Well, we had our final homestudy interview on Tuesday, August 31st, and up to that point, I was running around trying to make sure that we had all of our paperwork done. The only thing left on the 'to-do' list for our homestudy is my TB test (dr's office was out!).
So, thinking we were ahead of the game and just moving right along towards completing everything, we started our final homestudy interview.
The interview went smoothly and we had yet another opportunity to talk about how we made our decision to adopt, our marriage, our children, and our philosophies on raising healthy, happy children.
I was feeling so good when we were finishing our interview thinking, 'ok, we're going to be finishing our homestudy in about a month - woohoo!'. Then, the next words came out of our social worker's mouth....
'I should have your homestudy write-up ready to go in about 6 weeks.'
WHAAAAAAAAAAAT?
I've been running all over town getting paperwork done as fast as possible to find out that we are going to be waiting for another 6 weeks?!?
This clearly came as a shock, and for the first time since we began the process, I haven't been working on our adoption. It's very strange. I feel like I should be doing something!
I have to ask myself 'What is the lesson here?' The answer: the simple reality that no matter how much control you think you have, you really don't have much.
Probably best that understand this truth now being that I it's the theme when adopting.
We'd love your prayers as we are doing our best at being patient in the wait, and knowing that God has our child already chosen for us. There's no rushing destiny.
By the way, be sure to check out these great pendant necklaces to help support an adoption of two boys from the Congo. www.stinkytoesdesign.com and go to 'Shop for Adoption'.
In Him,
The Rhamys
Road Banner
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Friday, August 27, 2010
What a Week!
Well, we've gotten over a few more hurdles towards completing our dossier and homestudy, but not without a few challenges from Satan....
It took me three visits to the post office to finally get my passport application accepted, and each time was with two crying, fighting, runny-nosed toddlers in tow. In addition to those trips, my husband and I both got our physicals done, our fingerprinting taken care of, and all of our background checks submitted for each county we've lived in in the past five years........pheeew.
Each day, I have been challenged this week with sickness, a back injury that just won't quit, and taking on two extra precious ones to help another Mom get some time to herself. It's been a long week, my back is still killing me, and my throbbing throat and running nose are more tests that I feel the enemy has put in my way this week. All of the above has made me question my resolve and my ability to take on and care for another child while still showing love and patience to all my children.
As I was leaving my physical with two tired kiddos and heading to what I hoped was my last passport trip, I continued to remind myself that I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me.
I didn't do it with the most grace, the most patience, or being the best testimony of Christ's love, but we continue to forge ahead and work another day to bring our child home regardless of the tests and doubts Satan puts in our heads. Oh Lord, please forgive me for my weaknesses and my missteps this week, and help me to become strengthened and renewed so I can do better according to your purpose.
As I sit here typing and my babies are napping (and I'm considering getting a nap in myself), I was graciously given a second wind and the energy and reassurance I needed when I opened this link that was waiting in my email. I hope it does the same for you. God bless this road, Lord!
It took me three visits to the post office to finally get my passport application accepted, and each time was with two crying, fighting, runny-nosed toddlers in tow. In addition to those trips, my husband and I both got our physicals done, our fingerprinting taken care of, and all of our background checks submitted for each county we've lived in in the past five years........pheeew.
Each day, I have been challenged this week with sickness, a back injury that just won't quit, and taking on two extra precious ones to help another Mom get some time to herself. It's been a long week, my back is still killing me, and my throbbing throat and running nose are more tests that I feel the enemy has put in my way this week. All of the above has made me question my resolve and my ability to take on and care for another child while still showing love and patience to all my children.
As I was leaving my physical with two tired kiddos and heading to what I hoped was my last passport trip, I continued to remind myself that I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me.
I didn't do it with the most grace, the most patience, or being the best testimony of Christ's love, but we continue to forge ahead and work another day to bring our child home regardless of the tests and doubts Satan puts in our heads. Oh Lord, please forgive me for my weaknesses and my missteps this week, and help me to become strengthened and renewed so I can do better according to your purpose.
As I sit here typing and my babies are napping (and I'm considering getting a nap in myself), I was graciously given a second wind and the energy and reassurance I needed when I opened this link that was waiting in my email. I hope it does the same for you. God bless this road, Lord!
Monday, August 16, 2010
Let the Paperchase Begin!
