We Interrupt This Blog to Bring You an Important Announcement

We're pregnant!

It's the old joke about the surest way to get pregnant is to begin the process of adoption.

So, I called the adoption agency today and had them stop our paperwork before they open it and cash our checks. Next I called my midwife and made an appointment for next week.

Can't say it isn't ever exciting here at our house. :)

Hopefully we'll be able to resume the adoption process after the baby is born. We'll see. God's ways are not my ways, but His ways are better. I'm not sure why He took us down this path only to have it diverted. Maybe He was testing our faith. Maybe we misunderstood the calling on our hearts to have another child. Either way we count it all joy.

One Down, Two to Go

So we didn't make my Wednesday deadline. My husband had a job to work, or some other sorry excuse (JK, honey!). I sent off the preliminary paperwork today and our four references should be sending their letters soon. I know one person already sent hers (thanks!). We still are working on our on-line training and our medical exams aren't until April 6th. I don't think that will hold up the agency from sending us the next round of information and paperwork for the homestudy.

I've joined some on-line groups to help mentor me through this process. One is a group of Christian parents who have adopted from Africa. The other is a group of parents who have used our agency. The third group is parents who homeschool and have adopted internationally. A lot of good information, but so many perspectives and opinions that it can be difficult sometimes to navigate a discussion without offending someone, misunderstanding a meaning, or being misunderstaood.

We have asked for approval to adopt two (yes, two) children. We've heard it's better to ask permission for two and then decide to adopt one than to try to get approval for two later down the road. We are open to an infant under 6 months, either gender and a girl between one- and two-years old. I don't know if we qualify. God has simply placed the desire on our hearts to provide a family for two children.

Oh, I wanted to mention one more blessing God has provided in funding this adoption. Our medical exams, which carry a co-pay of $20 each, qualify as an annual wellness visit and we will be given $50 each. That means that each medical appointment will pay us $30! It may not seem like a lot considering how much we've paid so far, but every little bit helps and I'm so thankful to God for providing in small and large ways.

Is it a boy or a girl?

Yes. :)

We're still a long way from this decision being set in stone, but we have been thinking about it a lot. Initially my husband was set on a little girl because the conditions in country for a young woman are just terrible. There is a level of sexism that rates on the scale of the Middle East. Forced marriages, rapes, lack of education, and lack of access to proper healthcare top the list. We watched A Walk to Beautiful and caught only a glimpse of the life some women must endure.

After further thought (and prayer), my husband wants to be open to either a boy or a girl and let God choose our child. After all, the conditions aren't much better for a young man. Jeremy makes a good point that, if we raise a son, there will be one more man who is raised to respect, honor, and cherish women. A man who will not have his mind poisoned by sexism. A man who may choose to return to his country educated and equipped to help the women there, much like the OB/GYN from the movie who repaired the women's fistulas and gave them a second chance at life. Oh, how proud I would be to raise such a son!

So, as soon as the paperwork arrives (they've received our application and cashed our check - should be any day now!), we will begin the home study/dossier process and state our wishes to let God choose our child. Either way it will be a privilege. I continue to pray that God gives comfort and peace to the mother and father who will face the decision to let their child go in hopes of a better life. Oh, that I may prove worthy of such a trust.