Walking by Faith

Sean and I were officially accepted into the Ethiopian program with America World Adoption agency last week! After an initial assessment and general paperwork (only 8 pages worth), the big stuff is soon to come! Now, mountains and months of paperwork and fees are before us. Sean and I have had many friends who have adopted internationally, so we've seen this "hurry up and wait" process, but experiencing it when it's YOUR child, brings about a whole new realm of emotions. You submit things, then wait for a response. Then, the next thing you know, you receive more paperwork that needs immediate responses with immediate fees. So, it's certainly a learning process of patience. Ouch.

So many have asked us. "When do you go get your child?" I wish it were that easy. We are in the beginning stages of a process that will most likely take at least a year, perhaps longer. We are requesting an "older child" between the ages of 4-8, and we are open to siblings. This MAY make it a process that is not quite as long as someone only looking for a newborn. There really is no definite timetable when you are dealing with adoption, especially adoption from a foreign country. In adoption "lingo" we are in the process of building our dossier. What is that? Good question-one we've just recently learned.

Dossier-this term refers to a set of appropriately authenticated and translated legal documents which are used in international adoption cases to process the adoption of a child in its own country by the adoptive parents, or for the adoptive parents to obtain the legal custody or guardianship of the child in the foreign court, so the child can be brought by the adoptive parents to the United States for adoption.

This paperwork includes detailed personal information, financial statements, criminal background checks, fingerprints, a homestudy, a required online training course specific for international adoption, plus a plan of how we intend to fund the adoption. With each set of paperwork to submit comes major fees for every service involved. It's not cheap, and we aren't rich. Therefore, part of what our agency encourages is to plan various fundraising events to help cover the costs of these steps. Right now, we are considering and beginning to plan several things. Some of those include: a huge yard sale, benefit concerts, spaghetti dinner, 5K race/walk, t-shirts, and a few other smaller events through venues like Pampered Chef, Thirty-One, etc. Every cent counts! Our desire is not only to raise money for our family to adopt, but to also be able to help support other local families here on the shore who are either in the process of adoption, or considering adoption. So many people say they would consider adopting if it didn't cost so much. We were one of those. God is getting ready to show us not only that He is the owner of it all, but He has more than enough as we follow His heart to rescue the orphans all around our world.

As we begin this long process, I have found myself a little anxious thinking of the mountains of paperwork before us and the fees included with all of the steps. Knowing we have a son in Ethiopia who needs a home breaks my heart. Why should we have to pay for a child? Why should we have to wait when he needs to be home NOW? All of those are questions we've been asked, and ones we have asked ourselves before when we would hear about the long adoption process. Sadly, this is just how it is when it comes to a legal process, and so we must wait and trust. I wish the answer were different, but it's just not. Therefore, if this is the route we must take, we will take it because it's the journey towards rescuing a child who needs hope. It's a journey to OUR son. In light of that, wild horses couldn't keep us away! I've summoned my "worry army" of prayer warriors lately to come to battle on our behalf, and they've been so faithful to do just that. God has sent so many sweet reminders to me each day that remind me of His goodness and faithfulness. Sometimes, it's a scripture, sometimes a word from a friend, a sweet reminder from one who is right where we are, and other times encouragement from one whose been there and has their child home. He has used so many around us, and I'm grateful for each one. Just yesterday, God was so faithful to give me these words in my morning devotion: "As you anticipate what is ahead of you, you forget that I am with you- now and always. Rehearsing your troubles results in experiencing them many times, whereas you are meant to go through them only when they actually occur. Do not multiply your suffering in this way! Instead, come to Me, and relax in My peace. I will strengthen you and prepare you for this day, transforming your fear into confident trust." (taken from Jesus Calling by Sarah Young)

What I am finding is this is not just a journey to bring our son home. It's a journey alongside a true and faithful God, and we get to walk it hand in hand with Him. It has already brought me closer to Him and in awe of His love for me, His adopted. To think that I have access to all He owns because I'm His child encourages me to be patient so that I can demonstrate this to ours one day. I have only a glimpse of what He's preparing to do, but I have no idea of His timing or how He will provide. I just know He will. I have seen His faithfulness to me enough to know that when I can't see how the next step will come about, I can trust Him. His supply is more than enough for my needs! For that, I am simply grateful and in awe.

Thanks for journeying along with us. To be continued.....

"You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need, His generosity exceeding even yours in the glory that pours from Jesus. Our God and Fatherabounds in glory that just pours out into eternity. Yes." Phil. 4:19 (MSG)