We are officially in the paperchase! It's somewhat surreal. Before we came to the decision to adopt, I spent many hours reading blogs of those that have traveled this road before us. I remember reading the funny and often harrying posts about the paperchase that must be experienced before bringing home your child.
Well, here we are. Strange really.
Our contracts are signed, and we have finished most our course work given to us by AGCI. We've received and worked through the papers given to us by our homestudy agency, we've scheduled the doctor appointments, the background checks, and the fingerprinting appointments.
Just as I was able to take a short breath in, our dossier packet, along with our last workbook came in the mail today!
Unfortunately, for me and those who live in my house, I am one of those 'Type A' personalities. Now that we've made the decision to adopt, there is this underlying sense of urgency to get everything done as quickly as possible!
I have a tendency to get lost in the 'to-do's' and the appointments, the deadlines, and the paperwork, but as I was reading yet another blog this evening, I found a second wind. This is an excerpt from the Strobel family's first trip to meet their daughter just a few days ago.
"We met our daughter, Argene (pronounced Are gen eee with a hard g) yesterday and right after her Special Mother placed her in our arms she looked right up at me and smiled. Our tears and emotions flowed as we held her and realized that God brought us through nearly 2.5years of paperwork, waiting and now traveling half way around the world to connect us to one sweet little one who needs us and needs a family. It is truly a miracle and a God ordained plan. Finding the courage and the faith to step outside ourselves and often our comfort zone could never have happened without faith, letting go of our own needs and trusting that God would work it all out. I wish I could bottle and sell the feeling of such faith so all of us could take a dose when needed. It felt so surreal to finally feel her, smell her and interact with her knowing that although we did not give birth to her, she is without a doubt our daughter. She is already etched in our hearts and needs us , but we feel strongly like it is our family that needs her. We need her to come home and complete our family."
That says it all. This is a journey of faith to a little one that will complete our family.
Sweet dreams sweet baby. May God protect you.
Love,
Mom
Well, here we are. Strange really.
Our contracts are signed, and we have finished most our course work given to us by AGCI. We've received and worked through the papers given to us by our homestudy agency, we've scheduled the doctor appointments, the background checks, and the fingerprinting appointments.
Just as I was able to take a short breath in, our dossier packet, along with our last workbook came in the mail today!
Unfortunately, for me and those who live in my house, I am one of those 'Type A' personalities. Now that we've made the decision to adopt, there is this underlying sense of urgency to get everything done as quickly as possible!
I have a tendency to get lost in the 'to-do's' and the appointments, the deadlines, and the paperwork, but as I was reading yet another blog this evening, I found a second wind. This is an excerpt from the Strobel family's first trip to meet their daughter just a few days ago.
"We met our daughter, Argene (pronounced Are gen eee with a hard g) yesterday and right after her Special Mother placed her in our arms she looked right up at me and smiled. Our tears and emotions flowed as we held her and realized that God brought us through nearly 2.5years of paperwork, waiting and now traveling half way around the world to connect us to one sweet little one who needs us and needs a family. It is truly a miracle and a God ordained plan. Finding the courage and the faith to step outside ourselves and often our comfort zone could never have happened without faith, letting go of our own needs and trusting that God would work it all out. I wish I could bottle and sell the feeling of such faith so all of us could take a dose when needed. It felt so surreal to finally feel her, smell her and interact with her knowing that although we did not give birth to her, she is without a doubt our daughter. She is already etched in our hearts and needs us , but we feel strongly like it is our family that needs her. We need her to come home and complete our family."
That says it all. This is a journey of faith to a little one that will complete our family.
Sweet dreams sweet baby. May God protect you.
Love,
Mom
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
We've Been Accepted By Our Agency!
We were accepted just yesterday by AGCI (All God's Children International), and we are so excited! Next step....waiting for our Orientation Packet, and we're going to try to get a head start on getting together our documents for our dossier.
I don't know who has been praying for me this week, but they must have a direct line to the Lord. My anxieties and fears have been melting all the more, and the excitement, and I guess, fervor, for lack of a better word, that is building are welcomed feelings.
I can hear this new voice starting up in my head that is not saying, but shouting 'WHY WOULDN'T WE BE DOING THIS?'. Is this road going to have it's challenges, yes, but what is the alternative? Does it really make sense not to reach out to children who, without adoption, could die before the age of 5 due to a preventable illness or malnutrition?
