Saturday, April 26, 2008
More Lessons....
Bill and I just finished our foster parent training requirement for Bethany. It ended up being an amazing experience in so many ways. For one, we were surrounded by people with the same beliefs that wanted to adopt a child like we did. Although we were all in the class for different reasons, we were united in our values and purpose. During the past 4 weeks, we also had the opportunity to really see all sides of the adoption process. I think so often I think about things being as simple as Bill and I finally having a precious baby but it isn't that simple. We were able to witness the testimonies of not only birth mothers but also grown up adopted children. It was eye opening to see all the realities of adoption and not only the idealism of it all. I feel that the whole experience is more real and we are in fact going to one day have a baby! This isn't just a dream...it's a reality! More to come soon...
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Training Season
It's been a while since I've updated this but here is the latest:
Bill and I are in the middle of our home study. For those of you who don't know what that means, basically Billy and I complete certain requirements (and there are many) in order to be approved as adoptive parents. This past week we also have started taking the required Foster Parent Training as part of the adoption agency. It was a group of about 9 other couples from all different walks of life. It was a very eclectic group!
Even though we have only had one meeting, we are very excited to continue attending the classes and getting to know these people but more importantly, allowing God to reveal to us exactly what steps we need to take. With adoption come a lot of difficult decisions. Open or closed adoption? Interim care of the infant or direct placement? What race? What sex? Is it okay if the mother drank through the entire pregnancy? Are you willing to adopt a kid with special needs? All of these questions, while they may seem quite "surfacy", will affect the rest of our lives and most importantly, the life of the child God has chosen for us to adopt. Bill and I had a great talk driving home from our training about how God's plan for us is bigger than we ever dreamed. I know this process will bring us not only an addition to our family, but a greater understanding of our adoption as children of God. Uh oh, I'm starting to preach! That's a cue to stop...more news to come in the next month or so.
Oh and if you are reading this, please keep my cousins Christy and Mike in your prayers. They are planning on traveling to China in the beginning of May to meet their new daughter, Gracelynn. It sure is an exciting time!
Bill and I are in the middle of our home study. For those of you who don't know what that means, basically Billy and I complete certain requirements (and there are many) in order to be approved as adoptive parents. This past week we also have started taking the required Foster Parent Training as part of the adoption agency. It was a group of about 9 other couples from all different walks of life. It was a very eclectic group!
Even though we have only had one meeting, we are very excited to continue attending the classes and getting to know these people but more importantly, allowing God to reveal to us exactly what steps we need to take. With adoption come a lot of difficult decisions. Open or closed adoption? Interim care of the infant or direct placement? What race? What sex? Is it okay if the mother drank through the entire pregnancy? Are you willing to adopt a kid with special needs? All of these questions, while they may seem quite "surfacy", will affect the rest of our lives and most importantly, the life of the child God has chosen for us to adopt. Bill and I had a great talk driving home from our training about how God's plan for us is bigger than we ever dreamed. I know this process will bring us not only an addition to our family, but a greater understanding of our adoption as children of God. Uh oh, I'm starting to preach! That's a cue to stop...more news to come in the next month or so.
Oh and if you are reading this, please keep my cousins Christy and Mike in your prayers. They are planning on traveling to China in the beginning of May to meet their new daughter, Gracelynn. It sure is an exciting time!
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Money Matters
I think the one thing about the adoption process I have worried about the most lately is the money issue. While it is undeniably true that God is behind this whole process, the question of "How are we ever going to afford this?!?!" comes to mind. The first part of the adoption process will cost about $2000 and that for us is a big chunk of change (and we don't want to put this on our credit card!).
With living in the DC area, taking masters classes and just purchasing a house last year, Billy and I tryto be good stewards of the money God provides and $2000 can really cause problems with making ends meet. This week we were able to refinance our house (long story short-there was a condition in our contract that was not being met) and with interest rates being lower, we will be able to save almost $200 a month on house payments! That's a big deal!
Also we are definitely blessed with the most amazing family! I don't want to say too much (because my wording never comes out clearly-ask me personally if you want to know) but due to generous gifts from our family, the first adoption fund has been more than taken care of- praise God! I know we will have many other financial hurdles ahead but it is such a huge weight lifted off our shoulders to know that for the time everything is falling into place. It's amazing to know how everything is planned by God and it doesn't matter if I don't understand it or can't handle it...because He can!
If you think about us, please pray about our interview. We should be hearing some time this week about our interview with our social worker. I am a little nervous but excited for this step.
More news later!
