If you've been wondering what we've we been doing for the last few weeks...we've been filling out mountains of paperwork, getting copies of important documents together, crunching numbers, getting our physicals and blood-work done, making phone calls and conducting interviews about resources, finishing up our home study meetings, reviewing the draft of our home study report, and doing lots of praying and waiting. That's a cycle you have to get used to in the adoption process...fill out paperwork like mad, trust the Lord and wait.
We are hoping to finish up our home study this week. Then we'll be able to submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) for a specific little boy. We are praying hard for the Lord's will to be done, trusting Him in the midst of all the unknowns and praying for His equipping. We can't wait to share more as time goes on and we're able! I told our social worker last week... I just don't know how people go through this process without being able to trust in the sovereignty of God. I would be an absolute basket case if I didn't have that assurance!
When I started blogging about Becca's adoption, I answered a few questions we were getting asked a lot. We are getting some of those same questions this time from folks we didn't know back then. [See my post called "A Growing Pack" for the answers to the following questions: Why adopt when you can have biological children? Why international adoption? How are you going to pay for this?] Our answers have grown longer, but our initial reasons are also still present. We have more reasons for heading back to China now, including the amount of boys in the medical needs program vs. the amount who are actually being adopted, our love for the people of China has only grown and we also love that Becca will have someone else in our family who looks like her and has a similar story.
Another question we are being asked is what drew us to the medical needs program. In a word, experience. Each of our three children have had medical needs over the years, requiring surgeries, hospital stays, regular treatments and specialists. Josh often jokes that I am "Dr. Karen," and I do feel I deserve at least an honorary nursing degree or something. Ok, not really, but I'm on my way there after hours in specialist offices and hospitals. I have the utmost respect for people in the medical field; our family is greatly in their debt. Because of our experience, we feel more at ease with all things medical than your average Joe; most medical needs just don't scare us anymore. We believe that's the work of God in our lives; we believe He has prepared and equipped us to not only handle medical needs, but to have the honor and privilege of helping our children (whatever their needs may be) to grow and thrive!
We have already seen the fingerprints of God all over this adoption, from circumstances to provision to stretching our minds to divine conversations. A lot of the details we aren't able to share yet, but there are a few quick examples that I can share. 1) We recently switched pediatricians due to our move, and on our first visit, we learned the kids' new doctor was an adoptee! And, she was awesome! 2) Josh and I have both gotten calls out of the blue that were answers to our prayers for God's financial provision. 3) We've become aware of some promising therapy resources right in our own little rural area. & 4) I'm attending a women's Bible study through our church, and we are studying Exodus and Leviticus. Last week, our lesson was about His equipping, and our biblical texts spoke to me right where I was at.... struggling with some thoughts and questions about specific medical needs. He gave me total peace from His Word! God can handle the big questions, and He cares about the details; He can handle our doubts and feelings of inadequacy. So, if you are struggling with those things too, cast your cares on Him and live in the Bible. He will be faithful to answer if you seek Him!
Thank you all for your continued prayers and encouragement! Keep asking questions; we love sharing about adoption and aren't easily offended by honest questions. We are far from experts, but we love to educate where we can and share our personal experience with adoption.
To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of His calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith BY HIS POWER, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 ESV
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