Everyday there are aproximately 5,700 more orphans in Africa alone and, 1 in 100 won't make it 30 days; 1 in 10 won't make it to 1 years old; and 1 in 6 die before their 5th birthday.
So when God asks me on judgement day, 'Why didn't you help the 'least of these' These were my children, this was Me, and you turned away."
How do you think, 'Well, God, I just wasn't sure how well a black child would have assimilated to an all-white family?' or 'I just didn't feel called.' or 'Would it really be fair to take a child out of their country and from their people?'
(All thoughts and questions that I've battled)
How do you think those responses would hold up to the God who has given to me abundantly?
Yet again, I found my answer in God's word:
The Final Judgment
(Matthew 31:46)
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
Just in this short time, from finally submitting our application (and submitting to the Lord) to being approved, we have seen God continuing to move us. And to be able to see the hand of God in my life, working towards His desires, His heart; the orphans of the world, is where we will find great rewards.
So, if you're wanting more from you relationship with God, through Christ, be sure you're on God's path, or you may never run into Him.
I pray that more and more hearts are stirred for the orphans of the world.
"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you."
John 14:18
I don't know who has been praying for me this week, but they must have a direct line to the Lord. My anxieties and fears have been melting all the more, and the excitement, and I guess, fervor, for lack of a better word, that is building are welcomed feelings.
I can hear this new voice starting up in my head that is not saying, but shouting 'WHY WOULDN'T WE BE DOING THIS?'. Is this road going to have it's challenges, yes, but what is the alternative? Does it really make sense not to reach out to children who, without adoption, could die before the age of 5 due to a preventable illness or malnutrition?
Everyday there are aproximately 5,700 more orphans in Africa alone and, 1 in 100 won't make it 30 days; 1 in 10 won't make it to 1 years old; and 1 in 6 die before their 5th birthday.
So when God asks me on judgement day, 'Why didn't you help the 'least of these' These were my children, this was Me, and you turned away."
How do you think, 'Well, God, I just wasn't sure how well a black child would have assimilated to an all-white family?' or 'I just didn't feel called.' or 'Would it really be fair to take a child out of their country and from their people?'
(All thoughts and questions that I've battled)
How do you think those responses would hold up to the God who has given to me abundantly?
Yet again, I found my answer in God's word:
The Final Judgment
(Matthew 31:46)
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
Just in this short time, from finally submitting our application (and submitting to the Lord) to being approved, we have seen God continuing to move us. And to be able to see the hand of God in my life, working towards His desires, His heart; the orphans of the world, is where we will find great rewards.
So, if you're wanting more from you relationship with God, through Christ, be sure you're on God's path, or you may never run into Him.
I pray that more and more hearts are stirred for the orphans of the world.
"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you."
John 14:18
Friday, July 9, 2010
We've Submitted Our Application!
We have taken the first steps to be adoptive parents!
However, I have to admit that as I was filling out the last bits of information and readying myself to hit the 'submit' button on the application, I became overwhelmed by anxiousness. I know, this seems to be the theme of my blog so far, but right now, this is where I am in my journey. My flesh and spirit seems to be in a constant state of wrestling. Images of Jacob wrestling with God in his dream keep coming up in my head as I, for the first time, feel I have a better understanding of what that must have been like.
But, when I allow all to get quiet, and I ask myself, 'Do you feel like you should adopt?', the answer is not changing;'Yes'. It's hard to admit to myself or to you the fear and anxiety that surrounds me in my moments of weakness because, when I read the other blogs there seems to be no air of hesitation and nothing but unadulterated excitement. I wish I could tell you I feel those things, and those things only, and I do at times, but others, I become overwhelmed again.
So, here is where I find my rest today:
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all of your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded: be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen!"
1 Peter 5:6-11
Praise God for he has called us, he has justified us through Christ, and he will glorify us for his namesake.
However, I have to admit that as I was filling out the last bits of information and readying myself to hit the 'submit' button on the application, I became overwhelmed by anxiousness. I know, this seems to be the theme of my blog so far, but right now, this is where I am in my journey. My flesh and spirit seems to be in a constant state of wrestling. Images of Jacob wrestling with God in his dream keep coming up in my head as I, for the first time, feel I have a better understanding of what that must have been like.