With living in the DC area, taking masters classes and just purchasing a house last year, Billy and I tryto be good stewards of the money God provides and $2000 can really cause problems with making ends meet. This week we were able to refinance our house (long story short-there was a condition in our contract that was not being met) and with interest rates being lower, we will be able to save almost $200 a month on house payments! That's a big deal!
Also we are definitely blessed with the most amazing family! I don't want to say too much (because my wording never comes out clearly-ask me personally if you want to know) but due to generous gifts from our family, the first adoption fund has been more than taken care of- praise God! I know we will have many other financial hurdles ahead but it is such a huge weight lifted off our shoulders to know that for the time everything is falling into place. It's amazing to know how everything is planned by God and it doesn't matter if I don't understand it or can't handle it...because He can!
If you think about us, please pray about our interview. We should be hearing some time this week about our interview with our social worker. I am a little nervous but excited for this step.
More news later!
Monday, January 21, 2008
In Case You Didn't Know..
Billy and I have decided to adopt an infant! We are in a domestic infant adoption program and we are absolutely thrilled!
Ever since I was younger (and by younger I mean like 6), I always had a passion for children who did not have the gift of a wonderful home. Case in point, when I used to draw pictures of my "dream house" with my sister and cousin Sarah, mine always included an orphanage. What child thinks like that? Before Bill and I got married, we had discussed adoption and we both agreed we would be open to adoption.
This fall we decided to start a family. While we were excited to start a family, God began to reveal to Billy and I that we wouldn't have the typical family. While capable to have children of our own, we both didn't feel that was the way to go. Strangely enough, we both felt this way but didn't discuss it...at least not yet.
About a week before Christmas, my husband and I had traveled to Utah to attend our cousin Tommy's college graduation. On the day of the graduation, it was amazing how often God prompted us to have a discussion about adoption. It started with Third Day's "Merry Christmas" song about adopting a girl from China in the morning. Then at lunch, my grandma brought up the adoption process of our cousin Ben. Then we were asked about when Billy and I were starting a family. To wrap it all up, on the ride back to our hotel near the airport, the Third Day song came on AGAIN. Hmm...God- I'm listening now...
After an emotional conversation and talking to God about this big decision, we decided it was time to move forward. We are still constantly amazed about God's hand in all of this. We chose Bethany Christian Services as an agency and so far it has been a pleasant experience. The agency is very upfront and realistic- we Sturgell people LOVE that! Fortunately, we were able to attend the next information meeting on January 3rd- there wouldn't be another till late spring early summer. God intervenes again!
We have filled out our official formal application and are eagerly awaiting an appointment to interview with the social worker. God immensely blessed us again because we will be required to take some training on the adoption process and the agency only offers this once a year...in March! The timing is perfect as it always is in God's hand.
While we are extremely excited, we are by no means unrealistic. We are aware that this will be a long and trying process but with God's hand in it, we will learn much. Stay tuned for more information!
Ever since I was younger (and by younger I mean like 6), I always had a passion for children who did not have the gift of a wonderful home. Case in point, when I used to draw pictures of my "dream house" with my sister and cousin Sarah, mine always included an orphanage. What child thinks like that? Before Bill and I got married, we had discussed adoption and we both agreed we would be open to adoption.
This fall we decided to start a family. While we were excited to start a family, God began to reveal to Billy and I that we wouldn't have the typical family. While capable to have children of our own, we both didn't feel that was the way to go. Strangely enough, we both felt this way but didn't discuss it...at least not yet.
About a week before Christmas, my husband and I had traveled to Utah to attend our cousin Tommy's college graduation. On the day of the graduation, it was amazing how often God prompted us to have a discussion about adoption. It started with Third Day's "Merry Christmas" song about adopting a girl from China in the morning. Then at lunch, my grandma brought up the adoption process of our cousin Ben. Then we were asked about when Billy and I were starting a family. To wrap it all up, on the ride back to our hotel near the airport, the Third Day song came on AGAIN. Hmm...God- I'm listening now...
After an emotional conversation and talking to God about this big decision, we decided it was time to move forward. We are still constantly amazed about God's hand in all of this. We chose Bethany Christian Services as an agency and so far it has been a pleasant experience. The agency is very upfront and realistic- we Sturgell people LOVE that! Fortunately, we were able to attend the next information meeting on January 3rd- there wouldn't be another till late spring early summer. God intervenes again!
We have filled out our official formal application and are eagerly awaiting an appointment to interview with the social worker. God immensely blessed us again because we will be required to take some training on the adoption process and the agency only offers this once a year...in March! The timing is perfect as it always is in God's hand.
While we are extremely excited, we are by no means unrealistic. We are aware that this will be a long and trying process but with God's hand in it, we will learn much. Stay tuned for more information!
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