definitely keep everyone posted- by the way, I will start making a LOT more blog posts than mass emails ;-)
A prayer for Norah based on Psalm 139:13-18 "Lord, we are so thankful that you created Norah's inmost being; you knit her together in her mother's womb. I praise you because she is fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Her frame was not hidden from you when she was made in the secret place. When Norah was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw her unformed body. All the days ordained for precious Norah are written in your book before one of them comes to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand."
Three more weeks..........!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We will definitely keep everyone posted- by the way, I will start making a LOT more blog posts than mass emails ;-)
A prayer for Norah based on Psalm 139:13-18 "Lord, we are so thankful that you created Norah's inmost being; you knit her together in her mother's womb. I praise you because she is fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Her frame was not hidden from you when she was made in the secret place. When Norah was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw her unformed body. All the days ordained for precious Norah are written in your book before one of them comes to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand."
Three more weeks..........!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
A Tough Step
I turned in my letter of resignation last Friday, June 12th, giving my boss 3 weeks notice. Though I have absolutely LOVED working with and supervising the tutors, desk workers, and lab workers in the Learning Center, I feel it is my calling to stay at home with the soon-to-arrive Norah Jane. It is a tough step to take because I will miss the students and my Junior Division co-workers greatly, but I know I will never regret the time I will be spending investing myself in loving my child and my husband. I pray that a new Learning Center Coordinator would be found quickly and that the transition would be as smooth as possible for the sake of the students who work here- how fantastic they truly are!
Only about 3.5 more weeks until the baby arrives!!! Rene is 35 weeks tomorrow and will have another appt with the doctor tomorrow as well. We trust there will be good news! It is almost impossible to wrap my mind around all of the changes that are about to take place, but yet I feel ready and am more delighted than I can express to see what the future has in store.
Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6. Andrew and I only have one chance to do this right and to love Norah with all of our hearts, and I believe that for us at least, that means me staying at home.
Only about 3.5 more weeks until the baby arrives!!! Rene is 35 weeks tomorrow and will have another appt with the doctor tomorrow as well. We trust there will be good news! It is almost impossible to wrap my mind around all of the changes that are about to take place, but yet I feel ready and am more delighted than I can express to see what the future has in store.
Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6. Andrew and I only have one chance to do this right and to love Norah with all of our hearts, and I believe that for us at least, that means me staying at home.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Friends showered us with love
The birth mom is now 34 weeks as of today! Very, very exciting to think that the baby will be here (via c-section) in about 4.5 weeks!! 'Norah' is already so blessed- my co-workers had a shower for us on May 29th, and Andy came too- how funny to watch him looking at some of these items with a look on his face that said, "what is that for"?? No, J/K, he LOVED it and thought the outfits were just as cute as I did :) Thanks to ALL of you- especially Susie and Francine, who organized it.
My awesome Lafayette friends (Mel, Steph, Courtney, Norma, Vanessa, and Kari) also had a beautiful shower for us last Sat, June 6th at Steph's house. What a sweet, sweet group of people we have supporting us. One of the best parts of the weekend was having my mom, sister Kelly, and Bryan here to celebrate with us. I can't wait for Norah to meet each and every one of you!!!The birth mom is struggling- please be praying for her- she has had high blood pressure lately.
The baby seems to be developing just fine- praise God!! A short countdown continues....
Friday, April 17, 2009
Our first glimpse of her face
Wow- yesterday the social worker at the agency emailed us an ultrasound picture, and we got to see our baby girl's face for the first time. The ultrasound picture is absolutely amazing- I don't think you can normally make out facial features so well!!! And she's going to be a happy baby- it looks like she's smiling already! :) It definitely made everything sink in a little more... We can not wait to see her in person!
We're thinking about naming her Norah Jane (but don't hold us to that). Norah means 'light', and Jane means 'Jehovah has been gracious', so we LOVE the meaning of it, and it flows well with our last name: Norah Jane Parrish.
Here she is!!!
Your unfailing love is better to me than life itself; how I praise you! Psalm 63:3 NLT
"Now the word of the Lord came to me saying, 'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I had appointed you a prophet to the nations." (Jeremiah 1:5).