But, when I allow all to get quiet, and I ask myself, 'Do you feel like you should adopt?', the answer is not changing;'Yes'. It's hard to admit to myself or to you the fear and anxiety that surrounds me in my moments of weakness because, when I read the other blogs there seems to be no air of hesitation and nothing but unadulterated excitement. I wish I could tell you I feel those things, and those things only, and I do at times, but others, I become overwhelmed again.
So, here is where I find my rest today:
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all of your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded: be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen!"
1 Peter 5:6-11
Praise God for he has called us, he has justified us through Christ, and he will glorify us for his namesake.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Radical Obedience
I've been reading David Platt's new book, Radical, and I am struck with how well it illustrates my walk on this road of adoption.
As I read, I was convicted by my belief that Christianity meant 'God loves me'.
Back in November, when we sat through service on the first annual Orphan Sunday, I think I can safely say that my walk was still in the 'God loves me' department. My husband and I are fairly new to our walk, being saved on New Year's Eve of 2008 and baptized shortly thereafter; so November of 2009, I was still submerged in the 'mourning', 'repenting', and 'surrending' part of my relationship with the Lord (which I don't see going anywhere!).
My husband, as I have mentioned, was very open to adoption, and I had never thought about it, and can honestly say, wasn't very open to the idea.
However, I promised to take it to the Lord in prayer and ask for Him to show me His will for our family. And, as it states in Luke 10:11, 'for everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened'. God never fails on this one, and slowly but surely, the Spirit lead my heart to adoption blogs, then specifically to the children of Ethiopia, and so on.
In the book Radical, Platt points out that Christianity is not really about 'God loves me', but rather, 'God loves me so that I make Him known to all the nations'.
I was absolutely convicted by the notion that so many Christians are so quick to take on all of the bibles priviledges, but when it comes to our obligations, such as telling us to make disciples of all nations, we assume it's a specific and unique calling.
An excerpt from Radical:
'It's a foundational truth: God creates, blesses, and saves each of us for a radically global purpose."
Wow! So you're saying that I wasn't saved so I could move forward with God's grace, a clean slate, and continue to live what I and all around me would consider 'comfortably'? I'm embarrassed to say it, but that's exactly what I thought!
I am so thankful to God for His patience, His purpose, His vision, and His spirit as we have walked this road of adoption; specifically to the ends of the world. I never would have guessed that this would have been a part of our story. And as I have realized, with the help of David Platt's book, that for me, it's not really a question of, 'am I being called to adopt?', it's about being radically obedient, and being open to share the grace and salvation of God through the love of Jesus Christ who lives in me.
As I read, I was convicted by my belief that Christianity meant 'God loves me'.
Back in November, when we sat through service on the first annual Orphan Sunday, I think I can safely say that my walk was still in the 'God loves me' department. My husband and I are fairly new to our walk, being saved on New Year's Eve of 2008 and baptized shortly thereafter; so November of 2009, I was still submerged in the 'mourning', 'repenting', and 'surrending' part of my relationship with the Lord (which I don't see going anywhere!).
My husband, as I have mentioned, was very open to adoption, and I had never thought about it, and can honestly say, wasn't very open to the idea.
However, I promised to take it to the Lord in prayer and ask for Him to show me His will for our family. And, as it states in Luke 10:11, 'for everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened'. God never fails on this one, and slowly but surely, the Spirit lead my heart to adoption blogs, then specifically to the children of Ethiopia, and so on.
In the book Radical, Platt points out that Christianity is not really about 'God loves me', but rather, 'God loves me so that I make Him known to all the nations'.
I was absolutely convicted by the notion that so many Christians are so quick to take on all of the bibles priviledges, but when it comes to our obligations, such as telling us to make disciples of all nations, we assume it's a specific and unique calling.
An excerpt from Radical:
'It's a foundational truth: God creates, blesses, and saves each of us for a radically global purpose."
Wow! So you're saying that I wasn't saved so I could move forward with God's grace, a clean slate, and continue to live what I and all around me would consider 'comfortably'? I'm embarrassed to say it, but that's exactly what I thought!
I am so thankful to God for His patience, His purpose, His vision, and His spirit as we have walked this road of adoption; specifically to the ends of the world. I never would have guessed that this would have been a part of our story. And as I have realized, with the help of David Platt's book, that for me, it's not really a question of, 'am I being called to adopt?', it's about being radically obedient, and being open to share the grace and salvation of God through the love of Jesus Christ who lives in me.
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