Sometime in July, a friend and former co-worker from my previous school contacted me about one of my former students who was brought into the foster care system the year they were in my class. That child is now 11 and still in the foster care system looking to be adopted. We always had the possibility of adoption in our minds. We just knew that if and when we made that decision it would be when we were 100% ready to become parents. This is different than conceiving and having 9 months to process everything. Adoption is an investment in time and money with a very uncertain outcome. However, when I saw this child, I knew right then and there that I was ready. After a talk with Mr. B, he assured me he was ready and that we needed to do this. It was time to pursue this. So, we contacted a friend from church who had gone through this process a few years ago and got all her advice and suggestions. She put us in contact with a social worker and someone who could possibly help us fund the majority of the adoption process. In late August, our journey began.
The first step was to complete the home study process. We had to fund that ourselves. Luckily, the bank of Mom and Dad was able to float us a loan to cover the expenses for the home study that we could pay back when we were able. Blessings continued to flow when Mr. B came into some extra money from work that allowed us to pay for our state and FBI background checks. We gathered all the paper work and had our site visit. Things went smoothly. Well, unless you count those pesky encrypted FBI background check reports. Thankfully, a very smart "techy" man at church was able to un-encrypt those bad boys in under 5 minutes. Throughout this process we were also completing the paperwork for the grant that we'd be applying for to help fund the adoption costs.
Fast forward to November 11th: we attend our first Sacred Selections fundraiser. This organization helps Christian families fund the "big" costs of the adoption process. We wanted to get involved immediately and meet other families who were, or have gone, through this experience we were embarking on. We were able to meet the founders of the organization. They attended worship services with us the following day then had lunch with them after services. I was able to attend an informal adoption workshop later that afternoon with them and other adoption hopefuls. It was an eye-opening experience. A good one.
I have to speak to the out pour of love, devotion, and support we've gotten from friends, family, and even strangers throughout all this. To start, all the wonderful letters of recommendation we received from friends and family were beyond amazing and brought us to tears. We really are blessed with amazing people in our lives. Next, I have to speak to the generosity of everyone in our lives. My parents who fronted the money for our home study and giving us baby furniture. I can't speak enough to how much it means to have our parents' support in all this. Mr. B's parents for doing little odds and ends things for us to make our home beautiful. They're willing to paint a nursery and fix up old furniture. Anything we need, our parents are quick to give in whatever ways they can. Then there's the kind family at church who donated the money we needed to complete our adoption profile. They knew it was the last step in this process and that we just didn't have the means to get it done right away. They want this for us so much that they without hesitation gave us the money to get it done. Needless to say, my husband and I were speechless and in tears. Then there's the couple I met at the adoption workshop who just handed me some money as I was leaving that afternoon. No questions asked. They simply stated they were blessed and wanted to bless others. Again, cue the water works. Then there's a young co-worker of Mr. B's who handed him an envelope with money in it one day at work. There's been many times when a dear friend has said to me, "Don't worry about the money. It will come when it needs to. People are there for you and want to help you!" God has truly blessed us in this journey so far.
So what's our status? The paper work is done and almost ready to be sent in as of this moment. Our profile should be completed within the next week. After that, we wait to be matched. From everything I've heard, this process goes very quickly because they are in need of families. We're hopeful for a baby by spring! We're getting a head start on that nursery. We want to be ready for our new little bundle when he or she arrives. The Browning's have an abundance of love to give, and we're just waiting on the right child to make their way into our home and hearts!
"But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind." James 1:6 ESV