"There are several things here that are wonderful and awe-inspiring as we reflect on what this verse says about the omniscience of God. God tells Jeremiah that He "knew" him before he was formed within the womb. He already knew Jeremiah's strengths and weaknesses. He already knew that Jeremiah would possess what God wanted to use during this particularly trying time of Israel's history. And before Jeremiah was born, God had already set him aside for a special task which He would give him years later as a young adult."
from: http://www.bible.ca/ef/expository-jeremiah-1-5-10.htm
It is so amazing to think about the fact that God already knows "Norah". He already knows what her strengths and weaknesses will be, and He has already given her what she needs to possess in order to serve Him the way He wants her to be able to. How awesome is that?? She is already set apart for great things...
We're thinking about naming her Norah Jane (but don't hold us to that). Norah means 'light', and Jane means 'Jehovah has been gracious', so we LOVE the meaning of it, and it flows well with our last name: Norah Jane Parrish.
Here she is!!!
Your unfailing love is better to me than life itself; how I praise you! Psalm 63:3 NLT
"Now the word of the Lord came to me saying, 'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I had appointed you a prophet to the nations." (Jeremiah 1:5).
"There are several things here that are wonderful and awe-inspiring as we reflect on what this verse says about the omniscience of God. God tells Jeremiah that He "knew" him before he was formed within the womb. He already knew Jeremiah's strengths and weaknesses. He already knew that Jeremiah would possess what God wanted to use during this particularly trying time of Israel's history. And before Jeremiah was born, God had already set him aside for a special task which He would give him years later as a young adult."
from: http://www.bible.ca/ef/expository-jeremiah-1-5-10.htm
It is so amazing to think about the fact that God already knows "Norah". He already knows what her strengths and weaknesses will be, and He has already given her what she needs to possess in order to serve Him the way He wants her to be able to. How awesome is that?? She is already set apart for great things...
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Our future baby girl may arrive 7/18!
Yesterday (Tuesday, 4/14) the birth mother had a doctor's appointment, and everything checked out very well! The baby weighs 2lbs right now (see the personalized pregnancy ticker at the top of the blog for more interesting facts!) and is very healthy! The doctor said the birth mom is a little more than 26 weeks along and is due about July 28th, and they will be scheduling a c-section 10 days before that (around July 18th), so 7/18 might be when we get to see our baby girl for the first time :) That date is actually pretty ironic, because my mom had c-sections with all three of us, and all 3 were on the 18th of a month- the tradition may continue!!!
Because of the Easter holiday weekend I had this past Monday off, so I took the opportunity to register at Babies 'R Us, Target, and for bedding at JCPenney. All those baby necessities and gadgets are pretty overwhelming!- and that was even with having done a lot of research on consumer reports, in books, and collecting advice from friends who are already moms. Who knows which swing will best lull my baby to sleep (forward-to-back? side-to-side? both?), or which jogging stroller will allow me to keep running when baby arrives? Not me! But I made the most 'educated' guesses I could :)
Because of the Easter holiday weekend I had this past Monday off, so I took the opportunity to register at Babies 'R Us, Target, and for bedding at JCPenney. All those baby necessities and gadgets are pretty overwhelming!- and that was even with having done a lot of research on consumer reports, in books, and collecting advice from friends who are already moms. Who knows which swing will best lull my baby to sleep (forward-to-back? side-to-side? both?), or which jogging stroller will allow me to keep running when baby arrives? Not me! But I made the most 'educated' guesses I could :)
Thursday, April 2, 2009
We Are Matched!!
Wow, GOD IS SO FAITHFUL!!!!!!! We got the news this morning that a birth mother CHOSE US!!!!!!! She is due with a precious baby girl at the beginning of July!! It is impossible to express how ecstatic we are!!!
“I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.” Psalm 63:4
We knew that our profile had been shown to one birth mother twice (3/19 and 3/26), but we thought maybe she had chosen someone else because we hadn’t heard anything, so I emailed the social worker this morning, and she emailed back (and then we spoke on the phone) and she said that the woman had just chosen us!!!
It is amazing to think back now on the initial despair when I was told as a teenager that I would never have children, but even then, I felt as though God was whispering to me that He had a different plan for me, and now it is coming to fruition…
"The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies. The cords of death entangled me; the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me. The cords of the grave coiled around me; the snares of death confronted me. In my distress I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears." Psalm 18:2-6
She does not want to meet with us until much closer to the due date (maybe only right before). The description of her that we have is that she is 5’4” and 130lbs with brown hair and hazel eyes. There is so much to be thankful for: she has not been doing any scary drugs/alcohol during the pregnancy, there is no known history of mental illness in her or the birth father’s family, and both she and the birth father are being counseled through the agency and both are certain that they want to give the baby up for adoption! This is a HUGE PRAISE, because to have all three of the afore-mentioned situations is pretty rare!!!
Please pray for health for our developing baby over the next 3 months, for patience, preparation, and wisdom for us, and for the emotional and physical well-being of the birth mother and father.
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6
Thank you for all of the prayers that have already been lifted up for us- we are eternally grateful, and we know God had this baby girl chosen for us all along!!!!
“Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” Psalm 100
“I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.” Psalm 63:4
We knew that our profile had been shown to one birth mother twice (3/19 and 3/26), but we thought maybe she had chosen someone else because we hadn’t heard anything, so I emailed the social worker this morning, and she emailed back (and then we spoke on the phone) and she said that the woman had just chosen us!!!
It is amazing to think back now on the initial despair when I was told as a teenager that I would never have children, but even then, I felt as though God was whispering to me that He had a different plan for me, and now it is coming to fruition…
"The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies. The cords of death entangled me; the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me. The cords of the grave coiled around me; the snares of death confronted me. In my distress I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears." Psalm 18:2-6
She does not want to meet with us until much closer to the due date (maybe only right before). The description of her that we have is that she is 5’4” and 130lbs with brown hair and hazel eyes. There is so much to be thankful for: she has not been doing any scary drugs/alcohol during the pregnancy, there is no known history of mental illness in her or the birth father’s family, and both she and the birth father are being counseled through the agency and both are certain that they want to give the baby up for adoption! This is a HUGE PRAISE, because to have all three of the afore-mentioned situations is pretty rare!!!
Please pray for health for our developing baby over the next 3 months, for patience, preparation, and wisdom for us, and for the emotional and physical well-being of the birth mother and father.
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6
Thank you for all of the prayers that have already been lifted up for us- we are eternally grateful, and we know God had this baby girl chosen for us all along!!!!
“Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” Psalm 100
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
The other background check!
We just heard from the social worker at the agency that our second background check (done in TX- with fingerprints again!) was processed successfully! Whew- no more fingerprint worries!!! To my small group girls- I guess I wouldn't be a very good criminal after all- ha! (We had joked about them not being able to get good prints on me)!
So now all of the details are in place- we just wait....
Psa. 27:14 "Wait for the Lord; Be strong, and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord."
So now all of the details are in place- we just wait....
Psa. 27:14 "Wait for the Lord; Be strong, and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord."
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Not a Criminal!
I had a pleasant surprise awaiting me yesterday when I got home and checked the mail- my fingerprints were FINALLY accepted by the FBI!!! (for a criminal background check they have to do in order for us to adopt)
For those who don't know, I had three sets of fingerprints get rejected (low quality, smudged, you name it) done the old-fashioned ink way, and then I had to endure the lovely experience of walking around a jail of actual criminals (by myself) to get my fingerprints scanned, so this is GOOD news that they were finally accepted! And by the way, of course the report came back that I have no criminal record :-)
For those who don't know, I had three sets of fingerprints get rejected (low quality, smudged, you name it) done the old-fashioned ink way, and then I had to endure the lovely experience of walking around a jail of actual criminals (by myself) to get my fingerprints scanned, so this is GOOD news that they were finally accepted! And by the way, of course the report came back that I have no criminal record :-)
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
2/26/09- A co-worker of mine who is a notary signed off on our last piece of adoption paperwork, so now we truly can only wait for God's timing. I heard Jon & Sherry Rivers talking about adoption on the radio (KLove) this week, and when they mentioned this verse, it took on new meaning to me now:
"A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families..." Psalm 68:5-6
I take hold of this promise today, that God protects widows and orphans, and will place a baby in our waiting arms in His PERFECT timing. Please pray for patience for us!
"A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families..." Psalm 68:5-6
I take hold of this promise today, that God protects widows and orphans, and will place a baby in our waiting arms in His PERFECT timing. Please pray for patience for us!
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Timeline
Adoption Timeline of Events
9/20/08- We attended the Family to Family Fall Adoption Conference and learned more about the entire process and heard the stories of birth mothers and adoptive families that have worked with the agency (including Patrick and Andrea! Patrick spoke at the conference, and Ella and Corinne were there too). Hurricane Ike almost resulted in the conference being cancelled, but they went ahead with it anyway!
9/21/08- I emailed Charlene, the wife of a doctor whom I called on when I was still doing Pharmaceutical Sales, to see about a recommendation for a social worker who could do a Home Study for us in Louisiana that would meet Texas standards as well.
9/22/08- Charlene emailed back and recommended Lisa, a LA-certified social worker, and I emailed her right away!
9/24/08- Lisa agreed to do our Home Study for us!
10/8/08- Lisa sent us a bunch of paperwork, and we began filling it out.
10/11/08- We attended an America World Adoption Association “Spirit of Adoption” seminar- which happened to be held at a church less than a mile from our house, and hosted by none other than Charlene (the doctor’s wife mentioned above)! It is the agency whom Steven Curtis Chapman (the famous Christian music artist) and his wife used.
10/15/08- We contacted five family members and friends to ask them to be references for us (which meant filling out a 5-page questionnaire about Andy and I) as part of the Home Study requirements. All of them agreed to do this, and we are SO grateful to them for their willingness to do this for us.
10/17/08- We had our first of three meetings with Lisa (the social worker doing the Home Study has to meet with you three times).
10/24/08- Andy’s background check (fingerprinting) comes back clear (of course!) from the FBI, but my fingerprints are rejected- the quality was too low.
11/5/08- We had the second meeting with Lisa.
11/12/08- My 2nd set of fingerprints is rejected by the FBI.
11/13/08- I downloaded a free software program (Scrapbook Flair) to use for completing our profile (for the purpose of “showing” us to birth mothers). I then completed one page just to see if it would work correctly, and I liked the way it turned out.
12/13/08- The last and final meeting with Lisa- the Home Study is complete!!
12/15/08- My 3rd set of fingerprints is rejected by the FBI :(
1/12/09- I let Jennifer and Maxine (at Family to Family Adoptions) know that our home study was done and that we wanted to sign on with them if they would accept us (and our Home Study). I began working diligently on our profile.
1/17/09- Mailed application, initial fee, and the signed copy of the Home Study to the agency.
1/22/09- The agency officially accepted our application and Home Study per TX standards.
2/7/09- I finished the profile today and printed off a copy (14 pages). Unfortunately, a few of the pictures didn’t print out on the pages, so Andy tried to download an “update” to the software from Scrapbook Flair’s website, and once he did that, we lost the entire profile! It will no longer open up, and I am going to have to re-do the whole thing. Luckily, because I had printed the one copy, I can copy the text on each page instead of trying to remember what I had written…
2/14/09- Finished the re-doing the profile and emailed it to the agency for Jennifer’s approval!!! What a great feeling, and how ironic to finish it on Valentine’s Day. Seems sort of perfect because we are going to have so much LOVE for whatever baby the Lord decides to give us!!!
2/16/09- Jennifer said the profile looks great, so we printed 6 copies (14 pgs each) on our color printer at home, and Andy also posted the profile online and we emailed family and friends with an update on the process and gave them the link to the profile so they could see it. Everyone was SO supportive in their email responses- thank you to all of you!!! Here's the link: picasaweb.google.com/amparrish61904/OurAdoptionProfile
2/17/09- I had a scary fingerprinting experience in St. Martinville. I had to go to the correctional facility to use the fancy scanning fingerprinting machine, and that necessitated going up to the second floor holding-cell area where they book the prisoners! While I was being fingerprinted, a man in handcuffs was being booked into the jail! Yikes- but I’ll do almost anything if it means we eventually end up with a successful adoption :)
2/18/09- Andy brings the printed profiles to the Office Depot here in town to be bound.
9/20/08- We attended the Family to Family Fall Adoption Conference and learned more about the entire process and heard the stories of birth mothers and adoptive families that have worked with the agency (including Patrick and Andrea! Patrick spoke at the conference, and Ella and Corinne were there too). Hurricane Ike almost resulted in the conference being cancelled, but they went ahead with it anyway!
9/21/08- I emailed Charlene, the wife of a doctor whom I called on when I was still doing Pharmaceutical Sales, to see about a recommendation for a social worker who could do a Home Study for us in Louisiana that would meet Texas standards as well.
9/22/08- Charlene emailed back and recommended Lisa, a LA-certified social worker, and I emailed her right away!
9/24/08- Lisa agreed to do our Home Study for us!
10/8/08- Lisa sent us a bunch of paperwork, and we began filling it out.
10/11/08- We attended an America World Adoption Association “Spirit of Adoption” seminar- which happened to be held at a church less than a mile from our house, and hosted by none other than Charlene (the doctor’s wife mentioned above)! It is the agency whom Steven Curtis Chapman (the famous Christian music artist) and his wife used.
10/15/08- We contacted five family members and friends to ask them to be references for us (which meant filling out a 5-page questionnaire about Andy and I) as part of the Home Study requirements. All of them agreed to do this, and we are SO grateful to them for their willingness to do this for us.
10/17/08- We had our first of three meetings with Lisa (the social worker doing the Home Study has to meet with you three times).
10/24/08- Andy’s background check (fingerprinting) comes back clear (of course!) from the FBI, but my fingerprints are rejected- the quality was too low.
11/5/08- We had the second meeting with Lisa.
11/12/08- My 2nd set of fingerprints is rejected by the FBI.
11/13/08- I downloaded a free software program (Scrapbook Flair) to use for completing our profile (for the purpose of “showing” us to birth mothers). I then completed one page just to see if it would work correctly, and I liked the way it turned out.
12/13/08- The last and final meeting with Lisa- the Home Study is complete!!
12/15/08- My 3rd set of fingerprints is rejected by the FBI :(
1/12/09- I let Jennifer and Maxine (at Family to Family Adoptions) know that our home study was done and that we wanted to sign on with them if they would accept us (and our Home Study). I began working diligently on our profile.
1/17/09- Mailed application, initial fee, and the signed copy of the Home Study to the agency.
1/22/09- The agency officially accepted our application and Home Study per TX standards.
2/7/09- I finished the profile today and printed off a copy (14 pages). Unfortunately, a few of the pictures didn’t print out on the pages, so Andy tried to download an “update” to the software from Scrapbook Flair’s website, and once he did that, we lost the entire profile! It will no longer open up, and I am going to have to re-do the whole thing. Luckily, because I had printed the one copy, I can copy the text on each page instead of trying to remember what I had written…
2/14/09- Finished the re-doing the profile and emailed it to the agency for Jennifer’s approval!!! What a great feeling, and how ironic to finish it on Valentine’s Day. Seems sort of perfect because we are going to have so much LOVE for whatever baby the Lord decides to give us!!!
2/16/09- Jennifer said the profile looks great, so we printed 6 copies (14 pgs each) on our color printer at home, and Andy also posted the profile online and we emailed family and friends with an update on the process and gave them the link to the profile so they could see it. Everyone was SO supportive in their email responses- thank you to all of you!!! Here's the link: picasaweb.google.com/amparrish61904/OurAdoptionProfile
2/17/09- I had a scary fingerprinting experience in St. Martinville. I had to go to the correctional facility to use the fancy scanning fingerprinting machine, and that necessitated going up to the second floor holding-cell area where they book the prisoners! While I was being fingerprinted, a man in handcuffs was being booked into the jail! Yikes- but I’ll do almost anything if it means we eventually end up with a successful adoption :)
2/18/09- Andy brings the printed profiles to the Office Depot here in town to be bound.
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